Title: The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender
Author: Leslye Walton
Publisher: Candlewick Press
Publication Date: March 2014
Genre: Young Adult Fiction/Fantasy
Series or Stand Alone: Stand Alone
Synopsis can be found here.
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Review
Ava Lavender is born with wings. Large, white feathered wings that tuck behind her back. What this means to her family, her friends and to Ava herself, no one really knows. That is until the Solstice and Nathaniel Sorrows, a man who no one could have predicted.
The story is beautiful. I devoured it. That’s right. DEVOURED. The magical realism from the bakery, to a sister who becomes a bird. There is love and loss and the deep scars left on people when love goes away. My heart went out to each of these characters. So new and fresh and mystical, like a well woven fairy tale that gives you everything from lust to love and evil to hope.Â
I should note that this story is probably for older YA readers. There is lust and love, sex and god. There is evil and madness. And magic.
I’m going to read this book again and recommend it to everyone. It Is Just. That. Good.
The writing is lyrical and mesmerizing, drawing the reader in as the fairy tale swirls around them. I love Ava, closeted up in her house like a princess, wishing for the outside world. I love Ava’s family. Emilienne’s story is just as important, filling the first half of the book with her loves and losses, her family and magic. Viviane, Ava’s mother, is fantastically scarred. From her love and her yearning for the boy who broke her heart and her blindness to the one who stands before her every day. I loved all of the characters, rich and filled with love, scars and sadness.
Most of all, I loved the emotional reaction I felt as these characters fumbled with their lives, making stupid mistakes and shallow choices. I was frustrated, on the edge of my seat to find out about Jack and Vivienne. Gabe plagued my reading, lurking in the background like a sturdy hand on your shoulder. I was hopeful to read about Rowe and Ava. And I recoiled when I read about Nathaniel Sorrows. Something in my gut twisted and I just knew, I knew, he was no good.
I couldn’t put it down.
I can’t wait to read it again.
I’m haunted.
Rating 10 One of The Best
I love this book so much, I’m going to give away a copy!
Fill out the rafflecopter below. Anywhere Book Depository Ships.
Good luck!
Kimberly majored in Songwriting and currently works full time in the music industry. When she's not listening to music, knitting or writing, you can find her outside reading her favorite genres: Young Adult, Adult Fiction, Mystery, and Romance.
I would fly everywhere in the world! And maybe overcome my fear of heights haha Thanks for the post and giveaway! 🙂
I’d love to read this! If I had wings, I’d fly away to Europe haha
If I had wings I’d probably travel more and I’d certainly never get stuck in traffic again. Thanks.
I’m gonna fly anywhere in the world and I’m gonna take that advantage to fly back and forth to school. 🙂 Thanks for the giveaway!
If I had wings I’d hide because mad scientist would want to dissect me. Sucks right?
If I had wings I would fly overhead and keep an eye out for my child to make sure he was always safe and secure!!
If I had wings I would fly to visit all of my family that doesn’t live close to me. Then I would go to see all of the places I’ve always wanted to go.
If I had wings I would probably never get road rage over people who drive WAY under the speed limit anymore! Wonder if my lead foot would transfer to my wings? lol
If I had wings I would enjoy going to different places and checking them out and try to find out why me
This is such an amazing question. Needless to say I love the sound of the book 🙂
I’d probably fly to different cities and visit all amazing sights and libraries 🙂
Thanks for the giveaway 🙂
I really don’t know what I would do with wings…I’m afraid of heights :/
I mean I guess I would fly – and crash into things. 🙂
I fly to america and al the other places I probably would never see.
Thanks for a chance to win this book.
mariska
I would see how far and fast I could fly and then go to all the places I’ve always wanted to visit 🙂
Thanks for the giveaway!
Um, fly to school? I’d also go visit out of state friends over breaks 🙂
Fly everywhere. Isn’t that what wings are for. I am so excited to read this book. awesome review.
First of all, I think I would freak out. That would definitely be first up on the agenda. I mean, to go 31 years without them, and then all of a sudden I am hovering in the air because my wings are fluttering…. Yeah, major freak out. And then, I would fly! Really low to the ground min you because I am scared of heights, but fly I would!
Fly the world, of course! 🙂 Super excited for this book, thanks for a chance to win it! 🙂
Well, I wouldn’t need a car, for a start. Those things are such money-guzzlers, good riddance 😛
I guess I would fly every where. What else can I do with wings?