Kat SpearsRecensioni
Autore di Sway
Recensioni
The Boy Who Killed Grant Parker: A Novel di Kat Spears
After the death of his younger sister, Jason comes to realize that his crew of soccer friends (him, Mario, Jordie, and Chick) are growing apart and there's nothing he can do about it. Jordie is more interested in impressing his "high class" friends, Mario has fallen in with a druggie crowd, and Jason is having a tough time controlling his anger. The only person that even cares about saving them is Chick, a small sickly boy that the other 3 have let tagalong with them for years. The problem is, while Jason is quick to look out for Chick, he's not sure how to relate to his odd behavior.
Jason meets Raine, but doesn't know if he wants to put himself out there since they come from such different circumstances. And after all, people always find a way to leave Jason.
My Thoughts:
This book!!! An emotional book to begin with, and then there's that surprise twist of the knife that left me in tears. It's been a long time since I read a book that made me feel so much, but this one just crawled right up into my heart.
I didn't love this book right away. It started off kind of slow, and I was starting to question if I would like the book at all when all of a sudden I didn't want to put it down. I fell in love with Jason's character. He was a guy with a lot of layers. He has had a rough start to life, and he has a lot of anger about that, but he's also someone who cares a lot. I also found it endearing how he put up this tough exterior, but really he was just this insecure guy who felt lost. I didn't love Raine, but I really liked the way Jason interacted with her. Somehow he was able to have this back-and-forth smart-ass relationship, while also being really respectful towards her. There was just something about the way he acted with her, that made me want to make him one of my new book boyfriends.
It was interesting and sad how the friendships between the boys broke down. I wanted them to care about each other and come back around, but I also know how it is when you grow apart from friends you never thought you would grow apart from.
The only thing I would have changed is that I wanted more from Raine. I didn't find her all that interesting or unique. She tried to act like a hard-ass, but once she got with Jason, she changed all that, and I didn't like it. Be who you are. The only thing I found interesting about her was Jason.
I know this book is not one of the "hot", hyped books that everybody has to read right now, but I hope if you are reading this, you will give it a try. If you push past the first chapter or so, it gets SO good. The feel of it and the writing was just so honest. It's definitely one of those books that's going to stay with me for a long time. I'm really, really happy I read this and I will be reading more by this author!
WARNING: The ending is as real as the rest of the book, and I appreciated that the author didn't try to "fix" everything and make things perfect for all the characters. It wasn't a lessons book and I was happy for that, but I also felt like things were cautiously optimistic.
PS- What happened to Silvia?? Did I somehow miss that this was explained?
OVERALL: An emotional book that I hope everybody reads!! I fell in love with Jason and everything going on with him. I totally recommend this awesome story about friendship and loss, family and abandonment, and love and redemption.
My Blog:
Jesse's a difficult character: he lies,deals drugs and doesn't exhibit much of a conscience or consideration for others. It's hard to see any good in him at first, but his character is still intriguing. His savvy, his "sway," is a little too flawless, the extent of his power unbelievable, but I was still very drawn to his story. It's interesting that Carter and Joey, and a host of other characters in the book, have the same reaction to him that I had as a reader: they like him despite his actions. They see something in him that he doesn't see in himself. And it takes talent to be able to get that across while writing from the point of view of a character who acts like a bad guy and thinks he's a bad guy.
The drug use and casual sex bothered me, and I thought the resolution went a bit too fast.
The book had a nice mix of supporting characters, and I was sad to leave them behind when I finished the book. It would be neat to see some of them featured in their own novels, say Joey or Carter.
Nick Podehl was a great choice for narrator of this on audio. His depiction of Jesse was perfect.
Looking at the cover of this book, one might be led to believe it's really more about soccer, but soccer is just a background, a link between the four guys in this story, the only one they have that keeps them together after a while. Jaz, or Jason, is reeling after the death of his younger sister. Everyone is grieving, his mother, her friends and the rest of the high school, even those who didn't know her. His friendships are starting to change: Mario, has chosen a life of oblivion through drugs, Chick, has always been the small, socially awkward one, Jordie, having landed the girl he really wants, is letting his family's wealth dictate his social life. Jaz needs to figure out how to grieve, who he is, and what he wants. I loved going on his journey and watching him grow.
I loved so much about this book. The relationships Jesse has, that he sees as business arrangements, are more than he realizes. He’s closed himself off emotionally, after the death of his mother, but others have not given up on him. The way he gets himself tangled into the life of an old man from the nursing home, cracks me up. His Cyrano de Bergerac actions that bring him so much grief, even as he realizes that is what is happening, made me sigh. I’d have been disappointed if it had ended any other way than it did.
Il pov di Jesse, il protagonista, con cui viene raccontata tutta la storia ha un suono argentino e sarcastico, a tratti pungente, ma al contempo risulta dolce e profondo; peccato che tutto ciò non riesca a dargli lo spessore che merita.
Jesse non viene mai descritto fisicamente e tutto ciò che trapela della sua personalità sono briciole che il lettore deve seguire attraverso il bosco senza, però, riuscire a tornare a casa. Il suo innamoramento dell'angelica Bridget - un incrocio tra la Jamie de "I passi dell'amore" (quella del libro, non quella del film) e Belle de "La bella e la bestia" - è repentino e non lineare, quasi un colpo di fulmine senza tuono e senza lampo. Jesse si innamora della sua anima innocente senza conoscerla mai davvero, se non ad un livello puramente superficiale. Ho avuto l'impressione che l'autrice non sapesse come scrivere alcune scene... continua a leggere su http://theinkspell.blogspot.it/2016/08/recensione-un-cuore-di-pietra-di-kat.html
All Luke wants to do is make it through the final months of his senior year and get out of town but, from his first day there, he is targeted by Grant Parker, star football player, son of the richest man in town, and the biggest bully in school. Everyone has learned to steer clear of Grant, but Luke follows the beat of a different drummer. Tired of his forced status at the bottom of the social ladder, Luke turns an unfortunate event with Grant into an opportunity to rise to the top. With his newfound power Luke can be anything he wants to be, so why is he having so much trouble learning to fit into his new role? Isn’t this what he’d always wanted?
The age-old question of “when is a lie really a lie?” is brought to life through humor and teen angst as Luke tells his story. Male readers will find much in common with Luke’s quandaries, questions and continued series of unfortunate events.
Recommended for ages 14 and older.
Book review link: https://shouldireaditornot.wordpress.com/2016/10/02/the-boy-who-killed-grant-par...
I enjoyed this book. The characters were all distinctive, with their own voices, and rather memorable. On the other hand, I feel like I didn't get to spend a lot of time with any of them. None of the characters, or their backgrounds, were explored in a lot of depth. And that includes Luke. I'm not sure it was ever actually disclosed as to what he did to warrant being sent away to his father so he could somehow reform him. Luke seemed like a very regular seventeen year old me.
The book touched on some rather good questions and situations, for example, walking the fine line between bravery and utter stupidity. It was well written, and despite issues I had with it, I did really enjoy it. I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoys YA titles.
*I received this book from a Goodreads giveaway in exchange for an honest review.*
I wanted to like this book, but I just never connected with it, or Luke. Having grown up and lived in small towns, I understand how truly small and exclusive they can be. But this novel just fell flat for me. I was immediately bothered by the fact that Luke's mother shipped him off for his senior year to his extremely rigid (and awful) father, despite the fact that the his greatest transgressions seemed to be a couple of silly (and harmless) pranks at his old school. I never felt any sort of connection to Luke as a character, and truly, at points, I found reading his story a little painful and thought "blah blah blah" at huge sections of text. He's a passive character, without a lot of depth to him. In fact, the only character with any true depth to her was Luke's friend, Delilah and her storyline is the only one that seems to have any heft. But she often gets lost in the shuffle.
Overall this one was just too much eye-rolling (on my part) and a little "too YA" for me. While it should be a nuanced commentary on the perils of high school and small town living, I just wanted it be over.
"Sway" reminded me of "The Spectacular Now." So, so good.
When he is set up with Raine on a double date with Jordan and Cheryl, the date turns into a disaster. One reason is the chip on Jaz's shoulder regarding the economic inequality between himself and Raine, he being poor and she being rich. However, as any astute reader will predict, attraction will soon follow, with all its complications.
Breakaway was an interesting read. I liked the characters. Kat Spears left the ending open ended, to some extent. However, me being the skeptic that I am, I can't see Jaz and Raine living happily ever after.
There's pretty pervasive drug use and dealing in this book, which I didn't care for. Despite that, the deftness with which Ms. Spears takes Jesse from cynical and emotionally cut-off, to empathetic and in love is masterful. Surprisingly touching.
In the wake of his younger sister’s death, Jason Marshall is sad, angry and lost. As his single mother sinks into depression, Jaz should be able to rely on his best mates, but Mario is too busy getting high, Jordan is distracted by his new girlfriend, and Chick has his own problems.
Written in the first person, Jason doesn’t really have insight into much of what motivates him, nor Spears other characters, so the underlying pathos that unravels his story has to be pieced together from the context and subtle leads in the narrative.
Struggling with his past and present, Jason is a sympathetic protagonist. Desperate to protect himself from further pain related to his father’s desertion, his mother’s emotional absence, and his sisters death, he retreats into himself, often taking refuge in an abrupt, defensive and sarcastic attitude.
While previously the linchpin for his group of best friends, Jason simply doesn’t have the emotional strength to confront either Mario or Jordan, or cope with Chick’s distress at the relationship drift. It’s easier for him to just let it go and pretend it doesn’t matter, or to blame circumstances outside his control, especially as his experience has taught him that everybody leaves.
Raine proves to be an excellent distraction for Jason. Convinced she couldn’t be interested in him, he feels in control of their interactions, and most importantly to him, there is no risk of the rejection he fears. Raine in turn is good for Jason, calling him out on his worst behaviours and attitudes, and eventually offering him hope that things can be different.
An edgy, poignant coming of age novel exploring the themes of friendship, loss and love, Breakaway reflects the ordinary, often messy, complicated and dark, reality of adolescence.
Jesse Alderman, 17, is called “Sway” because he has a talent for getting people what they want, and then extracting favors or money in return. As one of Jesse’s friends explains:
"Sway ain’t somethin’ you can define. A brother who’s got sway is the man - don’t have to try to be cool, just…is. … He’s so slick, he could convince you that I’m white, have you believin’ it like it’s gospel.”
Jesse doesn’t seem to have any scruples about fulfilling requests, nor any emotional involvement in their consequences. His mother committed suicide, and his father is an alcoholic. Life seems simpler to him if he avoids feelings, or any closeness with anyone, and he pushes people away, except those he needs for his “business.”
All this changes, however, when he is asked by a Neanderthal-like football player, Ken Foster, to make Bridget Smalley want to go out with him. Jesse succeeds as always, but finds, in the process of investigating what Bridget is like and what might impress her (to tell Ken), he actually gets to like Bridget a lot himself.
Bridget is called (deprecatingly by some) a “saint” - she volunteers at a center for the disabled, she visits her grandmother weekly at a nursing home, and in general, is a good person in addition to (or in spite of) looking like “an angel.”
Inadvertently, Jesse is changed by her. He gets to know Bridget’s brother Pete, who has cerebral palsy, and treats him just like he treats everyone else, which is to say, like a jerk. But Pete loves him for that, and Jesse actually gets to appreciate Pete’s company. Jesse also “adopts” a “grandfather” at the nursing home, so he can impress Bridget in that way also, but finds he comes to be quite attached to Mr. Dunkelman. Jesse also finds himself helping out people who have nothing to trade, just because Bridget likes them.
In short, Jesse’s soul of ice is starting to thaw. But now Bridget is dating Ken, and Ken has threatened to rip Jesse apart if he ever comes near Bridget. Worse yet, when confronted by Ken, Jesse denies he likes either Bridget or Pete, and Pete overhears this as well as the nature of the scheme that hooked up Ken with Bridget in the first place. It looks like Jesse’s “dynasty” is going to come apart, and he is about to lose everything: not only his “sway,” but what has come to be even more important to him: friendship, goodness, and redemption.
Evaluation: I didn’t expect to like this; Jesse is someone who seems very unappealing in the beginning of the book. But as the story unfolds, you get to know why he acts like he does, and what kind of person he really is inside. The dénouement was a little too Hollywood-ish, but it will probably please most readers.
Not suitable for middle school due to references to drug smoking, alcohol consumption and sex.
Labeled as a Cyrano de Bergerac storyline, I found it to be more of a Cyrano lite situation, because once smooth talking Jesse (Sway) is paid, he's off to the next deal. It's hard to separate the completely illegal goings on in this book and the redeeming qualities Jesse Alderman winds up pursuing in this book. A senior in high school, Jesse has been the go to guy for students and faculty alike, depending on the desired result. When researching a subject as a possible girlfriend for football star Ken Foster, Jesse winds up being very intrigued by Bridget Smalley. The presence of her in his life begins to chip away at his formerly tough image. Other characters, such as Mr. Dunkleman, are a treat as well. Not quite what I was expecting, but definitely a great read.
Imperfect characters doing imperfect things in a perfect way, leading to an perfectly imperfect ending.
Imperfect characters are always more interesting than their normal, average counterparts. Put them in a high school hierarchy, cogs in a wheel, carrying their own little task to click, clack, and push along the other parts to make their world go round. Cause and effect...there is a beauty in that. And add drama, a slipper slope, a stereotype, a beauty in the breakdown, and you have a story worth reading. This is such a story.
First of all, I want to make clear that while the publisher has marketed this novel to 14-17 year olds, I, as a parent of teens, would be incredibly uncomfortable with my 15 year old (and even my 18 year old if I'm completely honest with myself) reading this book. The profanity, drug use, and the casual references to teen sex combined with the language used to describe sex are, in my opinion, too prolific and offensive. If this book were made into a movie without any changes, it'd be rated R. Okay then...
On the whole, I enjoyed this book. Spears' writing makes it so that I can hear Jesse's voice clear as day. He is hilarious, damaged, and has had to grow up too soon. He is definitely, out of all the characters in this book, the most memorable. I think that every 17 year old who reads this would wish that Jesse were their friend and every parent would absolutely hate him.
Is Jesse the modern day Cyrano? Maybe but I think Jesse's motives were a little more selfish and definitely more dark. I think what really makes this book interesting and unique is that the reader roots for Jesse to get the girl but not, necessarily, for the girl to get the guy.
For a debut novel, Kat Spears has a well-written and edited book that's unique and fun to read. Still, my "reader discretion" message above keeps me from saying that I would recommend this book. To whom? I'd recommend it to my friends before my daughters or their friends. 3 out of 5 stars.
Contemporary, Young Adult
Each one bought their popularity and he now owned their secrets. Now the question is will it cost him the one person he loves the most.
Jesse Alderman is also known as Sway. He is the one person that can get things people want for them. He is also a high school senior that is emotionally detached. He knows what he wants until he meets Bridget Smalley, the girl of his dreams. Now he is out of his element and in uncharted territory.
This is a modern day Cyrano de Bergerac that is told with unapologetic truth and biting humor. It also proves to be a book that once the reader starts it they will have a hard time putting it down. The high school world comes to life with every word that is read. The characters and what they are dealing with in each of their lives and how those lives intersects in powerful ways that will prove to be a very hard book to forget long after the reader has finished reading it. It is also interesting to see how Jesse starts out one way and how over the course of dealing with others his true self comes out. The story is rich in detail and will pull at the reader’s emotions as they go through each part of Jesse’s life. This is a book that will have readers wanting to read more by this author as she paints a picture that feels real with each word that is read. This is one book that is worth reading and should be put on the keeper shelves of readers. This is a story that will pull at reader’s emotions and will have them looking at the world around them a little bit differently.
You know, I could try and give you a plot summary, but it would tell you absolutely nothing about this book. Sway is a book about grief, falling in love and making odd friendships. After devouring Sway you will be left satisfied.
Throughout this book you see the tremendous growth of the main character Jesse. In the beginning he is very emotionally detached, but he actually makes a few friends along the way. I love him as a character because he is so blunt and spoke his mind. Jesse's friendship with Pete was my favorite aspect of this book, it's a life changing friendship that I wish I was a part of. The characters are all really genuine and rather three dimensional. I love the dark humor and the brutal honesty. I understand people like Jesse and this book helped me see another side of myself.
I received a copy of this book to review from Netgalley and St. Martin's Press.
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