Thursday, January 9, 2014

Review: Song of the Fireflies by J.A. Redmerski

Title: Song of the Fireflies
Author: J.A. Redmerski
Series: Stand Alone
Published By: Forever (February 4, 2014)
Source: ARC Copy Provided by the Publisher (in exchange for an honest review)
Genre: New Adult Contemporary
My Rating: 3 Stars!

Book Description:
New York Times bestselling author J.A. Redmerski brings us a stunning and heart-wrenching new novel about a couple who find each other in their darkest moment. 

Since they were kids, Elias Kline and Brayelle Bates have been inseparable. When Bray moves to South Carolina, separating the two for the first time, they both at last realize that their innocent childhood friendship has developed into something much more. So when Bray finally returns to Georgia—and to Elias—things between them couldn’t be more perfect…until one fateful night changes everything.

Desperate not to go to prison for a terrible accident, Elias and Bray decide to run. As they try to make the most of their freedom, the two find themselves relying on a rebellious group of people who tempt the duo into a wild and daring new life. But they can’t run from their troubles forever.

As the consequences of their past catch up to them, the couple must finally face reality. Even if they can make it through the unimaginable, Elias knows the truth about Bray’s painful history, and in the end he may not be able to save Bray from herself…







 It is no secret that I love Redmerski's work, in fact she is one of the few authors that is on my auto buy list, even before she was picked up by a publishing agency. I just love her work, her writing and the very real characters she creates.

As soon as I saw her newest release, I knew it was for me and I snatched it up and dove right in.

Right away I could tell this wasn't going to be your typical boy meets girl, boy falls in love with girl and they have a rocky start story. It had a completely different feel to it from the very first page. An almost Bonnie and Clyde feel. 

I knew I was going to get something exceptional. Not your typical two damaged people meeting and making each other whole, in fact, instead we get two only slightly damaged people that somehow make each other worse than they probably ever would have been alone yet somehow, in the end,  better as well.

I don't even know where to begin to try and express my feelings while reading this. Like I mentioned above, it was very different from her other work. It is told in first person dual point of views from both Elias and Bray and I liked that we got their altering point of views on everything from how they meet to how they became friends and then later lovers. It was a different change of pace than most new adult books out there and while it could have been a complete disaster it wasn't, Redmerski pulled it off and it worked nicely.

While I didn't connect to Elias and Bray like I am use to doing from this author's characters, I did like their tragic and sometimes heart breaking story. They were crazy in love and did some things that never should have happened that lead to some of their darkest moments in life but they stuck together and pulled through. They were there for one another through the good and the bad. 

This was rough and gritty and sometimes hard to read with the brutal honesty and situations the character were put in and even created themselves.

This wasn't one of my favorite stories from Redmerski but I did love it's uniqueness and overall messages about finding love, holding on to it and getting through things together, no matter the consequences or the situations. 








*All thoughts and opinions are my own and were not influenced by the author or publisher. I was not compensated for this review.*

20 comments:

  1. I am surprised that with a first person dual pov you didn't truly connect to the characters. Sorry this wasn't your favorite work by this author, and it happens. What book of hers would you recommend?

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    1. I would start with The Edge of Always Kim, it does start out slow but if you stick with it (until almost half way through) it does get very good. The sequel is just as great too.

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  2. "Not your typical two damaged people meeting and making each other whole, in fact, instead we get two only slightly damaged people that somehow make each other worse than they probably ever would have been alone yet somehow, in the end, better as well.'

    Well that certainly has me curious about these two Ali! This definitely sounds like a story that will make me crave a nice, light read after finishing, but I do so enjoy darker, grittier stories. Too bad this one wasn't quite as amazing for you as some of her other books, but it still sounds like a solid read. Must read something by J.A. soon!

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    1. Thanks Jenny, it is different from her others so I don't think I would start with this one first.

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  3. I also had a copy of this book for review and I have to say that I said pretty much everything you did, except I rated it 4 stars.

    I think it was hard to connect to characters, because they aren't your typical, perfect romance couple, but two young people with flaws who made a lot of bad choices in life, but at the same time, I loved that about the story, because it made the story more unique and unpredictable.

    Great review :)

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    1. I am glad we felt the same way about this one. It was different but not in a bad way at all, just different from her other work.

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  4. I loved The Edge of Never and The Edge of Always, but I'm a little scared to read this one and not like it. While I did like Kiling Sarai, I couldn't stand Reviving Izabel, so now I'm a little worried that I'm not gonna like other books from the same author... I know it's silly, but it may take me a while to get to read this one, especially now that I know it's written with a first person POV--I didn't know that until I read your review.

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    1. I know what you mean Maeva, it can be a little hard to try another book when the reviews are iffy but you never know, what one may hate you may love!

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  6. I have her first book and have wanted to read it for ages. I'm not sure this is one I would enjoy that much though. I guess I'll try her others and if I'm a fan I'm sure I'll read more of her work. :)

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    1. Her first NA book, Edge of Always? If so just be warned it does start out really slow but it does pick up so hang in there with it!

      She has a YA series as well about werewolves that was really good too.

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  7. Hmm. I think I will start out with her other series before checking this one out. It sounds good but I think I will be better with Edge of Always for my first foray with this author.

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  8. I am debating to start The Edge of Always soon, it is a shame that this one did not live up to par for you I was going to start it soon :( but hopefully!

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  9. I still need to read this author, and it sounds like The Edge of Always might be a better choice for me than this, at least to start. I'm sorry this one wasn't your favorite, but I'm glad you still enjoyed it!

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  10. I am reading this one really soon so I am glad to kind of know what to expect. Thanks for the review. This does sound different.

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  11. For my first read I think I'll try her first book. This one may be too much for me. She does sound like a worthy author that I should be checking out though. :-)

    Anna from Shout with Emaginette

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  12. I guess I'm the only person on the planet who's never read a thing by this author. Well, that sucks!
    I'm glad this is a step away from the usual New Adult route and it does sound like an interesting idea, but I really do need to connect with my characters.
    Lovely review, Ali!

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