Wednesday 29 January 2014

Book Review: Saving Zoe by Alyson Noel

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Title: Saving Zoe
Author: Alyson Noel
Pages: 240
Format: Audiobook
Goodreads Rating: 3.88
My Rating: 9/10

Synopsis from Goodreads

In Alyson Noël's newest teen novel, one sister's secrets save the other's life--in more ways than one. Meet fifteen-year-old Echo, a typical teen trying to survive high school without being totally traumatized by boy trouble, friend drama, and school issues.  As if she didn't have enough on her plate, Echo is also still dealing with the murder of her sister Zoë.  Although it's been over a year, Echo is still reeling from tragedy that changed everything.  Beautiful and full of life, Zoë was the glue that held her family together, and although the two sisters were as different as night and day, they still had a bond that Echo can't let go of.  When Zoë's old boyfriend Marc shows up one day with Zoë's diary, Echo doesn't think there's anything in there she doesn't already know.  But as she gives in to curiosity and starts reading, she learns that her sister led a secret life that no one could have guessed--not even Echo.

Review

To say that this book is emotional would be an understatement. It's brimming with moments that will have you on the verge of tears, or actually pushing you over and making you cry.
The way this story is told is so effortlessly honest, breathtakingly sad and wonderfully narrated that you can't help but be pulled into the world of these two sisters.
Echo makes a fantastic main character and narrator, and is easy to relate to. Right from the start she pulls you into her story, and that of her sister Zoe.
Just from the synopsis of this book you know it's going to be a tough read. It's not your typical light hearted YA contemporary, and that's part of what I loved about it. It blended the two worlds perfectly, the normal life of Echo as she hangs out with friends, goes to school and deals with normal life, and then the traumatic event of Zoe's murder.
I loved how Zoe's diary made it feel like we were being told two stories, and how well it showed the differences, and similarities between the two sisters.
I wished I had read it rather than listened on an audiobook, because although it was read really well, sometimes it was a bit of a quick jump between perspectives, and it was hard to tell who's narrative we were listening to.
Mostly I just loved this book though, it was fantastic and I highly recommend it.

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