Revolution, by Jennifer Donnelly

Revolution, by Jennifer Donnelly

Genre: Young Adult Fiction, Historical

Rating: 3.5/5 stars










Goodreads Summary: From the privileged streets of modern Brooklyn to the heart of the French Revolution, Jennifer Donnelly, author of the award-winning novel A Northern Light, artfully weaves two girls’ stories into one unforgettable account of life, loss, and enduring love. Revolution spans centuries and vividly depicts the eternal struggles of the human heart.

BROOKLYN: Andi Alpers is on the edge. She’s angry at her father for leaving, angry at her mother for not being able to cope, and heartbroken by the loss of her younger brother, Truman. Rage and grief are destroying her. And she’s about to be expelled from Brooklyn Heights’ most prestigious private school when her father intervenes. Now Andi must accompany him to Paris for winter break.

PARIS: Alexandrine Paradis lived over two centuries ago. She dreamed of making her mark on the Paris stage, but a fateful encounter with a doomed prince of France cast her in a tragic role she didn’t want—and couldn’t escape.

Two girls, two centuries apart. One never knowing the other. But when Andi finds Alexandrine’s diary, she recognizes something in her words and is moved to the point of obsession. There’s comfort and distraction for Andi in the journal’s antique pages—until, on a midnight journey through the catacombs of Paris, Alexandrine’s words transcend paper and time, and the past becomes suddenly, terrifyingly present.From the privileged streets of modern Brooklyn to the heart of the French Revolution, Jennifer Donnelly, author of the award-winning novel A Northern Light, artfully weaves two girls’ stories into one unforgettable account of life, loss, and enduring love. Revolution spans centuries and vividly depicts the eternal struggles of the human heart.

Review:

Yes, yes, I feel the vibes. I was extremely proud of this book, because I expected it to be really bad. It was actually pretty good.

I normally don’t read historical fiction, and when I do, the books are usually really bad. I also expected this one to be really horrible. I bought it because of the fantastic reviews and ratings, but I wasn’t so sure.

Books that are about the whole time-traveling thing between parts of history is amazing, and this is a perfffecccttt example of one.

Andi was awesome. She was a great character who had sass and something special in her, as well as Alexandrine. They both had their moments where they were kind of falling apart in distress, but I loved their connection through the centuries together. It was so cute to read about their problems and what they had to go through, especially through their diaries.

The plot was kind of the problem. I didn’t see too much happening, and when something did, it didn’t really make a difference. I felt like I was just reading something a little boring, with a few shockers in between.

I bet some people will enjoy this, but others like me, won’t. Take a chance. :)