Title: Class Collision
Author: Annette Mackey
Publisher: Outskirts Press
Published: Aug. 13, 2010
Genre: Young Adult
Genre: Young Adult
Pages: 283
Source: Author
Born into wealth and privilege, David spends his days rattling the servants and torturing the maid until he is kidnapped for ransom and left for dead. Grueling years follow until he meets Linda. She's sassy, pigheaded, beautiful and way more than he can possibly handle. Hate, love and passion combine as he tries to win her heart. She sees him as a drifter. Little does she know he's a prince in disguise.Taken from Goodreads.
Class Collision follows the story of David, born into a life of privilege, wealth, and notoriety – that is, until it’s all whisked away in an instant. David is kidnapped, held captive, then left for dead…but he doesn’t die. He survives and learns to live in his new life. It’s tedious, but it works. Then he meets Linda. Linda is gorgeous and precocious, thinks David is penniless, and for some reason, David is completely taken with her. Can the two find love in the uncertain times of the Great Depression, or will their collective secrets tear them apart before they truly connect?
I have a fascination with the time period of the Great Depression, so when I heard the setting of Class Collision, I was extremely excited to give it a go. Author, Annette Mackey has created a rich coming-of-age story that asks the age-old question – can money buy you happiness? Alive with detail and flowing prose, the story is filled to the brim with morals and values without ever feeling preachy or tedious. Rather, Class Collision lets love drive the plot of the story.
I’ll admit I didn’t know a thing about Class Collision when I first picked it up, but that didn’t hinder the story a single bit. David plays the likeable protagonist well, and we watch his transformation from a spoiled and arrogant child into a young man of integrity and grace. Linda’s transformation is slower and more defined, but every bit as poignant as David’s. Their journey to ultimate self-discovery of one another fuels the plot and value of Class Collision, breathing life into the story. There were a few spots that were a bit too descriptive for my taste, but overall, the balance between characters and plot was flawless. I also have to be nit-picky and say that I really dislike the cover...that said, the story far exceeds the cover.
I was definitely pleasantly surprised by just how beautiful Class Collision was. I give it a very strong 4.5 out of 5, and I am definitely going to read the sequel in the Fall From Grace series, called Phoenix Rising. I would recommend this to both a YA and adult audience, especially for those who enjoy coming-of-age stories, contemporary fiction, and historical fiction.
I received this book free of charge from the author in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.
Lovely review as usual Melissa, I'm glad you reviewed this one as I probably would have passed over this one based on the cover, it looks almost like a textbook cover. I love stories where the protagonists grow and transform into someone I respect and root for, so maybe I'll give this one a try!
ReplyDeleteThis isn't my typical read, but I think that I am definitely going to have to check it out! It just sounds so gosh darn intriguing!
ReplyDelete:)
I am happy that you liked it. Not a book for me though, I just can't connect, but such a good thing, my TBR pile is too big ;)
ReplyDeleteI found that as I was reading the synopsis, I was so intrigued that I was hoping you'd like it! I live for description, I don't know why, but I just do, so this would probably perfect for me.
ReplyDeleteThank you for reviewing, Melissa! I hadn't heard of this book before, and I don't like the cover either, but now I'm super exciting about giving it a try.
I cant wait to read this...its on hold at my library...:D Lovely review
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review Melissa! This isn't something that I would usually read, but I think I'll give it a try.
ReplyDelete-Danna
I really love the sound of this book. For some reason, I do love it when a girl falls for a guy, but she doesn't really knows about his true identity. The revelation part surely be intriguing.
ReplyDeleteNot entirely sure if this book will ever made it to my shore, but I *really* hope that it will. Sounds VERY good!
I really like coming of age and historical fiction. Goes to show not to judge a book by it's cover. ;D You definitely got my interest so I'll have to pick this one up sometime.
ReplyDeleteLovely, lovely review. I think you had me wanting to read this one even before the second paragraph of your review. I absolutely love books that show character development. Thank you for the review, m'dear. ♥
ReplyDeleteGreat review Melissa. Had I just looked at the cover, I would have skipped the novel, but it actually sounds really good. I'll be putting this one on my wishlist!
ReplyDeleteI love a book where the character grows. I'm with you... don't care for the cover. Thanks for the review! Now, I will put it on my wishlist.
ReplyDeleteWonderful review, Melissa! I hope I can find a copy of this one because I so want to read it. It is perfect for me, an Accountancy student who loves contemp and historical fiction.
ReplyDeleteHmm... I've never heard of this one & the synopsis doesn't scream to me. I glad you liked it. After your review it sounds like a hidden gem.
ReplyDeleteIt looks like you have a major row of highly rated books. Lucky you!!
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I so agree with Jenny - had you not reviewed this, I would have point blanked ignored this book based on it's cover and the rather blandish synopsis. May just have to give this one a try.
ReplyDeleteI love the sound of this one! Melissa, I think you write such excellent reviews. I'm off to look on my library's website now to see if they have this one. I also love to read about The Great Depression.
ReplyDeleteI love when a book surprises me :) Great review as usual ;)
ReplyDeleteThis sounds fascinating, but the cover doesn't feel like it matches the book. It reminds me of Dead Poet's Society or something - not a Depression-era coming of age story.
ReplyDeleteI think I got my love of story from my dad who use to tell me about his childhood living in Chicago and struggles during the depression. So this sounds like a book that I will really enjoy for its setting alone. Thanks for the great review.
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