Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

Wow! This story, two intertwining stories actually, was very effective storytelling. It was a fabulous way to tell a historical fiction story.

It’s about two young women in their late teens, Andi who’s living in the 21st century and Alex who’s living in the 18th century, during the time of the French Revolution. We learn about Alex as Andi is reading her diary.

Does every main character in young adult books have to be extraordinary to be interesting to the reader?! When I first started this, that was my gripe. But, I like that Andi, who lives in Brooklyn, New York, has a genius level IQ, is an accomplished musician, speaks French fluently, is well educated, and independent and resolute, knowing her own mind, is willing to work hard, and is also seriously depressed and grieving. I’m assuming her psychotropic medication was helping her depression enough so she could function as well as she did.

Alex’s story is also fascinating. Through it I learned quite a bit about the French Revolution. (I am not as well educated as Andi, it seems.) Though fictionalized, of course, I got a wonderful and slightly different perspective on Marie Antoinette. When I was back in the 18th century, everything was just as vivid as in the other story/today’s world. Anybody who has any fascination with guillotining will get their fill here; those descriptions were quite vivid.

The stories are psychologically sophisticated about depression, human relationships, and human nature too.

I did guess the “mystery� that’s a part of this book, and fairly early on, but that did not at all detract from my enjoyment of the book. The entire story was gripping; as I read on & on, it got harder & harder to put down the book.

In addition to Andi and Alex, music (and a variety at that!) is another main character that shines in this book. I love how the author was able to incorporate music (musicians, instruments, specific pieces and songs, and music’s importance) throughout the entire book. She did it brilliantly. There were also at least a dozen other characters that were wonderfully presented.

I cared about Andi and Alex and most of the other characters too. I got very invested in them. At one of the saddest moments, capable of sending the reader (along with the main character) into utter despair, I got one of the biggest laughs from the book; that was an amazing feat. It did not at all feel manipulative, but rather true to life.

At first I wasn’t so sure I liked a long portion toward the end, but I ended up loving it. While open to interpretation, I enjoyed my take on it and I think it’s the one that’s meant to be taken; I’m happy with how I understand that part of the plot. For some time I was afraid this would totally disintegrate into a pedestrian teenage love story, but I was pleasantly surprised.

There are quite a few notable quotes in this book. I added at least one to my quotes and could have added several. There is (for me) a powerful message about how healing oneself can often best be accomplished by being there for and helping someone else.

The notes on sources and bibliography at the end of the book are sufficiently extensive that it’s obvious how much research went into writing this book, as much as for many non-fiction books. It showed!

4 ½ stars

Edited to add: This author is able to describe and write about depression remarkably well!