Monday 20 May 2013

Review: Golden by Jessi Kirby

Golden by Jessi Kirby
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Publication date: May 14th 2013
My rating: 4 stars 


Seventeen-year-old Parker Frost has never taken the road less traveled. Valedictorian and quintessential good girl, she’s about to graduate high school without ever having kissed her crush or broken the rules. So when fate drops a clue in her lap—one that might be the key to unraveling a town mystery—she decides to take a chance. Julianna Farnetti and Shane Cruz are remembered as the golden couple of Summit Lakes High—perfect in every way, meant to be together forever. But Julianna’s journal tells a different story—one of doubts about Shane and a forbidden romance with an older, artistic guy. These are the secrets that were swept away with her the night that Shane’s jeep plunged into an icy river, leaving behind a grieving town and no bodies to bury. Reading Julianna’s journal gives Parker the courage to start to really live—and it also gives her reasons to question what really happened the night of the accident. Armed with clues from the past, Parker enlists the help of her best friend, Kat, and Trevor, her longtime crush, to track down some leads. The mystery ends up taking Parker places that she never could have imagined. And she soon finds that taking the road less traveled makes all the difference.

Golden was a gorgeous novel that delves into the aspect of first loves and choices. Shane Cruz and Julianna Farnetti have always been looked up to as the golden couple in Summit Lakes. Their lives were taken too early on the night of their graduation. They’re honoured by a billboard with a photo of them as soon as you leave town and a scholarship to give youngsters a chance on what they missed out on. But when Parker is set the task of posting out diaries from students 10 years ago, she discovers the golden couple weren’t as perfect as everyone imagined.

I liked how Kirby focused Golden on both of the past of Julia and Shane and with the present life of our MC Parker. Parker’s life wasn’t by all means perfect, she was going for a scholarship her mother wanted her to go for, she was studying hard for her mother, and she had confused feelings about the guy from school Trevor. Was she really doing something for herself? Her stumbling across Juliana’s school project/diary was the wake-up call she needed. She didn’t want to read a person’s private thoughts especially not a dead persons but she found once she started, she really couldn’t stop. And some of the things she discovered really someone needed to know about. Julia and Shane were epitomised as the golden couple and their demise was truly tragic but the real truth behind their relationship was much more so.

I liked how Parker decided to put everything to one side to get to the truth of the matter. She had an important speech to write up for her potential scholarship but she put it to one side to go on what some may have considered a wild goose chase. But the more she delved deeper, she discovered it wasn’t that but a truly heart rendering story of what could have been. I enjoyed discovering the mystery behind Juliana’s story and Parker’s mission to find a happy ending. But what I enjoyed most was how much Parker was able to take away from just once in her life taking a risk and doing something she normally wouldn’t. Not only was the journey she went on a discovery of Juliana’s life. But it was also an important journey of discovery about herself.

Only a few books I have discovered which truly resonate with me. Jessi Kirby’s Golden I am pleased to say is one of those books. Her writing is poignant yet purposeful, with it evoking such a depth of emotions within me. This was my first novel by Jessi Kirby, if I have to take anything away from this novel it’s that it’s certainly won’t be my last.

If you’re looking for a novel littered with beautiful meaningful passages, a beautiful mystery, a road trip full with revelations, strong relationships and a sweet romance then go pick up Golden.


Rachel had the great opportunity to meet Jessi Kirby, as part of the Summer Lovin' Tour, you can read her wonderful recap here. And enter to win a signed copy of this beautiful book. 

27 comments:

Tanja - Tanychy said...

I've seen this book first at Wendy's blog and I must say that I wanted to read it right away. I'm so happy to see that you too like this book. I hope I'll get a chance to read it. It sounds like everything I need - sweet, enjoyable and heartbreaking. Great review Jasprit :)

Siiri said...

This sounds like a mysterious and character-driven story. I'm so glad you enjoyed it so much! Kinda reminds me of Lisa Renee Jones' um.. I don't remember what the book is called, but I'm sure you know which one I mean. I started reading it and the main character found a diary and didn't want to read it, but soon she was allured in and it became like an obsession of sorts to find out what happened to her. Well.. I liked the idea, but I was bored throughout most of the beginning so I stopped reading. I hope this won't be the case for me with this one. Lovely review!

Keertana said...

Yay! I'm so glad you enjoyed this one, Jasprit! This one truly resonated with me too and I loved the dual stories narrated in this one. Lovely review, dear. I can't wait to see what Kirby comes up with next.

JennRenee said...

Great review. I read In Honor and that pulled me into this author's writing quickly. I can't wait to read this book.

Leanna Elle said...

I've read lots of good reviews of this one - definitely sounds like one to add to my summer reading list! I've liked the sound of all of Jessi Kirby's books, but haven't yet got around to reading any of them. Must amend that soon!

selkiereads said...

This sounds like my kind of read. I ahve to admit that I didn't pay much attention to Golden before but i'm loving all of the positive reviews it's getting. Great review!

- Ellie at The Selkie Reads Stories

Melissa (i swim for oceans) said...

I've heard a ton of good things about this one, and I'm definitely intrigued. When a book can share a soulful message without being cloying and has intricate writing with a nice, smooth storyline, you better believe I take notice! Plus, I can't resist a roadtrip story! Wonderful review, Jasprit! :)

Unknown said...

I have two of Kirby's books, but haven't read them yet. I have only heard good things. It seems like Golden is another beautiful book by her and I'm glad you enjoyed it so much. Lovely review, Jasprit!

Sara @ Forever 17 Books said...

This sounds like such a beautiful story. It wasn't on my radar originally, but the great reviews have sparked my interest. I love hearing how much the writing affected you. Great review! :)

Unknown said...

Oh, sounds wonderful! The characters sound great and I love how she grows. It never hurts to have a character go through some sort of life journey either. The writing is also a plus! Great review :)

Jenny said...

I need to read this Jasprit! I haven't come across a less-than enthusiastic review for it yet, and I need to be in the loop with this book! Plus, I'm an absurdly curious person, I can't stand not knowing things, and I want to know the truth about this golden couple. Beautiful review my friend, I'm excited for this one!

Unknown said...

I'm happy you enjoyed this. Parker was a wonderful character, so determine and sweet. Great review.

Jenea @ Books Live Forever

Wendy Darling said...

Yay, I'm so happy you enjoyed this. I had a feeling it was going to be a Jasprit book! The writing really was just beautiful--I'm really looking forward to reading the author's previous novels now, especially Moonglass.

Wendy @ The Midnight Garden

Unknown said...

So glad you loved this one too! I don't usually do a lot of contemporary to be honest so I was taking a big chance on this one but I was so glad I did. I'm definitely going to have to check out her other books. Hopefully they are just as good. Great review! :)
Bonnie @ Sweet Tidbits

Jenni said...

I'm so happy to see that you enjoyed this one too. I loved how the two stories really started to weave together and help Parker put her speech together. Kirby is awesome!

Suzanne (Parabooklover) said...

I've seen a lot of really positive reviews for this book and I hadn't ever heard of it before they started showing up. But I don't pay too much attention to contemporary books. I'm glad you felt that this book moved you and you enjoyed it so much. Great review Jaspirit :)

Henrietta @ Leisure Reads said...

How interesting... a story within a story. It looks like Parker learns a lot from Julia and Shane. I'll have to pick this one up. Thanks for sharing :)

Heidi@Rainy Day Ramblings said...

I am all about a book with lots of positive messages that is beautifully written. I have read some great reviews on this and I would like to check it out. I also have heard good things about her other book. THanks for sharing, Jasprit!

Anonymous said...

Super review, Jasprit! I'm now dying to get my hands on this, I'm giving contemporaries a look in at the moment :) Yes, actually peeking out of the sci-fi, steampunk genre and seeing what 'regular' MCs are getting up to. Sounds like a thought-provoking, poignant - yet hopeful - read.

Jennifer said...

This one is new to me. I love the cover and from your review, it sounds great. Thanks for sharing, Jasprit!

brandileigh2003 said...

First love and choices sounds great to me and I can't wait to read it.

Unknown said...

Jasprit this is a wonderful review and you really do capture the book well, I'm so looking forward to reading it :)

Michelle said...

This sounds really good, and like something I would really enjoy. Great review Jasprit!

Jess said...

I've heard brilliant things for all of Jessi Kirby's books but have yet to pick one up! I am determined to change that this summer! Lovely review Jasprit!

Maja (The Nocturnal Library) said...

As hard as I try to avoid contemporary (and believe me, I try VERY hard), reviews like this one make it very hard for me. I love that this made you feel ALL the feels, and especially that Kirby's writing is so evocative.
Amazing review!

Amanda said...

I actually have a physical copy of this book sitting on my nightstand, but unfortunately I have an order in the books I'm reading, so I can't just plow right into Golden, as much as I want to. I just read Kirby's Moonglass last week and, while good, it's not a favorite. Somehow I feel like Golden does have the potential to become a favorite of mine, though. I hope I'm right. I am really interested in the intertwined storylines in this book, as well as the obvious literary references. Lovely review, Jasprit! I hope you do get to read Kirby's backlog; I'll be interested to read your thoughts on Moonglass in particular!

Kim (YA Asylum) said...

This does sound like a really beautiful story. I've been hearing so many good things about it. I love that it's a contemporary coming-of-age that ties in a mystery. But it's not just to catch the readers attention, it helps the MC grow as a character. Kirby's writing sounds really wonderful. Great review :)

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