Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Zondervan Blog Tour: Chasing Jupiter

Author: Rachel Coker

Genre: Life, family

My rating on a 1-10 scale: 8.5

Type: Fiction

Number of pages: 286 (hardcover)

Time period: 1960s

Publisher and price: Zondervan, $15.99

My overall opinion: Several things first caught me about this book. One was the author – she’s a teen, in highschool, and homeschooled. Impressive, right? This is already her second book to be published! Then the time-period interested me too. The 1960s…they’re almost modern, but not quite. Recent enough that relics still hang around (and no, this isn’t a derogatory term for people…I’m talking about things like bar stools and records and such). But Chasing Jupiter lived up to my hopes for it, and one that truly took me back to that by-gone era! The main characters are a girl, aged 16, and her younger brother of about 10 who’s mentally challenged. Rachel described both of these characters in a completely ‘gettable’ way, and I was especially impressed with how she handled the brother and his disability – very realistic, from my point of view. You’ll be emotionally involved in this story by page 150, I guarantee it! And just when you think everything is going along smoothly and predictably and peachily (no pun intended), something stunning and unexpected occurs. And no, I won’t tell you what it is. You’ll have to read CJ for yourself! All in all, the writing
was great, and if you get a chance – grab this one up and give it a try!

**Zondervan supplied me with this book in exchange for my honest review. I was not required to post a positive review, nor was I paid in any way other than the book.**

7 comments:

Jamie said...

I was seriously so impressed the author was so young too! I definitely enjoyed it as well!

Rissi said...

Hooray! So glad you enjoyed this one, Charity. It was quite good, very memorable and a mature POV that makes all other YA novels come in second place to Coke's unique voice.

The character's were wonderful and except for a minor flaw or two, it was excellent!

Analiese said...

Wow, written by a teenager? I guess the Eragon series was, also, but that's always neat. Age you would reccomend for reading it...? :D

Katelyn said...

ARGGG!! Now I really want to read this book! Have for awhile, but now...

Charity U said...

Jamie, it was impressive!

Rissi, definitely good and memorable! I agree with all you said.

Analiese, yes, you may read it. :)

Katelyn, get it at your library! ;)

ee said...

I *love* the cover! But then, I love anything from the 1940's--1960's. :) My own novel is set in the 1950's. Maybe one day, God willing, you will review it here as well. :D

Charity U said...

Essie, it is a cool cover! The 1950s are such an interesting era. :)