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The Fortune of Carmen Navarro
Carmen Navarro rings up customers at the Quikmart, bored to tears. It’s a job, and she needs it. But Carmen’s true love is she dropped out of high school to sing with the Gypsy Lovers and land a recording contract, someday.
Just a few miles away, Ryan Sweeney hunches over his books, a studious cadet with his eye on West Point. There’s not a single girl at the Valley Forge Military Academy, and that’s fine by him.
But when Ryan, on a day pass from campus, spots Carmen, with her shining black hair and snake tattoo, his pulse quickens. Carmen, who normally rolls her eyes at the stiff Academy soldados, can tell this one is different. She slips him a “Come hear my band.” A romance begins, unlikely, passionate . . . and quickly imbalanced. In an enthralling narrative of obsessive love, the novel builds to a stunning close.
Inspired by the novella and opera Carmen, Jen Bryant creates a strong-minded and alluring heroine in this contemporary tale of tragic love.
Just a few miles away, Ryan Sweeney hunches over his books, a studious cadet with his eye on West Point. There’s not a single girl at the Valley Forge Military Academy, and that’s fine by him.
But when Ryan, on a day pass from campus, spots Carmen, with her shining black hair and snake tattoo, his pulse quickens. Carmen, who normally rolls her eyes at the stiff Academy soldados, can tell this one is different. She slips him a “Come hear my band.” A romance begins, unlikely, passionate . . . and quickly imbalanced. In an enthralling narrative of obsessive love, the novel builds to a stunning close.
Inspired by the novella and opera Carmen, Jen Bryant creates a strong-minded and alluring heroine in this contemporary tale of tragic love.
240 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2010
5 people are currently reading
299 people want to read
About the author
Jen Bryant
33 books100 followersJen Bryant (Jennifer Fisher Bryant) writes picture books, novels and poems for readers of all ages. Her biographical picture book: A River of Words: The Story of William Carlos Williams, illustrated by Melissa Sweet,received a Caldecott Honor award and her historical novel in verse RINGSIDE 1925: Views from the Scopes Trial is an Oprah Recommended Book for ages 12 & up. Other titles include Pieces of Georgia (IRA Young Adult Choices Pick), The Trial (about the 1935 Lindbergh baby kidnapping trial), a 1960’s-era novel Kaleidoscope Eyes (a Jr. Library Guild selection), Georgia’s Bones, celebrating the creative vision of artist Georgia O’Keeffe, Music for the End of Time, based on a true story about WWII, and Abe’s Fish: A Boyhood Tale of Abraham Lincoln.
Jen has taught writing and Children’s Literature at West Chester University and Bryn Mawr College and gives lectures, workshops and school presentations throughout the year. She lives with husband, daughter and their Springer Spaniel in Chester County, PA.
Jen has taught writing and Children’s Literature at West Chester University and Bryn Mawr College and gives lectures, workshops and school presentations throughout the year. She lives with husband, daughter and their Springer Spaniel in Chester County, PA.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
June 24, 2016
This was the worst book I think I have ever read. First off it was all repetition, Carmen wants to stay "free," Ryan wants Carmen, Maggie talking about her future, blah blah blah. The only character I found at all decent was Will and he was typical. Oh and don't get me started on the diction, most of the characters were raised in a Hispanic culture I get that but they were also raised speaking ENGLISH so u would think that they could form complete sentences and not in such choppy phrases. Not to mention how Carmen was like a skank that would be like I like shy Ryan and then go to "hey I just noticed in this light Lenny is adorable" barf! And it really ticked me off how the book ended...I'm not going to spoil it for those who want to read it (I don't suggest it, you'd be better off not) but it went too fast and it was like Ryan from the beginning had left the building. I'm ranting which means I need yo stop and simple say, not me kind of book, should never be anyone's type of book, it's disturbing, could barely finish it, and you would be better off not reading or buying this book.
June 29, 2011
I did finish this one but mostly because it's short and I kept telling myself just to give it another few chapters. Also maybe because I am not all that familiar with the opera CARMEN, besides knowing it ends tragically. I wanted to see whether Bryant would conform or diverge from that in her plot. Very pedestrian. Kind of wooden. Without really, I mean REALLY, good characterization, it's hard to pull off narrative from multiple perspectives, and this novel attempts four: the two lovers and each of their best friends.
Plot in a nutshell: gorgeous, wild, talented-singer gypsy girl entrances military school cadet to the point of obsession before moving on to another guy and a blossoming career with her band. Eh, what can I say? It's hard to recommend for any but the least demanding of teen romance readers.
Plot in a nutshell: gorgeous, wild, talented-singer gypsy girl entrances military school cadet to the point of obsession before moving on to another guy and a blossoming career with her band. Eh, what can I say? It's hard to recommend for any but the least demanding of teen romance readers.
November 28, 2010
Carmen works as a cashier at the Quikmart with her best friend Maggie, who's earning cash to pay her way to college. Nothing is more important to Carmen than her music and band, The Gypsy Lovers, who may be getting a recording label soon. At the Valley Forge Military Academy across town are best friends Ryan, the serious and studious one, and Will, the jokester. One day when the two guys are buying sub sandwiches at the Quikmart, Ryan spots Carmen - and is instantly in love. The next few days, she's all he can think about it, and he knows they're meant for one another. But for Carmen, he's just another cute boy to have fun with, nothing more. A romance sparks between the two, but it quickly becomes very unbalanced.
Carmen was a different kind of protagonist than you would normally find in a romantic young adult novel. She was very independent and knew what she wanted, not a love-struck, giggly and flirty girl that we usually read about. I was instantly drawn to her character however I wanted more! I felt like she was still a little out of reach even after the story ended. Also, the novel is written in four characters' perspectives. A lot of times I felt like Maggie and Carmen, the two best friends who are practically sisters, were almost the same person. They had identical personalities and talked exactly the same. The only thing different was their passions: music and school/studying. And then there was the two cadets, Will and Ryan. They, two, seemed to mix into one person. I wasn't quite sure where Ryan and Maggie came into the big picture: they were just minor characters and never really contributed to the storyline but instead acted as fillers for space I thought.
I did think that the main storyline was creative and grabbed my attention. It started out a little slow, but eventually the unbalanced love was perfectly portrayed. All Ryan seemed to think about was Carmen's voice, Carmen's hair, holding Carmen, kissing Carmen, etc. Whereas Carmen couldn't care less about Ryan, more focused on her music. I liked how the feminine took charge this time and wasn't the one chained down by a love interest. It was a nice change for once.
The story was very black and white, down to the point. There was a half-expected-half-surprise climax to the book (though I assume those that are fans of the play Carmen, which the book was inspired by, would have seen it coming). Unfortunately, I think it was a let down. I was expecting a huge, dramatic scene and was bracing myself to get ready to run to the tissue box, but actually it ended as quickly as it began. I think if the climax had been better, the story would have been much better, too. It didn't seem that fair that the author changed it around. But each character had their own ending and I thought it fit them perfectly.
Overall, this was just a so-so book that didn't live up to its potential. All of the minor flaws added up, and the novel as a whole just wasn't for me. The lyrical writing was enjoyable though, I just think that it needed more plot substance and better character development.
Carmen was a different kind of protagonist than you would normally find in a romantic young adult novel. She was very independent and knew what she wanted, not a love-struck, giggly and flirty girl that we usually read about. I was instantly drawn to her character however I wanted more! I felt like she was still a little out of reach even after the story ended. Also, the novel is written in four characters' perspectives. A lot of times I felt like Maggie and Carmen, the two best friends who are practically sisters, were almost the same person. They had identical personalities and talked exactly the same. The only thing different was their passions: music and school/studying. And then there was the two cadets, Will and Ryan. They, two, seemed to mix into one person. I wasn't quite sure where Ryan and Maggie came into the big picture: they were just minor characters and never really contributed to the storyline but instead acted as fillers for space I thought.
I did think that the main storyline was creative and grabbed my attention. It started out a little slow, but eventually the unbalanced love was perfectly portrayed. All Ryan seemed to think about was Carmen's voice, Carmen's hair, holding Carmen, kissing Carmen, etc. Whereas Carmen couldn't care less about Ryan, more focused on her music. I liked how the feminine took charge this time and wasn't the one chained down by a love interest. It was a nice change for once.
The story was very black and white, down to the point. There was a half-expected-half-surprise climax to the book (though I assume those that are fans of the play Carmen, which the book was inspired by, would have seen it coming). Unfortunately, I think it was a let down. I was expecting a huge, dramatic scene and was bracing myself to get ready to run to the tissue box, but actually it ended as quickly as it began. I think if the climax had been better, the story would have been much better, too. It didn't seem that fair that the author changed it around. But each character had their own ending and I thought it fit them perfectly.
Overall, this was just a so-so book that didn't live up to its potential. All of the minor flaws added up, and the novel as a whole just wasn't for me. The lyrical writing was enjoyable though, I just think that it needed more plot substance and better character development.
October 29, 2010
Epic wins:
- The whole book is based off of a play called Carmen. It was really cool to see the passion the author had for the play, and to see that passion transferred to the book.
- All the many point of views.
- Maggie: Her feet are planted on the ground and she has a sane head. She was like a clean, cotton shirt that has just come out of the dryer. It still smells like laundry detergent and has a few wrinkles. I loved reaching into her thoughts! Her ending was the happiest in my opinion.
- Carmen: A paper bag blowing in the wind. You never knew what direction she would go in and sometimes she got blown high into the air. She had a huge heart though and was a really good friend to Maggie. She wasn’t cut out for books but she had a voice to out sing the best.
- Ryan: Stiff and ridged like a freshly ironed shirt (sorry for the laundry metaphors they just seem to work). And as he lets himself go he becomes obsessed with Carmen. I think his ending was best for him, he could be anything.
- Will: Similar to Maggie, he wasn’t perfect but he wasn’t on the rigid side or the gypsy side of the scale. If Maggie and Will met they would be either really good friends or the perfect couple (just my opinion).
Epic fails: (holy cow these are just oddities!!)
- It was a little slow but easy to follow.
- …hmm yeah not really getting anything else
Overall:
Guess what? Yep this book gets a high five! Want to know why? It was a beautiful but tragic story that nobody wins but nobody loses. I didn’t know these kind of books existed, I mean black or white, happily ever after or not, I admit I was wrong. I loved how the loose ends where tied at the end.
Just sayin,
- The whole book is based off of a play called Carmen. It was really cool to see the passion the author had for the play, and to see that passion transferred to the book.
- All the many point of views.
- Maggie: Her feet are planted on the ground and she has a sane head. She was like a clean, cotton shirt that has just come out of the dryer. It still smells like laundry detergent and has a few wrinkles. I loved reaching into her thoughts! Her ending was the happiest in my opinion.
- Carmen: A paper bag blowing in the wind. You never knew what direction she would go in and sometimes she got blown high into the air. She had a huge heart though and was a really good friend to Maggie. She wasn’t cut out for books but she had a voice to out sing the best.
- Ryan: Stiff and ridged like a freshly ironed shirt (sorry for the laundry metaphors they just seem to work). And as he lets himself go he becomes obsessed with Carmen. I think his ending was best for him, he could be anything.
- Will: Similar to Maggie, he wasn’t perfect but he wasn’t on the rigid side or the gypsy side of the scale. If Maggie and Will met they would be either really good friends or the perfect couple (just my opinion).
Epic fails: (holy cow these are just oddities!!)
- It was a little slow but easy to follow.
- …hmm yeah not really getting anything else
Overall:
Guess what? Yep this book gets a high five! Want to know why? It was a beautiful but tragic story that nobody wins but nobody loses. I didn’t know these kind of books existed, I mean black or white, happily ever after or not, I admit I was wrong. I loved how the loose ends where tied at the end.
Just sayin,
August 6, 2011
Awesome young adult novel - Like reading Carmen Jones - except set in west Chester! Fun references to stuff around here in a playful manner.
August 16, 2018
So my perception of this book was tainted by knowing how the opera Carmen ends, and low and behold, Bryant changed it. I don't disapprove. It just, it was weird, bracing myself for 212 pages for Ryan to strangle Carmen in a fit of rage or something, and instead, he's apprehended and set to prison.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 30, 2010
What would you do for love?
Carmen and Maggie are best friends, just like sisters in fact, and they both work at Quickmart, a convenience store in town. Will and Ryan are students at Valley Forge Military Academy; on a day pass from campus, they meet Carmen. Ryan, the shyer of the two cadets, is quickly smitten and soon he and Carmen are dating. Everyone agrees that the quiet, straight-laced guy on his way to West Point and the high school dropout, musician, gypsy girl make an odd pair. Carmen and Ryan's initial attraction quickly turns to passion, but at what cost?
The Fortune of Carmen Navarro was very different from what I was expecting. From the summary on the back of the ARC, I was expecting a wrong side of the tracks girl meets wealthy, cute but geeky soldier love story with maybe an unexpected ending. Instead, it turned a lot of YA cliches upside down and backwards. Inspired by the novella written by Prosper Merimee and the opera by Bizet, Bryant brings the story of Carmen to 2007 Pennsylvania. Told in 7 parts and from the perspectives of the two pairs of best friends (Carmen and Maggie and Ryan and Will) it chronicles the intense romance between Carmen and Ryan. Through Maggie and Will the reader gets all the background information - how Carmen came to live with her grandparents and why she's working at Quickmart, how Ryan got Will to attend Valley Forge Military Academy and how they became best friends as kids. The chapters are short and keep the action moving through out the entire book.
Maggie and Will's perspectives also show the affect the relationship has on both Carmen and Ryan and on how it changes Will and Ryan's friendship. Plus, the reader gets to see a lot of what happens from different perspectives, since most of the key moments are retold by more than one character. I'm usually not a fan of books told from so many perspectives, but it works really well for this story. I think that this is mainly because Ryan is so focused on Carmen that you don't learn that much about him from his chapters. So, it really takes the other characters to fill in all the blanks and connect all the dots. In fact, I actually liked Maggie and Will's chapters more than Ryan and Carmen's. The two of them just felt more relatable. And part of me thinks that if they really got a chance to meet and know each other, they would make an awesome couple.
Carmen and Ryan's relationship happens fast - it would have been even quicker if not for the fact that Ryan can only get off campus on the weekends - and soon it's obvious that Ryan cares more for Carmen than she does for him. The relationship pretty much takes over Ryan's life, while Carmen is hoping that it won't distract her from making music with her band, Gypsy Lovers. This is the opposite of many YA books where it's the girl who makes the romance the focus of her life. Again, I really like that the roles were reversed, that Carmen was super focused on her goals and wouldn't let anything get in the way of her dreams.
There were so many individual parts that I loved about this story - Maggie and Carmen's friendship, Will's commitment to Ryan, Maggie as a character - but, they just didn't fit together in a way that made me absolutely love the story. It felt like some pieces didn't fit in the bigger picture. Other times scenes that were told from multiple points of view felt fractured, like one piece was mentioned by one person, another perspective focused on a different piece of what happened and so on. I had to go back and reread a few scenes several times really understand what happened. I was ready to give up, but the book is such a quick read that I found myself close to the end and had to find out how Ms Bryant ended Carmen and Ryan's story. Here's the funny thing, Part 7 was my favorite part of the whole book! It takes place 3 months after the end of Part 6 and works as an epliogue in a way. It let the reader know just enough about what came next, but didn't give everything away.
So, in the end, I have mixed feelings about The Fortune of Carmen Navarro. But, I can see what other readers might love about it. A definite recommendation to those who love retellings or the opera version of Carmen.
Carmen and Maggie are best friends, just like sisters in fact, and they both work at Quickmart, a convenience store in town. Will and Ryan are students at Valley Forge Military Academy; on a day pass from campus, they meet Carmen. Ryan, the shyer of the two cadets, is quickly smitten and soon he and Carmen are dating. Everyone agrees that the quiet, straight-laced guy on his way to West Point and the high school dropout, musician, gypsy girl make an odd pair. Carmen and Ryan's initial attraction quickly turns to passion, but at what cost?
The Fortune of Carmen Navarro was very different from what I was expecting. From the summary on the back of the ARC, I was expecting a wrong side of the tracks girl meets wealthy, cute but geeky soldier love story with maybe an unexpected ending. Instead, it turned a lot of YA cliches upside down and backwards. Inspired by the novella written by Prosper Merimee and the opera by Bizet, Bryant brings the story of Carmen to 2007 Pennsylvania. Told in 7 parts and from the perspectives of the two pairs of best friends (Carmen and Maggie and Ryan and Will) it chronicles the intense romance between Carmen and Ryan. Through Maggie and Will the reader gets all the background information - how Carmen came to live with her grandparents and why she's working at Quickmart, how Ryan got Will to attend Valley Forge Military Academy and how they became best friends as kids. The chapters are short and keep the action moving through out the entire book.
Maggie and Will's perspectives also show the affect the relationship has on both Carmen and Ryan and on how it changes Will and Ryan's friendship. Plus, the reader gets to see a lot of what happens from different perspectives, since most of the key moments are retold by more than one character. I'm usually not a fan of books told from so many perspectives, but it works really well for this story. I think that this is mainly because Ryan is so focused on Carmen that you don't learn that much about him from his chapters. So, it really takes the other characters to fill in all the blanks and connect all the dots. In fact, I actually liked Maggie and Will's chapters more than Ryan and Carmen's. The two of them just felt more relatable. And part of me thinks that if they really got a chance to meet and know each other, they would make an awesome couple.
Carmen and Ryan's relationship happens fast - it would have been even quicker if not for the fact that Ryan can only get off campus on the weekends - and soon it's obvious that Ryan cares more for Carmen than she does for him. The relationship pretty much takes over Ryan's life, while Carmen is hoping that it won't distract her from making music with her band, Gypsy Lovers. This is the opposite of many YA books where it's the girl who makes the romance the focus of her life. Again, I really like that the roles were reversed, that Carmen was super focused on her goals and wouldn't let anything get in the way of her dreams.
There were so many individual parts that I loved about this story - Maggie and Carmen's friendship, Will's commitment to Ryan, Maggie as a character - but, they just didn't fit together in a way that made me absolutely love the story. It felt like some pieces didn't fit in the bigger picture. Other times scenes that were told from multiple points of view felt fractured, like one piece was mentioned by one person, another perspective focused on a different piece of what happened and so on. I had to go back and reread a few scenes several times really understand what happened. I was ready to give up, but the book is such a quick read that I found myself close to the end and had to find out how Ms Bryant ended Carmen and Ryan's story. Here's the funny thing, Part 7 was my favorite part of the whole book! It takes place 3 months after the end of Part 6 and works as an epliogue in a way. It let the reader know just enough about what came next, but didn't give everything away.
So, in the end, I have mixed feelings about The Fortune of Carmen Navarro. But, I can see what other readers might love about it. A definite recommendation to those who love retellings or the opera version of Carmen.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 8, 2011
Although I'm not familiar with the opera Carmen, it intrigued me greatly the fact that this book was based on an opera. The cover is also absolutely gorgeous (my rant on the cover here). The storyline also sounded like it'd be cute--boy meets girl type of deal.
Well, it's definitely boy meets girl. And it is cute for a while. But as the story continued, the cute became more and more twisted. When Ryan first sees Carmen, his face turns red--first sign of adorableness. Then she impulsively hands him a rose, which makes him blush even more. His obvious innocence was so cute I thought I was going to die. After one evening of seeing Carmen perform in her band, The Gypsy Lovers, and talking to her after the performance, Ryan decides that he loves her. Carmen doesn't think Ryan is so bad himself, but Carmen is the type of girl who will never truly belong to anybody. She must always remain free, and she quickly gets over the guys that she likes. But Ryan doesn't realize this--he thinks she must be as head-over-heels for him as he is for her. This in turn eventually leads to the tragedy (sort of) of this story.
The unique thing about this story is that it's told from four points of views--Carmen's, Ryan's, and Carmen's friend Maggie's, and Ryan's friend Will's. It sounds like a lot to handle, but it wasn't; in fact, it added to the story so much more. Hardly ever do you get to witness the love story from an outside party--Maggie and Will allow a glimpse into what other people see. Maggie expresses concern for Ryan because she knows that Carmen may soon dump him if he gets to clingy. Will notices that because of Carmen, Ryan's grades are falling and he's acting very distant. Of course, in all of this Ryan sees nothing wrong with what he's doing; he only sees that he's in love with Carmen and can't stand being away from her. I don't want to give too much away, but this is the climax of the story--when Ryan realizes he's in love.
From the first moments I started reading this book, I was hooked. The writing style is so perfect, and the characters are very very real. Some chapters may be short while others are longer, but it was nice getting insight into one character's life here and then reading about what is happening now to a different character here. The chapters ended up balancing each other out, putting much meaning into few words. Also, since Carmen and Maggie seem to be more comfortable with Spanish, there were a lot of cases where their sentences seemed to run-on, and some may find that annoying, but I thought it added to the story a lot.
There was one day when I forgot this book in my first period class, and I discovered it missing from my bag in seventh period and I started freaking out, telling anyone who would listen that I have no idea where it is and that's horrible because "I'm totally in love with this book!" That was the second time I've left books in my first period class. What can I say; it's the morning.
I recommend this book to anyone who is into love stories with a slight twist that makes the cliche cute love story into a not-so-cute love story. Not-so-cute as in really sad, but not in the sense you might be thinking. (No--nobody dies. This is not Nicholas Sparks we're talking about.) In the beginning, this book really reminded me of the movie (500) Days of Summer, in that "This is a story of boy meets girl. This is not a love story" sense. Anybody who is a fan of that movie, definitely read this book (warning: the movie has a happy ending for Joseph Gordon-Levitt. I can't say so much for this book). This book explores the fine line between being in love and being madly in love to the point of insanity.
Well, it's definitely boy meets girl. And it is cute for a while. But as the story continued, the cute became more and more twisted. When Ryan first sees Carmen, his face turns red--first sign of adorableness. Then she impulsively hands him a rose, which makes him blush even more. His obvious innocence was so cute I thought I was going to die. After one evening of seeing Carmen perform in her band, The Gypsy Lovers, and talking to her after the performance, Ryan decides that he loves her. Carmen doesn't think Ryan is so bad himself, but Carmen is the type of girl who will never truly belong to anybody. She must always remain free, and she quickly gets over the guys that she likes. But Ryan doesn't realize this--he thinks she must be as head-over-heels for him as he is for her. This in turn eventually leads to the tragedy (sort of) of this story.
The unique thing about this story is that it's told from four points of views--Carmen's, Ryan's, and Carmen's friend Maggie's, and Ryan's friend Will's. It sounds like a lot to handle, but it wasn't; in fact, it added to the story so much more. Hardly ever do you get to witness the love story from an outside party--Maggie and Will allow a glimpse into what other people see. Maggie expresses concern for Ryan because she knows that Carmen may soon dump him if he gets to clingy. Will notices that because of Carmen, Ryan's grades are falling and he's acting very distant. Of course, in all of this Ryan sees nothing wrong with what he's doing; he only sees that he's in love with Carmen and can't stand being away from her. I don't want to give too much away, but this is the climax of the story--when Ryan realizes he's in love.
From the first moments I started reading this book, I was hooked. The writing style is so perfect, and the characters are very very real. Some chapters may be short while others are longer, but it was nice getting insight into one character's life here and then reading about what is happening now to a different character here. The chapters ended up balancing each other out, putting much meaning into few words. Also, since Carmen and Maggie seem to be more comfortable with Spanish, there were a lot of cases where their sentences seemed to run-on, and some may find that annoying, but I thought it added to the story a lot.
There was one day when I forgot this book in my first period class, and I discovered it missing from my bag in seventh period and I started freaking out, telling anyone who would listen that I have no idea where it is and that's horrible because "I'm totally in love with this book!" That was the second time I've left books in my first period class. What can I say; it's the morning.
I recommend this book to anyone who is into love stories with a slight twist that makes the cliche cute love story into a not-so-cute love story. Not-so-cute as in really sad, but not in the sense you might be thinking. (No--nobody dies. This is not Nicholas Sparks we're talking about.) In the beginning, this book really reminded me of the movie (500) Days of Summer, in that "This is a story of boy meets girl. This is not a love story" sense. Anybody who is a fan of that movie, definitely read this book (warning: the movie has a happy ending for Joseph Gordon-Levitt. I can't say so much for this book). This book explores the fine line between being in love and being madly in love to the point of insanity.
December 20, 2010
The Fortune of Carmen Navarro is influenced by the musical, Carmen. Jen Byrant had a few things in mind even before writing the book of how she wanted it to turn out, slightly spoilish: “(1) Carmen would remain a fiercely independent young woman; (2) that a soldier (or a cadet at a military school) would fall in love with her; (3) that his desire for her would consume him and bring about his downfall; and (4) that their relationship would end in violence” (Byrant 228).
However despite the onslaught of drama and feministic influences The Fortune of Carmen Navarro was short of being spectacular. Told through 4 different perspectives there still remains a lack of awareness in the character’s mind or behavior. Rather than a trajectory of movement as their thoughts would ramble on and off, there just seemed to be one or two main ideas lodged in each character. The novel is of moderate length, but once you split the book between 4 different people, it makes it so much smaller. The Fortune of Carmen Navarro needed to be more fleshed out.
Carmen is “a fiercely independent young woman” that we’re told is exotic, is beautiful and that despite dropping out of high school to work at the local Quikmart, is smart. She is ambitious. Carmen wants her name out there and her band to be in the biggest spotlight of all. But I found her highly unapproachable and unlikable. Carmen was very much, in my opinion, a difficult girl to befriend in real life: selfish, stubborn, headstrong, and so used to getting her way. Boys come and goes. Friends are very few and those few are mostly male.
Maggie is Carmen’s best friend and as close as not blood related sisters can be. It is uncommon for the secondary character to have their own role in novels, but Maggie does. Maggie wants to be a veterinarian (or as Maggie and Carmen say, an animal doctor); she’s smart, but very “plain” or so we’re told over and over again. Maggie lacks self-confidence and being around Carmen for so long can do that. Your best friend can get every guy she wants and you’re just her little brainy side-kick. Carmen is magnetic, charismatic, and a sight to behold. But still.
Ryan the cadet is just another puppy that has fallen under Carmen’s beauty and her voice. Byrant focuses solely on his shift from piqued interest to adoration to love to obsession—all in relation to Carmen. The transitions are smooth and the obsessive thoughts are spot-on. But I have so much trouble understanding why. Why does Ryan love Carmen so much even after the cold shoulder?
Will, Ryan’s close friend, is forgettable. His chapters only further showcase how Ryan is falling under the Carmen spell slowly but surely. Everything else didn’t have a point in the context of the plot.
The tension riding up to the ending was palpable. The climax was anticlimactic. All the ending proved was how much I disliked Carmen and how befuddled I was by Ryan’s actions. Was the Fortune of Carmen Navarro a twisted coming-of-age story?
However despite the onslaught of drama and feministic influences The Fortune of Carmen Navarro was short of being spectacular. Told through 4 different perspectives there still remains a lack of awareness in the character’s mind or behavior. Rather than a trajectory of movement as their thoughts would ramble on and off, there just seemed to be one or two main ideas lodged in each character. The novel is of moderate length, but once you split the book between 4 different people, it makes it so much smaller. The Fortune of Carmen Navarro needed to be more fleshed out.
Carmen is “a fiercely independent young woman” that we’re told is exotic, is beautiful and that despite dropping out of high school to work at the local Quikmart, is smart. She is ambitious. Carmen wants her name out there and her band to be in the biggest spotlight of all. But I found her highly unapproachable and unlikable. Carmen was very much, in my opinion, a difficult girl to befriend in real life: selfish, stubborn, headstrong, and so used to getting her way. Boys come and goes. Friends are very few and those few are mostly male.
Maggie is Carmen’s best friend and as close as not blood related sisters can be. It is uncommon for the secondary character to have their own role in novels, but Maggie does. Maggie wants to be a veterinarian (or as Maggie and Carmen say, an animal doctor); she’s smart, but very “plain” or so we’re told over and over again. Maggie lacks self-confidence and being around Carmen for so long can do that. Your best friend can get every guy she wants and you’re just her little brainy side-kick. Carmen is magnetic, charismatic, and a sight to behold. But still.
Ryan the cadet is just another puppy that has fallen under Carmen’s beauty and her voice. Byrant focuses solely on his shift from piqued interest to adoration to love to obsession—all in relation to Carmen. The transitions are smooth and the obsessive thoughts are spot-on. But I have so much trouble understanding why. Why does Ryan love Carmen so much even after the cold shoulder?
Will, Ryan’s close friend, is forgettable. His chapters only further showcase how Ryan is falling under the Carmen spell slowly but surely. Everything else didn’t have a point in the context of the plot.
The tension riding up to the ending was palpable. The climax was anticlimactic. All the ending proved was how much I disliked Carmen and how befuddled I was by Ryan’s actions. Was the Fortune of Carmen Navarro a twisted coming-of-age story?
April 4, 2011
Book talk: It all starts with a trip to the Quikmart for sandwiches. Will sees the beautiful girl with the snake tattoo behind the counter and starts to flirt with her in his easy way. But it's Ryan who she gives a rose to as they leave. From that moment on Ryan can hardly think of anything else. Will is usually the one to bend the rules, but soon straight-laced Cadet Captain Ryan is the one sneaking into clubs to see Carmen play and showing up for inspection with bags under his eyes. Carmen likes this shy boy, but she refuses to be owned by anyone. Carmen's grandmother taught her how to read her fortune in the cards so she can see her fate: romance, fortune, and treachery.
Rocks my socks: The story is told from four different view points, not only Carmen and Ryan but their best friends Will and Maggie as well. Viewing these characters through the eyes of their best friends provides a perspective that grounds the novel and adds new layers to the characters. They also provide more points of entry for the reader. While most girls won't be able to identify readily with Carmen, many will be able to empathize with Maggie, for example. There are quotes from the original novella interspersed throughout the story and one sums up why I enjoyed this novel best: "A man turns into a villain without realizing what is happening to him." By having the perspective of not only Ryan but Will as well it is easy to understand him and feel sympathy for him. Too many authors (and actors for that matter) fall into the trap of thinking that villains see themselves as such. But most villains view themselves as the hero. This is an important lesson to learn and goes far in helping to understand the world and the people in it.
Rocks in my socks: While Carmen and Ryan are complex characters Maggie and Will are a bit under-developed. They seem mostly there just to act as foils and the story they're telling isn't really their own. I can see why it was done this way, but they were my favorite characters so I wish there was a bit more meat to their parts of the story.
Every book its reader: I imagine fans of the opera would enjoy this retelling, although I'd warn purists away because it does make some major changes. Knowledge of the opera and novella aren't necessary though, in fact I've never seen the opera or read the novella (although I bumped a filmed version of the opera to the top of my Netflix cue after finishing the book.) I'd give it to anyone looking for a tragic romance or a study on the creation of a villain. Grades 6 and up.
Read more of my reviews at http://auldschoollibrarian.blogspot.com/
Rocks my socks: The story is told from four different view points, not only Carmen and Ryan but their best friends Will and Maggie as well. Viewing these characters through the eyes of their best friends provides a perspective that grounds the novel and adds new layers to the characters. They also provide more points of entry for the reader. While most girls won't be able to identify readily with Carmen, many will be able to empathize with Maggie, for example. There are quotes from the original novella interspersed throughout the story and one sums up why I enjoyed this novel best: "A man turns into a villain without realizing what is happening to him." By having the perspective of not only Ryan but Will as well it is easy to understand him and feel sympathy for him. Too many authors (and actors for that matter) fall into the trap of thinking that villains see themselves as such. But most villains view themselves as the hero. This is an important lesson to learn and goes far in helping to understand the world and the people in it.
Rocks in my socks: While Carmen and Ryan are complex characters Maggie and Will are a bit under-developed. They seem mostly there just to act as foils and the story they're telling isn't really their own. I can see why it was done this way, but they were my favorite characters so I wish there was a bit more meat to their parts of the story.
Every book its reader: I imagine fans of the opera would enjoy this retelling, although I'd warn purists away because it does make some major changes. Knowledge of the opera and novella aren't necessary though, in fact I've never seen the opera or read the novella (although I bumped a filmed version of the opera to the top of my Netflix cue after finishing the book.) I'd give it to anyone looking for a tragic romance or a study on the creation of a villain. Grades 6 and up.
Read more of my reviews at http://auldschoollibrarian.blogspot.com/
April 4, 2015
Bryant, Jen. The Fortune of Carmen Navarro. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 2010.
Characters: Carmen Navarro, Maggie Ruiz, Ryan Sweeney, Will, Marco, Lenny, Jorge, Nick.
Setting: Valley Forge, PA
Theme: teenage romance, love triangle, friendship, achieving dreams, military life
Golden Quote: “The world is a ladder on which some go up and others go down”
Plot/Summary: Sixteen year-old Carmen is a high school dropout and works at the local quickmart, but aspires to be a famous singer along with her band the Gypsy Lovers. Her path crosses the life of cadet Ryan Sweeney, a military man by family, as seventeen year-old he is enrolled in the military school trying to make his father proud. Ryan has never fell madly in love with a girl until he meets Carmen, who at first she initiates the romance, but then is annoyed with clingliness Ryan is demonstrating. Carmen identifies herself as a gypsy, a free spirited individual that belongs to no one, but Ryan want to own her, want to claim her as his. Ryan completely derails his future in the military for the affection of Carmen, loses his friends, the respect of his father, and ultimately ends up incarcerated for his obsession over Carmen Navarro. Carmen is a compassionate human being that cares for her elderly grandparents, but is also fixated over achieving fame with her voice.
Target Audience: ages 12 and up.
Curriculum ties: U.S. history, Valley Forge,
Awards: NA
Personal/Critical response: This book will be an excellent read for both boys and girls, and students from both middle school and high school since it deals with teen romance, first love. It is fantastically written, and I truly enjoyed the format of having each chapter being narrated by a different main character of the story. It was an opportunity to read about the event through the mind of a different character, and at the same time offering additional informational to one single event. The book could be inspirational for some adolescents that dream of achieving fame, and making understand that it is hard work, and it is always good to have a backup plan. Throughout the reading I could not help but think of books by Gary Soto, as the two main characters spoke Spanish in their conversations. I highly recommend this book for the story line and the format it was written in, and theme of the story, which is about young love.
Characters: Carmen Navarro, Maggie Ruiz, Ryan Sweeney, Will, Marco, Lenny, Jorge, Nick.
Setting: Valley Forge, PA
Theme: teenage romance, love triangle, friendship, achieving dreams, military life
Golden Quote: “The world is a ladder on which some go up and others go down”
Plot/Summary: Sixteen year-old Carmen is a high school dropout and works at the local quickmart, but aspires to be a famous singer along with her band the Gypsy Lovers. Her path crosses the life of cadet Ryan Sweeney, a military man by family, as seventeen year-old he is enrolled in the military school trying to make his father proud. Ryan has never fell madly in love with a girl until he meets Carmen, who at first she initiates the romance, but then is annoyed with clingliness Ryan is demonstrating. Carmen identifies herself as a gypsy, a free spirited individual that belongs to no one, but Ryan want to own her, want to claim her as his. Ryan completely derails his future in the military for the affection of Carmen, loses his friends, the respect of his father, and ultimately ends up incarcerated for his obsession over Carmen Navarro. Carmen is a compassionate human being that cares for her elderly grandparents, but is also fixated over achieving fame with her voice.
Target Audience: ages 12 and up.
Curriculum ties: U.S. history, Valley Forge,
Awards: NA
Personal/Critical response: This book will be an excellent read for both boys and girls, and students from both middle school and high school since it deals with teen romance, first love. It is fantastically written, and I truly enjoyed the format of having each chapter being narrated by a different main character of the story. It was an opportunity to read about the event through the mind of a different character, and at the same time offering additional informational to one single event. The book could be inspirational for some adolescents that dream of achieving fame, and making understand that it is hard work, and it is always good to have a backup plan. Throughout the reading I could not help but think of books by Gary Soto, as the two main characters spoke Spanish in their conversations. I highly recommend this book for the story line and the format it was written in, and theme of the story, which is about young love.
May 22, 2011
I just finished this book... it thought it was really good!
Some things I liked about it:
~I loved how it switched from person to person, it gave you an idea of what the different people were thinking throughtout the whole book.
~The ending was...different. Im not going to give anything away because I know some of the people reading this are wondering if they should read this book or not. so, the ending; it was deffenitly unexpected!
~I was kind of onboard with the whole spanish part of it. sometime the girls would speak a little, but after awhile you know what they mean; for example: Carmen calles her grandparents something in spanish. you quickly realize that she is talking about her grandparents. You can tell the girls are from spanish heratige. That adds a little bit of a twist.
Some things I didnt like about the book:
~This is different for everybody so dont be discouraged if you read this and your hopes for this book sink. im not someone to get involved with a book on gypsies or any of that kind of stuff. I more prefer a book with normal humans, but like I said, everyones different. For this book, you have to understand that the main charecter is a gypsie. It dosent really matter, but the book does revolve around her beliefs as a gypsie.
~ Another factor that threw me off was that Carmen, the main charecter, needs her space, so if your looking for a book where the couple are with each other, having fun, then you can still read this one, but there is like one or two pages or romance, kissing Etc.
So these are some goods and bads of this book. I gave it a 4 out of 5 because even though im not one for gypies, it was still good, a better word to describe it would be Unique! Just give it a try, its only around 230 pages, so its not like it drags on forever, it only took like two days to finish. If you do decide to read it, enjoy! If you dont, thats fine, enjoy other books! :)
Some things I liked about it:
~I loved how it switched from person to person, it gave you an idea of what the different people were thinking throughtout the whole book.
~The ending was...different. Im not going to give anything away because I know some of the people reading this are wondering if they should read this book or not. so, the ending; it was deffenitly unexpected!
~I was kind of onboard with the whole spanish part of it. sometime the girls would speak a little, but after awhile you know what they mean; for example: Carmen calles her grandparents something in spanish. you quickly realize that she is talking about her grandparents. You can tell the girls are from spanish heratige. That adds a little bit of a twist.
Some things I didnt like about the book:
~This is different for everybody so dont be discouraged if you read this and your hopes for this book sink. im not someone to get involved with a book on gypsies or any of that kind of stuff. I more prefer a book with normal humans, but like I said, everyones different. For this book, you have to understand that the main charecter is a gypsie. It dosent really matter, but the book does revolve around her beliefs as a gypsie.
~ Another factor that threw me off was that Carmen, the main charecter, needs her space, so if your looking for a book where the couple are with each other, having fun, then you can still read this one, but there is like one or two pages or romance, kissing Etc.
So these are some goods and bads of this book. I gave it a 4 out of 5 because even though im not one for gypies, it was still good, a better word to describe it would be Unique! Just give it a try, its only around 230 pages, so its not like it drags on forever, it only took like two days to finish. If you do decide to read it, enjoy! If you dont, thats fine, enjoy other books! :)
January 21, 2011
The Fortune of Carmen Navarro was a good read, but I definitely felt like there was something missing. I read this book in two days, because I was just waiting to find out that Carmen was a gypsy with a supernatural power of seduction or something like that! But, in the end that was not the case and it just fell flat for me. Don’t get me wrong though the storyline is actually very good and different, being that it is based on an opera. So, if you are looking for a supernatural twist, this is not the book for you.
I really loved that this book was written in the perspectives of four people: Carmen, Ryan, Will, and Maggie. This was great because I never got bored and I got to venture into each of their personal lives.
Carmen is a sexy and beautiful girl who is half-gypsy. According to her best friend and ‘sister’, Maggie, all the guys flock to her and she uses them for a short time and moves on. I actually liked Carmen and that may be because she’s full of life and likes to have fun.
Carmen has a band called The Gypsy Lovers. She gets all her ideas and writes her songs based on her relationships. When Ryan and Will, cadets from the near-by military academy, visit the Quikmart where Carmen works, she writes a song about Ryan.
Ryan is shy and cute and Carmen of course decides to reel him into her ‘web’. Ryan is a straight-A student that studies hard and when he feels so connected with her he wants to forget about school. Then there’s a twist, but I’m definitely not telling you what that is! I will tell you that Ryan loves Carmen and things get too serious, too quickly.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book, but it was just a side read, not one to absorb all your attention! A good quick read.
I really loved that this book was written in the perspectives of four people: Carmen, Ryan, Will, and Maggie. This was great because I never got bored and I got to venture into each of their personal lives.
Carmen is a sexy and beautiful girl who is half-gypsy. According to her best friend and ‘sister’, Maggie, all the guys flock to her and she uses them for a short time and moves on. I actually liked Carmen and that may be because she’s full of life and likes to have fun.
Carmen has a band called The Gypsy Lovers. She gets all her ideas and writes her songs based on her relationships. When Ryan and Will, cadets from the near-by military academy, visit the Quikmart where Carmen works, she writes a song about Ryan.
Ryan is shy and cute and Carmen of course decides to reel him into her ‘web’. Ryan is a straight-A student that studies hard and when he feels so connected with her he wants to forget about school. Then there’s a twist, but I’m definitely not telling you what that is! I will tell you that Ryan loves Carmen and things get too serious, too quickly.
Overall, I enjoyed reading this book, but it was just a side read, not one to absorb all your attention! A good quick read.
January 14, 2013
I wish I could give this book a higher rating, but due to personal feelings about the book I can't. Firstly, the chapters were told in alternating views between 4 different characters and often they would jump to the past and I would become confused. There seemed to be a lot of details that didn't really pertain to the subject of the story, kind of reminded me of "white noise". Secondly, the over usage of "OK" throughout the entire book. It got to the point that I saw the word everywhere. I think I even counted it being used on a single page a total of four times! I just think that is overkill for a single two-letter word. Thirdly, Ryan became a character that I truly started to dislike. After meeting Carmen, he acted like a truly love sick puppy and became very obsessive. I just find that someone falling head over heels for someone after having a two sentence conversation highly unrealistic. I understand that the book was based on the opera Carman, and maybe if I had seen the opera I would feel differently, but as it currently stands the book is getting a two star rating from me.
January 8, 2011
Carmen is my favorite opera, and I have long thought it would be great set in a modern retelling. Bryant does a pretty good job with the transplant, and really gets to the heart of her characters. However, the shifting narratives were a little clumsy - do I really need to see the same minute-long scene through multiple perspectives? That didn't add anything in most parts of the book. Also - the ending was a huge huge let-down. To me, it's really important that at the end of the story they are both completely destroyed by what happened - Carmen dead and Don Jose is basically ruined forever. Here? They both got a new beginning, and I think that rendered the whole thing toothless and relatively meaningless. How can you say that Carmen was the love of Jose/Ryan's life and then have such an empty anti-climactic conclusion? It was limp, and a lame-o bullshit copout. Minus *two* stars for the ending; otherwise it would have been a pretty decent book.
November 4, 2014
This was a quick and refreshing read. We get to see the story unfold from the perspective of four main characters. It starts a little weird with the opening scene being told by everyone's perspective. We get to see things play out through each person's eye, each bringing something new to the table. It played off of how each person can interpret the same thing differently. However, it was a little weird, and somewhat boring to read the same scene four times in a row.
But that's where the redundancy ends. From that point onward, each person moves the story forward. You get to see different perspectives for ongoing events. There are no 'dull moments.' Each section, each person has something important to say, and again they literally push events forward.
Some of the events and one of the characters extreme actions were a little unrealistic in the sense that they broke "suspension of disbelief."
Beyond that, I enjoyed this story. It was a nice break away from the ongoing trends.
But that's where the redundancy ends. From that point onward, each person moves the story forward. You get to see different perspectives for ongoing events. There are no 'dull moments.' Each section, each person has something important to say, and again they literally push events forward.
Some of the events and one of the characters extreme actions were a little unrealistic in the sense that they broke "suspension of disbelief."
Beyond that, I enjoyed this story. It was a nice break away from the ongoing trends.
June 14, 2019
The dual perspectives on this book was poorly written.The author should’ve been wrote more point of views of Ryan and less of Maggie.
Carmen had annoyed me when all of sudden she started liking Lenny from liking Ryan. Technically it was her fault, probably if she didn’t throw Ryan out of her life, he wouldn’t be in juvenile. Ryan fell in love with the wrong girl.
I would be willing to read more about Will’s life since he was the only understandable one and Maggie was just all about her school life which didn’t really needed to be in the story.
The story went a bit too fast, I did enjoy the beginning parts of the story like Will and Ryan going to the deli and seeing Maggie and Carmen with Will trying to act like he smokes. It was also really cute of Ryan and Carmen somewhat date, of drinking liquor telling each other stuff and the kiss!
But seriously the dual perspective was poorly done.
Carmen had annoyed me when all of sudden she started liking Lenny from liking Ryan. Technically it was her fault, probably if she didn’t throw Ryan out of her life, he wouldn’t be in juvenile. Ryan fell in love with the wrong girl.
I would be willing to read more about Will’s life since he was the only understandable one and Maggie was just all about her school life which didn’t really needed to be in the story.
The story went a bit too fast, I did enjoy the beginning parts of the story like Will and Ryan going to the deli and seeing Maggie and Carmen with Will trying to act like he smokes. It was also really cute of Ryan and Carmen somewhat date, of drinking liquor telling each other stuff and the kiss!
But seriously the dual perspective was poorly done.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
September 13, 2014
Does it make me a bad person if I thought that Ryan should've killed Carmen and then maybe himself. When Ryan held a gun to Carmen I was screaming him, do it shoot her. Ryan just had a nervous breakdown and needed an obsession, if it hadn't been Carmen it would've been something or someone else. I really, really didn't like Carmen. She was fake and superficial. Why did she care so much about being free. If my mother just abandoned me when I was a child I would do my best to be nothing like her. She knows how that story ends. The girls broken English got annoying after a while. It was weird and out of character. There English should have been much better. They would've learned English at a young age and had time to perfect it. The author could've at least given me a failed music dream for Carmen. But no she gets the record deal and Ryan gets juvie and a continued obsession with Carmen.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 28, 2024
Language - R (34 swears, 0 "f"), Sexual Content - PG; Violence - PG
Carmen is a free spirit, she dropped out of school and has a gig to play for record label representatives. Ryan is a shy, red-faced boy who is expected to be a good boy with good grades and go on to be a good soldier and that's his plan, until he meets Carmen. After the first glance of Carmen, Ryan knew she was his. How can a free spirit be contained by a boy used to taking orders? She can't.
I'm not sure how I feel about this book. It was good, but the way Ryan changes threw me off. I liked him at first, but eventually I just felt confused by his actions. I almost with there were a few more chapters so that I could sort out my feelings for it.
Reviewed for https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/
Carmen is a free spirit, she dropped out of school and has a gig to play for record label representatives. Ryan is a shy, red-faced boy who is expected to be a good boy with good grades and go on to be a good soldier and that's his plan, until he meets Carmen. After the first glance of Carmen, Ryan knew she was his. How can a free spirit be contained by a boy used to taking orders? She can't.
I'm not sure how I feel about this book. It was good, but the way Ryan changes threw me off. I liked him at first, but eventually I just felt confused by his actions. I almost with there were a few more chapters so that I could sort out my feelings for it.
Reviewed for https://kissthebook.blogspot.com/
February 7, 2012
Carmen is a decent opera. I love the twist that it was made into a modern novel, retelling the story. From the opera to the book, it was pretty decent in switching the times in which the opera/book actually occur. At times I found it a bit much. Especially the scenes seen through so many views. It left me a bit bored and ready to pull my hair out by the end of the book. I feel as if the author was stumbling with this book and the editor did as best as she could to "correct" this issue but it just wasn't enough. The ending was a complete flop, it made me sincerely wonder what on earth this author was thinking. I'm really at a loss, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone.
July 22, 2016
i really wanted to like this book. i read an ARC, so maybe that's why the editing was sloppy. ryan was quiet, not quite. and it irritated me that no one double checked the spanish. although she thanks someone at the end for the spanish help, that woman clearly did not read it. there were spelling and grammatical errors.
it also bothered me that these girls who are bilingual, but grew up in the US speak english like they do. no one i know who grew up speaking two languages, and learned english in the us actually speaks this way.
otherwise, i thought it was a good story, but being more careful with that could have made it better.
it also bothered me that these girls who are bilingual, but grew up in the US speak english like they do. no one i know who grew up speaking two languages, and learned english in the us actually speaks this way.
otherwise, i thought it was a good story, but being more careful with that could have made it better.
March 22, 2012
I wanted to like this book so badly, but I didn't like Carmen. At all. I thought she was callous, fairly shallow, and quite frankly rude to lead the boys on when she had no intention of pursuing a relationship.
However, I DID like Maggie and Ryan. Maggie was my favorite - I wish she was more of a main character. And Ryan... I felt bad for Ryan on so many levels.
At any rate, it wasn't a bad story - it was told very well, and it was interesting. I felt like I didn't understand most of the references because I didn't see the opera or read the novella, though...
However, I DID like Maggie and Ryan. Maggie was my favorite - I wish she was more of a main character. And Ryan... I felt bad for Ryan on so many levels.
At any rate, it wasn't a bad story - it was told very well, and it was interesting. I felt like I didn't understand most of the references because I didn't see the opera or read the novella, though...
February 2, 2012
"In this modern-day resetting of the story on which the opera, Carmen, was based, four teens tell of half-gypsy Carmen, who believes she will become a famous singer, military cadet Ryan's passion for her, and their best friends' efforts to protect them both."
While there isn't anything that would keep it out of the middle school library, I'm not sure it would appeal to middle school students. I thought it was a decent story about obsessive love.
While there isn't anything that would keep it out of the middle school library, I'm not sure it would appeal to middle school students. I thought it was a decent story about obsessive love.
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November 21, 2010Another story with multiple narrators, and this one bogs down the pace of the narrative. Not much happens, really, and it happens 4 times or so.
Bryant has written novels in verse, and this has the lyrical writing of a novel in verse, but also the shallow exploration.
I also really didn't know why the ending was changed. That seemed wrong somehow.
Bryant has written novels in verse, and this has the lyrical writing of a novel in verse, but also the shallow exploration.
I also really didn't know why the ending was changed. That seemed wrong somehow.
September 29, 2011
Stupid storyline copied right from the opera that I saw. I go to Valley Forge Military and the way it is described in the book is nothing like it is in real life. I was laughing half the time because of the inaccuracies. Story line was unrealistic. I could not figure out who was who until halfway through the book. I recommend it by all means if you want to waste your time. BADREAD.
December 11, 2010
I'd give this book 4.5 stars. Although a teen book, the story was interesting and well-written.
July 5, 2011
I hated the ending and I felt really had for ryan.
December 23, 2010
Why aren't there 1/2 stars?? This book was definitely more than a 3 but not quite 4. 3.5 would be perfect. Good read.
December 29, 2010
A retelling of the opera, Carmen, Jen Bryant has crafted a fascinating story. Highly recommended.
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