I spent most of this book thinking...eh, this is okay. But in the last quarter I found myself completely entwined in these characters and their lives. I came out giddy, a little mesmerized, and so impressed with the way this whole book came together.
I had a few issues - the biggest was the four different points of view that weave in and out through senior year at a New York performing arts school. It's a relatively short novel and I think two points of view would have been sufficient. It probably could haves stretched to three, but four was just too many. There was a really rich story here and it could have been concentrated and intense, and I think I would have been mesmerized from the beginning. Of course this is speculation.
Even though Carter and Sophie have a voice, Emme and Ethan are the story. I do get the value of throwing in the other two - both for showing how you can thrive or fail in the arts world and demonstrating the value of supporting each other or going it alone. But really it comes down to Emme and Ethan at the heart of it all. Emme's story, was about growing in to who you are and owning your talent. And Ethan's was about supporting the people you love no matter what and finding a voice on stage and off. Their story was beautiful.
The genius in this though, is the audience it's intended for. If your a senior in high school, I think you'll relate to this book. These characters are under serious pressure. My little brother went to an arts high school and I had no idea how much pressure there was - because if he felt anything like Emme, he never showed it. But really, most seniors are worried about the same things. College applications, playing for scouts, interviews, and just general worry about a period of life ending and beginning a new one. Although it's a YA book, I think that this is really one of those that anyone at that transitioning stage will find immediate kinship with. I read it while I was waiting for a reply on an application to a program I'd just submitted, and I while I was nervous on a daily basis, I never felt as intensely stressed as they did. This made me connected to the story while I felt my own anxiety soothed.
This book had moments that take your breath away, moments that make your heart race, and moments that leave you grinning like crazy. The way these characters change and interact with one another while they adapt to their ever transitioning position felt so true. But really, the best word for this book is - beautiful.
