There are secrets in the small town of Mullaby, North Carolina and some unexplained happenings; wallpaper that magically changes its pattern, a giant of a man who reaches into his empty clothes dryer whenever he walks by, a family that never leaves their home at night, a strange light that appears every evening in the woods, and the "sweet sense" that baking gives to some of the characters.
It takes the arrival in town of a seventeen year old girl to stir things up. Emily has no idea why her mother never told her about Mullaby. Now that her mother has died, Emily comes to live with the grandfather she never knew about and discovers the past her mother never talked about.
Not all of the secrets have a magical feel. Some are the scars from youth or past hurts that the writer, Sarah Addison Allen, skillfully uncovers in her characters. There are serious topics dealt with like teenage self-mutilation that are in sharp contrast to the lighter tone of the book. Sometimes the story felt like it had a home in the young adult genre too.
Not all of the secrets have a magical feel. Some are the scars from youth or past hurts that the writer, Sarah Addison Allen, skillfully uncovers in her characters. There are serious topics dealt with like teenage self-mutilation that are in sharp contrast to the lighter tone of the book. Sometimes the story felt like it had a home in the young adult genre too.
My favorite characters are Julia who bakes wonderful cakes (so real I could almost taste them) and Sawyer who has a sweet sense about Julia and her baking. Julia has a lot of issues to deal with, personal and romantic, and I enjoyed seeing her navigate through them.
With some magic, a touch of romance, and thoughts of homemade cakes, The Girl Who Chased The Moon had the right ingredients for a sweet tasting read.
Rob's Rating: 4/5
The Girl Who Chased The Moon by Sarah Addison Allen. Copyright 2010. Bantam. ISBN: 9780553807219
FTC: I purchased my copy at Barnes and Noble.
I'm giving away a new copy of The Girl Who Chased The Moon to a lucky reader. Maybe it will be you?
To enter my drawing please leave a comment on this review no later than 9pm, Sunday, April 11, 2010, and include your email address if it's not visible on your profile.
If you live outside the USA or Canada, you must have a book blog to participate.
FTC: I purchased my copy at Barnes and Noble.
I'm giving away a new copy of The Girl Who Chased The Moon to a lucky reader. Maybe it will be you?
To enter my drawing please leave a comment on this review no later than 9pm, Sunday, April 11, 2010, and include your email address if it's not visible on your profile.
If you live outside the USA or Canada, you must have a book blog to participate.
It sounds truly lovely. Right up my alley. (You pick the best books, dude).
ReplyDeleteGreat review! I would love to read this now:)
ReplyDeleteemail bangersis(at)msn(dot)com
Oh I want to read about the wonderful cakes! :)
ReplyDeletePlease throw my name in the hat. Thanks Rob!
this sounds like a wonderful book. I love the addition of the cakes. I plan to bake a 'hummingbird cake' tomorrow with my son.
ReplyDeletePlease enter me in the draw. Thanks.
Don't enter me, as I have this one waiting in the TBR pile. Have you read her other books? They're just as magical...and the second one features books in the magic. It's great!
ReplyDeleteI would love to win! Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeletejeffintennessee at gmail dot com
I can see how you were drawn in... Thanks for the contest!
ReplyDeleteBill ;-)
billsmith2003 (at) gmail (dot) com
Hope you'll check out my book giveaway:
http://drbillsbookbazaar.blogspot.com/2010/03/book-giveaway-back-to-homeplace.html
http://thehomeplaceseries.blogspot.com/ - Come help me name a dog...
I've read all 3 of this author's books, and the first (Garden Spells) was still my favorite. This one was good as well.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a pretty great one-- especially with all those cakes! m m m. I would love to be entered into the drawing:
ReplyDeleteecaramil at gmail dot com
Please count me in for this giveaway. I live outside the US but I have a blog which is not a 100 percent book blogging so if that disqualifies me thats ok! Thank you for hosting.
ReplyDeletemystica123athotmaildotcom
I agree, the book's cover is very pretty, enchanting almost. Definitely something that makes you want to know what's inside.
ReplyDeleteI'd like to win it definitely.
lillyswistek at gmail dot com
She is one of my favorite authors! I've read all of her other books and I'm just dying to read this one! Add me to the list!
ReplyDeleteanovelsource@yahoo.com
This sounds like a really good read! I have read quite a few reviews on it, and must say you are the first that mentioned the great cakes!! That's what convinced me that I MUST read it!
ReplyDeletePlease enter me. Thanks!!
lovemykidsandbooks AT gmail DOT com
I've been really wanting to read this one! Thanks so much for the chance to win a copy. It just sounds wonderful.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a gripping read! Thanks for the review and a chance to win
ReplyDeletecarriesrambles@yahoo.com
Hi there! My name is Bridgette Groschen and I have a blog "The Groschen Goblins". I've been hopping around the blogosphere looking for blogs to follow and who would hopefully follow me back. I mainly just do review and giveaways on my blog, until I get the courage up to write about my family. I love reading about other peoples families. Hope you can come check out my blog! I'd love to win this book too!
ReplyDeleteBridgette Groschen
The Groschen Goblins
www.groschengoblins.com
I've read two of Sarah Addison Allen's other books and since I liked those I figure I can't go wrong with this one. Great giveaway!
ReplyDeleteakreese (at) hotmail (dot) com
Love, love, love her! I got to hear her speak a few weeks ago and she's just delightful. Throw my name in the hat, please! :)
ReplyDeletestephaniedekeyser AT gmail.com
You are so right about the cover. It really draws you in. Thanks for the chance!
ReplyDeletedmkayes@gmail.com
Hi Rob...you've written a wonderful review. I've seen this book on several other sites and I'm interested! I agree, the cover is great :)
ReplyDeleteI'd love a chance to win this book. Thanks for the giveaway!!
rjleflar at gmail dot com
PS. I'm a new follower too. Thanks for visiting me :)
I love Sarah's magical writing. Please enter me. Thanks!
ReplyDeletejgbeads(at)gmail(dot)com
Hi Rob! Thanks for hosting this giveaway! I love this author!!!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a great book! and thanks for subbing to my blog, I will be adding yours to my blogroll!
ReplyDeleteLeslie
hugbandit7 (at) gmail (dot) com
This sounds like a book I would really enjoy! Thank you for the giveaway!
ReplyDeletemittens0831 at aol dot com
Sounds like a good read—please enter me to win!
ReplyDeleteskkorman AT bellsouth DOT net
***Entries Closed***
ReplyDeleteCongrats to Angela at Library Girl Reads who won this drawing.
Thanks for your comments and participation.
More giveaways will be announced in April.
Aloha from Rob