Welcome to my stop on the Chasing Shadows blog tour hosted by Random House Children's Books! I have my review of the book to share with you today and don't forget to check out the book trailer!!
Chasing Shadows
Author: Swati Avasthi
Graphics by Craig Phillips
Genre: YA Contemporary Fiction/Graphic Novel
Release Date: September 24, 2013
Publisher: Knopf Books for Young Readers
Description:
Chasing Shadows is a searing look at the impact of one random act of violence.
Before: Corey, Holly, and Savitri are one unit—fast, strong, inseparable. Together they turn Chicago concrete and asphalt into a freerunner’s jungle gym, ricocheting off walls, scaling buildings, leaping from rooftop to rooftop.
But acting like a superhero doesn’t make you bulletproof...
After: Holly and Savitri are coming unglued. Holly says she's chasing Corey's killer, chasing revenge. Savitri fears Holly's just running wild—and leaving her behind. Friends should stand by each other in times of crissi. But can you hold on too tight? Too long?
In this intense novel, told in two voices, and incorporating comic-style art sections, Swati Avasthi creates a gripping portrait of two girls teetering on the edge of grief and insanity. Two girls who will find out just how many ways there are to lose a friend . . . and how many ways to be lost.
Before: Corey, Holly, and Savitri are one unit—fast, strong, inseparable. Together they turn Chicago concrete and asphalt into a freerunner’s jungle gym, ricocheting off walls, scaling buildings, leaping from rooftop to rooftop.
But acting like a superhero doesn’t make you bulletproof...
After: Holly and Savitri are coming unglued. Holly says she's chasing Corey's killer, chasing revenge. Savitri fears Holly's just running wild—and leaving her behind. Friends should stand by each other in times of crissi. But can you hold on too tight? Too long?
In this intense novel, told in two voices, and incorporating comic-style art sections, Swati Avasthi creates a gripping portrait of two girls teetering on the edge of grief and insanity. Two girls who will find out just how many ways there are to lose a friend . . . and how many ways to be lost.
Watch the Trailer:
This was a fascinating and completely unique novel unlike anything I've read before. I loved the illustrations interspersed throughout the novel. They really added depth to the characters and the story, as well as bringing a whole new visual level to the book. The characters are very well done, specifically Holly and Savitri. They are deeply grieving the death of their friend, seeking revenge, wallowing in grief and fear, and walking the line of insanity. They were very realistic and easy to identify with from early in the novel. The story is told from two separate points of view - that of Holly and of Savitri. I loved that the author did the story this way because the reader can get an inside look at what each character is feeling and thinking throughout the book. It's a deeper peek inside their characters that most novels don't reveal. I think it worked well with this plot - especially because the reader can see how each girl is reacting to the death of their friend and what exactly is going through their heads at different times in the book. The plot is realistic and possible in real life, which hit a lot closer to home than most books. The thought that this could, and probably does, occur in our world made me really upset and horrified. There was a great flow to the story and it was fast paced, which had me eagerly reading to see what the girls would do next. Overall, this is a fantastic blend of contemporary fiction and graphic illustrations that brings a fresh breath of air to the YA genre. Highly recommended for fans of contemporary and realistic fiction as well as fans of graphic novels.
A huge thanks to Random House Children's books for sending me a copy for review!
I enjoyed reading your thoughts on it, sounds a good book. Your review made me feel I must get this book. :)
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