Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Fantasy, Magic, Realism
Synopsis:
The local Avery Theater was just a run-down building to Quin—until her mother told her the tragic love story of Nick and Emma that played out on the theater’s stage all those years ago. Quin is convinced it’s the perfect story to rewrite for her drama class, but when she goes searching for more information, she makes a startling discovery—the Avery is rapidly regaining its former splendor and setting the stage for her classmates Dylan and Cass to relive Nick and Emma’s romance. Quin can see the spark between them, but it’s up to her to make sure her friends—and the Avery—can both be saved this time around.
Ever since the tragic accident that occurred in
1947, the Avery Theater has been closed. According to Quin’s mom, Dahlia, who
was a child at the time, the theater and its magic died that day. But there is
still a little bit of magic in the dilapidated theater. It awaits the day when
the right hearts will enter and bring their true love. When that happens, all
that is needed is a spark.
Spark,
by Holly Schindler. I love the title. It encapsulates the story in many ways.
And the cover is magical, just like the story inside. As far as YA novels go, Spark is definitely different, unique
and fantastic. The setting, placed in the past and present was wonderful and
well-done. The characters were developed and deep. And the magic was, well, absolutely
magical.
The story is of two romances, past and present.
Their stories are parallel in every way, except, thankfully, for the ending of
the one in the past. Several key characters present in the past are also paralleled
in the present, one of which is the main character, paralleled to her
great-grandmother, the eccentric Bertie who foretold much of the story. The
romance of the present, featuring Cass and Dylan, is intended to right the
wrongs that were committed in the first, bringing a once-in-forever kind of
love to the theater.
A person would think, given the situation, that
the narrator and main character of the story would be the one in the epic,
once-in-forever relationship. But it is actually Quin’s best friend in the
relationship. This, in my opinion, is probably the most unique and well-done
part of the story: the narrator is not the main character. Quin is the observer
and collector of facts. She knows more than anyone what is going on with the
Avery, the past, and the present. She orchestrates as much as she can, but she
is neither the person in the relationship or the true mastermind of the
situation. Yet Quin is genuine with a part to play. The author pulled off this
wacky narration expertly. I cannot begin to express how epic I believe this
book is because of the way Holly Schindler narrated this book! It is truly
astounding, and I applaud her.
I highly recommend this book to those who enjoy YA
novels with a little bit of romance, history, and theater mixed in.
I received a free copy of this book from Edelweiss
in exchange for an honest review.
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Holly Schindler’s work has received starred reviews in Booklist and Publishers Weekly, has won silver and gold medals in ForeWord Reviews Book of the Year and the IPPY Awards, respectively, has been featured on Booklist’s Best First Novels for Youth and School Library Journal’s What’s Hot in YA, and has been a PW Pick of the Week. She is owned by a Pekingese named Jake, and can be found working on her next book in her hometown of Springfield, Missouri. She can also be found at hollyschindler.com.
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