Crown Books for Young Readers
May 10, 2016
352
As the daughter of an astrologer, Wilamena Carlisle knows the truth lies within the stars, so when she discovers a rare planetary alignment she is forced to tackle her worst astrological fear--The Fifth House of Relationships and Love--but Wil must decide whether a cosmically doomed love is worth rejecting her mother's legacy when she falls for a sensitive guitar player.
Book Review:
Reading “Summer of Supernovas” was like reading the literary equivalent of the actual character of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.
Willamena is the main character, a young woman obsessed with astrology and who has lost her mother. The character is written as edgy and artistic, but this character is trying WAY too hard. She’s irritating and immature. The astrology stuff has loose connections but never seems to come together, completely pushing to the side the interesting fact that she is a genius with actual astronomy. As is always the case with an annoying female character, there is a love triangle, leaving us to wonder what is going on in this world.
The frustrating part is one of the love interests has so much potential to be a great character and salvage the book on his shoulders alone. Instead, the author leaves us with facts about him that make the reader want more only to never get it. The relationship Willamena has with her grandmother is another goldmine waiting to be explored. It had some page-time but not nearly enough.
The author of “Summer of Supernovas” has talent, but it was focused, in my opinion, on the wrong areas of the story. I wish there could be a do over, because there really is a story in there I would like to read. Unfortunately, I can’t recommend this one.
This review is based upon a complimentary copy provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warning:
Language, Sexual Situations, Violence, Underage Drinking
