Sunday, August 28, 2011

Chasing Brooklyn Review

Author: Lisa Schroeder
Release Date: January 5, 2010
Pages: 412 (HC)
Publisher: SimonPulse
Most Appropriate For Ages: 12+
Where I Got It: Bought

Restless souls and empty hearts...

Brooklyn can't sleep. Her boyfriend, Lucca, died only a year ago, and now her friend Gabe has just died of an overdose. Every time she closes her eyes, Gabe's ghost is there waiting for her. She has no idea what he wants or why it isn't Lucca visiting her dreams.
Nico can't stop. He's always running, trying to escape the pain of losing his brother, Lucca. But when Lucca's ghost begins leaving messages, telling Nico to help Brooklyn, emotions come crashing to the surface.

As the nightmares escalate and the messages become relentless, Nico reaches out to Brooklyn. But neither of them can admit that they're being haunted. Until they learn to let each other in, not one soul will be able to rest.
That's it. I'm calling it: Lisa Schroeder is officially The Goddess of Verse. Don't get me wrong, Ellen Hopkins is a brilliant verse writer as well, but from what I've read of both authors I just enjoy Lisa's work a tad more. Each of her books have resonated with me in different ways, and Chasing Brooklyn--as I expected--was no different.

It's been one year after Lucca's death, and Brooklyn is still heavily grieving to the point where she's not really living. Enter Lucca's brother, Nico, who's not exactly doing so great either, despite what he tells himself. The two come together (due to some rather creepy paranormal circumstances) and help each other through their tough time. Brooklyn's and Nico's healing had such an organic and beautiful feel to it and I couldn't stop reading about it. It also helps that both characters are very likable.

I would've liked to know more about the side characters, and more about the main character's past (though part of the novel's message was leaving the past in the past, so I get that), but by no means did that want get in the way of me enjoying this amazing book. Geez Schroeder, how much more awesome can you get?!

Book Report:
Plot: Well-paced, and both dark and full of hope. (Which is a weird combo...)
Characters: Really well written!
Writing: Brilliant.
Ending: Perfect.
Kid friendly? Pretty. There's mild swearing and mentions of teen drinking.
Should I read it? Yes!
Overall:

2 comments:

  1. Wow, I don't think anyone has ever called me Goddess of anything. Thank you SO much - I'm glad you enjoyed Chasing Brooklyn. :)

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  2. awesome review! I need to get my hands on some more of Schroeder! I really loved the Day Before!

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