I had so much fun doing my Love and Loss reviews back in May that I've decided to do a new June theme: Before and After. This series will look at three books that focus on a character whose life irrevocably changes after an accident.
The three books I'll be featuring this week are:
The three books I'll be featuring this week are:
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Today's feature:
One Moment by Kristina McBride
Published by EgmontUSA
on June 26, 2012
Source: e-ARC from NetGalley. Read my review policy/disclosure here.
Published by EgmontUSA
on June 26, 2012
Source: e-ARC from NetGalley. Read my review policy/disclosure here.
My summary: Maggie and her boyfriend Joey are part of a close-knit group of high school friends. One day, the gang is gathers at a local gorge to swim and hang out. Joey wants Maggie to jump from the cliff down into the water below. Maggie's afraid of heights, but she loves Joey, and she knows she can trust him, so she reluctantly agrees. Then, at the top of the cliff, Maggie sees something that shocks her, triggering a terrible realization. Next thing she knows, she's alone at the top, confused and scared. Joey's dead at the bottom, and Maggie's the only person who knows what happened. Can Maggie piece together her memories and figure out what went wrong and what part she played?
My take: Amnesia plots have been a big trend in YA over the past couple of years. There were many things I enjoyed about reading One Moment. The dynamic between Maggie's group of friends was essential to the plot and felt very genuine. After the accident, watching the gang's friendship start to unravel was one of the most interesting parts of the book. For me, there was little mystery about what Maggie figured out on top of the cliff. I had a strong hunch based on the clues that were given, and my hunch was right. That said, I don't mind knowing more than the main character -- watching that character stumble toward the truth can create a lot of suspense.
I did wish the truth about what happened on top of the cliff had been revealed sooner in the story. I think that would have given Maggie more space and time to grow as a character. It was also hard to get any real sense of Joey, since he only appears in the first few pages of the book, then in flashback.
Definitely try One Moment if you're a diehard fan of stories about amnesia. I have a copy of Kristina Mc Bride's first book, The Tension of Opposites, and I'm going to read it over the summer.
Be sure to stop by tomorrow for part two of the series: my take on My Life in Black and White!
Great review! :) I hadn't noticed that there were a lot of amnesia books lately, but I really want to read One Moment, it sounds so inspiring and like a perfect summery read! :)
ReplyDeleteEileen @ ***Singing and Reading in the Rain***
Yeah, I thought I did an amnesia post. Or maybe I just thought I did. Amnesia strikes!!!
DeleteI've seen this around but I didn't quite realize what it was about. It sounds pretty intense with Joey dead and Maggie not able to remember exactly what happened. I am very interested to find out so I guess I will need to pick up a copy!
ReplyDeleteNo spoilers here :)
DeleteI was going to skip this one becuase I hate feet and the cover creeps me out, but it sounds great, so maybe I'll get it on my kindle. I love this feature, by the way!
ReplyDeleteThat just makes me laugh. Feet?
DeleteI didn't notice the amnesia trend before, but now that I think about it there have been quite a few of those books. I can't wait to read this book it sounds really good plus I really want to know what this mystery surrounding the story is!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the great review!
Yep. I think I'll do a post about amnesia books soon!
DeleteAmnesia stories can be very fun to read, especially when you are figuring the things out along with them. I can see the mystery already and I will definitely need to read this because I so want to know what Maggie saw that caused her not to jump.
ReplyDeleteI was kind of hoping I'd be wrong about what caused her to jump...
DeleteNow I'm very curios as to what happens in this book.
DeleteEeek! I wouldn't call myself a die hard but I do love some amnesia stories. haha I read the other 2 books you'll be featuring and they were good as well! I need to read this one pronto! Sounds like a book I'd enjoy! And I can't believe I didn't realize till before she wrote the Tension of Opposites. I've checked it out from the library so many times but I never get to read it. I need to make time to do that one of these days
ReplyDeleteI thought you reviewed this??? I really do have amnesia.
DeleteI do enjoy books like this, but I have heard a lot of negatives about this one. I don't think I will pick this one up, but the other two sound really amazing and I have seen great reviews for them.
ReplyDeleteI think if readers were expecting a mystery, they were probably disappointed.
DeleteI'm notopposed to amnesia books but the summary of this one on Goodreads kinda left me with a 'meh' feeling. It sounds like it definitely has it's moments in your review, however. Of the three books in your Before and After theme, I think the one I have wanted to read most would be Miracle, so I look forward to that review:)
ReplyDeleteCheck back on Saturday!
DeleteI love amnesia books. I am curious what happened and why Joey jumped but I have a few haunches. Not too terrible that is predictable but I agree that I like the character to discover it early instead of dragging it out once it is obvious. After a tragic accident friendships definitely will unravel in some awful ways.
ReplyDeleteIf you love them, then you should read this one and tell me what you think!
DeleteI sometimes think amnesia is such an easy answer for writers. Having said that ONE MOMENT does pique my interest.
ReplyDeleteIt does seem like there are a lot of amnesia books of late!
DeleteI agree, I realized sooner than her, and I wished it was revealed sooner, but overall liked the book.
ReplyDeleteThanks for review.
Brandi from Blkosiner’s Book Blog
Hmm, I had seen this book around but I guess I didn't really realize what it was about, because I hadn't added it to my TBR list. So thanks for this review - it's on my TBR list now! ;) I think it sounds really interesting! Great review, Jen!
ReplyDelete