Author: Alexandra Coutts
Publication: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR) (September 17, 2013)
Description: A novel about the end of days full of surprising beginnings
The world is living in the shadow of oncoming disaster. An asteroid is set to strike the earth in just one week’s time; catastrophe is unavoidable. The question isn’t how to save the world—the question is, what to do with the time that's left? Against this stark backdrop, three island teens wrestle with intertwining stories of love, friendship and family—all with the ultimate stakes at hand.
Alexandra Coutts's TUMBLE & FALL is a powerful story of courage, love, and hope at the end of the world.
My Thoughts: This book follows three teens as they live through the last week before a giant asteroid hits Earth. Zan, Caden, and Sienna are all on an island off the coast of Massachusetts waiting for what will happen.
Sienna is a summer kid whose dad had taken her from the psychiatric facility where she was living so that the family could be together. Dad is planning a wedding for the the last days which leaves Sienna and her little brother Ryan getting to know this stranger their dad will be marrying. Sienna also meets and falls in love with Owen who she hasn't seen since she was a small child on the island.
Caden is a life-long resident of the island who lives with his alcoholic mother and younger sister. In these last days, his father, who had left the family when Caden was young, kidnaps Caden and takes him to his home. His father is rich and is hoping to wait out the asteroid and its effects in an underground bunker he has had built. He has gathered his family who are all strangers to Caden. Caden is determined to get back to his mother and sister.
Zan is also a life-long resident of the island who is still mourning the loss of her boyfriend ten months earlier. Her mother is busy organizing things on the island and her father is busy creating his final art project - a forgiveness machine. When Zan learns that her boyfriend may have been keeping secrets from her, she and his best friend Nick head into Boston searching for answers.
Each chapter is told from the viewpoint of one of the three teens. I found it rather difficult to keep the voices straight since they were so similar. Without the chapter titles, I would have been lost. Each of the teens comes to some sort of resolution about their lives.
The story was well-told and well-written. It was an interesting exploration of what people might do if they knew their expiration dates.
Sienna is a summer kid whose dad had taken her from the psychiatric facility where she was living so that the family could be together. Dad is planning a wedding for the the last days which leaves Sienna and her little brother Ryan getting to know this stranger their dad will be marrying. Sienna also meets and falls in love with Owen who she hasn't seen since she was a small child on the island.
Caden is a life-long resident of the island who lives with his alcoholic mother and younger sister. In these last days, his father, who had left the family when Caden was young, kidnaps Caden and takes him to his home. His father is rich and is hoping to wait out the asteroid and its effects in an underground bunker he has had built. He has gathered his family who are all strangers to Caden. Caden is determined to get back to his mother and sister.
Zan is also a life-long resident of the island who is still mourning the loss of her boyfriend ten months earlier. Her mother is busy organizing things on the island and her father is busy creating his final art project - a forgiveness machine. When Zan learns that her boyfriend may have been keeping secrets from her, she and his best friend Nick head into Boston searching for answers.
Each chapter is told from the viewpoint of one of the three teens. I found it rather difficult to keep the voices straight since they were so similar. Without the chapter titles, I would have been lost. Each of the teens comes to some sort of resolution about their lives.
The story was well-told and well-written. It was an interesting exploration of what people might do if they knew their expiration dates.
Favorite Quote:
"But really awful things happen all of the time. Another big one might happen tomorrow. And you can either stand up against it, prepare for it, put yourself in the best possible position to meet it head-on...or you can give up. Those are your choices."
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