Review: Into the Night Reviews ... Breaking Nova by Jessica Sorensen
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 10 4, 2013
Visit Into the Night Reviews at Web: [...] or Facebook: [...] for great book reviews, new release updates, giveaways and more!!There is definitely a theme to the Jessica Sorenson books I have read - damaged people struggling to find themselves, questioning their worth and whether they deserve happiness.  It is not a joyous theme and yet I have absolutely enjoyed reading her stories.  The despair and introspection from Sorenson's stories is a gentle reminder of the balance and harmony I have found in my own life and as a consequence I am thankful for what I have.Breaking Nova is a difficult read.  There are many elements that people would ordinarily find offensive or too confronting to read but I think they are built into the story in a way that is credible and realistic, that does not glorify them but rather conveys the complexity, sadness and loneliness people feel when grappling with loss, grief and depression.  There is a lot of drug use in Breaking Nova.Despite the painful journey I had with Nova,  I got to the end of her story with some hope for a brighter, more positive future.  Nova's experiences and circumstances have left her a shell of the person she used to be and she has struggled to find a healthy way to deal with her pain and grief.  Nova uses order, structure and numbers to numb herself from her pain and to quiet her brain.  But it isn't enough."... sometimes stuff happens and we find ourselves lost, and suddenly we're standing in a place we don't recognize and we're unsure how to get back or if we even want to."Nova dabbles in the world of drug use as a means of finding some escape - but it only causes her to question things more, to seek greater clarity and control.  She recognises the temporary and transient nature of the escape drugs give and questions her ability to do things differently.  Haunted by elements from her past, constantly questioning whether her present would be different if she had done or said things differently Nova takes some chances, seemingly small on the surface, but monumental in terms of who she is, what she has experienced and who she may become.Quentin Carter is a key factor in Nova's journey.  Carrying his own pain and guilt he has turned to regular drug use as a means of numbing himself.  Plagued by memories and regret Quentin has no real purpose or direction: in fact he believes he should be dead.  When Nova and Quentin meet they begin to question the way they are thinking, the choices they are making and there is the prospect that perhaps they can 'save' each other.There is nothing 'romantic' about Breaking Nova in the usual sense of the word.  I found the story challenging to read, because it is sad and the despair of all of the characters is a little overwhelming at times.  But it is beautifully written and Nova's character is incredibly strong.  I really liked her and appreciated her struggle and the choices that she made.I was happy with the ending in Breaking Nova, I didn't feel like I was left hanging and wanting to know more and I was given enough to engage me in the books that are to come in the Nova series.  Even though there is the promise of more challenging stories to read in those books I will pick them up as I have an investment in the characters; a connection with them that has left me wanting to know what the next chapter in their story might be all of which is a testament to the way Breaking Nova is written.