Rating: ★★★★★ starsDate published: October 3rd, 2013
Publisher: Twelfth Night Publishing
Synopsis: Sometimes the only road to the truth...is one you’ve never taken.
Until I found Gideon’s journal in the tool shed — locked in the cedar box where I’d once hidden my old diary — I’d been led to believe my brother was dead. But the contents of his journal changed all that.
The Road to Discovery...
Two years ago, Aurora Gray’s world turned upside down when her big brother Gideon and his best friend Jeremy disappeared. Now, during the summer of her 18th birthday, she unexpectedly finds her brother’s journal and sees that it’s been written in again. Recently. By him.
The Road to Danger...
There are secret messages coded within the journal’s pages. Aurora, who’s unusually perceptive and a natural puzzle solver, is hell bent on following where they lead, no matter what the cost. She confides in the only person she feels can help her interpret the clues: Donovan McCafferty, Jeremy’s older brother and a guy she’s always been drawn to — even against her better judgment.
The Road to You...
Reluctantly, Donovan agrees to go with her and, together, they set out on a road trip of discovery and danger, hoping to find their lost brothers and the answers to questions they’ve never dared to ask aloud.
In that expectant space between silence and melody, our trip began...
What I Thought:
I've never thought of myself as a big fan of fictional intrigue and mystery until I recalled how much I loved reading Nancy Drew as a child and Encyclopedia Brown. I think I just got caught up in the hype surrounding them. When Marilyn Brant first informed her readers her upcoming book was a YA/NA mystery novel, I was certainly interested, but a little worried about whether or not I was going to enjoy it. I shouldn't have.
The story is really very interesting. I had no idea some of the things that happened in this book could happen or even may have happened in the past. It all seemed surreal. The story started off with Aurora finding the journal in a place she knew it hadn't been before and noticing things in it that were suspicious. I love how determined she was to get to the bottom of her brother Gideon's disappearance. Everyone else may have written him off as a runaway or dead, but Aurora knew something didn't add up. The clues were all there but watching Aurora and Donovan piece them together was amazing.
I really enjoyed both Aurora and Donovan's characters. Aurora is uber intelligent and well versed in reading people. I did feel like that skill was one that most teenagers wouldn't have, but then Aurora isn't exactly your typical teen. I liked Donovan for accompanying her and believing in her...for the most part. I can see how he thought the journey was a waste of time and then later on too dangerous for them. There were moments when my heart was in my throat because I was worried about what was going to happen, and others where I was horrified by what had been revealed. There were some tears too.
Marilyn Brant has written a story that both impresses and captures the imagination. I love how the story is set in the past, making the events believable and exciting. The journey Aurora and Donovan take is one fraught with perils, but it's a journey nonetheless that opens both their eyes. I loved being able to go on that trip with them. I shouldn't have doubted Marilyn's ability to capture not just my interest, but other reader's as well. I do hope to read more about Aurora and Donovan in the future.
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* I purchased a paperback copy and an e-book. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for them in any manner.*
Chanpreet, I can't tell you how delighted I am that you enjoyed Aurora & Donovan's story! As you know, I usually stay more in the romantic comedy genre, but their adventure was one that kept haunting me until I finally wrote it down...the two of them just had a mind of their own and didn't seem to care if they'd interrupted my other novel-writing plans ;) . I'm glad the journey they took was one you could take with them and that the mystery intrigued you. Thank you so much for your lovely review!
ReplyDeleteMarilyn, I can't believe how much I enjoyed the mystery along with the romance. I've enjoyed your romantic comedies, but this was just as brilliant! I'm glad you were able to share Aurora and Donovan's story with us! And please don't say thank you for the review. My words can in no way do the story justice! :)
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