Review: Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey
Title: Cold Kiss
Hardcover, 336 pages
Author: Amy Garvey
Publisher: HarperTeen
Publication Date: September 20, 2011
Source: Publisher
Buy: Amazon
Add to: Goodreads
Book Summary:
It was a beautiful, warm summer day, the day Danny died.
Suddenly Wren was alone and shattered. In a heartbroken fury, armed with dark incantations and a secret power, Wren decides that what she wants—what she must do—is to bring Danny back.
But the Danny who returns is just a shell of the boy Wren fell in love with. His touch is icy; his skin, smooth and stiff as marble; his chest, cruelly silent when Wren rests her head against it.
Wren must keep Danny a secret, hiding him away, visiting him at night, while her life slowly unravels around her. Then Gabriel DeMarnes transfers to her school, and Wren realizes that somehow, inexplicably, he can sense the powers that lie within her—and that he knows what she has done. And now Gabriel wants to help make things right.
But Wren alone has to undo what she has wrought—even if it means breaking her heart all over again.
Review:
I kept waiting for something to happen in this book… and it never quite did.
The premise is kind of spooky – Wren resurrects her boyfriend from the dead and keeps him hidden (since he is supposedly dead). My first problem was waiting for Wren to explain how she did it, which doesn’t come for several chapters in the book, so I was confused for a little while in the beginning. Once Wren meets Gabriel, you’re entertained by their relationship from time to time – but that doesn’t particularly take off, either.
The overall tone of the book is quite passive and mellow, which is not what I was expecting at all given the subject matter. I’m not sure I would have kept reading if it had been a long book – as it was, I figured I would read to the end to give it a shot… and unfortunately not much changes by then.
Sadly, I was not a fan of Cold Kiss. If I had gotten more background on Wren and her family, or more dynamics between Gabriel and Wren it may have fared better, but as is it is not a book I will be recommending over others.
Buy: Amazon
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I completely understand how you feel. I also felt like there was a lag in plot. However, I liked the writing a lot, I liked the description (of what things were actually describes). I liked how there was a very eery atmosphere, but I definitely wish there was a little more action. It wasn’t what I was expecting. She kind of just ignored the mess she created for a really long time.
I think that I really did like the writing quite a bit since I continued to read – if I hadn’t liked the writing OR the story I definitely would not have continued. I wouldn’t be opposed to reading another Amy Garvey book (as long as it wasn’t Cold Kiss #2)!
Aw, I am sorry you didn’t like it. I loved it and actually got a tear or two. I loved the writing style and felt for Wren. I thought it was so sad how she couldn’t let go. I do have to agree with you though that Wren and her families history really isn’t explained. So it does leave some questions and couple of gaps. I looked at it from a different point of view I guess.
Great review though and very honest.
I did notice quite a few people were very moved by the emotion, I guess I was just feeling hard while I read it
My thoughts exactly. Definitely the same feelings I had about waiting for something to happen. Thanks for the review!
Cara @ Chasing Words recently posted..my not so usual review of Delirium by Lauren Oliver
I’m interested to see how I like this one. You’re the second friend who has told me she didn’t like it much.
Michelle recently posted..Series Spotlight: Stacey Kade’s Ghost and the Goth
Twitter: BookwormAsheley
I read this and just posted my thoughts as well. This wasn’t my favorite book out there at all, but it was okay. There were some things in the story that probably could have been left out (the family stuff like with her Dad???) and I was really confused at the beginning with exactly what she was, where did her powers come from, etc. But overall, I finished it quickly and did okay with it because I found a little humor in it. Which, as I’m reading around this morning, I see I am the only person in the world who has done so. But I read it like I was watching a John Hughes movie, and because of that, I thought it was okay. I could totally picture a couple of the brat pack playing the parts and everything….HaHa!
Asheley (Into the Hall of Books) recently posted..My Thoughts On: Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey
HA! Well that sure would be a way to read this book… I kind of wish I had asked you about your viewpoint before I read it! Glad you connected in that way, I think this book needs a particular audience.
I agree, I wasn’t too much of a fan either. By the end of the book I was still curious to know about her family background and what was the deal with her mom. I didn’t really get the whole Wren/Gabe relationship, it felt a little out of place. But things did start getting interesting once Danny starts remembering things. But that only lasts about what… 5 pages?
Marie recently posted..Random thoughts just to get them out.
I agree, that was the most interesting part for me as well – and it wasn’t for very long. Ah, well.
I requested this from NetGalley even though I was a little iffy on it. This doesn’t make me feel any better…
Lori recently posted..Saturday Situation -49- Link up your reviews & Giveaways
That is exactly as I felt too! Beyond bringing her boyfriend back & the dilemma, there wasn’t much to the story…and the powers, there was so much potential that she left unanswered!
Mel (He Followed Me Home) recently posted..Review: Cold Kiss by Amy Garvey