When the Stars Go Blue

When the Stars Go Blue by Caridad Ferrer 2010 (ARC)
Thomas Dunne Books/St. Martin's Griffin Press

Release Date: TODAY! GO. BUY. NOW.

Rating: 5!/5!

IQ (so so many) "The applause-that was a bonus, approval acknowledged with a deep, graceful curtsy and a grateful smile. But I didn't need it. When it was right, I could feel it. The audience-they didn't even exist in those moments. I wish I could describe it, but it was....gossamer. A fleeing sensation that coursed through my system like a drug. Lasting just long enough to block out all the pain and sweat and entice me to do it again. And again." Soledad pg.2

When the Stars Go Blue is a modern retelling of Carmen. Listen to the song that inspired the title here (utterly haunting/enchanting). Soledad is dance and dance is Soledad, it is her everything. It's the summer after graduation and she had planned on teaching at her ballet teacher's dance studio and then getting an apartment in NYC in order to audition for dance companies. However her plans change when her classmate Jonathan Crandall asks her to consider auditioning for the part of Carmen. The audition is for the drum and bugle corps he is a part of. The opportunity is a once in a lifetime and introduces Soledad to the competitive world of the drum and bugle corps, the thrill of dancing in front of a huge, live audience, and the wonder of falling in love for the first time. While she travels across the U.S. with the corps, she meets Taz, a Spanish soccer player with a silver streak in his hair. Taz is clearly into Soledad, but it doesn't matter, because she's in love with Jonathan. And you can't be in love with two people at once, right? But everything changes after one dramatic incident that could ruin more than one future.

"People always asked why I danced. Why I'd devoted so much of my life to something that seemed to offer so little in return. But good as I was with words, in this they kind of deserted me. Every once in a while, I wished I could talk about it. How dancing created this huge, chaotic jumble of emotions and adrenaline rushing through my bloodstream-the freedom and power that came from the ability to command my body so completely." If you have ever felt passionately about something, no doubt, you can relate to what Soledad is saying. This quote is on the 2nd page and it was then that I knew Soledad and I would get along just fine. Soledad is one of the most driven protagonists in YA that I've ever come across. In this novel, the similarities between the original Carmen (I've never seen the opera so I'm basing this off summaries I've found and the musical Carmen Jones, which I adore) and this retelling are harder to spot. One of them is in how ambitious Carmen was and how ambitious Soledad is. Plus they both live in the moment, a quality that Jonathan envies of Soledad. Furthermore Jonathan and Soledad have tempers, much like Don Jose and Carmen. There is a love triangle but there is no clear winner, not until the grand finale. Taz is probably the only guy with long hair I will ever see as utterly sexy (that silver streak!), and it doesn't hurt that he's a soccer player ;) There are no one-dimensional characters. Each character is very carefully fleshed out, the flaws becoming more evident while the plot thickens. There is an intense air throughout the whole novel since Carmen is a tragedy and you know that eventually there will be a dramatic conclusion.

The writing is indescribable. It is expressive and elegant and it has obvious that the author knows both the story of Carmen and the world of which she speaks (drum and bugle corps, dance). The passion for the subject matter leaps off the page, after all only a dancer could really name the indescribable feeling that dancing provides. The romance is steamy, not because it's particularly explicit but because there is so much longing between Soledad, Jonathan and Taz. "Felt as if we had a whole conversation in the glance we exchanged in the silence following his words. But it was a teasing sort of exchange, the words in a language I wasn't quite comprehending. That I didn't really want to understand yet. But in a way, I did. At least, I wanted to try." (pg. 208). The author clearly illustrates the confusion Soledad feels over the behavior of both Taz and Jonathan, the confusion of being in love and wanting someone so badly, you don't know what to do with yourself.

When the Stars Go Blue is a dazzling read set in a world that will be new to many readers (including myself). I've never been to a college football game or seen a drum and bugle corps perform, but now I really want to see one live! I can't say that it looks easy being in the color guard, playing an instrument, etc. but I now know from this book that it's not, it takes a ton of blood, sweat and tears (well I already knew that about playing an instrument and dancing but still). The fervor that Soledad feels for dance, that Taz feels for soccer and that Jonathan feels for playing the horn is a palpable feeling that anyone who has dedicated themselves to a craft of some sort can relate to. The romance will have any romantic swooning and the climax will have you gasp out loud (especially when witnessing the painful rebound Soledad must make, it's a struggle to say the least). Caridad Ferrer is definitely one of my favorite authors and I will read whatever she writes next, no questions (after all I swore I would never develop a crush on a literary character with long hair or for that matter, any guy with long hair. Until Taz came along). At one point Jonathan tells Soledad to "Own it.", own the role of Carmen. Caridad Ferrer owns this retelling of Carmen and just like her main character, she triumphantly makes it her own.

Disclosure: Received from Abby, I'm eternally grateful =D

PS I also read and loved Adios to My Old Life by Caridad Ferrer

Throwback Thursday: Adios to My Old Life

Adios to My Old Life by Caridad Ferrer

Rating: 4/5

IQ "I mean, really there's naive and then there's completely clueless." Ali pg. 57

In Adios to My Old Life we follow the musical, bumpy journey of seventeen year old Alegria Montero (I can't do accents on my computer but there should be an accent over the o in Adios and over the i in Alegeria, fyi). Ali is an excellent musician; she sings and plays the guitar and one day she hopes to be able to play her music to the largest audiences possible. she's tired of performing at small quinceaneras and other family parties. So she decides to audition for Oye Mi Canto (Hear My Song), which is basically the Latin American version of American Idol (except it sounds better and a lot more fun for the audience, maybe not the singers). Ali doesn't expect to make it and even if she does, her overprotective father will never let her go on the show. But Ali makes the show AND her father agrees to let her perform, but he's not happy about it. Ali has to figure out the complex world of showbiz; wardrobe, makeup, interviews, fans, jealous competitors and guys.

Ali would be my best friend. She's funny, down to earth and a talented musician! She never lets the fame get to her head, but at the same time she could be frustratingly naive. I liked that she was oblivious as to how popular she was, but at the same time, I felt that some events shouldn't have been totally unexpected. At first, I think it is very realistic that Ali would be surprised and overwhelmed by her popularity, but after her friends bring it to her attention, it should have stopped being a surprise to her (while still overwhelming, after all it must be so annoying and scary to always have people in your face and your private business). Yet, Ali was continually shocked by things that shouldn't have been a surprise. Other times I liked her naivete, she expected nothing and she was quite reserved, except on stage. I loved reading about how she felt so different, absolutely transformed, when she was performing. The other characters were all great as well, Ali had a wonderful support system. Ali's father is raising her on his own (her mother died when she was six) and he's overprotective, but he instilled in her, the love of music along with her talent. Their relationship is authentic, full of arguments and heart swelling moments. Most of the competitors weren't just plain awful, they were sweet and cared about each other (especially since Ali was 'the baby' of the group). The only thing that really bothered me about this novel was how hateful one character acted, and no reason was ever really given for it. I didn't understand why she didn't go after everyone equally, or at least those with talent greater than Ali's. The romance is a bit predictable and cheesy (especially the end, which was also incredibly frustrating) but very cute and a joy to read. They start out as friends and then become more.

I loved the idea behind Oye Mi Canto, to find the next big Latin superstar. Information about the competition was well done and the pros and cons of show business were displayed. I also really liked reading about the competitor's various performances, my favorite was "La Tortura" (the song by Shakira and Alejandro Sanz. If you don't know it, go listen to it).The musical scenes were described quite well, and really help make the story. One of the most interesting parts of the novel is in reading about the differences in Latin American television versus American television. For example, since Ali was a minor, the show decided she needed a chaperone and would have to stay at her own home, because Latin American audiences would not want to see a young girl living in a house with a bunch of strangers. Also, Oye Mi Canto takes place in a club, so the audience can dance. It's very different from reality competition shows where it's standing room only. Music lovers, especially Latinos, will enjoy the music references made, ranging from Shakira to Raul Malo. However, there are also references to non-Latino artists (after all good music is good music), such as Sting, Oscar Peterson and Jason Mraz.

Adios to My Old Life is one of my favorite books because I was able to really connect with the story and it made me even more proud of my heritage (from our musical history, to the humor, to the dancing and just EVERYTHING). I liked reading a book that celebrates Latino (especially Cuban) culture, but at the same time it pays homage to the music greats, artists who have helped shape the sound of America regardless of ethnic background. It contains witty conversations and observations, believable and engaging characters, the vibrant setting of Miami and a great soundtrack. The storyline is almost completely predictable (except the ending) and it wraps everything up neatly (though not necessarily happily). One of the most heartwarming moments of this book was seeing the relationship between Ali and her father grow.

PS I have to add that I can not wait for When the Stars Go Blue by Caridad Ferrer. It's a retelling of Carmen (the opera), set in the modern time in the midst of the competitive world of the drum corps. Read more about it here (this link was the best summary I could find, scroll down a bit. If you know of a better summary, let me know!)