Title: Before I Fall
Author: Lauren Oliver
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Publishing Date: March 2010
Length: 368 pages
Genre: YA, romance
Source: Publisher
What if you had only one day to live? What would you do? Who would you kiss? And how far would you go to save your own life?
Samantha Kingston has it all: the world's most crush-worthy boyfriend, three amazing best friends, and first pick of everything at Thomas Jefferson High—from the best table in the cafeteria to the choicest parking spot. Friday, February 12, should be just another day in her charmed life.
Instead, it turns out to be her last.
Then she gets a second chance. Seven chances, in fact. Reliving her last day during one miraculous week, she will untangle the mystery surrounding her death—and discover the true value of everything she is in danger of losing.
Summary by Goodreads
The story of BEFORE I FALL is set over a period of seven days and at the same time this story is one day replayed seven times. Doesn’t sound that exciting to relive one day over and over again huh? But it definitely is!
BEFORE I FALL shows how actions can change the outcome of a day and a whole precious life. It was all about the same characters, dialogues and events, but still every time Sam’s day started the replay function I couldn’t wait to see what had changed and what new was about to happen. Although it was only about that one day, each new replay holds another worthy and important revelation.
It wasn’t only the story which held me captivated but the character cast as well. BEFORE I FALL is told from Sam’s point of view and the chapters are divided into the seven days replayed.
Sam is a person that goes through enormous changes in just a short time span. And she is one of the much loved YA characters that achieve progress (which is ironic, cause she is stuck in that loop). She learns from her mistakes and learns how to become a better friend, sister, daughter and person in general. Sam learns how to find her true self and to appreciate every single moment, her family and friends.
BEFORE I FALL also has romance. One of the most beautiful and saddest I’ve read about, which stunned me because it is rather subtle and doesn’t dominate the story. Sam falls in love with someone she wouldn’t have expected to like that much once she only got the know him. Find out yourselves about his cute and caring character. You’ll love the mystery lover!!
Fascinating is to see in how far one slightly different action or dialogue can change the entire day and also Sam’s relationships with several people. The way they interacted and fitted into the construct of that single day really got my attention.
Lauren Oliver’s words and the uncertainty of the ending made me cry buckets. All the time I couldn’t imagine how the story’s going to end and the end definitely came with a surprise.
BEFORE I FALL is the second novel by Lauren Oliver that I read and another that made me cry. Lauren Oliver has such a wonderful talent. Every single of her words is simply beautiful, each character like a friend and every new book by Lauren one I don’t want to miss!
1) of the magic of time standing still
2) everybody can be someone’s hero
3) of keeping the happy memories close
4) of Lauren’s beautiful words which have the power to capture your entire self
5) life is all about second chances
5/5 ***** BEFORE I FALL- Poetic, absolute and beautiful!
It’s the story of a girl on the verge of dying that will definitely have its readers crying buckets. BEFORE I FALL is a magical read about the possibilities of life, the comfort of love and the transience of existence.
* Don’t forget to check out Lauren’s dystopian novel DELIRIUM and her MG book LIESL & PO!
* Read an excerpt of BEFORE I FALL here.
* Watch the book trailer here.
* Download the BEFORE I FALL reading guide here.
* Visit www.laurenoliverbooks.com for further information.
* A huge thanks to Hodder & Stoughton for sending me BEFORE I FALL for review. I love Lauren’s books so so much!
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