Summary/Cover Image from Author's Website:
When my mother remarried after thirteen years of being a widow, I had to move to a new town and enroll in a new school. Suddenly thrust into an entirely different kind of life, I just wanted to go home. I didn’t want to meet new people, didn’t want to leave my old friends, didn’t want to become a third wheel to my mom and her husband….and I really didn’t want to see Ryder Yates again. Ugh, I still don’t know why I turned down that too-good-to-be-true boy who flirted with me when we were attending separate schools.
But honestly, it wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. It was worse.
Who knew becoming lost in a new life could help a girl find her true colors?
Review:
A couple of years ago, I read Linda Kage's debut YA novel The Stillburrow Crush. It was fun and romantic and I really, really enjoyed it. So when I heard Linda was releasing a new YA novel, I was beyond excited. I couldn't wait to read it, especially after reading the summary for it. Thankfully, The Color of Grace was a spectacular book! Well written, suspenseful, and romantic, The Color of Grace was everything I expected it to be as well as much, much more!
The Color of Grace begins the story of Grace Indigo, a girl who is facing more than her share of changes lately. The biggest change, though, is the move she will be making, a move that means leaving behind her best friends as well as the home she's come to love. She's kind of made peace with it, though, since the move is because her mom has found love again, and that's something Grace has always hoped she would find. However, the move brings forward things she can't even begin to manage...her falling out with her friends, her meeting a boy that has her heart overpowering her common sense, and a frightening new predator in someone she thought she could trust. All Grace knows for sure is that this is going to be a life changing new sequence at school as well as at home...
From the first page, I instantly liked Grace. She was naive and funny as well as kind and strong. She was someone I could really relate to and find parts of myself in, and I feel that many other readers- teens AND adults- will feel the same! What I loved most about Grace, though, was how she didn't always make the right choice nor did everything always come easy to her. She did a lot of work so to say and I really feel like it made all the difference in making this book incredible. Another part of this book I enjoyed was the addition of Ryder. From the first time he was introduced, I knew I would come to love him, and that's exactly what occurred. He was such a nice guy, one who just like Grace made mistakes yet worked to fix them. I also loved the addition of the Nerd Herd- aka what Grace and her friends from home call themselves. Their scenes together always caused a laugh or two, and I would seriously love to see more of them in the future...maybe in other books.
One thing that really blew me away in this was the plot as well as the writing. Linda's first book was a feel-good romantic comedy kind of read, and that's what I expected from this one, but I ended up getting something much different. The Color of Grace is a much more serious read. It deals with assault as well as life changes- the good and the bad- as well as what growing up really means. Don't get me wrong, this book wasn't one huge sob fest, it had it's funny and sweet moments as well, but it's emotional points are what made this book so strong. To be honest, I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. In addition, I have to add how much I loved Ryder and Grace's friendship. It really flew off the page and come to life. Plus I just loved all the romantic tension between them...time and time again I felt like shouting "JUST GET TOGETHER ALREADY!".
Lastly, I really enjoyed the writing in this, as mentioned before. It was a big step up from Linda's first YA. She did a fantastic job of crafting the characters and plot. Plus I really enjoyed how she tied in the color part as well- it added an unique addition to the plot.
In all, The Color of Grace by Linda Kage is an AMAZING contemporary read, one that I can't suggest highly enough.With this one, you'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll feel like shouting as well as rooting for the characters...really it's just the perfect read, in my book. So, basically, Linda, I'm so glad you're back to writing YA..just don't take another two years to write the next one, okay? ;)
A couple of years ago, I read Linda Kage's debut YA novel The Stillburrow Crush. It was fun and romantic and I really, really enjoyed it. So when I heard Linda was releasing a new YA novel, I was beyond excited. I couldn't wait to read it, especially after reading the summary for it. Thankfully, The Color of Grace was a spectacular book! Well written, suspenseful, and romantic, The Color of Grace was everything I expected it to be as well as much, much more!
The Color of Grace begins the story of Grace Indigo, a girl who is facing more than her share of changes lately. The biggest change, though, is the move she will be making, a move that means leaving behind her best friends as well as the home she's come to love. She's kind of made peace with it, though, since the move is because her mom has found love again, and that's something Grace has always hoped she would find. However, the move brings forward things she can't even begin to manage...her falling out with her friends, her meeting a boy that has her heart overpowering her common sense, and a frightening new predator in someone she thought she could trust. All Grace knows for sure is that this is going to be a life changing new sequence at school as well as at home...
From the first page, I instantly liked Grace. She was naive and funny as well as kind and strong. She was someone I could really relate to and find parts of myself in, and I feel that many other readers- teens AND adults- will feel the same! What I loved most about Grace, though, was how she didn't always make the right choice nor did everything always come easy to her. She did a lot of work so to say and I really feel like it made all the difference in making this book incredible. Another part of this book I enjoyed was the addition of Ryder. From the first time he was introduced, I knew I would come to love him, and that's exactly what occurred. He was such a nice guy, one who just like Grace made mistakes yet worked to fix them. I also loved the addition of the Nerd Herd- aka what Grace and her friends from home call themselves. Their scenes together always caused a laugh or two, and I would seriously love to see more of them in the future...maybe in other books.
One thing that really blew me away in this was the plot as well as the writing. Linda's first book was a feel-good romantic comedy kind of read, and that's what I expected from this one, but I ended up getting something much different. The Color of Grace is a much more serious read. It deals with assault as well as life changes- the good and the bad- as well as what growing up really means. Don't get me wrong, this book wasn't one huge sob fest, it had it's funny and sweet moments as well, but it's emotional points are what made this book so strong. To be honest, I wouldn't have wanted it any other way. In addition, I have to add how much I loved Ryder and Grace's friendship. It really flew off the page and come to life. Plus I just loved all the romantic tension between them...time and time again I felt like shouting "JUST GET TOGETHER ALREADY!".
Lastly, I really enjoyed the writing in this, as mentioned before. It was a big step up from Linda's first YA. She did a fantastic job of crafting the characters and plot. Plus I really enjoyed how she tied in the color part as well- it added an unique addition to the plot.
In all, The Color of Grace by Linda Kage is an AMAZING contemporary read, one that I can't suggest highly enough.With this one, you'll laugh, you'll cry, you'll feel like shouting as well as rooting for the characters...really it's just the perfect read, in my book. So, basically, Linda, I'm so glad you're back to writing YA..just don't take another two years to write the next one, okay? ;)
Grade: A+
The Color of Grace (Amazon, BN, Goodreads) is now out!
Source: Author for Blog Tour- thanks Linda!
I also had the chance to ask Linda a few questions as part of the tour...
Source: Author for Blog Tour- thanks Linda!
I also had the chance to ask Linda a few questions as part of the tour...
In your opinion, what are the top three reasons why readers should purchase The Color of Grace the next time they see it?
A: I don't know if EVERYONE should purchase it, only those who love to read young adult romance with real-life experiences targeted toward the teen girl, and don't mind wholesome-moraled stories with no cursing as well as the all-satisfying happily ever after. If you fall under that category, you should definitely get it because:
1. It's easy to read, good for those times you just want to lie back and escape into fiction land.
2. It takes you on an emotional journey: form laughter to tears, fear, loneliness and back again to confidence and love!
3. And it has a life lessons snuck inside all the fun!
2. The Color of Grace is told from the view point of Grace. So can you tell us a little about her? In addition, if you could offer her any advice, what would you say?
A: Grace is a sixteen-year-old girl from Smalltown, USA. She is innocent and inexperienced with a lot of life issues, and finds herself torn between deciding what the right thing to do is. I would tell her to just trust her initial gut instinct a little more.
3. Throughout the book, Grace is struggling to figure out what color she is for school project. I really enjoyed this aspect, so I am curious to what inspired you to include this? I also have to ask what color would you consider your personality to be?
A: You know, I can't even remember where that idea came from. I came up with the title of the book first, because I liked how it sounded, so I decided I needed something to do with colors if I had that title, and it just evolved from there.
My color: Well I took this test online to seehttp://www.quizmeme.com/color/quiz.php and it told me I was green: which means I'm supposed to be calm and contemplative with a peaceful nurturing nature. I don't know so much about the nurturing part; my kid survives on hot dogs quite a bit!! But I can be contemplative, and I avoid confrontations at all costs, so peaceful sounds about right too!
4.Besides Grace, which character was your favorite to write about? Why?
A: I love Ryder. He's outgoing and sweet. He's clueless about some things but overly perceptive about others. And he's really cute too!
5. Ryder was one of my favorites too! Do you have a favorite scene or line in the book? If so, would you mind sharing it with us?
A: This was really hard for me to think up. I love the beginning where she and her friend discuss her meeting with Ryder at the basketball game. But there are a handful of cute lines I adore. Here's one that always makes me smile: I did not want to like him. So why did I keep feeling so freaking “likeable” toward him?
4.Besides Grace, which character was your favorite to write about? Why?
A: I love Ryder. He's outgoing and sweet. He's clueless about some things but overly perceptive about others. And he's really cute too!
5. Ryder was one of my favorites too! Do you have a favorite scene or line in the book? If so, would you mind sharing it with us?
A: This was really hard for me to think up. I love the beginning where she and her friend discuss her meeting with Ryder at the basketball game. But there are a handful of cute lines I adore. Here's one that always makes me smile: I did not want to like him. So why did I keep feeling so freaking “likeable” toward him?
6. Ooh, I really like the line as well and that scene at the basketball game was awesome! How did the title come to be? Was it always the title or did it come later on in the game?
A: The title came before a lot of things--like the actual story! I changed it a couple times. I know I wanted Grace's name in there, and at one point, it was How Grace Thou Art, but when I thought up The Color of Grace, I was stuck on that and didn't sway from it again.
7.What’s one of your favorite parts about being an author? Least?
A: My favorite part about writing is probably that moment I write "The End" on a story I just finished. It's right up there with selling the book to a publisher or when a reader emails me to tell me how much they liked it.
Least: I don't like being made fun of for what I write. I spend a lot of time on writing, it's important to me, and I'm actually proud of what I do. Low-rated reviews hurt a lot, but what hurts more is when your own family snickers at you for writing "smut" as they call it.
8.What’s next for you book wise? Another YA I hope :)
A: Yes, I think it will be a YA book, but I'm not sure. I'm working on about seven young adult stories and five adult. There is a YA and adult neck-and-neck in the race to being finished ("Addicted to Ansley" is the adult one, "Cry" or maybe I'll call it "Watch Me Cry" is the YA) and the YA book has pulled closer to being done than the adult!
9. Can't wait to here more about "Watch Me Cry!" The title alone makes it sound amazing already! Is there anything else you would like to add?
A: I think you pretty much covered everything! Thanks so much for letting me visit for the day!
~~~
Thanks so much for stopping by, Linda!
Linda is also at Reader's Edyn and BookSpark today! Be sure to check out what she has to say at both! And you can see the rest of the tour schedule here.
To find out more about Linda and her books, head on over to her website.
Have I told you how much I love that review? Thank you for your kinds words and great interview!
ReplyDeleteI can imagine how satisfying it would be to write the end. Congrats Linda!
ReplyDeleteGreat interview! I love how you worked on the title.
ReplyDeleteFollowing the tour :) Personally, I did like Grace but sometimes, the plot dragged for me. My favorite part(s) of the novel were the little diary entries at the beginning of each chapter - they were so insightful and took you right into what Grace was feeling before the particular chapter even began! Wonderful review!
ReplyDeleteAna @ BookSpark