Review: Great New Adult Read!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 09 11, 2013
Are musicians or artists in general slightly more dramatic than us "regular" people? Or are they just more expressive in their feelings and actions? Are their emotions truly more volatile, more intense, or just more magnified due to their creative nature? Consonance by Lisa Malabanan is, to say the least, extremely intense, emotionally jarring, beautifully written and very creative in her use of "lyrical prose."Ms. Malabanan's characters are like a collage, interesting bits and pieces alone, but colorful and intensely fascinating together! Each character adds to the believability of the next. Elle is the central piece (or character), and for me, she was also the most jaggedly damaged and needy, therefore making her difficult to truly say I always liked her. Without characters like James or Drew, or even Tiffany, her best friends to shore her up and support her need to be the central focus, I'm not sure Elle could survive. Band members Kevin and Ryan add to the mix with their contrasting personalities around Elle. Kevin loves to aggravate her to get her attention; Ryan has a quiet strength that draws Elle in, and we mustn't forget Sean, Elle's long-suffering boyfriend who never quite fit into the picture, a sign that they were not meant to last forever? I absolutely loved each of these characters and feel they could hold their own as a main character in a new adult romance novel!Throughout the book, there is an edgy feel, a feeling that something is just out of reach for Elle, and I desperately wanted her to find herself as a whole person! In spite of that, I did truly enjoy Consonance with its many trials, subplots and avenues that led to its conclusion! Ms. Malabanan's gift for detail and placing me in the moment with the characters, the songs and music she references throughout could be heard in my mind, bringing several smiles and memories to mind! Filled with inner turmoil, angst, romance and some quirky humor at times, this is a very good New Adult read.I received this review copy as part of the Consonance One Day Book Blast Tour & Giveaway at Tome Tender, September 16, 2013!