Hi there!
Welcome back to Satisfaction for Insatiable Readers.
Today, we're celebrating the end of June with a special shout out to a Young Adult title that you'll want to make a part of your summer reading...STAT! It really packs a stylish punch even as it strikes a nonchalant pose, while reminding us that truly, it's not what's on the outside so much as what's on the INSIDE that counts. Ladies and gents, prepare to let your true colors shine through as we indulge in today's book of choice...
A Grape Merriweather Novel, Book 1
by
Libby Heily
9781680462708
About the book...
Sixteen-year-old Grape Merriweather would never have agreed to move to Sortilege Falls had she known that a group of teen models ruled the town. Their beauty is only outshone by their cruelty. Grape knows something isn’t right about the models. They are too perfect, too beautiful, and not at all natural, but even she isn’t immune to their allure. Mandy, the only “nice” model, befriends Grape.
That’s when the trouble truly begins.
Mandy's friendship places Grape smack in the middle of a mystery that has the entire town on edge. One by one, the models fall ill from an incurable disease. Grape quickly realizes that their parents are hiding a secret, even as they watch their children die. To save her friend, Grape will have to find the truth—even if it means putting herself in danger.
Print: LULU
Ebook: AMAZON | SMASHWORDS | NOOK
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
It's a book that will capture the targeted audience for all the obvious reasons, while snaring the attention of those outside that age range because it really is just that good. The wholesome messages entwined with fantastical circumstances really get your imagination rolling and I mean really, how can you ignore a book with a character named GRAPE MERRIWEATHER? Seriously...
Story wise, Grape is the typical new girl in a new town. She's trying to get settled in, find her place, and battle all the normal teen trials coming her way...including a new school. Yeah, for anyone that has been the "new kid" more than a few times, you know exactly how that whole experience goes. The teacher calls your name (usually butchering it somehow despite the fact that it's so easy your kid brother could say it as his first word!), forces you to stand in front of the class and introduce yourself while sharing a small version of your life story. If you overshare, they'll think you're uncool, but if you under-impress, you're just as stuck. Good times....*grumbles*....but Grape doesn't have to worry about that at all. In fact, it's pretty much the exact opposite this time around. She's a new face but one among the masses because in Sortilege Falls, if you're not one of the models, you're a Normal and you might as well fade into the background. How do you like them apples?
The thing is Grape's new home has an unusual amount of beautific people for such a small locale. It borders on the edge of being odd but completely falls over that cliff into insane when you see the reactions their very presence creates among the Normals. I'm talking zombie apocalypse effect where the Normals are the mindless drones and the Models are the brain buffet. It's unsettling the degree to which they affect those around them. It's almost like the power they seem to hold is otherworldly...hmm. Perhaps we've stumbled upon something...okay, well WE have but the one who REALLY steps in it is Grape's brother, Brad. What's that? You didn't know anything a Brad? Hehehe...that's what I meant by "this book is so good". It pulls a fast one on you here and there. While you're focus is drawn one direction, something is creeping out of the shadows and about to take control of the whole situation...for better OR worse.
For the sake of the story retaining it's wonder and surprise, I will draw by recollections to an end, but suffice it to say if you enjoy a good Young Adult read filled with characters to love, loath, and pity even when not invited to, this one is definitely for you. I for one can't wait to see what might be in store for those in Sortilege Falls in book two....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
About the author...
Libby Heily began writing after spending years as an obsessive reader. Nothing was safe from her eyes – she tore through books, magazines, cereal boxes, and shampoo bottles with equal enthusiasm. Libby's written plays, screenplays, flash fiction, short stories, and novels. When not spending time in made up places with invisible friends, she enjoys running, hiking and performing improv in Raleigh, NC.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Special thanks to the author herself for the copy for review. (THANKS!) For more information on this title, the author, or the publisher, feel free to click through the links provided above. This title is available now via Fire & Ice, a young adult imprint of Melange Books, LLC, so be on the lookout for it on a bookstore shelf or virtual retailer of your choosing.
Until next time...happy reading!
