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3.29 AVERAGE
3.29 AVERAGE
mysterious
slow-paced
An emotionally powerful story of a young girl who lost part of her memory after a car crash and her slow, gradual recovery of her old life. Read my full review at:
http://bookbybook.blogspot.com/2014/05/teenya-review-loud-awake-and-lost.html
http://bookbybook.blogspot.com/2014/05/teenya-review-loud-awake-and-lost.html
I have no words to say, except that this book was incredible and that you should read it.
The story was a bit predictable - fascinating and kind of spooky, but predictable. That being said, I think teens would enjoy this book. It's manageable and a fast read.
Ember survived a car accident but only barely. Now, eight months later she's ready to return to her Brooklyn home to resume her life. Except, nothing is really same. She won't ever dance again and the memory loss of the six weeks leading up to the accident are a gaping hole and reminder of what she lost. Her family and friends drop little hints that she wasn't really herself those weeks before the accident and tell her how relieved they are that she's come back to herself. Her best friend, her ex, they want to help her move on, to forget those six weeks. But Ember is haunted by the idea that maybe this self isn't her true self and she seeks ways to bring her memory back, no matter how painful.
I was very interested in the story for the first hundred pages or so but then I kept waiting for the pieces to drop in place that would lead to one big aha! moment that never happened. As it turns out, the big secret was that she realized she a) didn't want to keep dancing, b) didn't want to date her cute, preppy, rich, nice but predictable boyfriend, c) met a new cute guy who had nothing in common with her prep school life who she was secretly dating because he made her feel noticed and alive in ways her stuffy, privileged life did not and, *spoiler alert, but not really* d) that guy was in the car accident too. The way the story dragged on so Ember could with her ex's feeling and have falling a out with her bestie and parents became annoying pretty quickly. As a junior or senior in high school, her big city lifestyle is something teens in other locales might be interested in. She seems to have liberal curfews, little parental intervention, and unlimited access to NYC, clubs and all. Sort of a predictable "Sixth Sense" vibe without the "didn't see that coming" twist. Overall, just "meh" for me.
I was very interested in the story for the first hundred pages or so but then I kept waiting for the pieces to drop in place that would lead to one big aha! moment that never happened. As it turns out, the big secret was that she realized she a) didn't want to keep dancing, b) didn't want to date her cute, preppy, rich, nice but predictable boyfriend, c) met a new cute guy who had nothing in common with her prep school life who she was secretly dating because he made her feel noticed and alive in ways her stuffy, privileged life did not and, *spoiler alert, but not really* d) that guy was in the car accident too. The way the story dragged on so Ember could with her ex's feeling and have falling a out with her bestie and parents became annoying pretty quickly. As a junior or senior in high school, her big city lifestyle is something teens in other locales might be interested in. She seems to have liberal curfews, little parental intervention, and unlimited access to NYC, clubs and all. Sort of a predictable "Sixth Sense" vibe without the "didn't see that coming" twist. Overall, just "meh" for me.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
This book was really good! I did not see the ending coming at all. :)