The Darlings Are Forever Review

Monday, January 31, 2011

Title: The Darlings are Forever
Author: Melissa Kantor
Publisher: Hyperion
Published: January 4, 2011
Genre: YA, Contemporary Fiction
Pages: 336
Source: Publisher

Jane, Victoria, and Natalya. Together, they are the Darlings. Best friends forever. They have matching necklaces, their own table at Ga Ga Noodle, and even a shared motto: May you always do what you’re afraid of doing.

When the friends begin freshman year at three different high schools in distant corners of New York City, they promise to live by their motto and stay as close as ever. The Darlings know they can get through anything as long as they have each other. But doing scary new things is a lot easier with your friends beside you. And now that the girls aren’t spending all their time together, everything they took for granted about their friendship starts to feel less certain. They can’t help but wonder, will they really be the Darlings forever?

Jane, Victoria and Natalya are best friends – always have been, always will be. They’ve been inseparable since kindergarten, but the time has finally come for the three girls to separate when they entered high school. One is in school for performing arts, one is desperate to stay under the radar while her father runs for Senate, and the third is attending a prestigious private school on scholarship. Three best friends now have three separate paths and must find the time to remain the best of friends or go their separate ways and grow apart.

When I received this book for review, it was described as a cross between The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and Sex & the City for the younger lot. First of all, let me say how much I loathe people saying this book is the “next something,” or “this book for the younger lot.” It implies too much, and it takes something away from the originality of the story for me, making it feel a bit lackluster and unappealing. I tend to look for things that break the mold. All that aside though, The Darlings are Forever is a sweet and sassy tale of three friends growing up and learning to stay the best of friends through both thick and thin. Melissa Kantor has a definitive writing voice that’s simple but accessible, and masters multiple points of view with ease.

The Darlings of Forever is, perhaps, not the most original story, but it’s definitely well-written and appealing despite not necessarily thinking outside of the contemporary fiction box. The three girls, Jane, Victoria and Natalya were each well-rounded and individual, they had their own voices and story lines, and the plot delicately wove these three stories into a single, sweeping arc about growing up and the value of friendship overpowering differences. The Darlings are Forever manages to balance three separate viewpoints and still hold individual voices for each, which is tricky, so I definitely appreciated that. I also thought the individual love interests were sweet and simple – not overdone or cliché – just nice and sweet, going with the theme of the book.

We all know I’m not the biggest fan of contemps, so when a book defies the odds and exceeds my expectations, you better believe I’m going to sing its praises. The Darlings are Forever is sweet and refreshing, and perhaps the most realistic portrayal of young girls growing up and being friends because, hey, not all teens are into drugs/sex/partying. I give it a very strong 4.5 out of 5, and I’d recommend this to all fans of YA, especially those who enjoy a good chick-lit and contemporary fiction.

I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

39 comments:

  1. I am liking the sound of this one more and more. Something totally different to what I usually read. I haven't read a good Chiclit for ages.

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  2. I really liked this book too and I agree with the drug/sex/partying part. I like how this book deals with friendship, but has those little speckles of teen life in it. Great review Melissa!
    -Danna

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  3. Thanks for your review Melissa !! I really have to buy this one !! =)

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  4. This sounds adorable!! Im adding it to the Tbr...:D

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  5. I keep reading mixed reviews about this one, so I think I'll have to decide for myself. Thanks for the review!

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  6. awesome review, Melissa!! I liked this one too. I liked how the drinking and partying was there, but the girls weren't into it.

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  7. You convinced me I need to read this. It sounds so fun and very cute. And I like reading about friendships. Great review!

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  8. I like the sound of this one, I like cute, sweet and simple when it's well done which it sounds like this one is! Nice that she managed to give all three girls very distinct voices without things being confusing or muddled. Fabulous review Melissa, I think this one needs to go on my list!

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  9. Sing baby sing! I think with so much focused on romance in YA, it is good to get away from that to shed some light on the importance of friendships.

    And yeah, I know what you mean about books that are push as "the next something." I think it automatically gives the book a negative impression instead of giving the book its own voice.

    You are totally becoming Contemp Girl, Melissa. But don't worry, so am I, surprisingly.

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  10. Undoubtedly a nice book but perhaps not for me. Romance I abhore, chick-lit I detest. It might be sweet and it's good not all YA books present teens as only partying, drinking and drugging lot and your review was trully interesting and persuading...ok maybe somewhere in the future...

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  11. I have to read this one! I'm in the mood for a good contemp. Thanks for the review!

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  12. I'm reading this one right now and I absolutely agree with your review. I also agree with the fact that it's definitely one for the younger crowd and I'm enjoying its simple sweetness.

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  13. Thanks for the great review. I like reading books with multiple viewpoints and voices - it adds to the variety and sense of connection. I like knowing all characters as intimately as possible. Thanks again!

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  14. I'm looking for some good contemporaries - trying to branch out from paranormal. Thanks!

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  15. Great review! It sounds so fun, now I want to read it!

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  16. I just scanned your review cuz I am in the middle of reading right now, but I love to hear that you enjoyed a book :)

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  17. This one sounds like a fun read! I've read a couple of good reviews of it lately!

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  18. A coontemp I could like :) And I am not a big fan of YA contemps either, but sometimes they just work

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  19. I love the sound of this one, I need a fun and light contemp once in a while! The cover is lovely too-sweet, girly and summery :)
    I enjoy books about teenage friendship more than issues with drugs/sex/partying. I agree with you abot taglines hailing books as the next something because they deserve to shine in their own light and not ride on the success of another. This one's going on my wishlist- thanks for the great review Melissa!

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  20. Great review! I agree with you on taglines. Sometimes I'll avoid reading a book because of it. For instance, if it says "the next Twilight." I think I'll check it out. The plot sounds interesting and so do the characters. I at first thought that was a castle in the background, but it's New York! LOL

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  21. I somehow had (have?) the feeling that this one is a bit young for my usual taste, but I'm so glad that it was enjoyable!

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  22. I always love Melissa's books, and since you gave this one such a great review, I'm definitely adding it to my wish list now!

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  23. This is really not my kind of read but after reading your review, I think I could probably enjoy it if I were to read it. It sounds sweet and light and so not what my life is currently like right now... maybe that's the appeal :)

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  24. Okay, I might have passed this one up with the Sex in the City for YA blurb. I am probably one of the few who doesn't love that show. However, I am now interested in this book due to your review. I like sweet YAs.

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  25. Sounds like a book to read with your friends. :) So glad you enjoyed it. And I have to say I love the background on the cover. :) Beautiful.

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  26. Thanks for the honest review! I had my doubts about this one, but now I think I will give it a try! I'm always looking for well written contemporary fiction to read and this one sounds very promising!

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  27. What a great review, Melissa. I don't read much comptemp either, but I'm hoping to dive into this one soon---I need something sweet and light after finishing Drought!

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  28. You've been lucky finding good books all in a row!

    I'm stuck! I don't know what to start next. I feel like nothing is sticking right now... and so early in the year :(

    Mad Scientist
    Steampunkery & Book Reviews
    Forbidden Steam  Adult- even the Mad Scientist gets naughty!

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  29. Now I'm definitely going to add this one to my wishlist! A story about friends growing up and moving apart is something I can definitely relate to and I'm always on a lookout for good contemporary fiction.

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  30. I saw this one at the bookstore and I've been thinking about it. I agree that it's nice to read about "normal girls." Sometimes I read books about teens doing all this crazy stuff and wonder how I didn't know about that stuff when I was a teen. I think it's not quite as prevalent in real life as in the literary world.

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  31. I didn't even have this on my radar and I love contemps. Running off to put this on the list. Great review Melissa :)

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  32. Even I detest it when a book is described as the "next something" especially when it's far from the truth. The Darlings are Forever seems like such a simple yet a sweet tale of friendship. It sounds perfect for a light comforting read.

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  33. Thanks for reviewing this one! I am so happy its good. I have been eying this book and now I know I will pick it up.

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  34. A 4.5? That did defy the odds. Great! Great review.

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  35. Great review! You make me want to read this even more!! However, I do not have a copy of this book, which also makes me jealous that you have it! Will have to get this book!!

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  36. Contemporaries are really catching my eye more and more. I've read some great ones recently and I may have to check this one out. It's good to know that you enjoyed it, considering you don't normally read contemps.

    I agree with you about the comparisons too. I'm more turned off by a book when it's being hailed as the next this or the next that.

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  37. This sounds great! I fell in love with the title, but wasn’t sure by synopsis alone if I’d dig this. Thanks for the great review :)

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  38. This is next on my TBR list...I appreciate your honest review, doll! I'm hoping I enjoy it :)

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  39. Ooo! I like the sound of this one. And it bugs me too when books are described as "the next ..." I hate that! Let me decide what the book is!

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