Folly

Reader: Elise S
Age: 14
Title: Folly
Author: Marthe Jocelyn
Publisher: Wendy Lamb Books
Pub Date: May/11/10
Galley: Yes
Nominate for Teens’ Top 10: No
Recommend: No
Compelling Aspect of the Book: The descriptions of Victorian London put me in the book, combating the badly described characters. The relationship between the mother and the son was interesting to follow too.
Were you disappointed with the book at all: the book had a very strong beginning - a good amount of struggle and mystery to keep me guessing, and I thought I knew how the story was going to be told. Right. Then the author started to tell the story from random points of view, like the boy's teacher, and the mother's coworker. The time period jumping wasn't well done at all, it was very choppy. The rules and enforcement at the foundling home was so lax it was implausible.
Comments: The whole book didn't stand out, it was just blah.
Did the cover tempt you and/or reflect the contents: The cover was very compelling, and somewhat related to the book. I liked the dark background, and the Victorian print back cover. The person intrigued me, she looked very statuesque, and the cracks were perfect. The alive hair and eye were a great touch. The cover drew me in, and was very creative. It stood out on the shelf.
Did you finish: Yes
Age Range: 12-17
Quality: 2Q Needs more work
Popularity: 3P Some teen appeal