Seventeen-year-old Lochan and sixteen-year-old Maya have always felt more like friends than siblings. Together they have stepped in for their alcoholic, wayward mother to take care of their three younger siblings. As defacto parents to the little ones, Lochan and Maya have had to grow up fast. And the stress of their lives—and the way they understand each other so completely—has also also brought them closer than two siblings would ordinarily be. So close, in fact, that they have fallen in love. Their clandestine romance quickly blooms into deep, desperate love. They know their relationship is wrong and cannot possibly continue. And yet, they cannot stop what feels so incredibly right. As the novel careens toward an explosive and shocking finale, only one thing is certain: a love this devastating has no happy ending.
The Afterglow
I think I originally picked up this book out of sheer, morbid curiosity. But I was immediately hooked, drawn into this tragic story to the point that I couldn't put the book down. The book follows a family of five siblings who have been all but abandoned by their mother. Lochan, the strong "man of the house" at home, is brilliant and driven but so terrified of public speaking he can barely utter a single word to anyone outside of his own family. Maya, the mother-figure, peacemaker, and loving sister is the nurturer her siblings desperately crave. Kit, headstrong and angry, acts out as many teenagers will. Tiffan, a hyper but lovable child, is the whirlwind of the family. And little Willa is sweet, adorable, and made me want to jump into the book and scoop her into my arms. I fell in love with each and every one of them and distinctly experienced every joy and pain throughout the story right along with them.
When the romantic aspect of Maya and Lochan's relationship began to develop, I was sympathetic, a bit appalled yet understanding, scared, and heartbroken for them all at once. It was actually difficult not to wish they could have a happily ever after - something I didn't expect at all.
As I got closer to the end of the story, I found myself reading slower, not wanting to reach the inevitable end to a truly beautiful, tragic story. I cried through the last two chapters of this book and I think this will be one of those stories that will haunt me forever.
This is the second time I've heard about this book just this week. I'm definitely going to have to read it. Great review :)
ReplyDeleteHmmm, are you saying that brother and sister formed a romantic relationship? Nice review. :)
ReplyDelete♥.•*¨Elizabeth¨*•.♥
Can Alex save Winter from the darkness that hunts her?
YA Paranormal Romance, Darkspell coming fall of 2011!
I wouldn't have expected the readers to pull so hard for the siblings to have a happy ending. Guess this is another one to add to my TBR pile!
ReplyDeleteYou know, that's one of the reasons I wanted to read this book, because I'd read a couple reviews that mentioned the same thing, that the reader almost ends up rooting for them...until you think about it :) When I first read the synopsis I was like "Ummm yeah...no thanks." But after reading a few reviews, I decided to see what the fuss was about.
ReplyDeleteI really was surprised to find myself rooting for them. And then I'd remember that they were siblings and think "oh wait...NO!" And that reaction mirrors the characters' reactions, at least through most of the book. But I really did at times forget they were siblings. It just added a whole very strange/disturbing/haunting aspect to the book. I really felt for these characters - I knew it couldn't end well, I didn't want it to end the way they wanted it to end and at the same time my heart just broke for them.
Not at all what I expected going into the book. And I think the surrounding story has a LOT to do with all of this. The whole story is heartbreaking - everything in these characters' lives is just so tragic, for a second I couldn't help but feel happy for them when they found a little joy...and then I'd remember and just shudder, and then just felt so sad for the whole situation...Seriously to craft a story that evokes those kind of emotions is just amazing :)
I don't think I could handle a book with this topic, but I commend the author for writing it in a way that's touched people. Thanks for the review, Michelle!
ReplyDeleteBarbwire is so hard-core.
ReplyDeleteLOL, Matt! I love your comments.
ReplyDeleteAww *passes the tissues*. I downloaded this one onto my Kindle quite a while ago as I was curious, like you. I just haven't had chance to get to it yet. That was a great review. Totally captured your feelings whilst reading.
ReplyDeleteSaw you were out Campaigning so I just wanted to stop by and say hi! Good luck in the Campaign!
ReplyDeletelove that feeling when you purposely slow down reading so that you can stay in the story.
ReplyDelete