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A review by folklaureate
Without Tess by Marcella Pixley
5.0
More reviews at Rondo of a Possible World: YA Book Reviews
Raw Emotion.
This story hit me hard.
It is a book that will have you crying by the final chapters from the bittersweet conclusion to Lizzie's absolution. For all of you that have heard good things about this book. They are true. Do not delay in reading Without Tess, the story is unforgettable.
During the beginning I was confused with what was going on. But after a few chapters I figured out that you went from present day 15-year-old Lizzie Cohen to flashbacks of 10-year-old Lizzie and 12-year-old Tess Cohen. Some of the narration was strange but when the details about Tess are revealed the pieces fit together nice and snug.
Tess, I had a love-hate relationship with her character. What she puts Lizzie through made me mad. I had a friend like Tess (not exactly like Tess but the actions that she performs) where I was did whatever she said. If I happened to step out of her line of control, I would get a temper tantrum or an unreasonable action. Tess, an over-dramatic troubled child had me teetering on the edge for her.
On the other hand, Lizzie, the pity for her was deep. Death is a terrible nail that pushes itself through you and never recedes. Even for sisters that happened to be as close as could be. The overbearing guilt that had built up within her for over five years must have been excruciating and she's one of those characters that you wish you could jump into the story and just hug them and tell them "I'm here for you, everything's going to be okay."
Marcella Pixley was outstanding with the imagery. The pictures painted in my mind. Of the frail and skinny Tess with the red hair down to her waist. Lizzie who dressed in all black, the shadow of guilt and the years of tears hiding within her. The overpowering image of Tess' last moments. And the ending, the beginning of a Lizzie, free from the guilt and free as a bird, ready to start over and prepare her voice once more.
Raw Emotion.
This story hit me hard.
It is a book that will have you crying by the final chapters from the bittersweet conclusion to Lizzie's absolution. For all of you that have heard good things about this book. They are true. Do not delay in reading Without Tess, the story is unforgettable.
During the beginning I was confused with what was going on. But after a few chapters I figured out that you went from present day 15-year-old Lizzie Cohen to flashbacks of 10-year-old Lizzie and 12-year-old Tess Cohen. Some of the narration was strange but when the details about Tess are revealed the pieces fit together nice and snug.
Tess, I had a love-hate relationship with her character. What she puts Lizzie through made me mad. I had a friend like Tess (not exactly like Tess but the actions that she performs) where I was did whatever she said. If I happened to step out of her line of control, I would get a temper tantrum or an unreasonable action. Tess, an over-dramatic troubled child had me teetering on the edge for her.
On the other hand, Lizzie, the pity for her was deep. Death is a terrible nail that pushes itself through you and never recedes. Even for sisters that happened to be as close as could be. The overbearing guilt that had built up within her for over five years must have been excruciating and she's one of those characters that you wish you could jump into the story and just hug them and tell them "I'm here for you, everything's going to be okay."
Marcella Pixley was outstanding with the imagery. The pictures painted in my mind. Of the frail and skinny Tess with the red hair down to her waist. Lizzie who dressed in all black, the shadow of guilt and the years of tears hiding within her. The overpowering image of Tess' last moments. And the ending, the beginning of a Lizzie, free from the guilt and free as a bird, ready to start over and prepare her voice once more.