Author: Jennifer DonnellyPublication Year: 2010
Publisher: Delacorte Press
Edition: ARC
Source: publisher
Date Completed: 3/22/2011
Setting: New York and France
Rating: 4/5 stars
Recommend: Yes
I don't read very much YA fiction, but having enjoyed Jennifer Donnelly's, A Northern Light
, so much I wanted to try her most recent novel, Revolution.Revolution
weaves two girls stories into one touching tale of life, loss of life, and lasting love. When seventeen year old, Andi Alper’s younger brother, Truman died two years earlier, her family was torn apart. Andi blames herself for his death. She is depressed, and on meds as a result. Andi is a talented musician, but she is unable to focus, and she is doing terribly at the expensive prep school she attends in New York. Her father is an award winning scientist, focusing on his work in genetics. Her mother, has not been normal since Truman died. She has seemed to checked out of the real world and instead she spends all day painting portraits of the son she lost.As winter break approaches, Andi's dad insists that she accompany him to Paris. At the same time, Andi's mother is institutionalized. While Mr. Alpers is working in Paris, conducting genetic tests on a heart rumored to belong to Louis-Charles, Marie Antoinette's son, he tells Andi that she must settle down and write her senior thesis, a requirement for graduation.
One day Andi discovers the 200 year old diary of a young girl named Alexandrine Paradis hidden inside of an old guitar case. As she reads the diary, she learns that the girl was a nanny to the last dauphin of Paris, Louis-Charles. She learns about the royal family, the French Revolution, and soon she becomes obsessed about finding out more. What she learns reminds her of the brother she lost, and finds that Louis-Charles even looked liked her brother. Andi and Alexandrine (Alex), girls who lived two centuries apart, from totally different backgrounds yet bound by a shared grief. Add, a young man by the name of Virgil, a talented hip hop musician who seems drawn to Andi even more because of her sadness, and the story becomes even more addictive.
Revolution
is a page turning read, rich in detail and full of emotion. Donnelly's extensive research shines through and through. Donnelly is one author who write well about emotional pain, and about the struggles of the human heart. Fans of YA historical novels are certainly in for a treat.
Wonderful review! I loved Revolution! I never expected it be so good as it turned out to be.
ReplyDeleteI've been waiting for someone to review this because I wasn't sure if it was for me, being YA. This review convinced me--I have to have it, now. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteDiane, I just finished reading this book and I loved it! The beginning is a little slow, atleast it was for me but the rest is great! I love Jennifer's perspective in all her books.
ReplyDeleteI read very little YA, but may just give this one a shot. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteNice review, Diane. I really wanted to love this book as the description appealed to me. In the end it was just ok for me but I think I'm in the minority. Glad you liked it so much!
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds perfect for my 19-year-old daughter who loves all historical fiction, especially French and British. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteMy friend gave me her ARC and I am looking forward to reading it one of these days!! I loved A Northern Light too!
ReplyDeleteI'm really anxious to read this - it sounds so good!
ReplyDeleteThe students who have read this at my school have really enjoyed it
ReplyDeleteI loved your review of this one, and really want to read the book. I have my copy here, and my daughter has read it, but I haven't yet had the time. It sounds like one that I could quickly get invested in! Thanks for the awesome review!
ReplyDeletelike you, I don't read alot of YA, but I've seen so many rave reviews of this one, I think maybe I should give it a try :)
ReplyDeleteI'm just amazed at how much research Donnelly does for every book she writes! I thought this book got better as it went along, too, and tied all the themes together so well!
ReplyDeleteI don't read much YA either but I have heard good things about Donnelly. I'll have to think about this one.
ReplyDeleteI am glad you gave YA a chance with this one as it was so good.
ReplyDeleteI must find out who is publishing in the UK!
ReplyDeleteWOW, lots of folks seem to like it too!
ReplyDeleteI have had this book for months and can't believe I haven't picked it up yet. I so want to read this one!
ReplyDeleteI have read good things about Revolution. Your wonderful review has reminded me of why I wanted to read Donnelly's work so much. I have A Northern Light here and once I read it, I'm going to pick up Revolution.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Diane!
I've heard such great things about this author. And I love that cover!
ReplyDeleteI have not read a Donnelly book but have A Northern Light in my tbr pile. I am not a big YA reader but I may have to give this book a try after reading your review.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed this book. So much in fact, that I frequently remember things about it, even months after I finished reading it!
ReplyDeleteI absolutely loved this book. I'm so glad you did too.
ReplyDeleteI mostly enjoyed this one as well. The ending bugged me a bit, but I really liked the rest of the book!
ReplyDeleteSuch great review and comments. Must add this to my TBR. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThis one has been on my to-buy list almost since before it was released. It's getting closer and closer to the top of the list (I might even nudge it up a bit, because every review I've read has been a rave) Thanks for the review!
ReplyDeleteI don't read much YA either but this one is on my radar because I loved The Tea Rose. Looks like I;m gonna like this one too :)
ReplyDeleteI've been meaning to read Northern Light forever, and since you enjoyed this one so much I'll have to add it to my list too!
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