Review: An all around wonderful story
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 08 4, 2012
(I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for my review)First I would like to say a big thanks to Linda Benson for sending me a copy of this book for review. I really enjoyed every page. The story behind Six Degrees of Lost is simple and sweet. I was taken in by this story and it's main character Olive. Olive is barely fourteen and struggling with the events in her life. With her mother in jail and her dad off traveling--god knows where--she is forced to make a new life with her aunt in rainy Washington. Olive denies the reality of her situation, and who could blame her. In her mind she has created the perfect version of her mother to mask her less than perfect childhood. It takes running away and a new found appreciation for the relationships she has built for her to realize that, perhaps she has been home all along. Linda has created a wonderful and well developed character in Olive. You can tell that the author has a passion for what she writes and I loved the message behind this story. Her use of 'strays' as a comparison for Olive was well worked. The yellow dog introduced in the beginning of this book makes for a great side story. I got teary eyed at the end when everyone who was in need of a home found one. I could relate with the author's love of animals and was glad they played a prominent role in this book.I also enjoyed the setting as well. You really get the 'homey' feel when you are reading and a great picture of the town.Six Degrees of Lost is told from two perspectives--Olive's and David's--eventually becoming more like one towards the end. I think this was very fitting for this story and it kept the plot moving and intertwining at a great pace.I really enjoyed experiencing both David and Olive's lives and am so glad they found each other. Both are able to stand up for themselves at the end and it is great to see them grow as characters.This is such a wonderful story and I am gladly recommending it to any YA lovers. All though, I could see adults enjoying this story just as much. I look forward to reading Linda's upcoming novel, Walking the Dog