West is a high school senior who has everything going for him until an accident leaves him paralyzed. Strapped down in his hospital bed, slipping in and out of consciousness, West is terrified and alone. Until he meets Olivia.
She's the girl next door—sort of. A patient in the room next to his, only Olivia can tell what West is thinking, and only Olivia seems to know that the terrible dreams he's been having are not just a result of his medication. Yet as West comes to rely on Olivia—to love her, even—certain questions pull at him: Why has Olivia been in the hospital for so long? And what does it mean that she is at the center of his nightmares? But the biggest question of all comes when West begins to recover and learns that the mysterious girl he's fallen in love with has a secret he could never have seen coming.
Review:
Poignant and unique, Blink Once is a beautiful novel that will have you smiling and sniffling at every page. When I received this book in the post, I started it immediately as I was so intrigued. It didn't disappoint, and I really enjoyed reading it.
This book is told through the eyes of West, a high school boy who has an accident on his bike and is paralysed. At the hospital, he meets Olivia who is also a patient. She comes into his room and talks to him, only communicating through "Blink once for no, blink twice for yes." I think that the whole premise of this novel is extremely original and I love the idea of a young romance where they are in both similar situations but West is unable to do anything apart from blink.
I can't write this review without mentioning how interesting it was reading from West's POV. Almost the whole novel is told by a boy who can not move or talk, restricted to his hospital bed. However, Busby seemed to carry out a fascinating tale without it getting dull.
Despite adoring the story and characters, I did find one fault. As I just mentioned, West is paralysed and is a character which is unable to interact with others apart from blinking. I found it interesting that Busby made this work. However, at the beginning, at a few chapters I began to get a bit annoyed by the routine of his life. Of course, being paralysed does not allow to do anything, but I felt that the layout of the chapter was getting a bit irritating. It was effective and gripping at first, but it started to get a bit repetitive for a short while. It started with an action-packed dream that lasted for a few seconds, and then he woke up and the nurses talked to him for a bit. Repeat. Repeat. Repeat. I found this a bit tedious. However, just as I was getting bored, the novel picked up. The ending is .... wow, how do I explain the ending? MIND. BLOWING. Beautiful, morose and just... WOW. <3
I definitely recommend this to anyone and everyone. It will probably make you cry at the end, so be prepared. I blink twice for a sequel! ;) This is a story which haunted me for the rest of the day, and I am sure it will do the same to you too.
RATE: 4/5
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Publication date: 4th September 2012
Pages: 290
Edition: Paperback
Source: For Review - big thanks and appreciation to the publisher for sending me this in exchange for an honest review.
To buy this book click HERE.
9 comments:
I received this in the post recently too, and love the idea of it! I have seen a quite a lot of mixed reviews for this, and was hesitant to start Blink Once. However, after reading your brilliant review, I'm going to make Blink Once my next read! :) xxx
OMG! I received this is the post as well. It's was my first ARC and it I can't wait to read this when I get to it! I couldn't stop smiling when I got it! :D I'm so excited to read this now that you have given this a brilliant review. I'm not sure what its going to be like reading from West's POV; I'm not a fan of male POV in books, lol! But I could change my mind. Emotional as well... gosh I think I'm going to crying at the end of the book. LOL!
Thanks for a great review, Zoe!
Emma @ Never Judge a Book by its Covers
I absolutely loved this book! It was sooo sweet, yet sad. It was a pretty quick read too :)
Amazing review! I NEED this! :D It sounds like a a really interesting premise - but it's a pity it got a little repetitive though :/
I'm glad you liked the ending too - I love a good ending ;)
In reply to your comment on my blog: I've actually only read the first book, but I'd say you can read the books on their own :D
I know I am supposed to be on a break but i had to read this review... I definitely need to pick this one up soon! it sounds so interesting and I love how you say it isnt boring even though its told from a pov pf someone who is paralyzed! Great review hun :) xxx <3
I'm really glad you liked this one! Awesome review Zoe! I'm sorry when the main character got a little boring in the repetitiveness :( But overall it sounds like something really worthwhile!
Amazing review, Zoe! I wasn't actually sure what Blink Once was about but now reading the summary and your review I'm so putting it on my wish list! I think I'm going to have to buy this when my book-buying ban is over! ;)
Thank you for this brilliant review, Zoe - you've really made me want to read it!
I just received a review copy of this, and you've made me really excited to finish it now! I know what you mean about the whole repetitive issue, so I'm glad that the story will pick up soon! Great review :)
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