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Review

4 unexpected and mindfucky stars

From the moment I saw the blurb for this book, I was intrigued. I love Jessica Park’s writing, she writes wonderful romance and when I learned that this one had a paranormal twist, I was a goner. The story is completely unexpected so don’t go into with any pre-conceived ideas. This book is original, imaginative, and quite dark, and it completely sucked me in. I devoured it in one sitting, and it left me reeling.

But I must warn that some of the subject matter could be controversial to some readers, so for those who have issues with death, suicide and violence, you may want to do a bit of investigating before you decide whether or not to dive in.

16 year old Stella lives a difficult life. Pretty much ignored and / or ridiculed by her mother, she tries her hardest to be perfect, but never seems to measure up. The one defining moment of her teen years came when she met a stranger in a hospital after her father and sister are involved in a car accident. Sam Bishop was there for her during a low point of her life – offering her kindness, and a warm embrace right when she needed it. She connected with him in a way that she had never experienced before.

Five years later, and her life has deteriorated to the point where her father has abandoned his family, her mother and sister are verbally abusive and treat her horribly, and she is with her boyfriend only for the numbness that sex with him can bring.

I am exhausted. Every day is an exercise in faking happiness and sociability and enthusiasm for life, none of which I actually have.

Desperate for ‘something’, she quits her life and heads to a little seaside town in Maine that Sam spoke of, hoping to find herself, and the connection that she wants so badly. Sam and Stella are soon reunited, and although they have a bit of a rocky start, a friendship quickly develops and as they open up to each other about their pasts, that deep connection resurfaces and they fall for each other – hard and fast.

“For reasons I can’t begin to understand, I am whole again with you. After everything, I get to feel whole.”

This is a beautifully sweet love story. Sam and Stella are absolutely gorgeous together. I love the way that he is completely there for her, yet also encourages her to spread her wings and discover who she is for the first time in her life. Sam has been through some very hard times and has been struggling to cope with his past so watching him come back to life at the same time as Stella starts to come into her own was really special. And their relationship was gorgeous to watch – great banter, lots of sweet and tender moments, sexy time and swoon, it’s got it all!

“Let me be your good.”
Sam’s body tenses, and his heart pounds against me. “Can you let me be yours?”

Things start to get interesting when Sam’s best friend returns to town after a long absence. Costa’s reappearance is the trigger for things starting to get strange, as Stella is violently and devastatingly introduced into the world of “Death Tripping” – a paranormal phenomenon where “Trippers” can be killed over and over again but never die, in fact, they get a high from it and it starts to become an addiction. And as Stella is dragged into their world, the three of them are caught up in the rush but soon find themselves entangled in a situation which threatens to spiral them out of control.

I found this whole aspect of the story to be really fascinating. The rules and consequences of tripping are complex, but really well thought out and presented. I’m a fan of anything that is even slightly paranormal, so I was very open to everything that was going on, but I can see how a lot of people would have issues with it. Does it glorify death and suicide? In my opinion, no. But I acknowledge that it is a very fine line.

“There’s no death wish. Ironically, it’s the opposite. We’re after an enhanced sense of life. We trip over death, but don’t take it. The process, the ritual of this, is all for the thrill and the power from the pleasure that seeps into every part of you during dying and surfacing. The intoxication is nearly impossible to fight.”

I get that it’s an addiction for the characters, that they are drawn to do it, and I had no problem with that. But the way they do it sometimes gets a little provocative –

But as dark as that all sounds, there are other storylines going on. Stella and Sam’s romance remains a major focus of the story, and I am happy to say that there is no drama or stupid behaviour in their relationship. They love each other, they are committed, and I loved watching grow stronger and stronger with everything that they go through. Their love for each other, and the time they spend together provides some beautifully light moments throughout the story.

The other main storyline revolves around Costa. The three of them have a very interesting dynamic which is surprising, maybe a little confusing at times, yet also sweet. I was never too sure how to feel about him. I hated him, then I liked him, then my heart ached for him, but I was never too sure what his true motivations were. He’s a pivotal part of action though, and I really liked the direction of his story.

I finished this book not really sure how to feel. I was happy with how everything played out, and very satisfied with how it all ended, but it’s a wild, and slightly disturbing ride to get there. Now that I’m done, and the shock factor has receeded, I can sit back and reflect on it and it truly is a beautiful story.

Bravo Jessica Park! She has given us something truly original which is fast paced and enthralling, with surprises, lots of twists and turns and is full of emotion. She tied all of the different aspects of the story together brilliantly, and for the story that she has given us, and the way she told it, she’s done an amazing job.

I loved it – 4 stars.