thefightinside's review
adventurous
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body shaming and Toxic relationship
sharanya's review
3.0
Interesting try at retelling a classic opera! I wish the connection wasn't made SOOOO completely obvious though.
everydayreading's review
2.0
Kelly told me the ending on this dragged and she was right. . .it took a long long time to wrap up. In some ways I liked this book - I thought that Soledad was likable and I desperately wanted things to go right for her. I thought the whole corps thing was fun. But I thought Jonathan kind of changed at the drop of a hat and that annoyed me.
I expected it to be nothing but romance, but it really had a lot of other things going on, which I appreciated, although sometimes there were just too many "stare off at the skies, lost in my own thoughts" passages.
Really, I think this book could have benefited from some considerable editing. 100 pages less would have been far stronger.
I expected it to be nothing but romance, but it really had a lot of other things going on, which I appreciated, although sometimes there were just too many "stare off at the skies, lost in my own thoughts" passages.
Really, I think this book could have benefited from some considerable editing. 100 pages less would have been far stronger.
martha_schwalbe's review
3.0
As I read this book I tried to determine the plot: abusive relationship, fatal illness, or summer fun. I liked the characters especially Mamacita with her Tarot cards, her nail shop, and her lover. I also like Raj with his insight kept subtly under wraps yet revealed insightfully to the reader. I'm not sure I really liked the story because I couldn't figure out where it was heading. The writing was frequently redundant.
Given my lack of personal enthusiasm, I do believe we have an audience for this book. I'd like to know of others' experiences putting it into the hands of teens.
Given my lack of personal enthusiasm, I do believe we have an audience for this book. I'd like to know of others' experiences putting it into the hands of teens.
arisbookcorner's review
5.0
People always asked why I danced. Why I'd devoted so much of my life to something that seemed to offer so little in return. But good as I was with words, in this they kind of deserted me. Every once in a while, I wished I could talk about it. How dancing created this huge, chaotic jumble of emotions and adrenaline rushing through my bloodstream-the freedom and power that came from the ability to command my body so completely." If you have ever felt passionately about something, no doubt, you can relate to what Soledad is saying. This quote is on the 2nd page and it was then that I knew Soledad and I would get along just fine. Soledad is one of the most driven protagonists in YA that I've ever come across. In this novel, the similarities between the original Carmen (I've never seen the opera so I'm basing this off summaries I've found and the musical Carmen Jones, which I adore) and this retelling are harder to spot. One of them is in how ambitious Carmen was and how ambitious Soledad is. Plus they both live in the moment, a quality that Jonathan envies of Soledad. Furthermore Jonathan and Soledad have tempers, much like Don Jose and Carmen. There is a love triangle but there is no clear winner, not until the grand finale. Taz is probably the only guy with long hair I will ever see as utterly sexy (that silver streak!), and it doesn't hurt that he's a soccer player ;) There are no one-dimensional characters. Each character is very carefully fleshed out, the flaws becoming more evident while the plot thickens. There is an intense air throughout the whole novel since Carmen is a tragedy and you know that eventually there will be a dramatic conclusion.
The writing is indescribable. It is expressive and elegant and it has obvious that the author knows both the story of Carmen and the world of which she speaks (drum and bugle corps, dance). The passion for the subject matter leaps off the page, after all only a dancer could really name the indescribable feeling that dancing provides. The romance is steamy, not because it's particularly explicit but because there is so much longing between Soledad, Jonathan and Taz. "Felt as if we had a whole conversation in the glance we exchanged in the silence following his words. But it was a teasing sort of exchange, the words in a language I wasn't quite comprehending. That I didn't really want to understand yet. But in a way, I did. At least, I wanted to try." (pg. 208). The author clearly illustrates the confusion Soledad feels over the behavior of both Taz and Jonathan, the confusion of being in love and wanting someone so badly, you don't know what to do with yourself.
When the Stars Go Blue is a dazzling read set in a world that will be new to many readers (including myself). I've never been to a college football game or seen a drum and bugle corps perform, but now I really want to see one live! I can't say that it looks easy being in the color guard, playing an instrument, etc. but I now know from this book that it's not, it takes a ton of blood, sweat and tears (well I already knew that about playing an instrument and dancing but still). The fervor that Soledad feels for dance, that Taz feels for soccer and that Jonathan feels for playing the horn is a palpable feeling that anyone who has dedicated themselves to a craft of some sort can relate to. The romance will have any romantic swooning and the climax will have you gasp out loud (especially when witnessing the painful rebound Soledad must make, it's a struggle to say the least). Caridad Ferrer is definitely one of my favorite authors and I will read whatever she writes next, no questions (after all I swore I would never develop a crush on a literary character with long hair or for that matter, any guy with long hair. Until Taz came along). At one point Jonathan tells Soledad to "Own it.", own the role of Carmen. Caridad Ferrer owns this retelling of Carmen and just like her main character, she triumphantly makes it her own
The writing is indescribable. It is expressive and elegant and it has obvious that the author knows both the story of Carmen and the world of which she speaks (drum and bugle corps, dance). The passion for the subject matter leaps off the page, after all only a dancer could really name the indescribable feeling that dancing provides. The romance is steamy, not because it's particularly explicit but because there is so much longing between Soledad, Jonathan and Taz. "Felt as if we had a whole conversation in the glance we exchanged in the silence following his words. But it was a teasing sort of exchange, the words in a language I wasn't quite comprehending. That I didn't really want to understand yet. But in a way, I did. At least, I wanted to try." (pg. 208). The author clearly illustrates the confusion Soledad feels over the behavior of both Taz and Jonathan, the confusion of being in love and wanting someone so badly, you don't know what to do with yourself.
When the Stars Go Blue is a dazzling read set in a world that will be new to many readers (including myself). I've never been to a college football game or seen a drum and bugle corps perform, but now I really want to see one live! I can't say that it looks easy being in the color guard, playing an instrument, etc. but I now know from this book that it's not, it takes a ton of blood, sweat and tears (well I already knew that about playing an instrument and dancing but still). The fervor that Soledad feels for dance, that Taz feels for soccer and that Jonathan feels for playing the horn is a palpable feeling that anyone who has dedicated themselves to a craft of some sort can relate to. The romance will have any romantic swooning and the climax will have you gasp out loud (especially when witnessing the painful rebound Soledad must make, it's a struggle to say the least). Caridad Ferrer is definitely one of my favorite authors and I will read whatever she writes next, no questions (after all I swore I would never develop a crush on a literary character with long hair or for that matter, any guy with long hair. Until Taz came along). At one point Jonathan tells Soledad to "Own it.", own the role of Carmen. Caridad Ferrer owns this retelling of Carmen and just like her main character, she triumphantly makes it her own
librarianelizabeth's review
4.0
I'm a sucker for well written YA, and good adaptations of classical stories, also a sucker for dance narrative.
This does a terrific job of hitting my sweet spot, with a strong, authentic narrator staying true to her Hispanic heritage... and setting the stage for a reinterpretation of Carmen that builds out into character development and obsession/passion along interesting lines.
A fun, fast read.
This does a terrific job of hitting my sweet spot, with a strong, authentic narrator staying true to her Hispanic heritage... and setting the stage for a reinterpretation of Carmen that builds out into character development and obsession/passion along interesting lines.
A fun, fast read.
reader_fictions's review
3.0
There's a lot that I liked about this book intellectually, but I never really connected with it emotionally. The way everything unfolded largely made it a book that wasn't really for me, but I think it will be a great book for the right reader.
What I Liked:
- Soledad's a Cuban dancer, who doesn't have the typical body but works hard and makes use of her own strengths.
- The drum and bugle corps aspect, because it's something I've literally never encountered in a book before. Also, I would generally love more books with bands.
- The messy and realistic unfolding of Soledad's relationship with Jonathan. Their romance begins with that all-consuming fire of young love, but lack of communication makes their relationship difficult.
What I Didn't Like:
- Soledad's narration is a bit odd, especially when she has little internal fights with herself that often end with her talking to herself out loud around other people. I talk to myself a lot, but, when someone else catches me doing it, it's because I didn't realize they were there.
- This book goes darker and more dramatic than I personally care for. I think it's well done, but it wasn't what I was in the mood for.
What I Liked:
- Soledad's a Cuban dancer, who doesn't have the typical body but works hard and makes use of her own strengths.
- The drum and bugle corps aspect, because it's something I've literally never encountered in a book before. Also, I would generally love more books with bands.
- The messy and realistic unfolding of Soledad's relationship with Jonathan. Their romance begins with that all-consuming fire of young love, but lack of communication makes their relationship difficult.
Spoiler
They don't end up together because he needs to recover from years of emotional abuse by his father, and she's moved on. I like how it's clear that he's not a bad guy, but they were not in a place to be right for one another.What I Didn't Like:
- Soledad's narration is a bit odd, especially when she has little internal fights with herself that often end with her talking to herself out loud around other people. I talk to myself a lot, but, when someone else catches me doing it, it's because I didn't realize they were there.
- This book goes darker and more dramatic than I personally care for. I think it's well done, but it wasn't what I was in the mood for.
kellyhager's review
4.0
Soledad Reyes is a dancer. She mostly does ballet, but she’s also a fan of Latin dancing. After high school, she wants to work at a dance studio, save money and then go to New York and audition for dance companies there. That plan’s derailed when she meets Jonathan, who encourages her to audition for the role of Carmen for a drum and bugle corps. The corps will be traveling all summer, and it’ll be the opportunity of a lifetime. It’s not what she’s used to, but after seeing the corps perform, Soledad agrees. (I don’t think it’s a spoiler to say that there’s something going on between Soledad and Jonathan, either.)
This is such an interesting, unexpected book. When I started, I was pretty sure that I knew exactly what would happen, but I was completely caught off guard.
There are so many things I want to say about this book, but I can’t because they’re all spoilers. The best I can do, really, is say that I love Soledad. She’s smart and talented and, even when she’s in love, she’s still focused and committed to her dream. If I had a teenage daughter, I’d want her to read this book.
So please read this book so I can discuss it with you. :)
This is such an interesting, unexpected book. When I started, I was pretty sure that I knew exactly what would happen, but I was completely caught off guard.
There are so many things I want to say about this book, but I can’t because they’re all spoilers. The best I can do, really, is say that I love Soledad. She’s smart and talented and, even when she’s in love, she’s still focused and committed to her dream. If I had a teenage daughter, I’d want her to read this book.
So please read this book so I can discuss it with you. :)
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