Review: Where She Went by Gayle Forman

Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Publication Date: April 5th, 2011

When I first heard that Gayle Forman was writing a sequel to If I Stay, I really didn't get it. All I could think was, "How can she possibly continue that story and do it any justice?". I wasn't really even sure I wanted to go there at all. At first, I didn't even see myself bothering to read it because I thought it would just be a big, fat disappointment... As the buzz surrounding its upcoming release started to build, I became more curious. Tentatively, I put it on my TBR list, and over time, I started to get really excited. By the end of 2010, my attitude had done a complete 180, and Where She Went was near the top of my "Most Anticipated Books of 2011" list. Did it live up to all my anticipation and excitement? Abso-freakin-lutely! This was a read-in-one-sitting book for me. That doesn't happen to me often, but it did with this book (and If I Stay). I just couldn't put it down.

It's been three years since the devastating accident ... three years since Mia walked out of Adam's life forever.

Now living on opposite coasts, Mia is Julliard's rising star and Adam is LA tabloid fodder, thanks to his new rock star status and celebrity girlfriend. When Adam gets stuck in New York by himself, chance brings the couple together again, for one last night. As they explore the city that has become Mia's home, Adam and Mia revisit the past and open their hearts to the future - and each other.

Told from Adam's point of view in the spare, lyrical prose that defined If I Stay, Where She Went explores the devastation of grief, the promise of new hope, and the flame of rekindled romance.

(Courtesy of Goodreads)

I loved this book as much as I loved it's predecessor, but for very different reasons. I loved If I Stay because is was so raw and heart-wrenching, yet so beautiful and tender. The level of emotion in that book was so intense. From the feelings it evoked in me, as the reader, I cannot begin to imagine being the writer. Where She Went was very much the same, in that respect, but so different at the same time. The book was sad, angry, and full of regret for circumstances beyond anyone's control. Told from Adam's point of view, three years after Mia devastated his world, we learn how he picked up the pieces, becoming a huge "success", while never really having picked up the pieces at all. The chapters went back and forth, between the present and the past (mostly the three years, beginning when Mia left for Julliard). We learn so much about Adam and his internal struggle; his feelings of angst, remorse, inadequacy, and lack of understanding over why his relationship with Mia panned out the way it did. We also learn a lot about Mia and her reasons. I'll admit that there were times when I really did not like her. I felt like she was a selfish b**ch, but then I would remember what she had been through and all she had lost. There were so many tense moments where I was just dumbfounded at the fact that they were in this place, three years later. At the same time, was thrilled that they were.

I don't want to give any more of this story away, and you'll thank me. It's totally worth the read. This book is so full of conflicting emotion that it is impossible to walk away from it. I was very pleased, and surprised by the ending. The entire book leads you to an expected conclusion- closure for both Mia and Adam. What was unexpected was the answers I got, to the questions I didn't necessarily know I even had. If you read If I Stay, you really MUST read Where She Went. If you haven't read either, you really should. Just make sure you have a box of tissues and several hours straight. Neither book is one that you'll want to put down...

My Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Grade Level Recommendation: 7th+ If this book were a stand-alone, I would probably say 5th or 6th+, but because of it's predecessor, If I Stay, I have to say it's more upper-middle to high school. You can't really understand Where She Went without reading If I Stay first, and If I Stay was just too raw and intense for the average 5th or 6th grader. Kids, ages 13 and up, should have no problems with the content. Readers that are younger than 13 would not get as rich an experience from reading this. I would venture to say that the BEST age to read this would be about 17 or 18 years old. By then, most teens have had, at the very least, an intense crush, if not a real relationship. I think a reader needs to have felt very intense feelings of love and/or duty to really GET these books.

Some Books I'm Looking Forward To....

There are a lot of really exciting books coming out over the next several months, and I can't wait to get my hands on them!  Check out the ones that I am most excited about for April, May, and June and what I think I will rate them after I read them...

City of Fallen Angels (The Mortal Instruments, #4) by Cassandra Clare
Having read the first three books in the series, as well as Clockwork Angel (The Infernal Devices, #1), I am really, REALLY excited about this book!  Cassandra Clare is great and her tales are riveting.   I can't wait to know more of this story!  Being book number four of six, I am not expecting all the answers, but I know Clare will keep us on the edge of our seats, teasing us into a frenzy for book #5 (which doesn't come out until May 1st, 2012)...
Release Date:  It's Out!!!  (April 4th, 2011)
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry/Simon & Schuster
Expected Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★


Where She Went by Gayle Foreman
This is the sequel to one of my favorite books.  I can't say that I enjoyed If I Stay, because it was one of those books that is so gut-wrenching that you can't possibly "enjoy" it, but I did LOVE it.  It was so eloquently written and so very real.  It really made me feel strongly and intimately for the characters in the story.  I can't wait to see where Mia and Adam's fateful experience three years prior takes them.  If you haven't read the first book, you MUST.  Just make sure you have a few hours straight to do so...
Release Date:  It's Out!!!  (April 4th, 2011)
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile
Expected Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★


Red Glove (The Curse Workers, #2) by Holly Black
I really liked the first book in this series, White Cat (4 stars).  I thought it was genius of Holly Black to combine a mafioso-like crime family with magic.  Put those two elements together with a sexy male protagonist, a murder mystery, a dash of amnesia, and a potential romance, and you have a hit that appeals to readers of both genders, and across genres.  Since reading the first book, I have been anxiously awaiting the release of this sequel.  This book sits on my night table as I write this, so look for a review soon!
Release Date:  It's Out!!!  (April 4th, 2011)
Publisher: Margaret K. McElderry/Simon & Schuster
Expected Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★


The Gathering (Darkness Rising, #1) by Kelly Armstrong
If you liked the Darkest Powers trilogy by the same author, than you are sure to like this book, which is the first in a new series up the same alley.  Thesynopsis is intriguing, and I am excited to read this book.   The first nine chapters are published on the book's website if you want to try-before-you-buy.  That alone tells me the book is going to be good.  An author/publisher only does that if they know you will be sucked in by reading that far...
Release Date:  April 12th, 2011
Publisher: HarperCollinsjavascript:void(0)
Expected Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★


Bumped by MeganMcCafferty
This book is by far and away one of my most anticipated to-read books of 2011.  Dystopia is my absolute favorite genre of book, and this one looks freaking AWESOME!!!  The storyline is one that just blows me away.  So original and terrifyingly realistic...  The cover is one that will catch your eye, even if you know nothing of the book.  I seriously can't wait to read and review this book!
Release Date:  April 26th, 2011
Publisher: Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins
Expected Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★



Divergent by Veronica Roth
Yes, another Dystopia.  What can I say?  I love them.  It appears that YA readers love them too, so I guess I'm not alone (Helloooo? The Hunger Games?)  Anyway, this book looks awesome.  I've kind of been following the author's blog during the process of writing and releasing this book, and I'm pretty excited.  Following the trend of a lot of other authors/publishers, you can read the first 100 pages for a try-before-you-buy.  It looks GOOD!  Another indicator that  this book is sure to be a hit is that Summit Entertainment (Twilight Saga, The Hurt Locker, Source Code) has purchased the film rights to this book.  While that doesn't mean the book is any good, it DOES mean that it's action packed and has an interesting storyline...  Look for a review on this book very soon.  It's near the top of my to-read list.
Release Date:  May 3rd, 2011
Publisher: Katherine Tegen Books/HarperCollins
Expected Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★


Everfound (Skinjackers Trilogy, #3) by Neal Shusterman
Neal Shusterman is one of my favorite authors.  His unrelated book, Unwind, is in my top-ten favorite books of  all time (That means it's up there with To Kill a Mockingbird, Gone With the Wind, The Hunger Games Trilogy, andHarry Potter).  His writing is flawless and his stories original and engaging.  The YA book world is truly very lucky to have him writing there.  So...
Hands down, my most highly anticipated release of 2011!!!  This is the 3rd book in Shusterman's Skinjacker Trilogy, and I am chomping at the bit to get it!  I loved, loved, LOVED the first two installments, Everlost and Everwild.  I couldn't put either down, and they were at the very top of list of recommendations for my 6th graders (and all that wisely listened to me thoroughly enjoyed them).  I love Neal Shusterman's writing with all my heart and I just KNOW this book is not going to disappoint.  I know that out of a 5-star rating system, the max number of stars you can give is five, but I am asbolutely sure that I will want to give this book AT LEAST 25!  I am just THAT excited!  If you haven't read the first two books, you need to drop everything, and run right out and buy them!  You won't be disappointed.
Release Date:  May 3rd, 2011
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Expected Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
(I know, I know.  Technically, I can't give it that many stars, but it is MY blog, so I am!)


Blood Magic by Tessa Gratton
Okay.  I admit it.  The cover of this book is what initially grabbed my attention.  It is FABULOUS!!  The title?  Not so much.  All I was thinking was, "Ugh.  Seriously? Another Paranormal Romance between a vampire and a human? SO yesterday!".  BUT, after reading the synopsis (Gratton can thank her publisher for the fantastic cover!), I found that vampires are not what this story is about, and I'm getting excited.  Dark magic?  Murder-suicide? Kissing in cemeteries?  I'm in!  Also, this is Gratton's debut novel, and well, I always like to give new authors a chance (especially when the book looks as good as this one).  It gives me a chance to brag to people that I "found" this great new author that they didn't know about!  :)
Release Date: May 24th, 2011
Publisher: Random House Books for Young Readers
Expected Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★

Hourglass by Myra McEntire
Another debut author, another gorgeous cover.  I'm a total sucker, I know, but in my defense, the ARC buzz on this book is wonderful!  I can't wait for it's release.  Visions from long before she was born?  A hot guy that can help her figure out what the hell is going on?  The possibility of being able to change the past, righting wrongs?  Awesome!
Release Date:  May 24th, 2011
Publisher: Egmont USA
Expected Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★



Beauty Queens by Libba Bray
Libba Bray's books are hit or miss for me, but the ones that were a "hit"? Absolutely LOVED them.   That said, I'm always on the lookout for new books by Ms. Bray.  When I saw that this book was coming out, I has to find out more... After reading the synopsis and the limited number of reviews out there, I knew that I just had to read this!  It is going to be laugh-out-loud, pee-in-your-pants funny!  How can it not be?  An airplane full of teen beauty queens crashes on a desert island?  Come on!  How can this not be hilarious?  Publishers Weekly calls it "Lord of the Flies with an evening gown competition"... Anyway, this is another one near the top of my to-read list, so I will keep you posted!
Release Date:  May 24th, 2011
Publisher: Scholastic Press
Expected Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★


A Need So Beautiful by Suzanne Young
Any book that gets rave reviews from Carrie Ryan (one of my absolute favorite newish authors) and Kimberly Derting, is definitely a book to take notice of!  This book looks fantabulous!  All the ARC reviews I have read have been great, and it seems that just about everyone wants to shower this book with praise.  On top of all of that, the cover is so pretty and ethereal.  Since I'm a sucker for covers, I figure it must be good...  Right?
Release Date: June 21st, 2011
Publisher: Balzer + Bray/HarperCollins
Expected Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
**I am basing this expected rating solely on the fact that Carrie Ryan loved this book and the fact that I love her.  Seriously.  Check out her blog.  Not only are her books some of the best Dystopian/Paranormal/Romantic fiction I have ever read, but she is really funny and interesting.  Okay, enough of my borderline-lesbian crush on Carrie Ryan, my point is, I totally respect her opinion!


Dead Rules by Randy Russell
Another fantastic cover that made me look into the actual story... I have to say, this story really sounds hilarious in a dark and twisted way.  I will definitely read it as soon as it drops!  The ARC reviews are rave, and the premise intriguing!  I have a feeling I am going to love this one and be clamoring for more...
On a side note... Randy Russell is a big-time advocate for teen reading, and is running a bunch of promotions on his blog to promote it.  That is something that I can stand behind, even if the book totally sucks (which I'm positive it won't)!
Release date: June 21st, 2011
Publisher: HarperTeen/HarperCollins
Expected Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★


Uncommon Criminals (Heist Society, #2) by Ally Carter
I wasn't going to post this one here because I haven't actually read the first book, Heist Society, but my daughter absolutely insisted that I do (she has read Heist Society and loved it).  I really liked Carter's Gallagher Girls series, so I decided that I would bump Heist Society up my list of to-reads (it's one of those that's been there forever, but I just never got to), and read it so that I will be ready to read this next installment.  So, based on my daughter's insistence, I am looking forward to this one.  I'll let you know if my anticipation is as great as hers...
Release Date:  June 21st, 2011
Publisher: Disney/Hyperion Books
Expected Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★