Meridian

Reader: Ashley G
Age: 17
Title: Meridian
Author: Amber Kizer
Publisher: Random House
Pub Date: 08/11/09
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: Yes
Recommend: Yes
Convince us to read book: There aren’t that many books these days about things that are NOT vampires or werewolves so finding one on the shelf that does not fit into one of those categories is a major relief. Of course, in breaking the tradition of buying one of those said overused topics – one must then go and declare to the world – LOOK! A BOOK THAT IS NOT A CLICHÉ, OVERUSED, AND IS ACTUALLY WELL WRITTEN! And proceed to stick it into everyone’s faces, looking quite innocent and saying two words “read this.”
Compelling Aspect of the Book: The one thing about Meridian that really made me want to read it was that it was different. Now I don’t know how many of us have noticed, but lately (after the….unfortunate…increase in the popularity of Twilight – which is SO overrated thank you very much.) many teen and young adult writers began to turn their novels into sappy love stories, with the ever so classic “I’m so perfect everyone loves me” main characters. It’s sick. And it’s wrong. Personally, I’d rather read a story about puppies rescuing a duck from a tree if it would speak out with individuality! Meridian is a story about an average teenage girl who witnesses a deadly crash, and before she can blink she is whisked away to her Great Aunt’s house in Revelation, Colorado. Facing unimaginable danger, she must discover how to be a Fenestra – a half-angel being that is a window for souls to pass into the afterlife, before it’s too late. Come on, angels, souls, mystery, and adventure. Who wouldn’t want to read it?
Did the cover tempt you and/or reflect the contents: The first thing you notice when you pick up a book is its cover, that goes for any book, but when you pick up Meridian it really isn't the cover that draws you in, it's the story itself. Although the cover is not "bad" in any way, it lacks the connection of the actual content in the book - where is the pizzazz? Sure you’ve got a sad and sorry little gothic girl, with a bunch of skulls and a few pretty red roses, it fits but it’s not what I would pick up and say “Oh my gosh. I love the cover – I wonder what the book is about!” and then proceed to read the excerpt and happily take it home with me. It’s not a bad cover, in relation to quite a few books these days it is wonderfully done, but the cover wasn’t what made me pick up the book; it was the title.
Did you finish: Yes
Age Range: 12-13, 14-15, 16-17, 18 up
Quality: 4Q Better than most
Popularity: 4P Broad general teen appeal