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Release date: December 31st, 2013.
Balkan Girls Reading review
Book summary:
Wren Caswell is average. Ranked in the middle of her class at Sacred Heart, she’s not popular, but not a social misfit. Wren is the quiet, “good” girl who's always done what she's supposed to—only now in her junior year, this passive strategy is backfiring. She wants to change, but doesn’t know how.
Grayson Barrett was the king of St. Gabe’s. Star of the lacrosse team, top of his class, on a fast track to a brilliant future—until he was expelled for being a “term paper pimp.” Now Gray is in a downward spiral and needs to change, but doesn’t know how.
One fateful night their paths cross when Wren, working at her family’s Arthurian-themed catering hall, performs the Heimlich on Gray as he chokes on a cocktail weenie, saving his life literally and figuratively. What follows is the complicated, awkward, hilarious, and tender tale of two teens shedding their pasts, figuring out who they are—and falling in love.
Honest and captivating young adult story. The Promise of Amazing is a book you should not miss - it reminded me of all the reasons why I love realistic, contemporary young adult novels so much. Where new adult goes more along a line of cliche romance, young adult combines story about growing up, making difficult choices, falling in love and realizing that nothing is set in the stars. Robin Constantine managed to include all of those in debut novel.
Expectations, insecurities and the boy. One of the things that make this book so likable is the fact that almost everyone can relate to the main characters - not just Wren, but Grayson and Luke too. Even Wren's sister is kind of girl for who a lot of readers can think: "I know exactly how she felt"! It is hard when you have to live with all of the expectations your family or teacher have when you don't know what you actually want for yourself. It is easy to get stuck in the constant state of trying to please everyone and being afraid to speak up. That is exactly what our girl Wren goes trough. Grayson goes trough similar problems - he was sports star, party boy, smart kid and had his whole future mapped out. Now he has to deal with consequences of his actions and figure out who are his real friends and where he'll go from now on.
Robin Constantine makes you understand background and motivation of all her characters, even those who might look like bad influence.
But this is not fluffy read. Focus of the story is not just sweet teen love. Author is talking about things like drug abuse, problem with treatment of kids who are playing in school sport teams and how something that started as game and fun can turn out to be something sinister and bad. Grayson is not perfect guy, but also he is not idealized like anti-heroes/bad boys in new adult novels. He has so many flaws, but he tries to change - that is the thing that make him look like real person and not just book character.
Is The Promise of Amazing book for you? I think that it is perfect for all fans of good, realistic young adult novels. If you like books written by Huntley Fitzpatrick, Jandy Nelson, Sarah Dessen, Jennifer Brown or Cath Crowley, you should definitely read The Promise of Amazing.
Happy reading,
This sounds good! I'm adding it to my TBR.
OdgovoriIzbrišiIt is good - I hope you'll enjoy it.
IzbrišiI just finished this one and I will have my review up sometime soon (hopefully!). I liked this but I didn't end up loving it but it was a good read.
OdgovoriIzbrišiWhy?:( Sorry to hear that. I'll be stalking you to read your review. Will you post it soon?
IzbrišiAh, so excited you got to read an ARC of this, Glass! I am so dying to read The Promise of Amazing and what's making me die even more is how much you loved and praised it. Like you, I love Contemporary YA too that has romance in it but not as the epicenter. Wow- I can't wait to get my hands on this. Beautiful review!
OdgovoriIzbrišiSarika @ The Readdicts
I couldn't believe it when they approved me - I was so happy.
IzbrišiI think you'll be really satisfied with this novel - it was fun, captivating story. Lately, I enjoy contemporary YA much more than paranormal, and The Promise of Amazing has everything I expect from good book.
Thank you, Sarika.
This does sound quite good! It has a very cute cover so I'm glad to hear that it's not all fluff. I like fluff too though :)
OdgovoriIzbrišiOh, Candace, I like it too, but sometimes I need something more realistic.
IzbrišiWonderful review, Glass. This sounds exactly like my type of read! :)
OdgovoriIzbrišiI think that too . Thanks, Rachel.:)
IzbrišiI'm a little weary about this one because the reviews I read earlier were not so promising but you have my hopes up again! So glad to hear that it's more than just a fluffy read.
OdgovoriIzbrišiLovely review, hun! <33
Yeah, I saw all those negative reviews too and, honestly, I'm a little surprised because I know that this is exactly type of the book some of that people would normally adore.:(
IzbrišiI think you should not make any assumptions based on early reviews and just pick it up, read it and see for your self.
Thank you, Melanie.
I was surprised too, Aman, because I expected classical YA romance story. I loved the was all characters were presented - they felt so real.
OdgovoriIzbrišiThank you.
Good to know that in addition to having a good romance, it deals with serious matters as well. I didn't really expect that. Huntley Fitzpatrick is one of my favorites with her debute and I can't wait to read this gorgeous thing right here:) So glad you loved it!
OdgovoriIzbrišiI didn't expect that too, I was surprised by this book.
IzbrišiI wasn't really planning to read this... but Huntley Fitzpatrick? Cath Crowley? You know I can't resist it now! (I have literally just pressed that download button on Edelweiss - so much for my ban!) Like Siiri, I wasn't expecting this to deal with serious issues too, but it sounds like it works here. Lovely review, Tanja! :)
OdgovoriIzbrišiI try to tone down my obsession with requesting ARCs too.:) But this is a book you should not miss to read.
IzbrišiWow, I totally passed this up on Edelweiss but now I'm thinking I need to go back and download it. I love when heroes aren't romanticized and journeys of self-discovery where a heroine breaks away from expectations are always so satisfying. I'm so glad you enjoyed this one and I'll have to add it to my TBR at once!
OdgovoriIzbrišiYey! I'm glad I've changed your mind about The Promise of Amazing. I just hope you'll like it as much as I did.
IzbrišiThis is the first review of TPoA I've seen. I'm really excited you liked it!
OdgovoriIzbrišiThank you, Andrea.:)
IzbrišiLook what you made me do - go to Edelweiss and request an ARC of 'The Promise of Amazing'. :D
OdgovoriIzbrišiI'm in a mood for contemporaries lately and The Promise of Amazing sounds like just the kind of story I will enjoy. Great review Glass.
Oh, I feel so "bad"!:DDD Go, read!:*
IzbrišiOh, good, I have this one on the way and I can't wait to get my hands on it. I love Fitzpatrick, Crowley and especially Jandy Nelson so it should work perfectly for me. I'm glad it's not just empty and superficial, despite the cutesy cover.
OdgovoriIzbrišiI know - you should read this one too.:)
IzbrišiI love contemporary YA when it's done well, and it sounds like this is a great mix of sweet and serious at the same time! Lovely review, I'm glad to hear there's some depth here. I would have expected a much fluffier read based on the cover art.
OdgovoriIzbrišiWendy @ The Midnight Garden
I expected the same thing, but it really isn't. Thank you, Wendy.
IzbrišiI love realistic contemporary fiction that focuses not just on romance but on life issues. I love the company you put this novel in—Dessen, Nelson, Crowley, etc. I'm definitely going to love this, I'm sure of it! Great review!
OdgovoriIzbriši