Thu, December 13, 2012
Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay Review
Sea of Tranquility
By Katja Millay
Publication date: Nov. 13, 2012
Atria Books
Source: Publisher via NetGalley
Former piano prodigy Nastya Kashnikov wants two things: to get through high school without anyone learning about her past and to make the boy who took everything from her—her identity, her spirit, her will to live—pay.
Josh Bennett’s story is no secret: every person he loves has been taken from his life until, at seventeen years old, there is no one left. Now all he wants is be left alone and people allow it because when your name is synonymous with death, everyone tends to give you your space.
Everyone except Nastya, the mysterious new girl at school who starts showing up and won’t go away until she’s insinuated herself into every aspect of his life. But the more he gets to know her, the more of an enigma she becomes. As their relationship intensifies and the unanswered questions begin to pile up, he starts to wonder if he will ever learn the secrets she’s been hiding—or if he even wants to.
The Sea of Tranquility is a rich, intense, and brilliantly imagined story about a lonely boy, an emotionally fragile girl, and the miracle of second chances.
— Goodreads.com description
Oh, glory me, this book is good.
So here’s the deal with Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay: Nastya has gone through something major. We don’t know what, but we can tell from the get-go that she’s damaged and she had to escape to a new school to get away from it all. The not knowing part is something I love: things were revealed bit by bit — a few I saw coming and a few I didn’t. Either way, I adore suspense in a book, so I was hooked.
Then there’s Josh, he’s all sorts of damaged too. And then they find each other and it is sad and AMAZING all at the same time. If you love angst — think Easy by Tammara Webber or any of Simone Elkeles’ books — you are going to be all about this. I described it to a friend as “what I wanted Pushing the Limits to be,” if that means anything to you.
If you’re in the mood for some dramarama (AND KISSING!), I cannot recommend this one enough.
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I read. A lot. Mostly whatever YA novels the library has on hold for me that week. Sometimes grown-up books if my book club makes me.
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Rebecca @ Reading Wishes said:
I only found out about this recently and I was already super looking forward to it. After your review? I need this book NOW, stat, pronto. Why? “I described it to a friend as “what I wanted Pushing the Limits to be,” if that means anything to you.” That means something to me in spades! I was so hyped for PTL but it just… my expectations were too high. Amazing review for an amazing-sounding book. Great review, Anna! Oh, and KISSING? I’m in!
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Posted on: Thu, December 13, 2012
Ginger @ GReads! said:
After reading this book & thinking on it for a bit… I have some issues with it. The fact that it has me thinking after I’ve finished it though = a good sign!
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Anna Reply:
December 13th, 2012 at 8:54 am
I totally know what you mean — with books like this (total angst, 24/7), I get really caught up in the moment of them, but when I think back I see flaws. I definitely felt that way with this one…but I sort of don’t care. I felt the same way with Twilight. I’m pretty forgiving if something can capture my attention THAT much! xo
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Posted on: Thu, December 13, 2012
We Heart YA said:
Oh wow. This sounds really interesting and different. And while the cover doesn’t hint at ANYTHING in that synopsis (at least not to us…) it’s gorgeous enough that we forgive it. ;P
We Heart YA recently posted..Twitter Holiday
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Posted on: Thu, December 13, 2012
Brittany @ The Book Addict’s Guide said:
I absolutley loved this book. I was so invested in the characters and adored the way Millay had them jump off the page at me. I really felt like they were real people and it’s definitely a book I’ve been recommending to everyone!
Brittany @ The Book Addict’s Guide recently posted..Nutcase (Kate Holly #2) – Charlotte Hughes
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Posted on: Thu, December 13, 2012
estelle said:
I requested this book from NG as soon as you said that it was everything you wanted Pushing the Limits to be. I actually really enjoyed PTL so I’m intrigued by that comment so much. Looking forward to getting into it.
estelle recently posted..Estelle’s Holiday Music Mixer
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Posted on: Thu, December 13, 2012
Quinn @ Quinn’s Book Nook said:
Oh my gosh, I need to read this book. I have it from Netgalley, so I just need to sit my self down, and pick up my ipad.
Quinn @ Quinn’s Book Nook recently posted..Audio Review: Book of a Thousand Days by Shannon Hale
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Posted on: Thu, December 13, 2012
Alexa Y. said:
I am SO happy that I have this one on hand, because it sounds really good! I can’t wait to check it out for myself
Alexa Y. recently posted..Eleanor & Park – Rainbow Rowell (Review)
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Posted on: Thu, December 13, 2012
alicejane011 said:
I have this on my Netgalley account and like Quinn, all I need to do is just find the time to sit down and read it. Very happy that it’s a great book!
alicejane011 recently posted..Gift Guide for the Francophile
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Posted on: Thu, December 13, 2012
Mary @ My Sisters Bookshelf said:
This sounds sort of Pushing the Limits-esque? And I mean that in a good way? I’ve been hearing excellent buzz so I think I’ll have to get this one from the library when it comes available!
Mary @ My Sisters Bookshelf recently posted..Mary’s Gift Guide For the Guys In Your Life
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Posted on: Thu, December 13, 2012
Shanyn said:
I really liked this book too! My only downfall was that it seemed very long to me. I read about 1/3 of it and finally had to look up the page count because I was feeling like I had been reading forever!
Shanyn recently posted..Waiting on Wednesday: Burning by Elana K. Arnold
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Posted on: Thu, December 13, 2012
Lori said:
I just got this from NetGalley! I.m so, so excited to read it! I LOVE Simone’s books and loved Easy. I think I need to read this asap.
Lori recently posted..Saturday Situation! Link up your reviews & giveaways
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Posted on: Thu, December 13, 2012
Judith said:
Every review of this book makes me SO annoyed for not having time to read it! Drama, suspense, love… it sounds amazing and I need to read this asap!!
Judith recently posted..City of Ashes (Book Review)
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Posted on: Thu, December 13, 2012
Magan said:
All hail the suspense. I am all about it. I really love books that give me little breadcrumbs to fall in love with. When I think I can figure out the story and then BAM — shock. Awesome review. Can’t wait to devour this one!
Magan recently posted..DIY Bookish Gifts for Your Friends
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Posted on: Thu, December 13, 2012
The Sea Of Tranquility | Katja Millay | Book Review said:
[...] SO GOOD THAT I WANT TO WRITE THE WHOLE REVIEW IN CAPSLOCK.” Anna Reads Books – “Oh, glory me, this book is good.” For What It’s Worth – “The Sea of Tranquility is filled with [...]
Posted on: Thu, December 13, 2012