Book Review: 13 to life by Shannon Delany
A definite gothic fantasy read, full of dark secrets and lure…
from the publisher…Everything about Jessie Gillmansen’s life changed when her mother died. Now even her hometown of Junction is changing. Mysterious dark things are happening. All Jessie wants is to avoid more change. But showing a hot new guy around Junction High, she’s about to discover a whole new type of change. Pietr Rusakova is more than good looks and a fascinating accent—he’s a guy with a dangerous secret. And his very existence is sure to bring big trouble to Jessie’s small town. It seems change is the one thing Jessie can’t avoid…
If I could label this book with a theme I it would be something like “new beginnings” and lying never changes or cures anything, it usually just makes things worse.
Jessie was a believable, real character. She was a hard worker, strong and selfless. (She also had some very funny thoughts!) She had a wonderful giving and genuine sprit and was very sympathetic almost to the point of nausea to her best friend Sarah and to me, really. I found myself giving her advice, out loud (yep, I got looks from DH doing that). As giving as she was she started telling lies, and they started piling up. While her intentions are from the heart, it’s deceitful, dishonest and eventually there are so many lies that she begins to believe them herself. Ugh! I hate characters that lie, however because of a realization she had at the ending I am giving her a “get out of jail free” card this time.
Pietr, what’s not to love about him? He’s handsome, has a strong presence, isn’t your typical teenage boy and is very mysterious. I totally buy into him being the mysterious male hero, but not his sudden interest in Jessie. I wish that part had been fleshed out a bit more.
Can someone say teen angst? It was over flowing. So much so that at times I wanted to reach into the book, plop out the characters and have a good talking to with them.
If you’re like me and wanted more at the end, the next book in the series, Secrets and Shadows, will hit the shelves February 2011.
I give this book 3 STACKS
Stacy
Yes? Yes? You give the book what???
Waiting anxiously,
Melinda
Haha… I am waiting too. Will have to message Stacy.
ooops! Guess I deleted it lol.
[...] – Let me preface this review and say that while I read the first book in the series, 13 to Life (read review here), I did not read book two, Secrets and Shadows. My mistake. I felt completely lost for the first [...]