Review - The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay

The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay

 

Series:  N/A

Publisher:  Atria Books

Published:  June 4, 2013 (originally self published September 5, 2012)

Pages:  448, US Paperback

Edition Reviewed:  ebook

Source:  ARC via NetGalley

 

Summary:

 

I live in a world without magic or miracles. A place where there are no clairvoyants or shapeshifters, no angels or superhuman boys to save you. A place where people die and music disintegrates and things suck. I am pressed so hard against the earth by the weight of reality that some days I wonder how I am still able to lift my feet to walk.Full of rage and without a purpose, former pianist Nastya Kashnikov wants two things: to get through high school without anyone discovering her past and to make the boy who took everything from her pay.

All 17 year-old Josh Bennett wants is to build furniture and be left alone, and everyone allows it because it’s easier to pretend he doesn’t exist. When your name is synonymous with death, everyone tends to give you your space.

Everyone except Nastya, a hot mess of a girl who starts showing up and won’t go away until she’s insinuated herself into every aspect of his life. The more he gets to know her, the more of a mystery she becomes. As their relationship intensifies and the unanswered questions begin to pile up, he starts to wonder if he may ever learn the secrets she’s been hiding or if he even wants to.

The Sea of Tranquility is a slow-building, character-driven romance about a lonely boy, an emotionally fragile girl, and the miracle of second chances.

 

Review (always spoiler free unless noted):

 

Oh man, this book is something else.  The writing style is phenomenal.  Millay's writing style is VERY reminiscent of Maggie Stiefvater.  The summary is dead on about it being a slow building, character driven romance.  My best advice about the book...KEEP GOING!  It honestly took me a good 60% to really get invested in the book.  It's totally worth it!  The romance is so amazing.  This is such an emotional book, and now I know there is a reason why GoodReads has it's average rating of 4.58 stars.  And the best part?  IT'A A STAND ALONE!  FINALLY!  I'm not really going to say much more, you'll have to read it for yourself.  It's a wonderfully heartwarming, heartbreaking, and beautiful book.

 

5 out 5 stars!