Like Moonlight at Low Tide
4.8
5
5
5
A beautiful story filled with heartache, passion,
When Melissa moves back to her hometown on Anna Maria Island, Florida, her only hope is that the bullies who teased her for being ugly will have forgotten her. And while a few people remember, most donâÂÂt care. Melissa isnâÂÂt the same little girl and people notice, including the most popular guy in the school, the guy she used to have a huge crush on. Just when Melissa thinks sheâÂÂs getting everything she always wanted, things start to go way wrong.
HereâÂÂs a book that sucked me in. I liked Melissa right away. She was authentic and engaging. The story begins with the foreshadowing of a suicide, then moves along at a quick pace, leaving the reader wondering which boy died. The characters were amazing. The story deals with topics such as a dysfunctional mother, alcohol, drug abuse, bullying, and suicide. This is a story filled with heartache, passion, and hope. IâÂÂm looking forward to more books by this author.
December 29, 2012
Hard-hitting YA Christian Fiction
"How could any one person make a decision that is so permanent, that could never be undone?" In Nicole Quigley's debut novel, "Like Moonlight at Low Tide", main character Melissa Keiser asks herself this question. Missy returns to her birthplace after a two-year absence. Two years marked by remembering the humiliation and horror of constant bullying she endured from her classmates. But two years makes a difference, especially when you are in high school, and she returns to a new-found popularity tha she learns comes with a price of its own.
Writing in a raw, honest, sometimes brooding voice, Quigley doesn't gloss over the reality of growing up in a dysfunctional family, of the scars of bullying, or of the pain left by suicide. Deep, and sometimes heavy, "Like Moonlight at Low Tide" is a dramatic story with romatic elements.
Quigley expertly portrays the difficulties in growing up in a broken home and with a parent who has as many hang-ups as the children she is trying to raise. The baggage left behind by an absent father, the struggle for acceptance, the battle to fit in while standin out as an individual, all come to life in the pages of this book. Setting elements become active characters in the story. For example, the water provides both peace and freedom for Missy while simultaneously holding her captive on the island. The island is a metaphor for how alone she feels, cut off, and separated from the life she desperately wants to live.
The book is not a light, feel-good teenage read. It deals with hard-hitting theological questions such as providence, forgiveness, and not being good enough for God. It also tackles tough teenage issues which might be better suited for older teens readers. Female readers are more likely to identify with the viewpoint character of Missy, but the issues in the story are universal to teenagers, regardless of gender.
November 5, 2012
Compelling Drama
This young adult fiction shows the heartache of trying to fit in, and trying to feel normal. It demonstrates the lengths teens often will go to in order to feel love and acceptance and the devastation of when they face rejection. It vividly portrays the cruelty often exhibited to those âÂÂinvisibleâ teenagers who are not in the popular group. The book was well-written, the scenery helped you feel the island and the characters were realistic. Well done as a debut novel.
October 14, 2012
A Must Read!
This book is a wonderful read that tapped into my imagination. I could see events play out in my mind's eye. I could feel everything the main character, Melissa, was going through. This book begged for my attention in such a way, that I couldn't put it down!
Ms. Quigley's characters were realistic, relatable, and well rounded. I enjoyed watching Missy and Josh's friendship grow and develop. There were also some moments I could relate with Missy, which made me appreciate the book more.
Another reason I'm so attached to this book is because it's set in Florida, which is where I grew up. Though, I didn't grow up on Anna Maria Island I did grow up near Tampa Bay. I moved away recently from my hometown, and this book gave me a happy at-home feeling that I've missed.
I'd like to note that to make this realistic, Ms. Quigley discussed some teens drinking, including the main character. There was also talk of drugs and overdosing. Nothing is explicit, but some things are implied. I don't disagree with Ms. Quigley's decision to include these things in her novel, because without them the story would seem too fake.
Right now, this book stands as one of my favorites. I highly recommend it to any teen girl.
I received this book from DJC Communications in return for an honest review of my opinions, which I have done.
September 13, 2012
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