The Fountain

by Suzy Vadori

Careful what you wish for. It just might come true.
Ava Marshall, driven by a desire to learn more about her mother's past, moved across the country to attend St. Augustus. But her mom’s secrets will have to wait, because she finds herself instantly hated for her family’s connection to her new school and is forced to fight alone against a classmate who is setting Ava up to be expelled.


Fleeing campus, she takes a shortcut to her Gran’s house through the forbidden West Woods and discovers a mysterious fountain that has the power to grant a wish and change it all. But can she live with the consequences? Or will she end up breaking every school rule and risking the love of her life to make it right…

Genres: Young Adult, Fantasy, Canada

211 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 8, 2015

About the author

Suzy Vadori is an Operations executive by day, Writer by night. The Fountain was her debut novel for Young Adults, and was an Aurora Award Finalist in 2016. The West Woods is Book 2 in The Fountain Series, a prequel telling the story the year before The Fountain takes place.

Suzy is an involved member of the Calgary Writers' community, service as Program Manager for Young Adult at When Words Collide (a Calgary festival for readers and Writers) since 2013. Suzy lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada with her husband and three kids.

Reviews

[Melissa (thereaderandthechef) · Rating 3 out of 5]

To be fair, I started reading The Fountain without any high expectations since I had not heard much about it, but since it takes place in an old boarding school with some magic involved (things I am very fond of), I thought I'd give it a chance and see where it would all lead.

As it turned out, this book started off really great. I was loving St. Augustus. I seriously dig books set in boarding schools because they remind me of old school YA and I think they are the perfect setting for mysteries and magic and sneaking around at night and falling in love. ♥ So I was pretty much smitten about the whole St. Augustus idea. Much more when I met the cute, dark-haired guy!

However, despite there being a magical fountain that's able to grant wishes, I felt that I needed more magic to make me feel that I was reading a fantasy book. Instead, I think that what I was really reading was a book with magical realism. And like reality, The Fountain was a bit short on resolutions. I needed more closure. Unless there's a sequel? Because I just can't stand the idea of leaving the story the way it ends. I would read it!

The whole idea is great and I did enjoy reading this book, so if you like boarding schools, then you'll be drawn to this book no matter what. But if you are not that into loose endings, then it's possible that this book isn't for you.

*This review can also be found in The Reader and the Chef! Thanks go out to YA Bound Book Tours & the author for the review copy in exchange of my honest opinion.*

[Mel (Epic Reading)]

Local (to me) author that I just met at Calgary Comic Expo! Lovely, vibrant lady. Excited to get to this one!

[Randy McCharles · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel contains all of the elements I look for in YA fiction-- real teen concerns with life, peers, and family with a fantasy element that magnifies the real life concerns and drives a strong plot. My hat is off to Suzy Vadori for providing a story that doesn't devolve into angst and depression, something found much too often in today's YA fiction.

[Debby (Alwaysbooking) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was such an interesting take on a wishing fountain. What if what you wished for came true?? How does it affect everyone else?? In this book Ava definitely finds out what happens when you wish on a whim.

Ava has transferred to her mother and father's alma mater, she is refereed to as an alumni kid. Even though she didn't start until her junior year. She felt she needed a connection to her mom who has passed away. Ava of course encounters the not so nice Courtney who seems to be doing things just to make her year a little bit harder. (or make her leave all together). After one of her rougher days Ava comes upon a fountain in the forest and makes a wish. She wishes that the school has never heard of Courtney or her family. When Ava returns after staying with her Gram for the weekend Courtney has mysteriously disappeared with no one ever having heard of her before. This leads to lots of trials and tribulations for Ava about should she try to undo her wish?? The only problem is she can no longer find the fountain? In her search for the fountain she becomes better acquainted with Ethan (another Alumni kid and can we say adorable??) Ethan is doing all he can to help Ava find the well and wish her old wish away. Of course nothing like a little love triangle thrown in there... because Ava has a boyfriend named Lucas...back home... oooppsss. Will she be able to wish her wish away.. or will Courtney be forever gone?

There was only a couple flaws I found in this book.. I wish we could've delved more into Ava's family life I feel like it was just a drop in the bucket. Also Mrs. Kirk... why is she so obsessed with the darn fountain?? What happens with her??? I feel like I could've just keep reading and reading but it sadly ended.

I did however enjoy the way Suzy Vadori ended the book with a little glimpse into how Ava was satisfied with the decision she made.. All in all a really cute read!!

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley via Evil Alter Ego Press for my honest review.

[Avery Olive · Rating 4 out of 5]

You see a fountain, with coins sparkling below crystal clear waters... You take your own coin, pinch your eyes shut, think really hard, and then... You make a wish.

Most people wish for wealth, success, or even love, but not Ava Marshall--Of course she never imagined her wish would come true, either.

The Fountain is a cleverly written Young Adult novel that explores the trials of teen life; from starting a new school, making friends--and learning how to cope with the resident mean girl, and even discovering that there are always consequences to ones actions.

The author, Suzy Vadori, does wonders with taking a simple theme--making a wish--and turning it into a wonderful novel of rich dialogue, memorable characters, and a few twists and turns, that will have the reader immersed in this mystery-laced read, bringing together both past and present, right and wrong, and of course, how one wish creates a ripple effect that may never be undone.

Debut Author, Suzy Vadori, has created an easy read, capturing the essence of youth, but can be a thoroughly enjoyable page-turner for any age.

I highly recommend The Fountain, if you're looking for a fun mystery, with a hint of romance.

[Joy Norstrom · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this book a couple nights ago, and yet I still find myself thinking about it. I loved the tension created by the magical mystery the main character, Ava, is trying to solve. It reminded me of the books I fell in love with as a young independent reader.

The Fountain moves at a quick pace and I reached the end before I was ready to say goodbye to the characters. Is Suzy Vadori planning a sequel? I hope so!

[Jacqueline Aubin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a really well written YA novel. I enjoyed the premise of what happens if you get what you wish for. The author did a great job of weaving in details of the ripple effect that can happen with a wish come true. It was also a clean YA book which makes it suitable for a wider age group without concern for cursing, sex or other common YA content. The setting of a boarding school added another layer of intrigue. I look forward to reading more from the author in the future.

[Dominique [plantypageturner] · Rating 5 out of 5]

*Received from Netgalley in exchange for a review* Be careful what you wish for. You never know when it may come true. This book was everything I hoped for.

I loved the relationship between Ava and Ethan. I am interested in whats going to happen if/when Courtney returns to St. Augustus. I can't wait for the next book in the series!

[spirited.pages · Rating 5 out of 5]

I adored this book! So good! Vadori's writing is so beautiful! Everyone needs to read this book oh my skies!

[Jackie Maloney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Title: The Fountain
Author: Suzy Vadori
Rating: 4/5 (I loved it)

I was sent a copy of this novel in return for an honest review.
This is a spoiler free review : )
This novel was shortlisted for an Aurora Award for Best Young Adult Novel in 2016

Summary:
When Ava Marshall went to a new school, St. Augustus, her junior year, she was nervous. She was in a new town with new people. One day, while traveling through the woods to visit her Gran, she stumbled across a white-stoned fountain sitting in the middle of an opening in the forest. Following her late mother’s advice, she made a wish. The next day, she found that her wish had come true and everything she had known was different. She and a classmate then set out to repair the damage that might have been caused by her wish, while forging a deep and unbreakable bond.

Review:
I have always loved a good boarding school story. When I was younger I had a huge desire to attend a boarding school. Maybe it was the prospect of little supervision or maybe I wanted to be Harry Potter, but it always appealed to me. This novel definitely fulfilled this desire. It incudes all the necessary components, a crazy/mysterious teacher, a little rule-breaking, and a protagonist who will do anything to achieve her goals, which I think is an incredible message for young readers. Although I would have loved a deeper look into Ava’s schooling life and aspects about the school, the readers are given a look into the history of the school, which I found interesting and original.
Let's talk about Ethan. I will say this right now. Yes, there is a love triangle. I am usually against love triangles because I feel like they are overplayed in young adult literature however I wasn’t mad at this one. The author described it in such an elegant way that the reader doesn’t get that bitter taste in their mouth. It happened organically and naturally like it would in the real world. I adore the result of this love triangle and I think there was no question as to which choice Ava would go with.
Overall, the book was a fast and easy read. It helped pull me out of a very long reading slump, which I will be eternally thankful! I had no problems with any of the characters. I especially loved Ethan (forever in my heart). It was a subtle fantasy that is fast paced and enjoyable. A great read for middle-grade and young adult readers!

Author Info:
This is Suzy Vadori’s debut novel for young adults. She works as an Operations Executive and as an author.

[cenobyte · Rating 3 out of 5]

Vadori does a good job capturing the anxiety and self-doubt that hound you in your teen years, takes her main characters, and throws them into an anxiety-ridden boarding school. If that weren’t enough, there’s also the heartbreak of a young girl needing a mother just as she bursts into adolescence, conficting matters of the heart, and a great sea of turbulent emotions and thoughts. And if THAT weren’t enough, Vadori adds layers of mystery, mysticism, and possibly magic to the mix.

It’s a good and engaging read that teen audiences should enjoy. Don’t expect an epic fantasy or adventure (it’s neither Percy Jackson nor is it Hogwarts), but it doesn’t bill itself as either. It’s a quick and engaging read.

I wanted more out of this book, which is a testament, I think, to Vadori’s storytelling. With a little more development, there would have been room to explore a little more of some of the characters and relationships that sometimes seem to walk on and walk off too quickly, even randomly. Having said that though the intrigue of the narrative is a strong propellant.

Plus I never saw the thing coming, and that surprised me.

All in all, a book worth giving as a gift to the 8-14 yo set who like a little mystery and a little supernatural (but who may not be in to all-out “MAGIC” or fast-paced fantasy fight scenes).

[Shawn Bird · Rating 4 out of 5]

A boarding school mystery story. I liked the characters and the adventure. I'm looking forward to picking up other books in the series.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been reading since I was a young child and as a result, I've blown through thousands of books in my nearly 36 years. There are a precious few that I always seem to go back to, there are some that I'll never read again, and there are those special books that leave me finishing that last chapter with a smile.

The Fountain was one of those books that left a wistful smile on my face. I can't quite put my finger on it, but there was just something about it that left me strangely nostalgic. When I was about 11, I went through a phase where I would race through mystery/coming-of-age books faster than the winning horse at the Derby. The Ghost of Crutchfield Hall by Mary Downing Hahn. The Dollhouse Murders by Betty Ren Wright. Behind the Attic Wall by Sylvia Cassedy. I read these books over and over, fraying the laminated edges of my well-worn library card from the constant swiping as I checked these books out of my local library week after week, fervently wishing that I had the money to buy them for my own personal library.

They don't really make books like those anymore; not in the mid-grade sense, at least. In an era where children have been taught that instant gratification is the norm and often times their right, it's getting harder and harder for me to convince my 12-year old boy that "reading the book is better." Especially when, if the book is any good (in his opinion), it will be made into a movie that he can see on the silver screen while relaxing in a leather recliner and sipping a Coke that cost his mom $5.50. When was the last time your kid asked to go to the library? I'm willing to bet it's been a while - if ever - because they have everything they could ever want sitting at their fingertips in the form of an iPhone, laptop computer, video game remote, or touchscreen tablet.

There was something special about these books though, and that specialness has been something that has attached itself to my aura as I've grown from a young girl into a woman. As a child I was very withdrawn and struggled with the social aspects that came with school and group activities, and so reading became my haven . . . my imagination would run wild and the characters would become my friends. Losing myself in a book has been something that has saved me, again and again.

The Fountain brought me back into the my 11-year old self's spirit during the week that I read it, plunging me headfirst into scenic memories of a chubby child clutching a scary R.L. Stine novel and a flashlight at 3am on a sticky summer night while desperately turning the pages in an attempt to find out if she had it all figured out. And as the plot in The Fountain opens with a girl beginning boarding school and feeling like an outcast among the elite, I found that I could honestly relate, having myself been ripped from the comforts of my sleepy Louisiana country school at the tender age of 10 and thrust into an elementary in the big city of Dallas that was so overpopulated with children that half of the campus was taught in portable trailers. The adolescent struggles of love; trying to choose between the familiar and the new, was also something that I could relate to. A mysterious fountain that seems to grant wishes was something that could have softened the blows that I took those first few years after my transplantation into Texas society, or would it have? The Fountain rounds a turn and becomes a cautionary tale, spinning webs of worlds crashing and timelines disappearing, forcing the reader to wonder if wishes are worth it. In any event, the concepts of this book made me sentimental for those days when I'd curl up in bed on a late Louisiana summer night, listening to the cicadas sing while I transported myself into a fantastical mystery written by an author that didn't have an agenda.

And so . . .

Ava Marshall finally got her way. After begging her father repeatedly for permission to travel clear across the country to enroll in a prestigious boarding school, Ava is thrilled to finally begin her year wrapped up in the newness that is St. Augustus. The school was her parents' Alma Mater, and since the death of her mother, Ava is anxious to hang on to any shred of anything that provides a link to the woman she so desperately misses. Stepping foot onto the impressive and dominating campus with high hopes mixing with the butterflies fluttering away in her belly, Ava feels ready to embark upon a new adventure alone. She's left behind a devoted boyfriend/best friend and a dutiful father and she knows she may become lonely, but she retains her optimism as only a teenage girl can.

But Ava soon finds that her reputation has preceded her. Or rather, the legacy of her parents. Ethan, the handsome boy with the roguish attitude, knows who she is because her mother left his father standing at the altar of Senior Prom in favor of Ava's dad. Ms. Krick, a cranky old teacher who gives Ava the veritable creeps, reminds the teenage girl that she's got her eye on her -- just like she had on Ava's mother. And Courtney Wallis, the wild redhead with a permanent sneer etched upon her face, doesn't hesitate to let Ava know that even though she may be a "legacy kid," no accommodations will be made for her around St. Augustus.

Things are rough from day one. Trying to her best to get involved and follow in her mother's footsteps, Ava attempts to join the swim team. But Courtney has other ideas, abruptly plunging the pretty brunette into the deep end of hazing, causing one problem after another for Ava in her endeavor to ruin the new girl's reputation. Ava couldn't have less in common with her perky roommate if she tried; the girl is obsessed with clothes and materialistic items and it leaves Ava feeling awkward and inadequate. And as if things couldn't get worse, one of her teachers already seems to have it out for her, with beady eyes marking her every move.

When a prank pulled on Ava by the spiteful Courtney turns nasty, Ava is afraid she's on the fast track to being expelled and catching a plane back to sunny California. In an effort to find some quiet and solace so she can collect her thoughts and formulate a plan of defense, she decides to venture through the West Woods and visit her ailing grandmother. Her Aunt Mia is also visiting the older woman, who lives just on the other side of the imposing cluster of overgrown trees and damp foliage, and Ava knows she can find the sympathy and friendship she has been so sorely lacking since her arrival to St. Augustus. On her journey along the beaten path, Ava comes across something she did not expect -- a fully functioning fountain; its shimmering moat full of shiny coins and moss covering the intricate designs upon its facade. It's placed out in the middle of nowhere in a random clearing in the middle of the woods, and Ava's curiosity gets the better of her. Tossing a coin into the depths of the water, she speaks the words that have been lingering on the tip of her tongue for days  -- the wish that Courtney and her family had never been heard of at St. Augustus.

Dreading the Monday after the weekend more than ever, a despondent Ava treks into the office of the headmistress to try and plead her case. She's fully prepared to take the brunt of any unjust punishments, but she's hoping that she'll at least have a chance to tell her side of the story. Courtney has it out for Ava, and things need to be brought under some semblance of control. But much to Ava's surprise, the headmistress has no desire or need to see her, and the receptionist is confused as to why Ava is even there. Leaving the office in bewilderment leads to a day of things steadily not making sense. When Courtney doesn't show up for swim practice, Ava is even more confused. The swim team seemed to be the only thing that really mattered to the red-haired girl, and things are eerily quiet without her dominating personality holding court. 

Putting the pieces of the strange puzzle together, Ava comes to a conclusion with a sinking dread deep in her stomach -- her wish came true. Courtney is not at St. Augustus anymore, and never has been. Neither has anyone in her family, including Courtney's benefactor father. And as the butterfly effect of her decision to toss a coin into a fountain takes its toll, Ava does everything she can think of to turn back the clock. The only problem is . . . you cannot undo what has been done. 

The Fountain is the debut novel by Canadian author Suzy Vadori, and was a finalist in the 2016 Aurora Awards for Best Young Adult Novel. Appropriate for readers ages 13+, it is a well-written novel that young readers will find intriguing and relatable. 

I had the pleasure of reading and reviewing The West Woods, the prequel to The Fountain. Spinning the sticky tale of Courtney Wallis and her own encounter with the fountain, The West Woods is a classic tale of how greed can change a person and alter the course of their life for the worse. While I did not know that The West Woods was part of a series when I read it and it can be considered a stand-alone novel, I did not fully appreciate the story until I read The Fountain. Seeing the result of Courtney's choices come into complete fruition was entertaining, and I now fully understand the true purpose of The West Woods. 

I give The Fountain 4.5 out of 5 stars, recommending it to young readers who are lovers of a good classic mystery. As I said before, there is just something about this book that gives me all those nostalgic feels, and I truly hope that more are written in the series. There were a couple of plot lines and clues that didn't go much of anywhere (the journals, the mysterious "lucky room") and I hope that in future books these are addressed. I would love to learn more about the founder of St. Augustus and the fountain's origins, not to mention the history of that nosy Ms. Krick and her true connections to the school. I feel like there is so much left to be explored in this series and I'm anxious to see where the author takes it in the future.  

[Mandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

*Review copy provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

This was my first approval I got from Netgalley, and once the squealing stopped, I made sure to contain myself and start reading - only for the squealing to start again. However, somewhere in that squealing, I may have confused myself because for some very odd reason, I kept thinking the fountain was a well.

And I know what you're thinking - um, Mandy, there's a fountain in the title. There's also a fountain in the summary. And oh, I don't know, there's a fountain on the cover. Also, they get pretty descriptive about how it looks in the book and I mean, there was no mistaking - it was a fountain.

My brain still thought it was a well. So, yeah, that happened. I blame Saturday Night Live and their skit about the sensitive boy's well.

Anyway, let's start off with the basics: The Fountain is about Ava Marshall, who has just transferred to the boarding school that her parents used to go to. She's super excited to be in the halls her beloved mother used to roam, especially with her still struggling with her death, until a girl named Courtney starts to make her life miserable with taunts, pranks gone wrong, and more drastically affecting Ava's life. When Ava finds a fountain in the woods, she thinks nothing wrong of it and makes a wish to change her life for the better. However, once that wish comes true, Ava realizes that she should have been careful what she wished for...

It's been a super long time since I read a YA book about boarding school. A few years ago, it seemed like you couldn't throw a stick without hitting one. I used to really be into them, but with so many in the market and not much difference separating them, I kind of assumed all of the YA genre was just at the same massively large boarding school. It was refreshing to see this atmosphere here again, and I definitely enjoyed reading it.

I also really liked the plot. Vadori really made sure to think about all the little details that would go into Ava's wish and the ripple effects that would occur because of it. A few issues that cropped up, I didn't see coming, and it really made Ava's decision a lot harder to reverse what she had done. I liked that complexity and it made me eager to find out what was going to happen next.

I also liked Ava as a main character. She had layers to her, and I liked how we saw the guilt kind of eat away at her. So many times, we will see a main character say, "OH, I feel so guilty" and then go eat a cheesestick or something. We don't see how it affects their sleep, their thoughts, their relationships, etc. I thought Vadori did a great job presenting that, and I wasn't expecting something so deep from this book.

Although I liked Ava as a main character, the truth is...I'm not really sure why the other characters liked her. I know that sounds super harsh, but for most of the book, Ava was depressed about her decision and feeling guilty. She didn't contribute to a lot of conversations or activities, yet everyone loved her. I liked her with Ethan, but really, I didn't get how they fell into a relationship because she didn't contribute enough to make him like her, in my opinion. As I said, I liked her, but she didn't display any of that characterization with other people. There would be a couple of times she would have a conversation with her friend, Jules, and she would literally say nothing and they both seemed to think it was a relationship building thing. I would have liked a bit more on that end.

Also, the ending was definitely interesting. I liked how it didn't fit with what I thought was going to happen and it was something a little different. Although, it did feel a bit abrupt and I was kind of concerned that Ava forgot some of her concerns. I liked it for the most part, though.

Overall, this was a quick and speedy read that provided me something a little difference. It had its slight issues, but I did enjoy the story overall. I waffled back and forth between what rating to give it and I've decided on a 3.5 (although it might as well be rounded up to a 4 star since there are no halves anywhere except in my mind) rating and we will say hello to Jasmine again! Thanks again to the author for providing me with this copy!

[Mummy Cat Claire · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took some talking out loud to decide how I felt about the ending but I think the book offers a good moral for teens and walks them through a hard lesson to learn.

Ava lives in San Francisco but wants to attend school back East (I think New Hampshire) where both her parents went. Her father's job is transferring him to Malaysia and she feels it is a good time for her to leave for school. Ava's mother passed away several years ago but her grandmother (mom's mom) and aunt will live nearby the school. Ava's long time boyfriend and dad don't want her to go.

Ava leaves anyway. She is on her own in a foreign environment, but her great roommate, Jules, helps her out. Ava is also on the swim team. At first sight, Courtney, hates her. She sabotages Ava into looking bad and Ava gets into trouble with the school's head mistress.

After one particularly bad day, Ava leaves for Grans house through the woods and finds a fountain. There, Ava wishes to have Courtney gone, never to be seen or heard from again. After that night, Ava's begins to notice many changes.

That's when Ethan comes in. Ethan is the hottie at school. He decides to help Ava with her mission to reverse her wish. The two strike up a nice friendship but then he finds out about Ava's boyfriend and things get tense.

I found that I really liked all the characters in this book. Vadori, really writes her characters with such simple depth. They were all completely different and wonderful people. I even liked Courtney because she was fascinatingly awful. The minor characters were even interesting to me. Like Rhoda, who unknowingly showed Ava what love is and what it looks like.

The book could be for younger teens. There are some historical references that are explained in the book that I was aware of but a younger person would not.

I liked how the author wrote out the moral to the story. Her moral encompassed the entire book. We all of us, need to realize that our actions affect others. Both the mean girl, in this book, and Ava showed this. We cannot always fix our wrongs but we may have a desire to by showing or expressing remorse or regret. We can choose to do better. We all need to be careful with what we choose. Also, others can interfere and affect us positively or negatively. Consequences can be as simple as feeling bad that we hurt another person or as bad as seeing how we hurt others. This book really was about cause and effect. I liked that. I think it's a good message for anyone.

Overall, I felt the writing was good. The story was entertaining and there was always something new happening with Ava. There were some nice surprises and some not so nice surprises, butt Ava held them in stride. She is a positive character of which I saw growth from. From feeling bad to taking action and handling stress, I felt Ava learned and grew from her experiences. She tries to do the best she can to make good choices. I don't know if there is a second book in the works but the ending seemed to be left open. I would certainly want to read a second book, if one comes out. I would recommend this book to anyone and for all ages.

Content: clean

I received a copy of the book from the author and I love YA books in exchange for an honest review.

[Stefanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

*I received a Free copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion.
I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I'm a fan of YA books but, like anything, not all of them are good or appeal to a wide audience beyond young adults. For this one, I think that even if you are not in the age range of YA, you can definitely enjoy it. The main characters are very well developed. After reading it for a while you feel like you know Ava and Ethan, you know how they think and understand their actions. The story is simple, which is not a bad thing. I do not want to post spoilers, but basically is about a girl Ava who is transferred to her parents alma matter and is trying to understand why her dad doesn't want to talk about his experience in that school as well as figuring out her mother's. In the process of all that she finds this fountain that grants wishes and is the central focus of everything that happens in the story. Is a very fast read, you could read this book in a day if you have the time. It is a little magical adventure that happens inside this boarding school.
The only thing that I felt was not very well developed (the negative of this book) is the character of Mrs. Krick (Ava' teacher). Her motivations are a complete mystery to me. At one point she talks about the magical fountain saying it as if it was a big worry for someone to use this fountain, but then you never understand why she thinks that way or her story with the fountain. At points in the story it feels like there is something way bigger going on with the history of the fountain but then the thought is never really completed. Now if this book is supposed to have a sequel, which I think it could really serve the story, then I understand the writer's motivation to leave a few loose ends, but if this is one self contained story then that is definitely a misstep.

I'm not saying this is the best fantasy story ever, I mean this is no Harry Potter for example, but I can say that I really wasn't expecting to enjoy the book this much. I read it in 3 days (for lack of time), and everytime I picked it up I was really interested in what was going to happen next. Even though is a story about something really ancient and simple, I mean we all have tossed a coin into a fountain to make a wish at one point in our lives, it is still an entertaining story because the (most) characters are well written, it has a magical element and deals with the consequences that brings.
I would definitely read a sequel if the author decides to tide those loose ends in a second book. I mean where is magic the possibilities for another adventure are endless.

Thanks to the author for the opportunity to read this book for free.
I give this book 3.8 stars.

[Kristina Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Fountain by Suzy Vadori is a young adult novel. Ava Marshall has looked forward to going to St. Augustus (for high school). St. Augustus is her parent’s alma mater and it is near her grandmother’s home. Ava is hoping to learn more about her mother (who is deceased and no one will speak about). She gets the perfect opportunity when her father has to overseas for a year for work. Unfortunately, it seems that Courtney Wallis has taken a dislike to Ava. Courtney is on the swim team, comes from a rich family, and is the popular girls. Courtney starts out by giving Ava the wrong time for swim practice making her late. Ava is hoping to join the swim team. Courtney then changes the lock on Ava’s locker leaving her without clothes and then plants drugs in the locker. Ava is sent her grandmother’s home for the weekend to await her fate (she could be expelled her very first week). Ava takes the path through the woods to her grandmother’s home and comes across a beautiful fountain. Ava’s mother loved fountains and wishing wells (she taught her daughter to believe). Ava makes a very expected wish (we would all do the same in her shoes). The next day Ava wakes up and her wish has come through. Unfortunately, her wish had some unforeseen consequences. Ava decides to find the fountain (which has disappeared) and change her wish. Will Ava be able to change her wish? You really have to be careful or you will get what you wish for!

The Fountain was a fun book to read. It is a fast paced with minimum teenage angst moments. There is no sex in the book (which is unusual for this type of book), but it did not need it. There is a good lesson or moral to the story. I liked how Ava changed throughout the course of the book and it was interesting to follow her adventure. I give The Fountain 4.25 out of 5 stars (I got a little frustrated with Ava a few times). Overall, The Fountain is a very enjoyable book that can be read by readers from 10 to 100!

I received a complimentary copy of The Fountain in exchange for an honest review.
http://bibliophileandavidreader.blogs...

[Jessa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Throwing coins into wishing wells and fountains is something everyone has heard of and most likely participated in themselves. Have you ever thought of what would happen if your wish came true immediately? What sort of repercussions would arise from that? Would that wish really be what you wanted?

The Fountain takes all of that into consideration and more from the very first page. Ava is an excellent swimmer who has transferred from her public high school in San Francisco to a private school both of her parents went to. From the very first day, Ava has a run in with the resident 'mean girl' Courtney and things start to get rough for Ava. On her way to her grandmother's house, through the woods, Ava comes across a stone fountain and she can't help but toss a coin in and make a wish. That St Agustus had never heard of Courtney and her family.

The story becomes quite the attention-getter from that point on and I couldn't put it down! I loved the idea behind the book and I loved how the author went about writing the storyline and plot and developing the characters. I enjoyed Ethan's character and I really liked where the story ended up. I was also a fan of Jules, but did not like Lucas as much. I wish the chapters had been a bit longer. I was prepared for pages and pages within each chapter, but was still happily satisfied as I kept reading. I was a bit surprised to see the end of the book before I was ready for it to end. It seemed like it came at the moment where the plot came to the apex of the story. I was wanting it to continue! I hope to hear more from this author!

[Pragati · Rating 4 out of 5]

*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review*

The Fountain is a story about wishes coming true. So, obviously, this book is already great in my eyes. Because, hey! Don't we all want all our wishes to come true? I know I do. This makes it pretty easy and quick for the reader to connect with the book and the story because it talks about wishes coming true and about how if you wish for something with all your heart, it does come true.

The basic plot of the story is absolutely gripping and it teaches us to be careful what we wish for because sometimes, wishes do come true. But, each wish comes with a price and at the end of the day, if you're not strong enough to pay the price, your world will crumble and you will not know how to save it.

The story is absolutely beautifully written with great characters and a fast paced and interesting plot. There's never a moment where you're bored while reading this. The development of characters throughout the story is nice. The plot twists are effing amazing. Seriously, if there's one thing that's brilliant about this book, it's the plot twists. They keep you on edge from the start till the end and give a satisfying conclusion.

The Fountain is a beautiful coming of age story with lots of laughs, tears, love and heartbreak. A definite must read for those of you who believe in the magic of wishes.

[G.W. Renshaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

A novel intended for 10-16 year-old girls might not be expected to entertain a 60-year old man, but The Fountain by Suzy Vadori is so well-written that it kept me engaged and page-turning through the whole thing. It’s the story of Ava, a girl who wants to go to the same school as her parents to try to unlock the mysteries that seem to surround it. When she discovers one of those mysteries she has to try to undo the problems it has caused.
I found the romantic sub-plot slightly unrealistic at first, as the boys are almost superhumanly well-behaved, but then I realized that this might be a problem with my understanding of a romance story, not a problem with the book itself.
The ending leaves some issues unresolved, but as this is the first book of a planned series, that’s acceptable. The big problems are satisfyingly resolved. The rest linger on the tongue like the aftertaste of a good appetizer, giving a hint of the main course to come.

[Melinda Howard · Rating 4 out of 5]

*This book was received via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

Actual Rating 3.5/5 stars

I really liked this book but I was kind of disappointed by the ending. It's not that I didn't like the resolution especially regarding Ethan Ethan and Ava end up together, but it just felt like the ending was rushed. After the massive build-up throughout the whole book it just seemed kind of anti-climatic. I also felt sorry for Lucas; his disbelief in magic and wishing wells drove a wedge in his and Ava's relationship. I really liked the idea of the book and the history behind the wishing well but I wish there was more explained about it and that the reader could learn more about the wish Ava's Dad made. Overall, this was a good book that was interesting but seemed slightly anti-climatic due to the rushed ending.

[Jessica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ava wants to go to the school that her parents went to. Against her father's better judgement she goes. She is met with a mean girl that is out to get her from the first day. A fountain shows up and she wishes her hearts desire. Alarmingly it comes true. As Ava tries to find a way to undo it she is found with an unlikely ally. Ava learns the hard way to be careful what you wish for.

In an Oyster Shell- This is the first really good book that I've read in a long time where I was sad that it ended.

The Pearls - This was a really good book. The premise was interesting and the execution was spot on. The writing was well-done. It was imaginative a poignant at the same time.

Full Review - Writing Pearls

[Nadine · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Fountain is really special, in place of time travel affecting the present day it comes down to a penny and a wish. I started reading the Fountain and it was of a steady pace, not too fast as I tend to favour but a good steady one none the less. I don't want to say the story is a classic cause it is not but parts are.

But what happens when an innocent wish comes true and you realised you have changed everything around you without meaning to.

There are good questions here to ask ourselves and even Ava is struggling with the consequences. i really felt for her because all that has resulted was beyond her control.

Full Review: http://www.amkindabusy.com/2016/03/30...

[T · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very fun easy to read young adult book. Well written. Entertaining and a little suspense. I love that there was a bit of a love story, but it wasn't the whole book. I would feel comfortable letting my 11 year old read it. I can't say that about many YA books.


An awesome book! I'm a 12 year old who read this book and I really loved it. I can't wait to read the next one. I'm sure it will be just as good as this one.

[J.M. Dover · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every young girl makes wishes. What if a wish, not well thought out, comes true? The novel is a story of a young girl trying to right a wrong she believes she created. This is Suzy Vadori’s debut novel and it is really well done. The story is alive with relatable characters, love and magic. I felt the story sagged a little in the middle which is why my review is only four stars (my rating is really 4.5 stars). Any young reader would love this book.

[Lisa fletcher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book I thought it was a fantastic adventure story. I was very lucky to get a copy of this book to read and review and I would definitely recommend you buy this book and give it a read you won't be disappointed.

[Diane D'Entremont · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was pleasantly surprised that I enjoyed this YA book so much as I primarily read adult fiction. I found that I continued to think about the characters once it was finished and wanted to know more - especially about the mysterious Ms Krick! Can't wait for the sequel...

[April Mathes · Rating 3 out of 5]

So the book itself was really good but I feel the ending was to abrupt and lacked something. However that being said I adored the relationship between Ava and Ethan.

[Yivy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book review on my blog: http://ivysbookblog.blogspot.com/2016...

[Emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

review to come