This Years Love[sic]
By Kristen Forever
There are moments when you happen upon a book that really puzzles you, in positive and negative ways, and when you finish it you merely shake your head to try and clear the chaos that’s rolling about simply from what someone has written. That’s what This Years Love[sic] by Kristen Forever did to me, and even now, several reads later, I still think back on her book and shake my head.
I was completely perplexed as to how to rate this book. The concept gained it high scores, the taste it left in my mouth, not so high. I suppose I shall just have to talk you through it and you pick up the book and tell me what you thought. I will initially say that the editing was quite poor. My suggestions to the author right off would be to consult the Chicago Manual of Style. There are standards when it comes to writing fiction that you should just follow. An example is in dialogue when wanting to stress a word you don’t underline it, rather italicize it. There were a plethora of other errors that with a good editor could be corrected.
Now that the formalities I typically leave until last are through let us get to the meat and bones. This Years Love[sic] is the story of the first 17 years of a young woman’s life. However, this is not just any young woman. We learn quickly that it is for certain that every year near her birthday her life strangely affects the life of another for a year, until again the cycle repeats and another picks up where last year’s individual left off. I’d love to go into more details than that, but it wouldn’t make any sense out of context.
Ms. Forever has laid this book out in a clever way. She brings us in to each year and the circumstances surrounding it while mixing it with the current day goings on where the true struggle is still taking place. Our main character, Avoir, is a beautiful, petite, large-chested young woman who is the daughter of a famous neuroscientist. In this, her 17th year she is desperate for some resolution to what has plagued her with loneliness and guilt since she can remember. Jack and Charlie Liebe are the two brothers who have become enmeshed the final year shared with us. What becomes of all of them? You’ll have to read the book and see. I can guarantee you an interesting ride.
As aforementioned, the editing was lacking if at all. I noted passage after passage where even a proofreader could have made a difference. I realize budgets for indie authors are slim to none; however, this is not an area to skimp on. I have a few other warnings for our readers that may not bother all, but I know they do some. This is supposed to be a YA fantasy; however, there is most certainly a ton of adult content. In addition, there is near-rape, self-mutilation, and sexual situations. I simply ask that the YA not lead one to believe that it is going to be all fuzzy bunnies and sunshine.
I have to say that I was definitely kept on my toes with Ms. Forever’s YA fantasy book. I never knew what to expect next, but it wasn’t always a good thing. I am glad that I read it, a strong concept kept me interested. I urge those daring enough to give it a shot. If you are stickler for a book that flows, this isn’t the one for you.
A. Fae
By Kristen Forever
There are moments when you happen upon a book that really puzzles you, in positive and negative ways, and when you finish it you merely shake your head to try and clear the chaos that’s rolling about simply from what someone has written. That’s what This Years Love[sic] by Kristen Forever did to me, and even now, several reads later, I still think back on her book and shake my head.
I was completely perplexed as to how to rate this book. The concept gained it high scores, the taste it left in my mouth, not so high. I suppose I shall just have to talk you through it and you pick up the book and tell me what you thought. I will initially say that the editing was quite poor. My suggestions to the author right off would be to consult the Chicago Manual of Style. There are standards when it comes to writing fiction that you should just follow. An example is in dialogue when wanting to stress a word you don’t underline it, rather italicize it. There were a plethora of other errors that with a good editor could be corrected.
Now that the formalities I typically leave until last are through let us get to the meat and bones. This Years Love[sic] is the story of the first 17 years of a young woman’s life. However, this is not just any young woman. We learn quickly that it is for certain that every year near her birthday her life strangely affects the life of another for a year, until again the cycle repeats and another picks up where last year’s individual left off. I’d love to go into more details than that, but it wouldn’t make any sense out of context.
Ms. Forever has laid this book out in a clever way. She brings us in to each year and the circumstances surrounding it while mixing it with the current day goings on where the true struggle is still taking place. Our main character, Avoir, is a beautiful, petite, large-chested young woman who is the daughter of a famous neuroscientist. In this, her 17th year she is desperate for some resolution to what has plagued her with loneliness and guilt since she can remember. Jack and Charlie Liebe are the two brothers who have become enmeshed the final year shared with us. What becomes of all of them? You’ll have to read the book and see. I can guarantee you an interesting ride.
As aforementioned, the editing was lacking if at all. I noted passage after passage where even a proofreader could have made a difference. I realize budgets for indie authors are slim to none; however, this is not an area to skimp on. I have a few other warnings for our readers that may not bother all, but I know they do some. This is supposed to be a YA fantasy; however, there is most certainly a ton of adult content. In addition, there is near-rape, self-mutilation, and sexual situations. I simply ask that the YA not lead one to believe that it is going to be all fuzzy bunnies and sunshine.
I have to say that I was definitely kept on my toes with Ms. Forever’s YA fantasy book. I never knew what to expect next, but it wasn’t always a good thing. I am glad that I read it, a strong concept kept me interested. I urge those daring enough to give it a shot. If you are stickler for a book that flows, this isn’t the one for you.
A. Fae