Summary:
Temptation, depression, seduction, betrayal... Not what Stephanie was expecting at fifteen years of age. Uprooted from her happy, all-girl high school life with a dream filled future and thrown into an unfriendly co-ed school, Stephanie spirals into depression.
When charismatic high school senior, Jason notices her, Stephanie jumps in feet first and willingly puts all her faith and trust in him, a boy she barely knows.
Every choice she makes and turn she takes leads her towards a dangerous path.
Her best friend is never far away and ready to catch her … but will she push Tabbie too far away when she needs her most?
My thoughts:
First, I really like the cover. I love the look on the girl's face, and I love the font for the title. I think it really suits the story well. I admit, I didn't know this was a Christian book before I agreed to read it. I'm only mentioning it because if you don't like those books, this isn't for you. There's a definite Christian message that comes through. Stephanie falls fast in this book. She falls for Jason, and even though she thinks she wants to wait for marriage to have sex, after one kiss with Jason, she's already thinking about sleeping with him. I admit I thought that happened fast. I would've liked to see a more gradual progression to their relationship, especially since he's the one who ends up dragging her down.
Stephanie makes one bad choice after another, and I wasn't sure how I felt about that. I wanted to root for her, but I found it hard to at times. I never used drugs, so I couldn't really relate to that part of the story, but that's just me. Having said that, the book is meant to be about a girl who is spiraling out of control, and Evans definitely portrays that well. Stephanie's story gets bleak, and her troubles compound until her life truly is out of control.
This is really a tough book for me to review because it's not my typical read, but if you can appreciate a realistic look at what happens when teens get wrapped up in drugs and sex, then this is the book for you.
gosh, sounds like a YA book that really is best suited for teens (who knew?)
ReplyDeletelol I know. Every once in a while I come across a book that reminds me I'm not a teen anymore. ;)
DeleteHi Jessie, yes! that is who it's written for - but many parents are also enjoying too.
DeleteThe cover is great. Some teens might relate to a story like this because unfortunately many go through similar circumstances. Nice review.
ReplyDeleteVery true. It's unfortunate, but true.
DeleteHi Beverly, I love the cover too - so happy with it.
DeleteSounds pretty intense, but realistically, there are many kids out there experiencing these dark moments in their lives.
ReplyDeleteOh, definitely!
DeleteSad but True Diane. xx
DeleteIt's always hard when you're rooting for a character to make the right decisions and they end up making the wrong ones. But you're right, sometimes that's life. Sometimes it's tough to read, but it sounds like it paints a pretty realistic picture.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is life. Very true.
DeleteHi Faith, yes so realistic I have been asked several times if it's an auto biography - no ... it's fiction.
DeleteVery good review, Kelly. I could easily understand the book and your perspective on it. Thanks! :-)
ReplyDeleteThen mission accomplished. :)
DeleteSounds a bit like Go Ask Alice. Sounds intense. Great review!
ReplyDeleteHi Auden, yes it's a pretty heavy read.
DeleteI'm not familiar with that one.
ReplyDeleteGreat review
ReplyDeleteThanks, Beth.
DeleteGood review, Kelly. Even if as a reader we haven't experienced what the character has experienced, the writing should still make it understandable and appealing--if that empathy of experience wasn't there, then it wasn't there. May not just be your upbringing or lack of comparable experiences. Cool cover though.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kiersi. Yeah, I love this cover.
DeleteI'm glad you like the cover Kiersi - guess you'd have to read it to judge for yourself. xx
DeleteThanks for the review Kelly. I so appreciate you taking time to read Spirallling Out of Control. Xx
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Michelle. Thanks for letting me read it.
DeleteInteresting review, Kelly. Although this book might not be suited for everyone, I'm sure some can relate to the experiences the character went through. I have a friend who is interested in teaching her kids about these kinds of struggles. I will pass along the book to her and see if it is something her daughter might be into. But if you think it's a bit much for a 15 year old, I'd love to know since you already read it. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteGina, the sex and drugs are not shown in detail so a 15 year old should be able to handle this. The topics are there and so are the consequences, but you don't get graphic scenes.
DeleteHi Gina, thank you so much for thinking of passing Spiralling Out of Control on to a friend - maybe get your friend to read it before her kids do - many parents have told me it's been helpful - some parents have suggested 17+ if the teen is very innocent
DeleteThere is definitely a place for this kind of book in the marketplace.
ReplyDeleteI completely agree.
DeleteI hope so Catherine!
DeleteA very good review, Kelly.
ReplyDeleteThanks, William.
DeleteI bookmarked the Amazon page. I hope to read this.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy!
DeleteI hope you have a chance to read it Medeia
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