Melissa C. Walker

It's not usually a good idea for me to start reading a book because I think the cover is beautiful. That almost never ends well. But this cover is so beautiful, with its calm and dreamy pink wash, and the inside flap description is spare and intriguing...I couldn't help myself.

And, at first, I regretted it. I'm not wild about the writing, which seems at times to try too hard for a casual and teen-y voice and references bits of pop culture that I suspect are over the heads of the book's intended teen audience. And Clementine, the main character, is at first so on-the-nose with her angst that I couldn't help feeling as though she'd been dumbed down for that same teen audience.

Then, instead of merely huddling in her guilt and grief, Clementine started talking to the people around her, and with each conversation, the characters, including Clementine, took on depth and dimension. When the reason for that guilt and grief finally revealed itself, I discovered that I wanted very much for her to come to grips with the consequences of her choices and find a way to forgive herself.

I enjoyed the love story, too---more than I usually do when it comes to contemporary young adult fiction---and I particularly liked that when Clementine finally started paying attention to the world and the people around her, she discovered that other people were in the midst of their own difficult journeys.

I'm glad I picked this up. It's not perfect, but I grew to love the characters and wish the best for them. And it provided an always-needed reminder that relationships ebb and flow and that sometimes the hardest thing to do is forgive yourself for your mistakes and keep trying.… (mere)

Ashes to Ashes set up all of the problems that get resolved in Dust to Dust. Callie has woken up from her coma and slowly realizes that she really has experienced the Prism where the dead hang in limbo until their loved ones are ready to let them go. As Callie tries to readjust to the life among the living, Leo and Reena become more and more of a threat to the safety of Callie's friend, Carson. Callie's love for Nick has faded into a friendship that she finds extremely valuable and a new character, Dylan, has answers to many of the questions that Callie has been asking herself.

This story takes on a different tone than Ashes to Ashes because most of it takes place in the real world where the problems that they face are truly life and death. The ending wasn't necessarily to my liking but is was really the only way the story could have gone. Satisfying if not happy. A good read.… (mere)