But Then I Came Back by Estella Laure Review
Title: But Then I Came Back
Author: Estelle Laure
Page Count: 288
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers
Publication Date: April 4th, 2017
DISCLAIMER: I was provided a ARC by the publisher off of NetGalley for review
Synopsis:
Gayle Forman meets Francesca Lia Block in this dazzling story about two coma girls and the boy who connects their lives. From the author of This Raging Light, a debut that New York Times bestselling author Morgan Matson calls “remarkable.”
“Something does exist. I saw. It’s a place. Like this but different.”
“Okay, so let’s say we do reach her, that something like that is even possible. Then what?”
“Then we ask her to come back.”
Eden: As far as coma patients go, Eden’s lucky. She woke up. But still, she can’t shake the feeling that she might have dragged something back from the near-afterlife.
Joe: Joe visits the hospital every day, hoping that Jaz, his lifelong friend, will wake up. More than anything, he wants to hear her voice again. But he’s not sure anyone can reach her.
Eden & Joe: Even though she knows it sounds crazy, Eden tells Joe that they might be able to talk to Jaz. Opening themselves up to the great unknown—and each other—Eden and Joe experience life: mysterious and scary, beautiful and bright.(Goodreads summary)
Synopsis:
Gayle Forman meets Francesca Lia Block in this dazzling story about two coma girls and the boy who connects their lives. From the author of This Raging Light, a debut that New York Times bestselling author Morgan Matson calls “remarkable.”
“Something does exist. I saw. It’s a place. Like this but different.”
“Okay, so let’s say we do reach her, that something like that is even possible. Then what?”
“Then we ask her to come back.”
Eden: As far as coma patients go, Eden’s lucky. She woke up. But still, she can’t shake the feeling that she might have dragged something back from the near-afterlife.
Joe: Joe visits the hospital every day, hoping that Jaz, his lifelong friend, will wake up. More than anything, he wants to hear her voice again. But he’s not sure anyone can reach her.
Eden & Joe: Even though she knows it sounds crazy, Eden tells Joe that they might be able to talk to Jaz. Opening themselves up to the great unknown—and each other—Eden and Joe experience life: mysterious and scary, beautiful and bright.(Goodreads summary)
My Review:
When I started reading But Then I Came Back, I didn't immediately realize it was a companion to This Raging Light--it was only at the very end that I was able to realize they were connected. I think that's really cool for fans of This Raging Light because it adds more to the story, but it's not so connected that someone couldn't just pick up But Then I Came Back off of the shelf and start reading it without reading the prior book.
This was a very believable story, and Eden was an extremely realistic character for a YA novel. I like that she didn't immediately bounce back from being in a coma like so many characters in YA literature who magically heal from being sick and go back to regular life. I was rooting for Joe and Eden from the very beginning, and my little fangirl heart died a little during every romantic scene, but I wish there was more. Lastly, there's Jasmine. She was such an incredible character, but I feel like she got lost in the story, and I would have really liked for her to have a larger part.
Now lets talk about some of the things I didn't really like. The beginning for me was a little bit confusing, but that passed (thankfully). Also, the story seemed to get...distracted in some parts--going off on tangents and things just unrelated to the main story line. And that is it for the dislikes! I really overall liked this book, and I am so thankful to have received an ARC of it.
In conclusion, I give But Then I Came Back Four stars for being an interesting, believable story filled with such incredible characters. I highly suggest this to anyone looking for a realistic read that can be easily read in one sitting.
When I started reading But Then I Came Back, I didn't immediately realize it was a companion to This Raging Light--it was only at the very end that I was able to realize they were connected. I think that's really cool for fans of This Raging Light because it adds more to the story, but it's not so connected that someone couldn't just pick up But Then I Came Back off of the shelf and start reading it without reading the prior book.
This was a very believable story, and Eden was an extremely realistic character for a YA novel. I like that she didn't immediately bounce back from being in a coma like so many characters in YA literature who magically heal from being sick and go back to regular life. I was rooting for Joe and Eden from the very beginning, and my little fangirl heart died a little during every romantic scene, but I wish there was more. Lastly, there's Jasmine. She was such an incredible character, but I feel like she got lost in the story, and I would have really liked for her to have a larger part.
Now lets talk about some of the things I didn't really like. The beginning for me was a little bit confusing, but that passed (thankfully). Also, the story seemed to get...distracted in some parts--going off on tangents and things just unrelated to the main story line. And that is it for the dislikes! I really overall liked this book, and I am so thankful to have received an ARC of it.
In conclusion, I give But Then I Came Back Four stars for being an interesting, believable story filled with such incredible characters. I highly suggest this to anyone looking for a realistic read that can be easily read in one sitting.
