Name: A Song For Julia
Author: Charles Sheehan-Miles
Publisher: Cincinnatus Press (US)
Release Date: December 4, 2012
Pages: 320, Hardcover
Source: For review from author/AToMR Tours
Rating: 4 Teacups
Everyone should have something to rebel against.
Crank Wilson left his South Boston home at sixteen to start a punk band and burn out his rage at the world. Six years later, he’s still at odds with his father, a Boston cop, and doesn’t ever speak to his mother. The only relationship that really matters is with his younger brother, but watching out for Sean can be a full-time job. The one thing Crank wants in life is to be left the hell alone to write his music and drive his band to success.
Julia Thompson left a secret behind in Beijing that exploded into scandal in Washington, DC, threatening her father's career and dominating her family's life. Now, in her senior year at Harvard, she's haunted by a voice from her past and refuses to ever lose control of her emotions again, especially when it comes to a guy.
When Julia and Crank meet at an anti-war protest in Washington in the fall of 2002, the connection between them is so powerful it threatens to tear everything apart.
Jen's Review
A Song For Julia was a truly beautiful read. Dealing
with situations like rape, mentally disabled characters, war, and a complicated
romance, this story is packed with heartfelt emotions. The emotionally
distressed tension in this story is surreal; the reader is in for an emotional
ride.
One of the favorable qualities I loved about A Song for Julia was its characterization. We start off with a very broken, closed in
character, Julia. As the story progresses and she meets people like Crank, the
love interest, she slowly opens up and becomes a strong, brave woman that is
highly admirable. Crank is also a prominent character who grows immensely.
Starting out as a shallow one-night-stander, he changes and realizes the
importance of love after spending time with Julia. Their romance starts off a
bit as lust, but Sheehan-Miles definitely takes his time developing the real,
genuine romance. The reader isn't able to help but empathize with their
feelings and emotions.
The plot was intricate and a bit slow paced, if not a
little complicated. However, it is never confusing or frustrating.
Sheehan-Miles is able to weave all of the plot lines together and it's truly
wonderful to see it all come together. The beginning takes a little while to
get into, but not long after, it picks up and never slows back down.
Even if the characters in A Song for Julia are in
their late college years, it will still appeal to YA or NA fans alike. A moving
and evocative story with well-developed characters and a complex plot, it will
surely tear your heart out by the last page.
4 teacups for A Song For Julia!
*Much thanks to AToMR Tours and the author for providing me with a review copy!*
Posts
Beautiful review, Jen! I can be very good at shying away from books that deal with serious issues, but I do appreciate a great emotional read every now and again. I will have to check this one out on Goodreads. :)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds wonderful as I love well developed characters and a slow building romance. The one thing that scares me it your last line: "it will surely tear your heart out by the last page." Lovely review Jen. :)
ReplyDeleteHmm, I don't often read contemporary novels but "A Song for Julia" caught my attention. The issues do seem to point to an interesting read. I need a break from all the silliness and fluff.
ReplyDeleteBrilliant review, Jen! I haven't heard of this before but now I'm really intrigued. I love contemporary. It seems to deal with really big issues too, that would be really interesting to read. Even though the plot was a bit slow-paced at times I'm glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for posting! :)
ReplyDeleteI absolutely adored this book. I felt so much for Julia after everything she went through! I loved how Sheehan-Miles was able to deal with so many different components and bring them all together to create this amazing story. And I loved Crank. Wonderful review, Jen! :)
ReplyDeleteI actually prefer older characters sometimes and I love that this had such complex characters, world-building, and plot lines. It seems like this is too good to miss and I'm so glad you were able to introduce it to me since I hadn't heard of it before. Fantastic review, Jen! :D
ReplyDeleteI haven't started on A Song for Julia because I knew I had to read your review first! It's great knowing that the characters evolve over time and there's a lot of emotional war going on in the book-- love how my heart swings like a pendulum when I'm reading! Awesome as always, Jen :D
ReplyDeleteAlicia @ Book a World
I really like the sound of this book, but I hate that it's a bit slow paced. Im still going to give this one a try though! Lovely review dear!
ReplyDelete- Farah @ MajiBookshelf
I'm glad you mention this takes a while to get into & then picks up :) I started this...and it was pretty slow but I think I'll continue reading! I'm definitely looking forward to the romance :DDD Fab review, Jen<3
ReplyDeleteOh I'm so glad you enjoyed this book Jen, it sounds utterly heartbreaking, but also like something that I would enjoy. I think I will have to try and get a copy soon! Lovely review Jen! :)
ReplyDeleteLovely review, Jen! I haven't heard of this until now but it sounds like it tackles a lot of serious issues in a good way!
ReplyDelete