Monday, October 18, 2010

review: Dark Song by Gail Giles

pub date: 2010
publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
pgs: 292
content: sex, language, underage drinking, some violence

Ames has it all—great friends, wealthy parents, nice house and pretty much anything she wants. Her parents are supportive of her and her younger sister, Chrissy. Ames' friends think her family is odd since they have meals together and talk with each other often. Then Ames’ father loses his job. She realizes that the parents she thought were perfect have secrets that are tearing her family apart. When they are forced to move to Texas, Ames meets an older man and begins a dangerous relationship with him.

This is a really well written book. It had a nice pace and flow, it's also quick. I thought Ames development as a character was realistic and the decisions she makes make sense given the context. What I didn't buy was the behavior of her parents. At the beginning of the story they are such a good family. They are close and rely on one another. Then when things get bad the mom just gets mean and the dad gets (more) stupid. I didn't buy that kind of transformation. If her parent's had been distant to begin with, I would've understood their total disregard for their daughter later on. It's not necessarily a happy ending, either. Realistic though.

1 comment:

Kristina Barnes♥ said...

Wah?! Is it ironic that you post this review right after I go to the library and see it on the shelves and decide NOT to get it? :( Man, my timing sucks...

That not-so-happy-ending part intrigues me. Now I have to go back to the library! xP