Author: Jodi Picoult
Why I read it: My room mate recommended it
Summary (from Goodreads) Fourteen-year-old Trixie Stone is in love for the first time. She's also the light of her father, Daniel's life -- a straight-A student; a pretty, popular freshman in high school; a girl who's always seen her father as a hero. That is, until her world is turned upside down with a single act of violence. Suddenly everything Trixie has believed about her family -- and herself -- seems to be a lie. Could the boyfriend who once made Trixie wild with happiness have been the one to end her childhood forever? She says that he is, and that is all it takes to make Daniel, a seemingly mild-mannered comic book artist with a secret tumultuous past he has hidden even from his family, venture to hell and back to protect his daughter.
Opinion: I was hesitant to read this book at first. From what I had heard of Jodi Picoult, her stories were raw unadulterated drama that reminded me of the literary version of a soap opera. I couldn't have been more wrong. This is a compelling narrative full of real intense emotions with characters that are relatable, appealing, and horrifying all in the course of a few hundred pages.
I would have to say my only turn off was that there were no admirable characters. Despite this, I cared enough about Trixie and her family to keep reading to the end.
Ratings
Girl Power: 5 (While Trixie is far from admirable, she is a believable, relatable teenager who has a dangerous amount of power and control over those she loves. Without a doubt, she drives the story.)
Writing Style: 5 (Fluid, well-crafted, and elegant prose. Several memorable passages and no complaints.)
Plot: 4 (This novel is framed around a few key events with devastating consequences. While the story itself is straightforward, the appeal is in the emotions. They're what really drives the story and keeps you wanting more.)
Overall: 4.5
I would recommend this book to anyone who wants a well-written realistic story full of life-shattering drama.
