Title: So Shelly
Author: Ty Roth
Pages: 336
Genre: YA/ Teen
Source: Book It Forward ARC Tours
Until now, high school junior, John Keats, has only tiptoed near the edges of the vortex that is schoolmate and literary prodigy, Gordon Byron. That is, until their mutual friend, Shelly, drowns in a sailing accident.I thought this was a great concept. So Shelly is a story that is loosely based on the lives of poets, John Keats, Lord Byron, and Percy Shelley - with a modern-day twist. Told through the voice of a modern day John Keats - we learn of Gordon and his recently deceased BFF Shelly. The boys set out to complete Shelly's final wish of scattering her ashes in a desired location - while in the process getting to know each other better and through flashbacks reminiscing on the life of their friend Shelly.
After stealing Shelly's ashes from her wake at Trinity Catholic High School, the boys set a course for the small Lake Erie island where Shelly's body had washed ashore and to where she wished to be returned. It would be one last "so Shelly" romantic quest. At least that's what they think. As they navigate around the obstacles and resist temptations during their odyssey, Keats and Gordon glue together the shattered pieces of Shelly's and their own pasts while attempting to make sense of her tragic and premature end. [via GoodReads]
I truly tried to get into this story... and while the writing is beautiful and the concept is brilliant, the story itself just fell flat for me. Maybe it was just too dark, or too deep or the fact that I honestly felt depressed while reading it. But in the end, it just didn't work for me. I wouldn't recommend this one for younger teens since it does broach some heavy topics (i.e. sex, drugs, death and even incest). My final say "enter at your own risk."
My Rating:
5 comments:
aww, that's too bad! It does sound like a good concept!
Uh oh! I was thinking about reading this one.... But I guess I may have to bump it down. Depressing is not my thing. :/ Thanks for the warning. Maybe I'll get to it eventually.
The premise sounds a little overwhelming to me. Thanks for the honest review! :)
Wow! I hate to hear that this one was such a let down =( I thought it sounded like it would be beautiful. Sigh.
It's too bad that you didn't enjoy this one. Like you said the concept looks good but bummer it's not executed well.
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