#BookReview: Lovely, Dark, and Deep by Justina Chen

Reviewed By: Jessica P. 

Publisher: Arthur A. Levine Books

Recommended Age: Young Adult 

Genre: Contemporary

Goodreads | Amazon

About the Book:

What would you do if the sun became your enemy?

That's exactly what happens to Viola Li after she returns from a trip abroad and develops a sudden and extreme case of photosensitivity -- an inexplicable allergy to sunlight. Thanks to her crisis-manager parents, she doesn't just have to wear layers of clothes and a hat the size of a spaceship. She has to stay away from all hint of light. Say goodbye to windows and running outdoors. Even her phone becomes a threat when its screen burns her.

Viola is determined to maintain a normal life, particularly after she meets Josh. He's a funny, talented Thor look-alike who carries his own mysterious grief. But the intensity of their romance makes her take more and more risks, and when a rebellion against her parents backfires dangerously, she must find her way to a life -- and love -- as deep and lovely as her dreams.






About the Author: Storytelling runs in Justina Chen’s blood. After all, her middle name means illuminate, which is what story does: it throws light on life. Her debut novel, Nothing but the Truth (and a Few White Lies), won the Asian/Pacific American Award for Youth Literature, and her novel North of Beautiful was named one of the Best Books of the Year by Kirkus Reviews and was a finalist for nine state book awards. Justina is also the co-founder of Chen & Cragen and a story strategist to leaders. While her home is in Seattle, she feels at ease wherevenr she goes so long as she has her coconut black tea, journal, and pen.

Noteworthy experiences while reading this book:  This one was kind of a hit and miss for me. 

Do I Recommend this book? If you love this author and books like Everything, Everything etc then this one might be for you. 

Notes and Opinions:  This one was really good starting out but after it really got going it just really didnt't work out for me.  I liked the premise and all the work the author did with this illness. My oldest has an autoamune condition (Type 1 Diabetes) so I fully understand how it can take over your life.  But I think my main issue with this one was that the chacarters felt flat. I also felt that side characters were very busy so more than the main character. 

The story itself felt really choppy one moment we would be with Viola and then all of a sudden something would happen with another character and its like you would be ripped out of one story just to be tossed into another. 

I really enjoyed learning about this illness but it was just kind of all over the place for me. 

Go Into This One Knowing: Choppy, Flat Characters

 

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Posted in: 3 Stars, Jessica P., Review, Young Adult