Mini-Review: THE STRANGE AND BEAUTIFUL SORROWS OF AVA LAVENDER by Leslye J. Walton

Title: The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender
Author: Leslye J. Walton
Published: March 2014
Series: N/A
Genre: YA Fantasy
Pages: 301
Publisher: Candlewick
Format: Print ARC
Source: Vine Program
Rating: The Royal Library, Bottom Shelf

Magical realism, lyrical prose, and the pain and passion of human love haunt this hypnotic generational saga.

Foolish love appears to be the Roux family birthright, an ominous forecast for its most recent progeny, Ava Lavender. Ava—in all other ways a normal girl—is born with the wings of a bird.

In a quest to understand her peculiar disposition and a growing desire to fit in with her peers, sixteen-year old Ava ventures into the wider world, ill-prepared for what she might discover and naïve to the twisted motives of others. Others like the pious Nathaniel Sorrows, who mistakes Ava for an angel and whose obsession with her grows until the night of the Summer Solstice celebration.

That night, the skies open up, rain and feathers fill the air, and Ava’s quest and her family’s saga build to a devastating crescendo.

First-time author Leslye Walton has constructed a layered and unforgettable mythology of what it means to be born with hearts that are tragically, exquisitely human.

Entrancing and heartbreaking, The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender is a lyrical, touching debut. The first 100 pages delve into the history of Ava's family, particularly the women. Beginning with her grandmother (Emilienne Roux) as a child, then her mother (Viviane Lavender), and finally settling on Ava Lavender's own life. The history of these women is one that is wondrously intriguing, slightly magical, and hopelessly tragic. There's something special about all of them, whether it's Emilienne's strange instinct and ability to interpret life, Viviane's ability to know the seasons by the scent of the rain, or the peculiar wings Ava was born having attached to her back. Very peculiar and haunting, The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender is an imaginative story. 

Highlights: Walton displays humanity in the best and worst possible ways imaginable, somehow maintaining realism with all of the magical qualities this story holds. The writing is truly lovely, and expresses emotion in wondrous ways. The characters are each their own person, with distinct personality traits. The romances are bittersweet, adorable, and heartbreaking. The conclusion was nicely done, and the last few lines make the entire story worthwhile.

Lowlights: I think I set my expectations too high. While I thought it was a good, enjoyable story, I didn't fall in love with it the way many others have. I would have liked to know more about Ava's brother, as he was an intriguing character. 

Note: Some horrible, terrible events occur within (especially at the end of) the story. Nothing is described in too much detail, but it is still a bit shocking to read. The intensity level may or may not be a bit high for younger YA readers. 

Rating: The Royal Library, Bottom Shelf: Really Liked, 3+ out of 5. While this story did not meet my expectations, I still enjoyed many aspects and believe The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender is a haunting story worth reading. 

I received an advanced copy of this novel  for review consideration. 

This is no way affected my opinion of the novel. 

Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma

Imaginary Girls 

by Nova Ren Suma

Release: June 14th, 2011

Pages: 352 (hardcover)

Publisher: Dutton Juvenile

Source: Netgalley

Summary:

Chloe's older sister, Ruby, is the girl everyone looks to and longs for, who can't be captured or caged. When a night with Ruby's friends goes horribly wrong and Chloe discovers the dead body of her classmate London Hayes left floating in the reservoir, Chloe is sent away from town and away from Ruby.

But Ruby will do anything to get her sister back, and when Chloe returns to town two years later, deadly surprises await. As Chloe flirts with the truth that Ruby has hidden deeply away, the fragile line between life and death is redrawn by the complex bonds of sisterhood.

Review: Imaginary Girls is a haunting tale of two sisters and the power sisterhood can have.

Chloe has always been "Ruby's sister" to everyone in her town. Ruby is magnetic and powerful there. So much so, Chloe thinks that there isn't anything her sister can't do. When Chloe comes back to town to live with her sister, she finds that things have changed. Someone who she thought was dead is alive, and no one but her seems to think it's odd. People listen to Ruby more than Chloe realized...and Ruby may have more power and deadly secrets than Chloe could ever imagine.

The pacing is slow going at first, but once the mysteries surrounding Ruby and London start being revealed, the pace picks up. Plot-wise, it's difficult to say anything more than I've already said for fear of spoilers. There's this constant eerie undertone to Nova Ren Suma's words, and I was always left with questions and enough intrigue to keep going by the end of every chapter. When it began, I thought it was entirely contemporary. Yet, it transcended it's contemporary roots and delved into something supernatural and utterly unusual. I can honestly say I've never read anything like Imaginary Girls, and I want more of it. 

Highlights: This book isn't about boys or romance, but instead the author focuses on sisters and family. Yes, there are a few "romance" moments, but the sisterly bond is the more important aspect of the story. Ruby herself is so magnetic, hypnotic, and very much like a firework - she sparkles, shines, she might be dangerous, but you just want to get closer. Her character was really well done. The underwater city of Olive was especially interesting to me, and I wish we could know more about it. The magical realism, the secrets, the twists, the reveals, and the surprising conclusion were all welcome highlights to Imaginary Girls.

Lowlights: The first couple chapters after the intro almost put me off the story completely. It took some time to get into the author's writing, the slow pacing and constant thought of "What is going on?", but I found it worthwhile once I made it further into the book. The focus on Ruby through Chloe's perspective could also be overwhelming at times, but I did get used to it.

Rating: 4