Saturday, April 18, 2009

Heartbreak River by Tricia Mills

As a new summer begins at her family's whitewater- rafting company, sixteen-year-old Alex can only hope that things will improve. After her father's death and breaking up with her boyfriend, Sean, last year, she feels as if her life is out of control. As the summer progresses, things seem to be looking up for Alex, that is until Sean returns to work as a river guide for her grandfather. Things heat up as Sean and another employee begin to compete for her affections, ultimately ending in tragedy. As Alex is forced to choose between her once-true-love and a new flame, the two face-off in a fatal battle of the elements. However, no matter who she chooses, someone will get hurt. Join Alex in this coming of age novel as she finds out who she is, and what she is to become.

Excellent detail, vivid characters, and complex situations are ever-present throughout this adventure of a novel. I found Heartbreak River to be an inspiring, yet enlightening, novel, and I was able to easily put myself inside of the story. Through the author's descriptions, I could actually picture the river that Alex is so afraid to enter! My overall evaluation of this book would be that it is a must-read for anyone looking to grow as a person. Through reading this novel, readers will learn to comprehend the complex mazes that a death can weave, along with observing the development of a love story that rivals that of Romeo and Juliet. It is safe to say that this summer-adventure will become the next "Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants".

I gave this book a content rating of two because of its sexual situations. Although they are not extraordinarily descriptive, these situations may be slightly grown-up for underaged minds.
Reviewer Age:13
Reviewer City, State and Country: Elkview, West Virginia United States