Huge kudos to Nicola Yoon for an unexpected, delightful, amazing novel. Huge thumbs down to the Hollywood hype factory which exposes a MAJOR PLOT POINT in their 30 second commercials of a movie based on the book. Unfortunately, knowing that plot point did reduce some of the joy in reading it, although there is much to appreciate. Ms. Yoon writes in such a way as to be both simple and complex at the same time. The voice of Madeline is strong, the settings vivid. While this is a love story, and I don't particularly like love stories, Madeline's yearnings go beyond to boy to the world, to life. Her passion isn't just about her body awakening, it is about her mind awakening to hopes, dreams and thoughts which she never dared to let herself have. Ever take a bite of something simple, like pudding, and discover a half-dozen subtle flavors dancing around which you didn't expect? It is kind of like that. With echoes of Emma Donoghue's "Room" this story drew me in and didn't let go. A page-turner I tore through in two days, it is the kind of writing which makes me eager to read her next novel, "The Sun is Also a Star" (preview provided at the end of this book). Definitely a new talent worthy of her NY Times Bestseller status. Brava.
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