What if you had only one day to live? What would you do? Who would you kiss? And how far would you go to save your own life?Samantha Kingston has it all: the world's most crush-worthy boyfriend, three amazing best friends, and first pick of everything at Thomas Jefferson High—from the best table in the cafeteria to the choicest parking spot. Friday, February 12, should be just another day in her charmed life.
Instead, it turns out to be her last.
Then she gets a second chance. Seven chances, in fact. Reliving her last day during one miraculous week, she will untangle the mystery surrounding her death—and discover the true value of everything she is in danger of losing.
I'm going to be pretty concise with this review, because I'm afraid I'll give something away to anyone who hasn't read it. Sam Kingston is a mean girl. She and her friends torment others, flirt with their teachers, and generally make poor life choices. This didn't make it easy to like or relate to her. Things don't go as planned one night after a party, and Sam ends up dead...well, almost dead. She repeats the final day of her life tweaking things, and going down very different paths. It's rough, but it gives her a chance to look at the kind of person she really is.
Like Hate List, this was another book I've picked up this summer that was both hard to read, and excellently done. There was something really engrossing about the way that Oliver told the story. Even though I didn't like Sam I had to know what was going to happen to her. I was torn between wanting her to find a way to live, and having her die after making her peace. I think that Oliver could have easily crossed the line from believable to cheesy, but she didn't. Sam's choices felt true to her character, and her growth over the course of the book was amazing. I'm not saying that my opinion of her completely changed by the last chapter, but I was able to appreciate the choices that she made. They really made the ending of the book all the more moving.
Before I Fall
By Lauren Oliver
Published by HarperCollins
470 Pages
Borrowed
Rating: A
5 comments:
I adore the cover of this book and it sounds really good! I don't often enjoy books where I don't like the MC so this seems like an interesting twist for me. I'll have to pick it up.
I loved this one too and was frustrated (In a good way) by the end as I was torn too!! Great review
I felt the same way about Sam and even though I knew what was coming I still teared up by the end of the book.
I have this book ready to read, and your review has me reaching for it. Great post.
Can you believe that I bought this book last Summer (2010) and I still haven't read it. It just sounds so sad. I really need too! ;) Great review.
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