"Stolen as a child from her large and loving family, and on the run with her mom for more than ten years, Callie has only the barest idea of what normal life might be like. She's never had a home, never gone to school, and has gotten most of her meals from laundromat vending machines. Her dreams are haunted by memories she’d like to forget completely. But when Callie’s mom is finally arrested for kidnapping her, and Callie’s real dad whisks her back to what would have been her life, in a small town in Florida, Callie must find a way to leave the past behind. She must learn to be part of a family. And she must believe that love--even with someone who seems an improbable choice--is more than just a possibility.
Trish Doller writes incredibly real teens, and this searing story of love, betrayal, and how not to lose your mind will resonate with readers who want their stories gritty and utterly true."
It's a good title. Where the Stars Still Shine is actually a pretty title. I like the sound of that. However, there isn't a single mention about stars (or at least, not that I remember).
Anyway, Callie is Greek and from a very rich family. However, her mother has taken her, or kidnapped, her, because Callie's father was thought to be suing Callie's mother for full custody. Anyway, it's a long story, similar to some other stories I read. This remind me most of that story/book with a kidnapped girl who had been raped and killed a man in self-defense. That was a book called... I just can't remember it. Anyway if you liked that book (which I can't recall for the good of my life), then you'll like this book. Gosh, that sounds so stupid. I just need to remember that book title. Okay, I found the title (thank you Goodreads!). The title: If You Find Me. It's written by Emily Murdoch.
Anyway, there's noticeable similarities to this book and If You Find Me (which I thought was great!). However, I think Where the Stars Still Shine is a tad better. Let me break this book down for you (without spoilers. Well, I'll try).
The chemistry between the guy and Callie is so much better than If You Find Me's little romance. Screw those two. I love Where the Stars Still Shine. Technically, Callie is enamoured with her boyfriend, who is her uncle by marriage. He's twenty-one, about to be twenty-two, or somewhere along the lines. Still, they aren't related by blood, so that's okay. Well, almost okay, but it does get sort of funny (sorry, Callie). Besides, how Trish Doller wrote it made it seem more real. The most 3D character of the entire book is probably that guy, whose name I can't even remember. (Sorry. But unless you're Peeta Mellark, I won't remember you. Your name isn't repeated into my head for a month straight. Thank you, Hunger Games the movie).
So there's no incest. What else should I mention? Ah! The plot. For most of the plot, Callie struggles between her identity. She tries to figure out where she truly belongs. She wants to go back to somewhere familiar, yet also is in love with the possible future (with boyfriend and family). She's brilliant at telling lies. However, it does certainly get interesting when she gets caught.
The scars of the past. Character development for Callie and that guy (her uncle by marriage) are great, but some things are even better. Callie's past is definitely some fine point-worthy moments. That guy (yeah, that's his name) and his mother's relationship is even better. But the best relationship is Callie and her mother. Callie learns to let her mother go. Callie's mother learns that she really isn't the best parent for her beloved daughter. Okay, that's enough spoilers.
Rating: Five out of Five
No comments:
Post a Comment