Book Review: Fracture by Megan Miranda

Fracture by Megan Miranda


Reading Level: Young Adult
Hardcover: 272 pages
Publisher: Walker Childrens (January 17, 2012)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0802723098
ISBN-13: 978-0802723093
Series: No
Source: ARC provided by the publisher
Cover: I'm so in love with this cover from the bleak, icy background to the bright red coat which is an image in the book that's hard to forget. I love the reflection right below the title and the calm serious look on the model's face. I feel like this works well as a YA cover but could easily be in regular fiction as well.
First Sentence: "The first time I died, I didn't see God."


Mini-Review: A stellar debut with unforgettable characters. Completely unputdownable. 


Summary:

Eleven minutes passed before Delaney Maxwell was pulled from the icy waters of a Maine lake by her best friend Decker Phillips. By then her heart had stopped beating. Her brain had stopped working. She was dead. And yet she somehow defied medical precedent to come back seemingly fine

—despite the scans that showed significant brain damage. Everyone wants Delaney to be all right, but she knows she's far from normal. Pulled by strange sensations she can't control or explain, Delaney finds herself drawn to the dying. Is her altered brain now predicting death, or causing it?

Then Delaney meets Troy Varga, who recently emerged from a coma with similar abilities. At first she's reassured to find someone who understands the strangeness of her new existence, but Delaney soon discovers that Troy's motives aren't quite what she thought. Is their gift a miracle, a freak of nature-or something much more frightening?

For fans of best-sellers like Before I Fall and If I Stay, this is a fascinating and heart-rending story about love and friendship and the fine line between life and death.

Review:


It feels premature to say I just read one of my favorite books of 2012 but I'm going to say it anyway. Fracture is every bit the stuff favorites are made of. Every sentence is something I wanted to commit to memory and hold close, the characters all felt so raw and real and the story had me guessing until the last chapter... and speaking of the last chapter, it had me reeling. Beautiful, complex, and raw, Fracture is one debut you won't be forgetting.

There are too few characters that get under your skin and implant themselves into your heart. Delaney Maxwell, "miracle and anomaly", is most certainly one of those girls. From her first chapter, I could tell she was someone I was going to fall in love with and she didn't disappoint. True nerd to the core, she is witty and intelligent without seeming like a know-it-all and her inner turmoil all feels real and valid. The slow measures in which she went insane and then pulled herself out of it is so subtle, it sneaks up on the reader. Being a passenger in her head, we know the reasoning behind her actions and it is all valid. But then the author expertly slips in the reactions of other people and we, as readers, get a rare opportunity to view her as we probably would if we were around her. I loved how real Delaney was, how her actions and reactions and interacts all felt like something a living, breathing person would do.

And you want to talk about solid relationship building? I haven't seen a best friend story told like this since The Body Finder series by Kimberly Derting. Just like Jay and Violent, Delaney and Decker are given the chance to fall in love. Decker is flawed, he makes plenty of mistakes in this novel, but for me, that's what made him human. I'm really tired of guys that are too nice or too rude. Decker was the perfect in between. But the most important part is that he was always there for Delaney, whenever she truly needed him. And Delaney knew she could always call Decker, no matter how angry they were with each other. Watching these two fumble around in the darkness of their own grief, each trying to figure out how to deal with it in their own way and still grow together was addictive, sweet and absolutely wonderful.

The only thing I knew about this novel was that "Decker pulled me out at eleven". I had no idea what to expect for a plot and was pleasantly surprised when what I found was part thriller, part contemporary with just a dash of the unexplainable. Like a runaway freight train, I had no idea where this story was racing to and was shocked when we crashed into the final destination. I literally had no idea where would end up and the ending completely shocked me in all the right ways.

Fracture had me laughing, it had me crying and it had me feverishly marking each page where I'd find even more beautiful revelations, heart-breaking emotions, or pulse pounding scenes. The range of emotions jammed into this relatively small novel is just incredible and the complexity of grief and happiness is remarkable. The author plays with the shadows between miracle and damnation with the mastery of an author with 20 novels under their belt. Yet, this is a debut writer. If this is novel number one, I can't wait to see what Ms. Miranda is going to proved us with next. My only small compliant is with the length. I'd have like to see 50 more pages not because it felt like the novel needed it but because I wasn't ready for Fracture to end. I didn't want to stop hanging out with Decker and Delaney.

Like cracks in the ice, there are a million different ways to express how beautiful and amazing Fracture truly is. But probably the best and most effective way is with the words of the author herself. Fracture is "a miracle, an anomaly". Fracture is "alive".

Rating:

Favorite Lines:

I was still trapped. Only now, instead of staring through the surface of a frozen lake, I was staring through the surface of a frozen body.

--Pg. 2 of an ARC of "Fracture" by Megan Miranda

It had been two days since I broke Best Friend Commandment Number One: Thou shalt not hook up with best friend's other friend on said best friend's couch.

-- Pg. 6 of an ARC of "Fracture" by Megan Miranda

...I hated my room, claustrophobia personified in a hideous color.

--Pg. 14 of an ARC of "Fracture" by Megan Miranda

Apparently I need to go to rehab to find out I didn't need rehab. It sounded like a Catch-22, but I wasn't sure since my English class started that book while I was comatose. It was high on my to-do list.

--Pg. 30 of an ARC of "Fracture" by Megan Miranda

I was not a hugger as a general rule. I was not a fan of Tara as a specific rule.

--Pg. 52 of an ARC of "Fracture" by Megan Miranda

"Now it's really not fair because I know you won't pick paper this time. I'll pick rock. I can't lose." (Decker)/ "I'm brain damaged, you know. That's just cruel." (Delaney)

--Pg. 94 of an ARC of "Fracture" by Megan Miranda

And Decker said, "Tomorrow I'll make you smile."

--Pg. 103 of an ARC of "Fracture" by Megan Miranda

...I let him, because I wasn't sure who I was most scared of at the moment. The stranger I was learning about too quickly, or the woman I'd known all my entire life who was quickly becoming a stranger.

--Pg. 165 of an ARC of "Fracture" by Megan Miranda

Decker was always able to believe in the impossible--that I could live when I was dead, that it could snow in August, that loving me was enough.

--Pg. 259 of an ARC of "Fracture" by Megan Miranda

****Yes, I realize this is a crazy amount of favorites and I NARROWED them down. This book is that good!****

Xin Nian Kuai Le!

I wish you all a very happy and prosperous

Year of the Dragon!

I have an affinity for Chinese kites and I may tell you why someday ... how's that for cryptic? 

Photo credit: sideshowmom from morguefile.com

This photo was taken in the Forbidden City in Beijing. Gorgeous stonework.

Photo credit: samhakes from morguefile.com

I remember when we lived in China how loud Chinese New Year was. Firecrackers exploded outside our windows day and night for a week. 

I feel a little nostalgic that we're missing all the excitement--my crazy friends launching stuffed animals on rockets into the sky, for instance.

I remember lying in bed and watching a firework display directly outside my bedroom window. People spent hundreds, thousands of kuai on firepower. The more they purchased and fired off, the more good luck they were supposed to have in the coming year. 

How about you? Have you ever celebrated Chinese New Year? Any memories? What Chinese zodiac sign are you (and that's not considered a pick-up line in Asia, so don't feel weird answering)? In full disclosure, I'm a snake. 

As we say in Hong Kong (Cantonese):

Kung Hei Fat Choy!

And in Mainland China (Mandarin): 

Gong Xi Fa Cai!

("May you become prosperous!") 

The "Write" Facts Interview: Jodi Meadows

The “Write” Facts is a new weekly post where I’m chatting with a different author every week about everything to do with writing. Here we’ll be discussing the writing process, editing, working with an agent, publishing houses and talking about some of the logistics of book you either already love or will soon be a new favorite!

Jodi Meadows has an exciting debut coming out next week called Incarnate. Read on to find out more about her journey!

Jodi Meadows

Novel: INCARNATE
Agent: Lauren MacLeod of the Strothman Agency
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books/HarperCollins Publishers

Word Count: 80,000
Describe your novel in five words: Reincarnation, newsoul, insecurity, dragons, kissing
Favorite Word: I have lots of favorite words, but since my agent and husband both mock me when I use "keening," I will choose that one today.
Writing is like (fill in the blank): a lot of other things, but more replacement keyboards.

1) Are you a plotter or a pantser (write without a plot to see where the story takes you)?

I'm both. Sort of. I used to be more of an organic writer, with only a vague idea of where I was heading. When I started writing INCARNATE, I did a lot more plotting ahead of time, but I made sure to leave lots of room for the story to grow organically within that structure. Some things, like the masquerade, were completely unplanned until a character brought it up.

2) What are some of the things you do to motivate yourself to write? Do you have any goals set up, rewards or do you not need motivation?

I write with little goals in mind, like getting to 100 words, then 500 words, or reaching the end of the scene/chapter, or getting to a certain part of the story by the end of the day. Whenever I feel like I'd rather go nap, I'm usually really close to another goal, so what's another 50 words? I might as well, right?

Maybe it's like writing "shower" on your to-do list for the day, but it makes me feel productive.

As for rewards, usually there are scenes I'm looking forward to reaching (they tend to involve kissing -- surprise surprise), and I will writer harder just to get to them.

3) Can you tell us about The Call when you got your agent and why you chose them?

The day before Lauren offered, I had the terrifying opportunity to write one of those emails: the kind that says "I've received an offer of representation; please let me know if you'd like to offer, too."

So I was still nervous when I got up that morning. I'd already received one offer I wasn't sure was real and I wasn't sure how I'd manage a whole week without imploding. Then two seconds after I got on my computer and said something on Twitter, Lauren called me. I was still very groggy because I hadn't had coffee yet, so it went kind of like this:

Me, sounding much like a frog: Hello?
Lauren, peppy: Hi, is this Jodi?
Me: Uh huh.
Lauren, peppier: This is Lauren MacLeod. I just finished reading your book and I love it! I want to represent it.
Me: *jawdrop*

It turns out she'd been stalking my Twitter page that morning (because she knew I had a weird sleep schedule), and she wanted to surprise me first thing. (She did.)

Choosing between agents was incredibly difficult, because both who offered were amazing and loved INCARNATE. After a LOT of consideration (I seriously made them wait all week), I accepted Lauren's offer. Not only did we have a great personal connection, she was building her list in the same direction I wanted to build my career. We had similar visions for my book's future and how it fit in the market, and similar visions for my own writing future beyond the INCARNATE books.

There are a lot of things to consider when accepting an agent's offer (I've written a huge blog post about it!), and I was lucky enough to get all my dream agent qualities in one adorable person.

4) When you got your editorial notes from your editor for the first time, was there something that surprised you?

I was lucky enough to have the chance to talk with Editor Sarah before I received my edit letter, so I knew she loved the book and understood what parts were important to me. I knew we had similar visions for it. (I can't stress how important this is when accepting agent and editor offers!)

I'd anticipated something like the best crit partner letter I'd ever gotten, but EVEN BETTER, and that was exactly what I received. I was a little afraid that I'd want to crawl into a hole and never come out after the letter, because I know other writers have felt like that, but I didn't. I was INSPIRED after receiving my letter.

5) Can you tell us how you felt when you got the file for your novel cover and opened it?

Nervous! When the art department asked what book covers I loved, I'd sent gorgeous landscapes and iconic images. The email containing my first cover comp said things like "model" and "photo shoot" and "headshots." By the time I got to the end of the email (I'm one of those rare people who reads the words before scrolling down to the pictures), I was pretty nervous about what I'd find. I'd heard horror stories about authors who hated their covers . . .

Then I saw the girl (not my girl -- a different girl for the comp) with a butterfly mask and all these colors around her and I. Fell. In. Love. Every worry I'd had was gone, just like that because they'd captured my story exactly. By the time they did casting and a photo shoot with Model Susan (who plays Ana on the cover), I was composing love sonnets in my head to the art department. (Fortunately for them, these sonnets were never written down. I'm not a poet.)

6) How do you feel about using online media? Has the effect been over all good or have there been some drawbacks?

I love social media! I love being able to interact with people AND wear my PJs. For me, it's been an overall positive thing. I do sometimes have to remind myself that I blog and tweet for fun, and when it gets stressful, I just back away.

7) What is your best piece of advice for aspiring authors?

Write! And read! And make sure you get up every now and then to combat Expanding Butt Disease, which affects so many writers . . .

Thanks so much to Jodi Meadows for agreeing to do this interview and letting us in on her path to becoming a debut author! I particularly loved hearing about her reaction to the cover!

Next week I've got Lori Strongin!

In My Mailbox (69)

In my mailbox is a weekly meme created by The Story Siren that encourages other book bloggers to share what they bought, won, begged for or borrowed. It is usually held on Sundays!

From Scholastic:

• ARC of Perception by Kim Harrington

From Books-A-Million:

• Bittersweet by Sarah Ockler
• Fracture by Megan Miranda

From Amazon.com:

• Tempest by Julie Cross

From Ivy over at Ivy Reads: (thanks so much for the awesome Twitter contest!)

• Two bookmarks and a very sweet note

Thanks to Scholastic for making my mailbox so wonderful this week and Ivy for my prize. What did you all get in your mailbox?

Saturday Discussions: BEA

Normally I use these to answers other questions or to start up a conversation. But today, I want to talk about something and let you guys give me advice.

BEA sign ups just opened up this week. I've been saving to go to BEA since last year when I found out about it (I'd known about it before but never thought of going as a blogger) and am so excited to get to go this year. I've checked for the right hotels, scoured the site for information and read up on posts. I even joined a Goodreads Group hosted by Rex Robot Reviews to get my info and have been quietly reading through all the comments.

What I want to chat about today is if you know any good information or sources for people planning on going their first time.

This will be my first time and I am already feeling a little overwhelmed and it hasn't even started yet. I've been actively reading any tips and tricks I can get my hands on and praying I'll be able to navigate my way through the mazes of books and people!

The biggest thing I've learned so far is to be organized and be prepared for everything-- rude people, line cutting, meeting awesome bloggers, meeting industry professionals and everything in between.

So do you have a post with tips and tricks from last year I should read? Are you going this year? Are there any newbies out there? I want to know!

Book Tunes (36)

Book Tunes is a new meme that will be held on Fridays and the point is to share the book your reading and a song you think represents it.

Want to join in?:

• Write up a post
• Tell me the book you are reading, the song you picked and why
• Link up by leaving the URL to your posts in the comments

Everneath by Brodi Ashton

Last spring, Nikki Beckett vanished, sucked into an underworld known as the Everneath, where immortals Feed on the emotions of despairing humans. Now she's returned- to her old life, her family, her friends- before being banished back to the underworld... this time forever. 

She has six months before the Everneath comes to claim her, six months for good-byes she can't find the words for, six months to find redemption, if it exists.

Nikki longs to spend these months reconnecting with her boyfriend, Jack, the one person she loves more than anything. But there's a problem: Cole, the smoldering immortal who first enticed her to the Everneath, has followed Nikki to the mortal world. And he'll do whatever it takes to bring her back- this time as his queen. 

As Nikki's time grows short and her relationships begin slipping from her grasp, she's forced to make the hardest decision of her life: find a way to cheat fate and remain on the Surface with Jack or return to the Everneath and become Cole's...

The Tune: Anywhere But Here by Safetysuit


The Lyrics:
Is this the end of the moment
Or just a beautiful unfolding
Of a love that will never be?
Or maybe be
Everything that I never thought could happen
Or ever come to pass and
I wonder
If maybe
Maybe I could be
All you ever dreamed, cause you are

Beautiful inside
So lovely and I
Cant see why I'd do anything without you, you are
And when I'm not with you
I know that it's true
That I'd rather be anywhere but here without you

Is this a natural feeling
Or is it just me bleeding
All my thoughts and dreams
In hope that you will be with me or
Is this a moment to remember
Or just a cold day in December?
I wonder
If maybe
Maybe I could be
All you ever dreamed, cause you are

Beautiful inside
So lovely and I
Can't see why I'd do anything without you, you are
And when I'm not with you
I know that it's true
That I'd rather be anywhere but here without you

Is this the end of the moment
Or just a beautiful unfolding
Of a love that will never be
For you and me?

Cause you are
You're beautiful inside
You're so lovely and I
Can't see why I'd do anything without you, you are
And when I'm not with you, I know that it's true
That I'd rather be anywhere but here without you 

I'm about half way through Everneath and right now this song sort of fits two-fold. I feel like it really fits the emotions that Nikki is working through. She traveled up to the Surface for Jack on nothing more than a memory of his face, knowing she is going to face terrible consequences but needing to be near him to say good bye. 

This song also seems like how Cole feels for Nikki. I'm not sure if he really cares about her yet, I think he really does just care about her but there are going to be ulterior motivates that are making him stay to go with it. But it seems like he could be in the Everneath right now and instead, he's sticking around the surface trying to convince Nikki to come back with him.

What song fits the book you are reading right now?

Guest Post by Jen: The Journey

I used to think I’d have one of those J.K. Rowling experiences. You know, the girl who lived (since the boy had already lived) … add a little romance, call it YA, and ship it off to agent land where they’d weep at my wordage and offer me book and movie contracts simultaneously. Not to mention the words would continue to flow after I sold the books, showing the world Writer’s Block was merely a myth. 

Well, that was two years ago and I’ve had more than 13 rejections (take that J.K. Rowling), so the path I envisioned hasn’t exactly fallen into place. I guess you could say it was slightly different (and by that, I mean DRASTICALLY different). 

I wrote a book. I thought it rocked. It didn’t. I was told my character would be hated … turns out, they were right. I wrote three more books, improved slightly. Read Stephen King’s On Writing, became inspired. Wrote two additional books.

Queried one, received feedback that said it was way too unique for marketing. That was the first time they didn’t mention the suckage. I considered that a success. I found a publisher interested in my work despite its uniqueness. Thought I was on my way up, until the relationship didn’t end up the way I’d dreamed about.

I moved on … broken, defeated, and feeling worthless. It was then a light shined down and I found Still Moments Publishing. They were asking for anthologies and gave you certain requirements to follow. A spark lit in my heart and the words flew onto the blank page. I had the passion I’d missed for months, the chance to be something, and to share something special with others.

Guess what? Still Moments Publishing felt the same way about me. They took a chance on me. The publisher is a gem and the editors are kind (even when telling you something isn’t working). The team is full of rock stars and I’m overjoyed to be included. 

It is with confetti, sparkles, and theme music that my first published works is released, "Snowbanked." A part of the Snowbound Hearts Anthology! 

I’ve learned that success is measured by accomplishments, not by your ultimate goal. This ebook that’s releasing is just another fabulous milestone I, as a writer, get to enjoy along with others. I’m a success because I choose to be. I’d love for you to grab a copy of Snowbound Hearts and send me your thoughts! 

What’s your latest success?

**

I have "Snowbanked" at the top of my TBR pile. A big thank you to Jen Daiker for sharing the details of her journey. Jen, I wish you every success!