There are some books that hold you in a thrall of emotions
that they create long after you’ve finished them. You have emotions bubbling
for the character/s hours after you’ve finished the book. This is one such
book. And right at the outset we’d like to say that despite the title, this is
not a tragedy.
Crisa Grayson is Ms. Popular in high school but a
nice-girl-Ms. Popular. Gorgeous and rich, Crisa has people hanging off her and
is the most popular subject for the school chatterati and is legendary in everything she is and does.
Addison Warren is a new girl in the school. Freshly transferred, she plays the
drums in the orchestra and is a quite nerd. Crisa and Addison are paired
together for a project. Crisa reaches out a hand of friendship to Addison and
their acquaintanceship grows into friendship, slipping into a hazy romantic-platonic
zone. As Crisa bares herself to Addison, Addison sees the girl behind the
stories and rumours and falls more and more into her.
While Yeh balances the story between both the characters,
Crisa is magnetic. Living up to expectations of her mother, peers and society;
struggling with self-worth and self-acceptance; bravely taking emotional risks;
having the courage to reach out repeatedly to build a relationship with Addison
– everything about Crisa evokes deep emotions. The relationship did feel a
little dis-balanced because Crisa was the one persistently working on it,
building it and constantly giving. Addison also has mettle but she’s just
eclipsed. The writing is strong and some of the descriptions and emotions are
absolutely beautiful.
This is one of the
best YA books available.
⭐⭐⭐⭐☆★
