Set in the turbulent days leading up to and during World War II, Interrupted tells the story of Alcyone Everly, or Allie, as she prefers to be called. When Allie’s mother dies, she is sent away from her beloved home in Tennessee to a stranger’s house in Maine. Embittered by the turn of events, Allie closes her heart off to everyone, keeping her feelings tucked up inside and guarded by defenses so thick it seems no one can penetrate. The only place she allows her true feelings to spill forth is in her journal where she writes poetry and letters to her mother.
But when Sam Carroll – the young man she holds responsible for her mother’s death – shows up in Maine, Allie is forced to face both her anger and her bitterness, and discover if her heart can learn to love again.
Interrupted is Rachel Coker’s debut novel and a good one at that. Though Rachel is only sixteen, her writing bears a maturity and skill far beyond her age.
Interrupted was a sweet story that kept me rooting for the characters all the way through. Embittered Allie, faithful Sam, exuberant Charlie, and funny Miss Beatrice were all tremendous characters that you bond with almost instantly! Since I’m not a huge fan of romances, I loved that the romance in this book grew organically out of the story. It wasn’t forced. It didn’t feel set up. It was just right! :)
I especially liked Rachel’s attention to the little details of the story and characterization. Even Allie’s full name, Alcyone, (named after a star in the constellation Taurus) has meaning given her mother’s love of poetry and fantasies.
At times, I felt that Allie’s response to any hint that she might have found a home seemed a little repetitive. A lot of the chapters/scenes ended with similar statements – “I don’t have a home.” or “You’ll never be able to take me home.” But it certainly didn’t take away from the overall story.
Interrupted is a sweet and beautiful story, filled with a memorable cast of characters who leave you wishing there was at least a page or two more…or another chapter…or another book! I highly recommend Interrupted and look forward to picking up Rachel Coker’s next book.
Sample Chapter
Be sure to visit the other blogs participating in the tour:
ADD
Librarian • The Book Fae • Book Nook 4 You • Colorimetry • CTF Devourer • Gillian Adams • My Life with a
Mission • My Story Shelf • Jill Williamson • Oh, Restless Bird • Rachelle Rea
spreading the word about clean teen fiction. Check out other posts about Interrupted by
Rachel Coker by clicking on the links above, and check out www.NovelTeen.com for
more information about Team Novel Teen.
Sarah Elizabeth says
"Embittered Allie, faithful Sam, exuberant Charlie, and funny Miss Beatrice were all tremendous characters that you bond with almost instantly!" – I just love that, Gillian! =)
Charley Robson says
Nice review there! Can't say it sounds like my sort of book …. but why do all of your reviews make me want to try the book anyway? Curse your cunning persuasive skills!
rachelcoker says
Thanks for the great review, Gillian! I'm so glad you liked it, even though you're not a romance fan. I'm not a big romance reader either, actually, so it was a bit hard to write, but I'm glad it turned out okay! ;)
Gillian Adams says
Charley – Haha. Didn't realize my pen was so persuasive! ;) *considering other career options*
Rachel – Yes, I really did! Haha, I can imagine. So far I've managed to avoid romance in my current WIP's, but eventually I'm sure such a subplot is going to crop up and I'll just have to buckle down and write it! :)
Laura BurgandyIce says
Love your review!!
I found the love story very organic, too… not forced and definitely realistic!
Rachelle Rea says
To echo Sarah, that paragraph with the adjectives was spot-on and so true, Gillian!
Congratulatons on your book trailer's debut and this great review! :)
Jill Williamson says
Great review, Gillian! I loved her characters too. And I so look forward to reading her next book!
:-)
Jill