Friday, February 10, 2012

Review: The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour

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The Disenchantments
Nina LaCour
Release date: February 16th, 2012
By Dutton Children’s Books

Goodreads / Purchase

Colby and Bev have a long-standing pact: graduate, hit the road with Bev’s band, and then spend the year wandering around Europe. But moments after the tour kicks off, Bev makes a shocking announcement: she’s abandoning their plans—and Colby—to start college in the fall.

But the show must go on and The Disenchantments weave through the Pacific Northwest, playing in small towns and dingy venues, while roadie-Colby struggles to deal with Bev’s already-growing distance and the most important question of all: what’s next?

Morris Award–finalist Nina LaCour draws together the beauty and influences of music and art to brilliantly capture a group of friends on the brink of the rest of their lives.

*A copy was provided by Penguin Group (Canada) for review purposes*

This cover screams Fun in the Sun! This blurb screams Road Trip and Music! So I was going into this expecting a light, fun, read. It’s nothing like that. It has it’s fun moments for sure, but the story is very sad bordering on depressing with a deep “finding oneself” message. This is not a bad thing at all. In fact I often enjoy books with this vibe, but going into this with opposite expectations really threw me for a loop.

The story is told in Colby’s point-of-view. He and his best friend Bev have been planning a year long trip around Europe for years. Leaving on a road trip to tour with Bev’s girl band, she tells him the Europe trip is off. Colby spends the bigger part of the book brooding over this, upset towards Bev for lying to him for months. I understood where he was coming from, but I didn’t get why he was depressed about it to such degree. Losing a year he could have spent at college is definitely not fun – especially when it’s unplanned, it’s hardly the end of the world. Plenty of high school graduates take a year off before going to college and end up with great careers. For Colby, it was as if he was losing his whole future.

It’s not all sad however. We do have some fun parts where the girls play their very bad music, meet some intriguing people who take them on mini adventures along the way. These can seem a bit far fetched, but are still entertaining. The girls are all so unique with their quirks and fun spirits. The whole cast is really great which helps brighten the mood of the book. The only character I did not like very much was Bev. She’s very moody and secretive for the most part, refusing to explain why she suddenly backed out of the trip. She gives off a lot of angst which I never particularly enjoy. Colby though, he’s a great protagonist. His voice is real; he may be dramatic but his feelings still feel true. So overall, even though I wasn’t expecting such a serious vibe with forlorn emotions, the characters absolutely saved the day and I was still able to have fun with the story. I’m fairly certain, especially now that you know what to expect, most readers will enjoy this more than I did.

3 Hot Espressos
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Giselle

Canadian blogger, wife, mother, coffee lover, and sarcastic at heart! She has had a love for all things bookish since before Amazon and eReaders existed *le gasp*. You can also find her organizing tours and other fun things at Xpresso Book Tours.

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24 Responses to “Review: The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour”

  1. The Little Blue Pig

    I also read this book, back in January, and loved it. I agree, you look at the cover and read the blurb and expect fun! But really the overall tone isn’t very “fun.” Still I enjoyed it myself 🙂

  3. Amy

    That is totally different from what I would expect. I thought it was a fun read too. It still sounds like a good book. I can see how going into it thinking it’s one way can really change the way you think of it though. If I was expecting a fun book and got a sort of deep emotional book, I wouldn’t enjoy it as much.

  4. Tee

    I loved Colby…I wanted to hit Bev a few times LOL….I did enjoy this book , tho like you I didnt expect what I got, it was alot more heartbreaking than I ever imagined. It is also the first book I have read from a male POV and I really enjoyed that.

  8. Sam

    Wow, I would have expected a light-hearted read, too! I guess the cover doesn’t always say it all. Great review, Giselle. This book does sound pretty interesting but I’m not too sure if it would be for me. 🙂

  11. Mundie Moms

    Great review! I’ve not yet read this one and I thought it was a lot cheerier than it sounds. I’m still looking forward to reading it. I’ve heard a lot of good things about it.

  13. Mimi Valentine

    Aww, it’s too bad that this book wasn’t what you thought it would be, Giselle! I never would’ve expected this book to be like that either — I had the same sort of expectations as you. Covers can be deceiving haha! x) But it makes me really happy that all the characters (besides Bev) are amazing, and that Colby is a protagonist worth loving!

    Awesome honest review, Giselle! Even though it wasn’t the fun book you’d expected, it still sounds really sweet! Thanks so much for the heads up! 🙂 <3

  16. Book Sake

    I too thought “fun” when reading the synopsis and really wanted to read it. I think if I get a chance I will still give it a try, knowing more about it now. Thanks for the heads up!

    – Jessica @ Book Sake

  17. Leah Marie

    Mmmm, it does look like its going to be a fun read. Thanks for the heads up on the actual content. Sometimes a soul searching book is just the right thing, but you gotta know what you’re in for.

    I just stopped to let you know I’ve tagged you on blog. Don’t feel obligated to participate–I just wanted to give you a heads up!

    Check it out!

  18. Vicky

    How interesting! I’ve seen this book a while ago on someone’s blog and I quite liked the synopsis. Although reading your review reminded me a little bit of Saving June: these over dramatized emotions, mini adventures (sometimes a bit too far fetched) along the way, etc – and now I’m not so sure I’d enjoy this story as much as I thought I would. I still might give it a try, though. (:

    Great review as always!
    Vicky
    Books, Biscuits, and Tea

  20. Rebecca (Kindle Fever)

    Hmm, I guess I thought something along your line of thought before reading your review as well. While it does sound interesting, I doubt it’s something for me though. :/ Sounds like too much contemporary drama. o:

  23. Candace

    I didn’t care much for Bev either and thought she was being ridiculous. I guess Colby’s reaction must not have bothered me as much. I didn’t get why he was so hung up on Bev though, she wasn’t very nice! I loved this one so I’m sorry you didn’t, but glad you at least liked it! It was definitely not ALL fun, that’s for sure!

  24. JJ iReads

    I’m almost done with this book (finishing it tonight I hope) and I agree with everything you have said here. Bev just really irritates me and poor Colby, he needs some confidence.