Review: Thoroughly Impressed!!
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 07 21, 2014
So I have read every book that Melissa Brown has put out and this was so completely different, but not in a bad way. I was more than blown away! The writing was beautiful as it always is, but to take so a controversial topic and handle it with such grace and beauty I was amazed and blown away. She captured the beauty and essence of this community and the characters of this book. She had me pulling for Brinley, wanting her to fly, but understanding her reluctance to leave the safety and the comfort of the only thing that she had ever known and understood her entire life. Brinley was naive in so many ways, sheltered behind the walls of her community, but that nativity came across as sweet and endearing, instead of annoying. It made her who she was, but there was still this part of her, that was there since she was a child that craved more, questioned things, maybe even wanted more. I loved that about her. This inner strength that she wasn't even aware that she had. I loved how this book addressed some very difficult topics, but they were handled with such grace and compassion without glancing over them. There were a lot of harsh realities, inside that community and outside in the "real world". Melissa provided us with the opportunity to see it from both ways. I thought it was beautifully written. My heart was breaking for all those involved. At times there was frustration, anger, heartbreak, and acceptance. Almost every emotion that you can go through I was experiencing. It was powerful and wonderful. I am glad that Melissa had a picture in her head of a girl with a long braid with a traditional dress and a boy that was angry and alone, and a friend who told her to write this book. It needed to be written, and I think she more than did it justice. The secondary characters in this book were just as powerful and moving as Brinley and Porter. If you can't tell I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I don't think you will be sorry if you read it. The writing is beautiful; the topic while unexpected and a little different is handled with such grace and dignity that you won't regret reading it. Melissa shows both sides of the token here, the good and bad if you will. I am really glad that I read this book and I can't wait to read what she has in store for us next!!