I picked this up from the library without reading the synopsis. I just knew it was popular. I get roped into reading things that way sometimes. I read the synopsis yesterday before I began listening. It was pretty much what I guessed it would be, but with an extra twist.

Let’s talk about Kristina/Bree. Somewhere inside all of us (that is, semi-shy girls), there is a bold and daring girl waiting to be released. We all have the ability to say and do all the things Bree does, but we often keep that girl caged in the back of our minds. Some of us let her out for a few years and go through a wild phase. Some of us keep her reigned in and remain the good little girls out parents all love and cherish. I agree with Kristina. She’s no more schizo than the next girl. Everyone has the good and bad in them, the light and dark. It’s how we moderate them that makes us who we are. Hopkins did a wonderful job conveying this idea and creating a very complex character. She also did it in a way that kept me from hating Kristina, which is quite an accomplishment. Chase stole my heart from the second he was introduced. He’s great and I really hope he doesn’t disappear in the next book. After reading the synopsis for that one, it sounds like Kristina’s going to need him. He might be a user, but it seems like he has a little more moderation than Kristina does.

One of the things I love about some of the recent YA literature I’ve read is that it isn’t just for fun. These books teach kids things. This book is entertaining, yes. But it allows teens to experience the mind of someone on hard drugs. It allows them a look at the things it can do. It’s a not-so-subtle message about why doing things like this are dangerous. I think it’s much more effective than preaching to kids in D.A.R.E. classes or showing them Powerpoint presentations with before and after pictures of meth-heads. I really like this form of teaching teens.

Because of the nature of the drug, and the things it causes Kristina to do the plot is usually exciting. If she’s not flying, she’s getting into fights about this person she’s become. Or she’s trying to find a source for her bad habit. Or she’s spending time with the sweetest bad boy you’ll ever meet. There are twists and turns that I imagine are a lot like the roller coaster ride of a addicts life. It was really well-paced and kept me listening from start to finish.

Hopkins writes in lyrical verse. I’m reminded a little of Walt Whitman in the beginning. At first, I was a little taken back by the poetic writing. I think it’s because I had just listened to more simple writing. I got used to it as the book continued, and actually liked it a lot by the end. I know what to expect from the next one. I think she’s a terrific writer and I’m planning to pick up all her books. They all sound like they have some great messages.

I was not a fan of Laura Flanagan, at all. I dealt with her, but it was hard sometimes. She turns a lot of sentences into questions with her inflection. She also pauses in strange places… like the middle of a sentence where there’s no comma. I’m voting for a different narrator for the next two. I’m sure that wish won’t be granted. I guess I can suffer through her for two more audiobooks. I really hope she doesn’t narrate any of the other ones.

This book got me out of a funk. I had been reading a lot of fluff and I was definitely ready for something with substance. This book was the ticket and helped me break out of the junky teen novels I can get sucked into so easily. It’s something I don’t quite understand about myself. I can get very interested in teen books that are nothing more than brain candy so easily. The things is, I never finish them feeling like I learned anything or got anything out of them. When I read a book like this, I get a much different feeling. I feel like I’ve just read a truly great book by a wonderful writer. Even though I can’t always put words to it, I know I’ve gotten something real from this book.

I love good characters. If you’ve read even a couple of my reviews you have surely noticed this about me. The way the characters are written can make or break a story for me. Even if it has a good plot, I will not enjoy a book if the author can’t write the characters well. Niffenegger is a master at this. Henry and Clare are so real. They are very possibly my favorite characters of any book, and definitely my favorite couple. I’ll go ahead and admit that I’m in love with Henry. I understand what Clare sees in him. He’s brilliant. And a librarian, which is always a plus! Clare is just as wonderful. I relate to both of them really well, you know, aside from the whole time traveling thing. It’s difficult for me to put it into words, so I’m going to give up and hope you understand what I mean.

The plot wasn’t driving, but it wasn’t supposed to be. After all, it’s about their life. It’s not exactly a thriller novel. I tend to enjoy this type of story more than a thriller with lots of action. This book wasn’t exciting, it was moving. I admit I cried, a few times actually. Niffengger’s writing probably had something to do with that. I loved her writing. It all flowed well and really sucked me into the story. I got really emotionally attached to the characters because I felt surrounded by the story.

I’m going to take a second to talk about the movie adaptation, though it has no bearing on my rating. I watched the movie before I read the book. I normally don’t do this, but my mother told me she couldn’t get into the book. I thought I’d watch the movie first to see if I really wanted to read it. I loved the movie when I saw, and I still really like it. However, the exclusions of some things make them seem like two different stories to me. They have the same basic plot, but the movie seemed censored. The Henry and Clare in the movie are not the same people as the Henry and Clare in the book. I definitely prefer the book version. They have more edge.

I will never understand what my mother was going on about. She never finished it and I couldn’t get enough of it. I guess we just don’t have the same taste. But don’t listen to my mother. This book is worth the read. It became an instant favorite and I highly recommend it.