Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Review: Replay by Keira Lea

*I received this book (digital copy) at no charge in exchange for an honest review and participation in the blog tour.  The blog tour is being hosted by The Bookish Snob Tours.  The tour dates for this book are June 15, 2011 - July 2, 2011.  


Amazon Product Description:
Kelsee Lewis has a new school, a prima donna best friend, and one week to write a hit play. Throw in a self-obsessed mom and an absent executive dad, and it’s no wonder she has panic attacks—complete with time-warp special effects. When Kelsee meets comic book maven Quinn, she realizes the attacks give her the ability to rewind time.

Replaying life seems like the best way to erase mistakes. But will second chances leave Kelsee flailing in the orchestra pit alone?




My thoughts:
I was hooked at the prologue (Welcome to the Show is the header for it).  I was completely intrigued from the go.  Delay of show due to an entire audience vanishing - I had to turn the page and find out what in the world was going on!

This is the first time I have read a fiction story in play format.  I am sure there are more out there, but it is totally new for me.  I liked it.  I like how you are set up at the start of each chapter (scene) with the characters and the setting for that piece.  

The characters are fantastic.  The high school cliques and angst are so realistic.  I work in a 6-12 school and I see this every day.  Each of the characters has a highly developed  personality and the setting is right out of real life.   The drama that we see between the kids and between the kids and the adults is realistic as well.  We are run through the gambit of emotions and problems in the story: divorce, money, boys/girls, jealousy, friendship, ethics, morals, future plans, success, failure, and on top of all that - - - time manipulation!

This is a great YA read, and it's fast.  At 129 pages, it's a one sitting read.  The storyline kept me eagerly turning the pages.  The end is wonderful.  You get all the answers (and most of them were the ones I was hoping for!) I love when a great story finishes with a satisfying ending.  I would definitely suggest grabbing this one up!