Review Detail

As I was looking through a list of upcoming YA releases, I stumbled upon In Honor by Jessi Kirby. I was nothing short of thrilled when I was able to receive a copy to review from the magic that is YABC. Thank you!!!!

Right away this book pulls you in. The first scene is Honor sitting at the funeral of her brother, Finn, who had been killed while serving in Iraq. I could hear the stillness in the air, except for the gun shots of the salute and the playing of Taps. If you've ever been to a military funeral, you know how powerful that moment is.

Finn has been Honor's source of everything since her parents died many years before. When he enlisted in the Marines instead of heading off to college, Honor was distraught. And when the soldier arrived at the door to her Aunt's house to tell her what happened to her brother, she wasn't sure how she would go on.

After the funeral, Honor opens a handwritten letter from her brother, that arrived three days after he was killed. Something in the letter makes her decide that she has to fulfill her brother's wishes, so instead of heading off to her college orientation, she decides to head for California. *cue Rusty*

Rusty was Finn's childhood best friend, they were inseparable. When Finn had enlisted in Marines, their friendship seemed to end. All the plans they had made to go to the same college and play football together were gone. So when Honor sees Rusty, she doesn't know what to think. Against her better judgement, Rusty hops in the car with her.

As the two head off on this journey, they learn a lot along the way. I don't want to go into too much detail because I want you to read it yourselves. But one thing I loved is the emotional journey that Honor went through. Jessi Kirby did a fantastic job of writing the grieving process. I grieved along with Honor, her emotions were so honest and raw. Don't worry, the book isn't all sad. Honor and Rusty have great chemistry and some of their conversations have some fun sass and banter to them.

Even though we never meet Finn, we learn about him and his strength and compassion through Honor and Rusty, the two people who loved him and knew him better than anyone. It felt as though he was there. He was a main character to me, without him, there wouldn't be a story.

In Honor is a story that hits home for a lot of people. It hits home for me, and a month ago I don't know that it would have. It's funny how life has a way of leading you places, even to books. This was the perfect time for me to read this book and I'm so glad I did. I marked several passages (which I rarely do) that really hit the mark for me. And watch out leading book men of 2012--Rusty will give you all a run for your money.