A review by lazygal
The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour
3.0
That the point-of-view was that of Colby, a boy, was an interesting choice: his relationships with Bev, the others in the band (Meg and Alexa), his family and the people they meet should have felt very different than if this was told by an omniscient author or Bev. And therein lies the problem, I didn't get the sense that this *was* a male telling the story.
Bev has been Colby's best friend since elementary school; throughout their high school years at a SF arts school, they've planned a gap-year trip around Europe. After Bev forms a band with Meg and Alexa the plan becomes: post graduation tour, then gap year. But just as they head off on tour, Bev tells Colby that she's actually going to RISD in the fall. They continue their tour as Colby tries to figure out what happened to their plan and what he's going to do with his future.
As I said, this didn't strike me as a particularly male voice. Worse was that the natural anger and confusion that he should have felt given the betrayal of his plans with Bev didn't appear. Sarah Dessen fans may not notice, however.
ARC provided by publisher.
Bev has been Colby's best friend since elementary school; throughout their high school years at a SF arts school, they've planned a gap-year trip around Europe. After Bev forms a band with Meg and Alexa the plan becomes: post graduation tour, then gap year. But just as they head off on tour, Bev tells Colby that she's actually going to RISD in the fall. They continue their tour as Colby tries to figure out what happened to their plan and what he's going to do with his future.
As I said, this didn't strike me as a particularly male voice. Worse was that the natural anger and confusion that he should have felt given the betrayal of his plans with Bev didn't appear. Sarah Dessen fans may not notice, however.
ARC provided by publisher.