Review: Was not emotionally prepared for this book- filled with beauty and heartbreak!
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 02 8, 2014
3.5/5 starsI was in no way emotionally prepared for Song of the Fireflies. It is a journey that is filled with beauty and heartbreak. When we briefly met in Elias and Bray in The Edge of Always, I had no idea just how much these two had gone through to be together what they will have to undergo to stay that way. This book is so much darker and heavier than Camryn and Andrew's.My heart broke for Bray. She suffers from something beyond her control and affects who she is and how she handles situations. She has loved Elias since childhood but has so many fears when it comes to him. He is the one constant in her life who doesn't disappoint her or feel she isn't enough and she is terrified of losing him.Elias has been in love with Bray since they were kids also. His most cherished memory is one where they caught fireflies together. It is symbolic of a time where things were simpler. Both burned so brightly and were unchanged by the world and its expectations. The night with the fireflies symbolizes freedom which is why both of them hold it so close to their hearts.Bray was such a challenging character. Elias is everything to her and she has no idea just how much she means to him. She knows he loves her, but he will literally go to the ends of the earth for her, which is why it was so hard to see her hurt him. She tries to push him away in the beginning, but realizes she doesn't want that. She needs him in her life and believing otherwise is a sad excuse for the truth.I couldn't believe the direction this novel took. It was unexpected and completely bound Elias and Bray together in a way neither planned. Their love for one another is what keeps them going and is tested in every way imaginable. Both are terrified of the consequences of their actions and are afraid of what it will mean for them. Elias is the voice of reason, but when it comes to Bray- all reason flies out the door.As serious of an undertone this book has, Bray and Elias's vagabond lifestyle reminded me of Kerouac and the Beat Generation. The people they meet along the way play a significant role in their lives and they find both unexpected friendship and betrayal as they continue on their journey.Bray loves Elias but knows its wrong to keep him from living his own life. He is always there for her and she starts to feel as if she doesn't know how to stand on her own. This is a really big revelation on Bray's part, and as much as she tries to distance herself, he won't allow it.The whole book I was afraid Elias would start to resent Bray for her choices and how they affected him. He does a bit, but his devotion to her far outweighs that resentment.Overall, this was an emotionally taxing book filled with its ups and downs. I felt Redmerski did a great job with her pacing and creating such deeply broken characters.The struggles both Elias and Bray must overcome will break your heart but their absolute love for each other will leave it full and hopeful that these two can come out on the other side still intact and together.