29 June 2011

YA Book Review: Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma



Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma
© June 2011 by Dutton Juvenille

Goodreads description:


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.
My Thoughts...

Okay, we'll start with a confession here: the first time I saw the cover for this book I immediately knew I had to read it.  When I saw it in person, I was in love. Like, seriously, this cover is captivating. Now that's out of the way, I'll give you a some brief thoughts on the story.  And, when I say brief, I really do mean it this time because I'm still not really sure what I thought/felt about this story.

First, not everyone is going to enjoy this book.  It looks and sounds like a contemporary--I thought it was going to be a contemporary.  It's not really.  There's a paranormal element that comes in, mostly toward the end but you get weird hints throughout, that you don't really see coming...actually you never really find out what it is. (Which I'll admit, was a little annoying). 

The prose is beautiful.  For me, Nova's writing really flowed from page to page and despite confusion about what was going on (which, I think I was *supposed* to be at least a little confused?), I found myself turning page after page to read more about these sisters and the strange events that were happening.  Throughout the story, I had really vivid images of what was going on, but the entire time I also felt a little like I had entered this alternate dream universe.  It had that feeling that I think dreams sometimes give you--the uncertainty, the "haze" surrounding events, the haunting feeling later when you feel like you can't quite remember everything that happened.

In conclusion, the writing is beautiful, and the story is unique/interesting, I felt a little dissatisfied at the end because I still didn't really know what was up with Ruby. I do know, however, that I definitely hope to read more from Nova in the future!

Some other reviews (b/c like I said...not everyone will like this):
I chose this post for Review Appreciation Day (7/7/11) @ The Cait Files!

9 comments:

Stephanie Asbridge said...

I agree with you--the cover looks amazing! :)

Unknown said...

Your review sounds like you had a similar experience while reading... my review is basically the same idea... Beautiful writing, CONFUSED.

Sonia said...

Everyone that I've spoken to or seen a review from has said basically the same thing. "The writing was beautiful but WHAT THE HECK WAS GOING ON?" I don't know if I'll read this one. It doesn't really seem like my kind of book but I'm unsure as to what kind of book it IS. I definitely agree with you on the cover though :) Very cool.

Bookish Brunette said...

I seriously disliked this book... Sad to say. I COULD NOT deal with the Ruby thing and I HATE not knowing what's going on in a book!

UGH!

Steph (Poetry to Prose) said...

This was such a unique read! For me, the magic worked, though I can understand the frustrations other readers may have found. I definitely look forward to more from Nova, too!

Great review.

kaye (paper reader) said...

Ah, this one is on my shelf waiting to be read! I need to get to it soon as I have to send it back to the library next week. I've heard lovely things about the writing, although I had no idea there was anything paranormal to it. Interesting!

jayjay said...

I'm dying to read this! Hopefully I get to receive my ARC :)

Bungle said...

I have looked at this a few times on goodreads, I'll look forward to reading.
Came across you throug the Review Appreciation Day hosted by Cait.

Bungle
Midnight Reads

Sarah @ StoryboundGirl said...

Your review sounds like you had a similar experience while reading... my review is basically the same idea... Beautiful writing, CONFUSED.

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