Review: After reading Adios to my old life, you can bet how much I was looking forward to the next thing from Caridad Ferrer; so you can imagine how I felt when When the stars go blue finally came out.Soledad is your typical aspirational dancer with an a-typical body--curvaceous and hippy as opposed to flat and stick-like. I've always wanted to know what it was like to lead the dancer's life. Watching movies like Center Stage and Honey helped, but I found them to be a bit too flashy. I liked that this book dealt with the serious, more emotional side. It was theatrical boot camp mixed in with the traveling circus.Although the story started off kind've slow for me, this book does not dissapoint. The real story doesn't begin until Soledad starts her training on the road after she soon starts dating new boy, Jonathan, who rooked her into this whole thing. At first, I really didn't feel the spark between them, since they've never really talked before; but they end up developing a sweet, summer love between them. You can't help but feel engaged in Soledad's world as she struggles with the awkwardness of being the new kid while trying to start a relationship with a new boy with both his parents right there, especially when the father dissaproves of it all. In fact, Jonathan and Soledad almost have kind've of a Romeo and Juliete thing because of that.Tensions and jealousy begin to accumulate when Soledad meets Taz "Soccer Boy." Now she's more confused than ever. It made me wonder many things. Will Jonathan and Soledad make it? Will Jonathat defy his father's orders, risking everything he's ever worked for, to be with Soledad? Will Soledad throw away what she has with Jonathan to pursue Taz? This story will have you guessing all the way to the end. [This review was originally posted on Livin' la vida Latina] I can say, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that there has never been a contemporary romance I enjoyed more than When the Stars Go Blue. Coming from someone who reads so little romance to begin with, perhaps that is an uninformed compliment. Maybe it was just that this book was perfect for me. But considering how smart, sassy, and just plain brilliant it was, I'm fairly certain I'm not wrong.Three things that made this book above and beyond for me? One, the fact that Soledad isn't a tortured eating-disordered dancer, but rather a healthy and powerful one. She had her insecurities, but they never overwhelmed her life. Two, the fact that her relationship with Jonathan is passionate, by turns sweet and steamy, and all-consuming, but that we also are told that she has had relationships (involving sexytimes, of course) in the past, and she never loses sight of herself. And third, the fact that chica has got the best sense of humor of any heroine I've read in recent memory.Put it this way: the thing I loved about this book was Soledad, and how her strength seemed to evolve naturally from her character instead of being foisted upon her by a self-conscious author. Speaking of characters, something must also be said for Soledad's grandmother, whom I loved. Another smart and strong character that rang true instead of ringing like a mouthpiece for all the wisdom the author wanted to interject into the story (which the plague of all literary grandmothers, especially YA ones).While I've never read any of Caridad Ferrer's other work, I can't imagine her being anything other than at the top of her game here. Stars is a fantastic balancing act of characters and story and beautiful writing, and I am so happy to have let this book be a part of me.I really have no criticism. At all. I need more Caridad Ferrer in my life!
What do You think about When The Stars Go Blue (2010)?
Good, youthful read. Tune in for review on DulceBreadandBookShop.com
—Landis
