Jessica Sorensen played a fundamental role in the creation of a
new wave of New Adult fiction that has captivated many mature young readers {myself
included}. The main difference between Young Adult {YA} and New Adult {NA}
fiction is the scope of the protagonist's life experience that usually tends to
involve rather serious issues {i.e. sexuality, depression, alcohol abuse, self
mutilation, familial struggles and bullying} as well as personal development
milestones in the lives of 18-25 year olds {i.e. independence, first jobs,
starting college, moving away from home, loss of innocence and fear of failure
on a grand scale}.
The Coincidence of Callie and Kayden is yet again one of the books
suggested by one of my avid like minded bookworm friends {I love those people},
it’s safe to say I was not disappointed with it either. Just a little forewarning
point you may want to have the second book within a very close proximity after
reading because the ending will leave you anxiously waiting in a frazzled state
of grief {perhaps I'm being slightly melodramatic}.
By all means “The Coincidence of Being Callie and Kayden” and “The
Redemption of Callie and Kayden are two separate entities but it would be poor
form to look at one without the other, they complement each other so well that
to just look at one on its own would be an injustice to the series {keep a look
out for Redemption coming soon}.
For me it could have been called ‘The Fragility of Young Love’ or something
along those lines, just to sound a little snazzier, I have nothing against the
title however it’s fairly wordy, yet at the same time I can see why Sorensen
chose it, it is particularly fit for purpose.
The number of notes and highlights I made on my Kindle while
reading “Coincidence” borders on the obscene, but I fell in love with Sorensen’s
style of writing and the way she was able to articulate how both leading protagonists
felt with such finesse and fictional realism, was refreshing. It was an easy
read without feeling like the book was patronising you, which is always a good
thing.
The characters made this book the greatness it is. Callie and
Kayden’s perspectives are represented so well in the sense that their
characters are so different yet so alike; they both have had traumatising
childhoods and they both have self mutilating coping methods. The narrative structure
fluctuates as it starts with Callie needing to be saved, she then saves Kayden,
he then saves her and then he needs her to save him, but will she be there in
time.
The Great Friendships
Seth’s character is everything I want in a best friend {in fact he
reminds me of a very special friend I have} similar to Callie and Kayden Seth
has endured a lot but he doesn’t let his own demons stop him from being the
best friend to Callie he can be, Seth is the embodiment of hope in the book, he’s
the light that allows Callie to trust again.
Luke and Kayden are very much typical guy best friends, they don’t
talk intensely, if at all, about their
feelings but they both know when the other needs to escape with little words
being said. I’m no boy but the relationship they shared seemed to be genuine and authentic.
The Great romance
I don’t want to dwell on the love story element of the story, but
it can’t be ignored either. Callie’s ability to trust again is phenomenal given
all she has been through. Of course to begin with their relationship started
off very uncomfortable but as their friendship grows so does their trust for
one other. The foundation of their relationship was built from a strong
friendship they developed {something a lot of “New and Young adults” need to
realise}.
This book was all about saving; saving someone else you stumble
upon being bullied, saving a friend with a secret, saving the inner self you
lost so long ago you struggle to recognise. The dark secrets the characters
have make for an incredibly dark, upsetting story.
This is one raw intensely captivating story about friendship,
trust, being saved, being accepted, being able to move on, letting yourself be
loved.
I don’t know if I’m particularly prone to crying at intense books,
but I don’t think I could have prepared myself for how emotionally affected I
was by it.
Excerpt taken from the prologue,
“Life is full of luck, like getting dealth a good hand, or simply
by being in the right place at the right time. Some people get luck handed to them
a second chance, a save. It can happen heroically, or by simple coincidence,
but there are those who don’t get luck on a shiny platter , who end up in the
wrong place at the wrong time who don’t get saved”
The dedication page reads “For everyone who wasn’t saved” I think
this book certainly saved a couple lost souls.
Comments
Post a Comment