The Disenchantments by Nina LaCour Review

Reading level: Ages 14 and up
Hardcover: 304 pages
Publisher: Dutton Juvenile (February 16, 2012)
ISBN-10: 0525422196
ISBN-13: 978-0525422198

Received From: Gift from Friend :)

Series: None; Stand-Alone

                             5 Butterflies

Synopsis:
Colby and Bev have a long-standing pact: graduate, hit the road with Bev's band, and then spend the year wandering around Europe. But moments after the tour kicks off, Bev makes a shocking announcement: she's abandoning their plans - and Colby - to start college in the fall.

But the show must go on and The Disenchantments weave through the Pacific Northwest, playing in small towns and dingy venues, while roadie- Colby struggles to deal with Bev's already-growing distance and the most important question of all: what's next?

Morris Award–finalist Nina LaCour draws together the beauty and influences of music and art to brilliantly capture a group of friends on the brink of the rest of their lives.

My Thoughts:

I devoured The Disenchantments all in one afternoon.  I could not put this book down.  It was like watching a movie in my head.  Every time I had to get up to do something, or get something, all I could think about was rushing back to push play on that "movie" that was running through my brain.  Each character was vivid and so real that I could see each thing they were doing playing out so completely.

I am such a sucker for road trip books.  There is just something about throwing a bunch of people in a vehicle together for an extended period of time that makes the best and worst come out in them, and I just love that.  Nina LaCour did an amazing job with it.  I loved experiencing all the different places that the band visited, and meeting all the quirky and unique people they encountered along the way.

Books with a male narrator can be really hit or miss with me, but I love them when they are done well, and Nina LaCour knocked this one out of the ball park with Colby.  I loved him in so many ways.  I adored that he wasn't your typical swoon-worthy perfect male lead.  He was funny, quirky, and the great guy best friend.  I absolutely love that in a guy main character.  

The Disenchantments was a fantastic coming of age story filled with heart-ache, loss, art, music, friendship, and ultimately - redemption.  This is the perfect book to pick up for a lazy day, or any day!  If you like contemporary go grab this one right now!  If you like music go grab it now!  If you like art go grab it now!  Just go grab it now!!! :)