Rate: 4 out of 5 stars
The local Avery Theater was just a run-down building to Quin—until her mother told her the tragic love story of Nick and Emma that played out on the theater’s stage all those years ago. Quin is convinced it’s the perfect story to rewrite for her drama class, but when she goes searching for more information, she makes a startling discovery—the Avery is rapidly regaining its former splendor and setting the stage for her classmates Dylan and Cass to relive Nick and Emma’s romance. Quin can see the spark between them, but it’s up to her to make sure her friends—and the Avery—can both be saved this time around.
(This review may contain spoilers).
I found this book really quick and easy to read. It was a fairly original idea and I found Quin to be a character I could easily relate to and empathise with, especially due to her love of reading and her writing ability.
I thought it was good to see the very first scene in the Avery at the beginning, which gave me some insight into the history of the theatre… while also leaving me with a lot of questions to be answered through the course of the book.
While some of the secondary characters weren’t as well-developed as they could have been, I did like Cass and Dylan. It was interesting to see that, although Quin was an important character in the book, she wasn’t actually a part of the star-crossed lovers story.
I did think that it was good to see the parallels between Emma and Nick in the past and Cass and Dylan in the present, though I couldn’t have said that the two couples shared much in the way of similarity. It was good to see elements of magic in the Avery… and I liked seeing how the Avery had once been considered a living thing.
I especially liked seeing the comparisons between Trouble and Mrs. Drewery. I liked the child and it was good to know how Quin’s mother had told her the story of the history of the Avery.
I did feel that there were a lot more parts of the story that could have been told, since there were a lot of other characters rather than just the main ones. It was interesting to see how the journal played a big part in it all… but I would have really liked to see Cass and Quin talk more to each other about what was going on. It would have been good to see them sharing a bit more and seeing more of the romance developing, not just in sneaky moments Quin observed the two of them in.
I’d be interested in reading more books by this author in the future. I did enjoy this and I liked the storyline and the main characters. I would recommend this as a book that was sweet and entertaining to read.
Character Interview With Quin
1) What is your biggest dream?
To be a writer. It’s a secret dream, though. I write stories and hide them away in the closet in my room. The only person who’s ever seen something I’ve written is my mom—who’s also the drama teacher at my high school.
2) What is your greatest fear?
To share my work with someone. No—actually, it’s that I’d show my writing to someone, and they’d laugh. Or not like it. I mean, that’s far worse than being teased because of what you look like, isn’t it? To invite someone into your innermost thoughts, and have someone roll their eyes? I don’t know if I’d be able to take that.
3) Where do you see yourself in ten years’ time?
You know, at the beginning of my story, I just thought I was one of the bland crayons in the box. And that I’d probably go on that way. At the end of my story, though, I had acquired some pretty big plans for myself. I see myself putting my work out there under spotlights.
4) What do you personally believe?
I believe in things that can’t be logically explained. I believe in magic. I believe that the final sentence of a sad story can still be rewritten. And I’ve even come to believe that I have the power—and the talent—to do the rewriting.
5) What’s your favourite pastime?
Writing. Reading. I have so many books—and I just can’t bring myself to throw them away. I’ve actually stacked them to create furniture in my room!
6) What’s your favourite place to go when you’re happy, sad, overwhelmed, etc.?
The Avery Theater. It’s right across the street from where I live on the square of Verona, Missouri. It’s been closed since the ‘40s. But something’s happening there. The theater’s magical. It’s coming back to life. I know it is. And I can’t stay away. I go there at night—sneak right inside, and I see things there. Wild things. Magical things.
Holly Schindler’s work has received starred reviews in Booklist and Publishers Weekly, has won silver and gold medals in ForeWord Reviews Book of the Year and the IPPY Awards, respectively, has been featured on Booklist’s Best First Novels for Youth and School Library Journal’s What’s Hot in YA, and has been a PW Pick of the Week. She is owned by a Pekingese named Jake, and can be found working on her next book in her hometown of Springfield, Missouri. She can also be found at hollyschindler.com.
Ink of Blood 