Helpful Score: 10
I'm a huge Simon and Garfunkle fan, so when I skimmed the book jacket of Impossible and learned the story was built around the ballad "Scarborough Fair" (one of my favorites), I was hooked.
However, I had no idea what a wonderful read I was in for. In Impossible, Nancy Werlin has created a modern fairy tale and love story that is impossible to put down. (Sorry, I couldn't resist.) Honestly, I haven't been as wowwed, as entralled or as sucked into a romance since the first time I read Twilight.
Seventeen-year-old Lucy Scarborough is a grounded, hard-working kid that has a good life. She has an almost-boyfriend named Gray that she really likes. She has wonderful, supportive foster parents. Her childhood best friend and former neighbor, Zach, is home from college and staying with her family for the summer. The only dark spot is Lucy's biological mother Miranda -- insane, homeless and suddenly following Lucy wherever she goes, and singing a version of the old folk song Scarborough Fair that is unique to their family.
Lucy's ordered life is soon turned upside down by a family curse that has claimed the infant daughters -- and the sanity -- of all Scarborough women for hundreds of years. To break the curse and save herself and her bloodline, Lucy must complete three impossible tasks outlined in the words of the song. But is her family really cursed by some mythical threat? Or is Lucy really fighting heredity and a history of teenage onset mental illness that is generations long?
I have nothing but praise for every element of Impossible. The characters were well developed, and I was completely invested in their plight. The story was original and inventive -- I was stumped trying to solve the riddles posed by the song, and enjoyed Werlin's masterfully researched and imagined solutions.
I would recommend this book to anyone, with one caveat: there is some sensitive subject matter that may make the book more appropriate for readers over 14 or so. Werlin does not exploit the more mature elements of the book, they are fairly brief and tastefully handled, and they are only included out of necessity to advance the plot of the book.
This truly is a must read if you enjoyed Twilight, which many adult and teen readers (like me) loved. And even if sparkly vampires aren't your thing, don't let that stop you from giving Impossible a try. Its female central character is very strong and independant, the love story is healthy and balanced and the book overall is full of imagination, legend and hope.
However, I had no idea what a wonderful read I was in for. In Impossible, Nancy Werlin has created a modern fairy tale and love story that is impossible to put down. (Sorry, I couldn't resist.) Honestly, I haven't been as wowwed, as entralled or as sucked into a romance since the first time I read Twilight.
Seventeen-year-old Lucy Scarborough is a grounded, hard-working kid that has a good life. She has an almost-boyfriend named Gray that she really likes. She has wonderful, supportive foster parents. Her childhood best friend and former neighbor, Zach, is home from college and staying with her family for the summer. The only dark spot is Lucy's biological mother Miranda -- insane, homeless and suddenly following Lucy wherever she goes, and singing a version of the old folk song Scarborough Fair that is unique to their family.
Lucy's ordered life is soon turned upside down by a family curse that has claimed the infant daughters -- and the sanity -- of all Scarborough women for hundreds of years. To break the curse and save herself and her bloodline, Lucy must complete three impossible tasks outlined in the words of the song. But is her family really cursed by some mythical threat? Or is Lucy really fighting heredity and a history of teenage onset mental illness that is generations long?
I have nothing but praise for every element of Impossible. The characters were well developed, and I was completely invested in their plight. The story was original and inventive -- I was stumped trying to solve the riddles posed by the song, and enjoyed Werlin's masterfully researched and imagined solutions.
I would recommend this book to anyone, with one caveat: there is some sensitive subject matter that may make the book more appropriate for readers over 14 or so. Werlin does not exploit the more mature elements of the book, they are fairly brief and tastefully handled, and they are only included out of necessity to advance the plot of the book.
This truly is a must read if you enjoyed Twilight, which many adult and teen readers (like me) loved. And even if sparkly vampires aren't your thing, don't let that stop you from giving Impossible a try. Its female central character is very strong and independant, the love story is healthy and balanced and the book overall is full of imagination, legend and hope.
Helpful Score: 5
I thought the general idea of this book was good. However, I didn't really like how it played out. The main "bad" event (don't want to give spoilers away here) seemed really senseless. I would have liked to see the plot go in another direction, but then I'm not the author. It wasn't a very memorable read for me, and I started skimming halfway through it just to hurry up and get to the end.
Having said that, I do like Werlin. I'd recommend her other books. It's just this one that seemed senseless. Not to mention, the "solution" to the whole "situation" (it's hard to review without spoilers!) seemed really contrived. As if the author was stretching the events to make them fit.
Having said that, I do like Werlin. I'd recommend her other books. It's just this one that seemed senseless. Not to mention, the "solution" to the whole "situation" (it's hard to review without spoilers!) seemed really contrived. As if the author was stretching the events to make them fit.
I picked up this book because the plot/concept was very interesting. It was an easy read and I enjoyed it. However, I did feel like Lucy's three impossible tasks took an backseat to her and her family's story. I felt like the plot involving her tasks was tacked on to a story about making life choices and growing up.
Helpful Score: 2
Main character was so imature, it was painful to read (even for YA book). Writing is chopy and not ingaging. By chapter 3 I cared NOT for anyone in the story, and skippend whole pages of background stories writing which just showed how selfish and imature the 'herione' was. Couldnt finish it, though I tried.
Helpful Score: 1
I felt like this book was really predictable. From the very beginning I knew who the guy was and of course she has all the time to complete the tasks and it comes down to right before her birth. The romance was not believable.. The story was okaayy.. 2.5 out of 5. I wouldnt suggest it
Helpful Score: 1
A truely heart warming story of overcoming obsticles. Just had a great feeling on finishing this book
Helpful Score: 1
This is a good book that keeps the pages turning. A love story and a story about perseverance.
Helpful Score: 1
I really love this book. It combines a modern fantasy story with enough concrete details that you can easily believe and suspend all disbelief. Fantastic, but not overly so. Read it!
If you liked Twilight you will like this also. It says for Young Adult, but is an adult read also. It's a fantastic love, magical, haunting, suspense story about a battle between good and evil. It has the ring of a beautiful faiy tale. Lucy has a gift of special powers and is racing against time to escape the curse. This actually could be called a beautiful fantasy read. I loved it. I liked it better than Twilight i believe.
Great story that is very well written. I loved this book and could not stop reading it. I read it in one day within a couple hours. A great read that is with your time. His a very unique engaging book.
This book was....different. I avoided doing a review for a long time because I'm still confused on whether I liked it or not.
First, it has a really odd premise. If you do not want to know ANY thing about this book ahead of reading it, stop now. MILD SPOILER ALERT:
The antagonist is some sort of demon or evil character/spirit who claims mother/daughter and so on for generations, upon the girl's 18th birthday. How? By inhabiting a male body and raping her, impregnating her with his next victim. So technically, he's raping his own daughter to father the next daughter he plans to rape. Wonderful, right?
Once I realized what was going on, I was sickened, but finished the book anyway to see where the author was going with it. You can read the book cover and know most of what I just said.
Now, the writing was okay. It took me about 3 chapters to get into it and then I was pretty hooked. I could put it down and walk away, so not the best book ever, but I did want to see how it ended.
I did feel like Werlin fleshed out the main character pretty well, and did set up a sweet romance between the girl and her eventual boyfriend.
I was suprised at the topics covered in this book: rape, incest, marriage, sex, abortion.
I think it's considered Young Adult, something I disagree with. It's more like an adult book with a 18 yr old girl as the main character.
First, it has a really odd premise. If you do not want to know ANY thing about this book ahead of reading it, stop now. MILD SPOILER ALERT:
The antagonist is some sort of demon or evil character/spirit who claims mother/daughter and so on for generations, upon the girl's 18th birthday. How? By inhabiting a male body and raping her, impregnating her with his next victim. So technically, he's raping his own daughter to father the next daughter he plans to rape. Wonderful, right?
Once I realized what was going on, I was sickened, but finished the book anyway to see where the author was going with it. You can read the book cover and know most of what I just said.
Now, the writing was okay. It took me about 3 chapters to get into it and then I was pretty hooked. I could put it down and walk away, so not the best book ever, but I did want to see how it ended.
I did feel like Werlin fleshed out the main character pretty well, and did set up a sweet romance between the girl and her eventual boyfriend.
I was suprised at the topics covered in this book: rape, incest, marriage, sex, abortion.
I think it's considered Young Adult, something I disagree with. It's more like an adult book with a 18 yr old girl as the main character.
This is not at all what I expected, but I really enjoyed the book anyway. It was only made better by the references to my favorite musicians: Simon & Garfunkel. :)
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was fast paced and very different than most books I have read. I loved the characters and how they were developed. I love books that have to do with mental illness and this had a touch of it, but not too much. It also included family history and secrets that I also enjoy reading. This is a fantasy book in the fact that there is magic and curses, as well as creatures that live through several centuries. If you do not like books that are not "reality" this is not for you. I thought it was a fantastic mixture of fantasy, suspense, and romance.
An excellent "fairy tail" in a contemporary setting. A great quick read
Reviewed by Sally Kruger aka "Readingjunky" for TeensReadToo.com
Nancy Werlin uses a variation of the folksong "Scarborough Fair" as the backdrop for an interesting combination of mystery, fantasy, suspense, and the paranormal.
Generations ago an angry elfin knight placed a curse on the young women of the Scarborough clan. Each girl became pregnant as a teen and upon giving birth to a daughter, each girl went insane. The only way to break the curse was to complete three tasks described in the lyrics of the song. Until now it seemed the curse would carry on forever.
Lucy Scarborough, now seventeen, has always known her birth mother was Miranda Scarborough, but luck brought her into the lives of Leo and Soledad Markowitz. They have raised her since birth and understand the complications of her life story. Through the years they have been plagued by visits from Miranda. Her insanity has been the cause of many embarrassing situations. Now, as Lucy is approaching her last year in high school, she hopes that she can avoid anymore encounters with her crazy mother and get on with her life.
Early in the story, Lucy is preparing for her prom and her date with Gray Spencer. Her adopted parents are nervous about the date since it is one of her first, and they haven't actually met Gray. As the couple is posing for pictures and is about to leave for the evening, the unthinkable happens. Miranda shows up in her baggy T-shirt and flowing skirt, pushing her rusty shopping cart full of bottles and cans. Everyone is shocked when she begins to attack, throwing glass bottles at everyone in the yard. She is finally hauled away by the police, but not before Gray makes a get-away in his new car, leaving Lucy humiliated and dateless.
Just when Lucy is ready to give up on him and attend the prom with a long-time childhood friend, Gray returns, apologizes for running off, and begs her to still be his date. She happily accepts, but it proves to be the beginning of yet another horrible experience. As the two are leaving the prom later that evening, Gray takes Lucy aside and forces himself on her. The experience is not only terrible, but also puzzling as Lucy tries to connect the gentle high school boy with the vicious act and the sinister voice she hears during that attack.
Weeks after the prom, Lucy discovers she has followed in the footsteps of the Scarborough women and become a pregnant teen. Will her fate be the same? Will she give birth to a daughter, and will she lose her mind?
Werlin creates an interesting mix of past and present. Lucy seems one moment to be a typical teen, and the next, the victim of an ancient evil. The turning of each page reveals another fact about the family curse. The lyrics of the song provide the clues necessary to break the curse, but those clues are not crystal clear and require creative solutions from Lucy and her helpful family and friends. Encouraged by hope and love, Lucy fights to change the direction of her life at the same time as she learns to accept the hand fate has dealt. Werlin fans will not be disappointed.
Nancy Werlin uses a variation of the folksong "Scarborough Fair" as the backdrop for an interesting combination of mystery, fantasy, suspense, and the paranormal.
Generations ago an angry elfin knight placed a curse on the young women of the Scarborough clan. Each girl became pregnant as a teen and upon giving birth to a daughter, each girl went insane. The only way to break the curse was to complete three tasks described in the lyrics of the song. Until now it seemed the curse would carry on forever.
Lucy Scarborough, now seventeen, has always known her birth mother was Miranda Scarborough, but luck brought her into the lives of Leo and Soledad Markowitz. They have raised her since birth and understand the complications of her life story. Through the years they have been plagued by visits from Miranda. Her insanity has been the cause of many embarrassing situations. Now, as Lucy is approaching her last year in high school, she hopes that she can avoid anymore encounters with her crazy mother and get on with her life.
Early in the story, Lucy is preparing for her prom and her date with Gray Spencer. Her adopted parents are nervous about the date since it is one of her first, and they haven't actually met Gray. As the couple is posing for pictures and is about to leave for the evening, the unthinkable happens. Miranda shows up in her baggy T-shirt and flowing skirt, pushing her rusty shopping cart full of bottles and cans. Everyone is shocked when she begins to attack, throwing glass bottles at everyone in the yard. She is finally hauled away by the police, but not before Gray makes a get-away in his new car, leaving Lucy humiliated and dateless.
Just when Lucy is ready to give up on him and attend the prom with a long-time childhood friend, Gray returns, apologizes for running off, and begs her to still be his date. She happily accepts, but it proves to be the beginning of yet another horrible experience. As the two are leaving the prom later that evening, Gray takes Lucy aside and forces himself on her. The experience is not only terrible, but also puzzling as Lucy tries to connect the gentle high school boy with the vicious act and the sinister voice she hears during that attack.
Weeks after the prom, Lucy discovers she has followed in the footsteps of the Scarborough women and become a pregnant teen. Will her fate be the same? Will she give birth to a daughter, and will she lose her mind?
Werlin creates an interesting mix of past and present. Lucy seems one moment to be a typical teen, and the next, the victim of an ancient evil. The turning of each page reveals another fact about the family curse. The lyrics of the song provide the clues necessary to break the curse, but those clues are not crystal clear and require creative solutions from Lucy and her helpful family and friends. Encouraged by hope and love, Lucy fights to change the direction of her life at the same time as she learns to accept the hand fate has dealt. Werlin fans will not be disappointed.
If you loved Twilight, you will probably enjoy this book. If you thought Twilight was an appalling piece of dreck, you would probably rather die in a fire than read this book.
And, incidentally, Werlin's "solutions" to the "puzzle" proposed by the song are incredibly poorly thought out.
And, incidentally, Werlin's "solutions" to the "puzzle" proposed by the song are incredibly poorly thought out.
