Revolution by Jennifer Donnelly

Synopsis from Goodreads:   
BROOKLYN: Andi Alpers is on the edge. She’s angry at her father for leaving, angry at her mother for not being able to cope, and heartbroken by the loss of her younger brother, Truman. Rage and grief are destroying her. And she’s about to be expelled from Brooklyn Heights’ most prestigious private school when her father intervenes. Now Andi must accompany him to Paris for winter break.

PARIS: Alexandrine Paradis lived over two centuries ago. She dreamed of making her mark on the Paris stage, but a fateful encounter with a doomed prince of France cast her in a tragic role she didn’t want—and couldn’t escape.

Two girls, two centuries apart. One never knowing the other. But when Andi finds Alexandrine’s diary, she recognizes something in her words and is moved to the point of obsession. There’s comfort and distraction for Andi in the journal’s antique pages—until, on a midnight journey through the catacombs of Paris, Alexandrine’s words transcend paper and time, and the past becomes suddenly, terrifyingly present. 

My thoughts:  I took a little bit of a different approach on this book.  Several bloggers who enjoy the same books as I do have read and enjoyed it so I didn't pay much attention to the synopsis. I dove into it with a general idea what it was about not seeking out additional information.   This was a great way to approach a book and I'm going to have to do it more often. 

There is a certain amount of intrigue to the story.  You know that something has happened to Andi, but you don't learn the extent of the tragedy until later in the story.   Andi is a character that is endearing and frustrating at the same time.  She is suffering but refuses to let anyone in.


Alex's plight is revealed through a series of entries in a diary that Andi discovers.  Alex is fiercely independent and stubborn, two of the traits that she shares with Andi.  Two very similar girls in two very different times makes for a very interesting story.


Revolution is targeted to the teens but could easily appeal to a wider audience.  I will definitely be recommending this one as one of my favorites from 2010.


About the Author: Jennifer Donnelly is a new to me author.  After reading Revolution and while writing this review I set out to learn more about her.  I discovered that she actually has several titles to her credit.  The next one that I will be seeking out is The Tea Rose.  


You can find Jennifer Donnelly on the web:


http://www.jenniferdonnelly.com
She is also on both twitter and facebook.

I received my copy of Revolution from the Publisher via the First Reads program on Goodreads.