Review Detail

Reader reviewed by Nian

Since Zoës death a year ago, Echos family has been different. Her
father has turned into a workaholic and is never home, her mother has
taken to popping happy pills, and Echo is trying to deal with the
whisperings and sympathetic faces as she returns to school to start
freshmen year. Echo wishes she didnt have to deal with all of this,
especially when Zoës ex boyfriend Marc surprises her by bringing over
Zoës diary. At first, Echo doesnt think theres anything about Zoës
life that she doesnt know about, but eventually, curiosity overwhelms
her and soon, shes too immersed in Zoës secret life to determine
whats real and whats not.


Im always really impressed with Alyson Noels booksokay, so Laguna Cove was a disappointment, but just that onceand Saving Zoë
is no different. Noel tackles her stories with heart, wit and absolute
truthits amazing how someone can apply that to all her books and keep
her voice consistent.


Im particularly amazed by the terrific way this is written. Its
heartbreaking, but just about every moment of it is so true that it
makes me sigh. Finally theres an author who knows that there are
boundaries to writing. If youre confused, let me just explain. You
know how in practically every book youve read, it seems like the
authors has been brainwashed by Disney too because of the way
everything ends happily ever after? I mean, that is not realistic. Just
because your protagonist tackles one huge problemwith plenty of
obscene obstacles along the waydoesnt mean its the end of their
problems. Its technically just the end of the book, not the end of the
characters. Still, Im not much for dead zone/cliff hanger endings
eitherits suspenseful, but please, you just want your readers to buy
the next book, and seriously, a good novel doesnt need to tell me to
head to my bookstore in three months time for the latest installmentso
I usually like to set Sarah Dessen as an example. She is one of my all
time favorite authors, alongside J. K. Rowling and other worthy
mentionables (but I wont go there since Ill REALLY get sidetracked
talking about the magical world of Harry Potter or vampires as in Twilight). Her endings are spectacular: so blunt and yet so there.
She doesnt end her book with the female protagonist dating and so in
love with the male protagonist that theyre nauseatingly blah. Its an
ending that keeps you satisfied but still loose enough that it brings a
whole new meaning to girl power. Because I seriously believe that you
dont need a guy or romance in your life to be truly happy. And while
Sarah Dessen has romance, she doesnt make it a top priority in her
novels.


Which goes back to this book. Romance is clearly not a priority.
Yes, Echo goes through her moments with both Zach and Marc, but
ultimately, she doesnt become infatuated with a new guy or propose her
undying love for him. This novel is about finding yourself and coming
to terms with the death of a loved one. I just think its so much more
mature than everything I usually read about and its darn refreshing.
Its not like Im a pessimist eitherI believe in true love and
everythingand yes, romance is key to a good book, but I just hate that
that everything has to revolve around it. What happened to the best
friends that always sticks by your side, you know? Or the little life
lessons that protagonists learn on their 200-something page journey?
Thats the key stuff Im looking for. And some novels just really
disappoint in that area. Of course, its totally different if your book
is classified into a certain genrebut then Id be smart enough not to
make comments that contradict the facts.