Review: Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

BROOKLYN: Andi Alpers is on the edge. She’s angry at her father for leaving, angry at her mother for not being able to cope, and heartbroken by the loss of her younger brother, Truman. Rage and grief are destroying her. And she’s about to be expelled from Brooklyn Heights’ most prestigious private school when her father intervenes. Now Andi must accompany him to Paris for winter break.

PARIS: Alexandrine Paradis lived over two centuries ago. She dreamed of making her mark on the Paris stage, but a fateful encounter with a doomed prince of France cast her in a tragic role she didn’t want—and couldn’t escape.

Two girls, two centuries apart. One never knowing the other. But when Andi finds Alexandrine’s diary, she recognizes something in her words and is moved to the point of obsession. There’s comfort and distraction for Andi in the journal’s antique pages—until, on a midnight journey through the catacombs of Paris, Alexandrine’s words transcend paper and time, and the past becomes suddenly, terrifyingly present.
 

Hardcover, 496 pages

Published October 13th 2010 by Bloomsbury 

personal library

***** 

I love quotes, I keep saying that I should write down lines that make me go wow, and for this book I have. The talent of authors that come up with sentences that make me wish I come up with them are amazing.

"I'm thinking about that girl, Alexandrine. And it feels like the pages are calling to me. It's not a good sound. It's like footsteps behind you in the dark or a door slowly opening in the house when you thought you were alone. I should leave it where it is; I know that. But I almost never do what I should."

"I'm greasy and smelly. But I've learned that stink soon reaches critical mass. You reach a certain degree of smelly, then level off."

I have to say I was a little nervous about starting this book. All the reviews were positive, glowing in fact. How it's the best book out there. It makes me nervous because I get my hopes up, just like when someone tells you that's the best movie they've even seen and you watch it and think 'it was ok'. The expectation level is so great.

This book did not disappoint, in fact right now it is my favorite book. I loved it! I was hooked right have the beginning, I fell in love with the characters. Andi's grief was real and you couldn't help feel for her. Alex was the same. I could visualize so much from this book, New York, Paris, G's apartment (I would love the spend some time there), the catacombs, even Vijay's bedroom and his mother yelling at him.

This is the first I have heard of Jennifer Donnelly and I am glad, I will definitely be on the lookout for more of her works.