The September Sisters - Jillian Cantor

Summary:

Abigail Reed and her younger sister, Becky, are always at each other's throats. Their mother calls them the September Sisters, because their birthdays are only a day apart, and pretends that they're best friends. But really, they delight in making each other miserable. Then Becky disappears in the middle of the night, and a torn gold chain with a sapphire heart charm is the only clue to the mystery of her kidnapping. Abby struggles to cope with her own feelings of guilt and loss as she tries to keep her family together. When her world is at its bleakest, Abby meets a new neighbor, Tommy, who is dealing with his own loss, and the two of them discover that love can bloom, even when it's surrounded by thorns.

This exquisitely written first novel illustrates life as it truly is—filled with fear and danger, hope and love, comfort and uncertainty.

[Thank you amazon!]

The Simplified Version:

Plot: 19/20
Characters: 20/20
Writing: 20/20
Originality: 20/20
Entertainment: 9/10
Recommendation: 10/10
Total: 98/100
Rating: A, or five hearts.



Review:

The September Sisters is a wonderful first book by Jillian Cantor. The feelings in it are raw and you'll feel them. If you don't, you're just really cold-hearted and have no feeling. They just scream right off the page. That's the one amazing thing about this book -- the feelings.

The other amazing thing about this book is how well Jillian Cantor got into Abby's head. The emotions that Abby was feeling at any given point were all feelings that I would feel in the same situation. This book has a range of emotions that range from disbelief to sadness to depression to love. It's just a whole range of emotions that are all written beautifully.

You really see Abby grow during the two years of this book. The characterization is wonderful, and the growth was just... wow. And how it was written. Just wow is all I can think of to describe it.

The September Sisters is a wonderful book that you will not forget. The overly-real story will make you think about your own life and what would happen if it happened to you. You will be able to relate to Abby no matter what's ever happened to you, and you'll never, ever, forget her story.

Thank to you Jillian for sending me a signed ARC, also! :D

hope.