Thursday, October 28, 2010

Review/Freefall by Mindi Scott

Thursday, October 28, 2010
How do you come back from the point of no return?

Seth McCoy was the last person to see his best friend, Isaac, alive, and the first to find him dead. It was just another night, just another party, just another time when Isaac drank too much and passed out on the lawn. Only this time, Isaac didn't wake up.

Convinced that his own actions led to his friend's death, Seth is torn between turning his life around . . . or losing himself completely.

Then he meets Rosetta: so beautiful and so different from everything and everyone he's ever known. But Rosetta has secrets of her own, and Seth soon realizes he isn't the only one who needs saving . . .

Mindi Scott’s debut novel Freefall is the third book I have read for the Contemps Challenge and so far is my favorite. The novel is a shining example of how a realistic storyline with real-life characters, can pull readers in and keep them engaged without the use of paranormal suspense, and fast-pace action.

One aspect of Freefall that made it a favorite read is how true to life the story is. Scott tackles several very real teen issues and does it in such a way that the reader can’t help but see through the characters thoughts and actions just how terribly lives are affected when alcohol, drugs and sex becomes a way of life. This is not to say that Freefall is preachy or a vehicle of a moralistic soapbox. Instead, Scott masterfully brings her characters and her readers to some painful revelations.

Seth is a very dynamic and well-rounded character. He is guilt ridden over the loss of his best friend who dies before the action of the story begins. Seth feels responsible for Issac’s death since he was the last to see him alive and the first to find him dead. Seth uses drugs and alcohol to escape not only his guilt, but his stage fright. Despite his grief, Seth begins to recognize just how out of control his life has become and begins to try to fix it. The challenge is to stop drinking and finish school, which he embraces reluctantly at first. But, Seth’s a lot stronger than even he realizes and as the plot moves forward Scott skillfully reveals Seth’s strength and growth in an authentic and believable way.

The romance between Rosetta and Seth was one of the most real and well-written parts of the book. It developed slowly over the course of the action allowing the reader to understand the motivations behind both these characters’ attraction for one another. Seth reminded me of Ponyboy from the Outsiders, and since Rosetta lived in the rich part of town, and Seth came from the mobile home park, there are some parallels that can be drawn between Ponyboy and Cherry’s relationship and Seth and Rosetta’s.


Freefall is a very complex novel about overcoming grief, learning how to communicate, and taking a hard look at the details in life that so often can paralyze our ability to move forward. It is heartbreaking, real, and so well written that it is hard to believe that this is Scott’s first novel. Bottom line: I loved this book!


12 comments:

Nomes said...

i so want to read this one! am waiting out for it though - seeing if it comes out over here my library gets it in (on a book budget!)

anyway, as for your review - it sounds fantastic and realistic and really well done. i so love organic novels that feel true.

x

Lori said...

Now I really can't wait to read this! Thanks for the great review!

Irena @ This Miss Loves to Read said...

Wonderful, compelling review, just like the story, it seems. I like real-to-life stories best, although I so love to read about paranormal things and Seth's story is one that I would definitely like to read.

I think it's great that there is a reading challenge supporting debut novels, too.

Lea Kelley said...

This looks great, I'm going to have to keep my eye out for it.

Lola said...

Ooooh....this definitely sounds interesting! I'll have to check it out! Great review Jan! :)

Melissa (i swim for oceans) said...

Excellent review, Jan! I've been dying to read this one, and I'm so glad to hear that it doesn't disappoint :)

DJ D. said...

Great review! I've had this in my TBR pile for a while and I can't wait to get to it!

Shy said...

Upon reading your review, I have no doubt that I'd love this book. I've recently read a book where the MC is dealing with grief as well and I cannot explain how this kind of story pulled me in. Totally mesmerising. I cannot wait to get my hand on Freefall and delve into a story, similar like one I just read.

Mrs. DeRaps said...

I know that I'm going to love this book. I'm taking part in the Contemps Challenge and really need to read some of the titles included in it. This one sounds like a great start. Thanks for your excellent review!

Tammy (The Book Fairy's Haven) said...

I really loved reading your review. I have to admit to being very reluctant to read this book (I suppose I was judging it by its cover, which I'm not a big fan of), but your review changed my mind. It sounds like a wonderful, wonderful read - and the characters sound like they really grow and evolve in this story - which makes it a double plus for me.

Staci said...

I love your reviews...and I must read this one!

Vee said...

Freefall looks so great! It's definitely on my wish list, and I love this review -- makes me want to buy it even more :)

 
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