3.5 stars: Review of A FATEFUL MELODY by Megan Rivers

See full issue for 2018 04-30
 

The Rundown

A FATEFUL MELODY: A FICTIONAL MEMOIR is the first book in Megan Rivers’ Song for You series. It tells the story of Christie Kelly, an American teenager living a humble, but happy life with her mother in Chicago. She is a typical high school student who is obsessed with her favorite band. One day her long-lost father contacts her out of the blue to tell her that he has remarried and wants her to come to Australia to live with him. Despite her misgivings, Christie agrees to go. She is nervous and unsure if it is a good idea. However, after she boards her flight, she discovers her seatmate is Gavin Kismet, the lead singer of her favorite band. The two bond on the long flight to Australia, providing Christie with a new friend and a strong support system she’ll need when her time in Australia turns out to be much worse than she expected.

 

A FATEFUL MELODY is a quick, enjoyable read. It opens with the framing device of the author meeting Christie Kelly on a flight after the events of the series. There are hints in their conversation at tragedy to come, though it isn’t actually addressed in this first book. The plot itself is probably the weakest part of the story, with some suspension of disbelief needed to accept that Christie’s move to Australia makes any sense in the context of her relationship with her father. The character of the father also never develops beyond the flat villain needed to move the story forward. However, the strength of the story lies in the development of the other characters and the relationships between them, particularly with Christie and her mother. Their interactions were messy and lovely and I completely believed them.

 

Overall, A FATEFUL MELODY is worth reading. It is a dramatic, exciting young adult story that is enjoyable for both a teen and adult audience. While it has its flaws, the quick pacing and enjoyable relationships make it a fun start to this series of fictional memoirs.


The Recommendation

This book is recommended for fans of dramatic teen romance. While there is some strong language, there is minimal violence or sexual material. So it is recommended for fans of melodrama and stories about rock bands. However, it is not recommended for anybody looking for more explicit romance fiction or anyone who dislikes reading about the lives of teenagers.


The Rating Reviewer Rating: 3.5 Stars

3.5 Stars (out of 5): Pretty good. For the right audience, this could be great. Sure, there were some issues, but it was still worth the read.

The Pros & Cons

Pros: Emotional, Unique Style
Cons: Character Developement, Plot Sometimes Jumpy, Suspension of Disbelief

The Links

More about A Fateful Melody on UBR

The Reviewer

Amanda McSweeney

Visit Amanda McSweeney‘s website.
 

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