Book Review Sunday: Awakening Foster Kelly by Cara Rosalie Olsen

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Goodreads Blurb:

"If only a pile of wayward curls and the inability to stay on her feet were seventeen year-old Foster Kelly’s most pressing concerns. Unfortunately, stubborn hair and clumsiness is just the tip of it. It was only a mistake, but when at the age of five Foster is told “You don’t belong here” the result is one broken heart. These four carelessly spoken words have shaped and shadowed Foster, and now—a senior at Shorecliffs High School—she seeks the wallflower’s existence, denying herself the most casual of friendships, much too afraid that someone will see what Foster believes is certain: she does not belong anywhere – or with anyone. This reality would continue to suit her just fine, however . . .

Love has a long-standing history of undoing broken hearts.

Like a comet, an unexpected arrival knocks Foster out of the crowded, starry sky, sending her directly into the limelight. Exposed and afraid, she will attempt to regain anonymity; but it isn’t so easy now that someone is watching. He pursues this shy enigma, confronting Foster’s deepest fears head-on, and in the process falls wholly and completely in love with her. But there is something he is not saying; a secret capable of certain ruin. There are two probable outcomes: either he will break her heart once and for all, or he will heal it.

In the end, though, it is Foster who must decide if she is worth mending."

Review:

Thank you to the author, Cara Rosalie Olsen, for gifting me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

To begin, the author provided me with a link to read the first 10 chapters for free before I decided if I'd like to read it all.  Once I got to the end of chapter 10, I was convinced there was some shady fantasy going on so I had to read more.  And that right there is why it's a 3 star instead of a 4 star book.  Let me explain.

As I was reading those first 10 chapters, I got the feel that something... else was going on with Dominic and it was going to turn out to be this big secret fantasy thing.  Even though it doesn't say that in the blurb, I was totally convinced.  These next few paragraphs will be kind of difficult to write without giving away the ending so bear with me!

The way it ended... it explained the fishiness at the beginning but somehow it was a different kind of resolution.  It was like it started out at a fantasy/paranormal book that morphed into it's current self.

So the ending.  I'm not really sure how I feel about it yet.  It was a twist on a cliche ending that they tell you never to end with in 7th grade English class.  It worked... but I think I was unable to let go of my prejudices against that type of ending.  I'm actually doing this whole mystery thing pretty well!  I can definitely see how the title ties in.  In the middle, I thought it was referring to Dominic's quest to get Foster to acknowledge herself.

Otherwise, I had one other problem with the book.  It had a page count of 672 pages.  That's right up there with the Inheritance Cycle series which are the longest books I've ever read.  Those books are epic fantasy that take place over the course of... a year and a half I believe.  So where did all that length come from?  The sheer amount of information that went through Foster's brain.  It does show how incredibly smart she is but I think it could have been toned down a bit at the end.

Let's talk about some good stuff!  I was completely immersed in this book and couldn't stop laughing at Foster, Emily, and Jake.  I especially loved Foster's character and the growth that took place over the course of the book.  Dominic was also a powerful symbol (and yes I'll let you figure that out for yourself) that added so much to the book.  I also loved Foster's parent's relationship.  It was so sweet and adorable - that's what true love is to me :)

The Final Verdict

This book was a bit long and I'm not really sure about the ending but the character growth is amazing as well as the overall message!

3.5 stars

Quotes:

"My experience with relationship began and ended with fictional characters in books and a second-hand proximity"

"'It may take some time, but eventually she'll see how kind, thoughtful, and incredibly sw-' I met his eyes, which were rife iwht amusement and expectation. 'Sw-ell,' I finished'"

'That,' he squeaked, sniffing uncontrollably, 'was just... so touching,' he sobbed"

"'It's my favorite movie,' he said, 'because being together wasn't the simple answer tot their happiness; it was the only answer.'"

"'Did you-'

'Prune the sick areas, yes I tried that,' she said without turning. 'It spread even faster.'

'How about-'

'Isolation the bacteria didn't work either.  It's pandemic.'

'You could try-'

'I am-but don't say it aloud.' She turned, a sneaky smirk on her lips and winked. 'I think that's why they aren't getting better; they're prepared for our defense.'"

"'Fost,' she intoned, sounding almost bored.  She rose up on one elbow, pressing her knuckles into her cheek.  'You make it sound like it's rare that we win.  Where have you been for the last year and a half?'"

"'Oh, Fost, I won't lie, your face right now is kind of awesome; like a question mark exploded.  It would seem my work is done here for the day.'"

"'I don't' think the place you start is as important as the starting itself.'"

"I had to wake up.  It didn't mean, however, that I had to stop dreaming.  Our story, it's not for the logical, certainly not for the unimaginative; it belongs to the dreamers."