The Story Siren: The September Sisters by Jillian Cantor

Monday, February 16, 2009 at 6:00 AM

The September Sisters by Jillian Cantor

Release Date: February 24, 2009
Publisher: Harper Teen
Age Group: Young Adult, ages 12 and up
Pages: 368

Abigail Reed and her younger sister, Becky, are always at each other's throats. Their mother calls them the September Sisters, because their birthdays are only a day apart, and pretends that they're best friends. But really, they delight in making each other miserable. Then Becky disappears in the middle of the night, and a torn gold chain with a sapphire heart charm is the only clue to the mystery of her kidnaping. Abby struggles to cope with her own feelings of guilt and loss as she tries to keep her family together. When her world is at its bleakest, Abby meets a new neighbor, Tommy, who is dealing with his own loss, and the two of them discover that love can bloom, even when it's surrounded by thorns.

The September Sisters is Jillian Cantor’s debut novel, and it was beautifully written. It’s unforgettable, great character development, a masterful plot and painstakingly real. Abby was such a well-written character. I just feel raw and exposed reading her story. It was a very powerful thing. To portray that kind of emotion isn’t an easy task and Cantor does it with remarkable ease. She also impressively depicts Abby’s first love, despite the overall saddened tone of the novel.

The September Sisters is a uniquely woven story of love and loss. You should definitely add this one to your wish list. I can’t wait to read more of Cantor in the future.

And is the cover not beautiful! I love the blue.

13 comments:

Thao said...: The cover looks very strong and gentle at the same time, I like it too. I should try my best to get this book.; February 16, 2009 6:06 AM
Kelsey said...: I just finished it around 11 last night. I think it is the best book I've read in months. I thought it was just a fantastic read.

And, yeah, I wish my copy had the cover on it!; February 16, 2009 10:05 AM
KD said...: I do love the cover for this one as well! Its just gorgeous. I really want to get this one!; February 16, 2009 11:53 AM
BookChic said...: I absolutely love the cover and I can't wait to actually be able to have enough money to buy the hardcover, lol.

I'm featuring Jillian this week on my blog and I'm getting ready to start her book today. I can't wait, esp. after reading your great review!!; February 16, 2009 11:53 AM
Bookworm said...: The cover IS gorgeous, and it sounds great, too!; February 16, 2009 12:53 PM
Mishel said...: I was born in September too. (the 15th) My sister Nina (who was a premie and sadly died) was born on September 14th but a whole year after me. Well hmm I guess it was really 364 days after me lol. I sometimes wonder what life would have been like if Nina had lived. I wonder if we would have made each other miserable like these two sisters. I love the cover as well!; February 16, 2009 1:31 PM
wdebo said...: Oh that book sounds really interesting and yes the cover is very pretty, especially the blue! :D; February 16, 2009 4:01 PM
the epic rat said...: The cover is beautiful! What a great review! Another one to add to my ever-growing pile...

cecilia; February 16, 2009 4:07 PM
Carol(ina) said...: Great review Kristi! And I love the blue in the cover! :); February 16, 2009 5:14 PM
Anonymous said...: When are you going to get that wonderful book titled, Rowan of the Wood? It's an award-winning book and doesn't it have the most amazing cover ever? Please check out the authors' blog at www.christineandethanrose.com while you're at it! :); February 16, 2009 5:33 PM
Hope. said...: Great review, Kristi. :) I just finished this one on Friday and I agree with you. :) And the cover is so freaking pretty... I was sad to see our ARCs didn't have a pretty blue cover. :(

hope.; February 16, 2009 6:26 PM
readerrabbit said...: Aww. I want to read this :)
Glad it was good.; February 16, 2009 9:21 PM
Patricia Leppla said...: I was torn on this book - while I really liked aspects of it, there were aspects that I didn't like. I agree that it was very raw and real. However, I would have loved to have learned more about the mother and her first love, and even what might have happened to the family years and years down the road (a sequel in the making perhaps?? lol); June 24, 2010 2:24 PM