Cover blurb Seventeen year-old Danae Blackburn has
never known love. After being fostered out at two, the family that chose her
gradually reduced her to brokenness and a life of fear. For a long time there
is only one thing she can turn to – the piano, at which she is amazingly
gifted. Torn between a dysfunctional past and a promising future, Danae
struggles against everything that threatens her identity –the love of a friend,
the challenge of a competition, the possibility of change. At first, the only
thing that helps to weaken her defenses is the beauty in music …
My review
I found this
a truly moving story about a young woman’s battle with abandonment, abuse, the
search for love and a sense of self-worth. Written in the first person, Danae’s
journey is told in a very real and moving manner. Her character is well
developed, believable and engaging. The characters around her; friends,
mentors, those who believe in her, as well as those who torment and abuse her,
are equally engaging and real, even though the reader has nothing of their POV.
I thought this was very well accomplished.
Danae’s
relationship with music, through the learning process, the discovery of her
giftedness, its healing power, is beautifully presented and authentic. It
suggests Trudy Adams has a good knowledge of music or has done her research
well. A quote from the book that I loved
was; Music’s not meant to be understood,
only relished. It is its beauty, not its mechanics, that heals.
I also thought
the journey in relationships, both with her friend, Kristin and with her step
sibling, Kirra-lea, was sensitively written with a genuine understanding of the
struggle to trust, to love and to be loved, that would be present in the life
of girl so damaged in childhood.
Trudy has
written in a way that arouses deep feeling in the reader. The story hides none
of what should outrage us about the mistreatment of children, but also leads
the reader towards the hope of good coming out of bad, and the place faith in
God plays in such a journey. The genuine ups and downs of this journey are
gripping and give the story intrigue and tension that keeps the reader turning
the pages.
I believe
this story is one that will challenge and move any reader, but would be particularly
inspiring for anyone who has experienced
foster parenting or mistreatment as a child. The Christian message is
authentically present but not forced or overdone and I believe a non-Christian
reader would benefit equally from the message from this book without feeling
preached at.
Broken Melody
is available on Kindle through Amazon
From Even
Before Publishing
And all good
book stores.
Carol writes historical novels based on her family history,
set in the early colonial days of Australia. You can see more about Carol and
her novels on her website, Amazon page or FB page.
www.amazon.com/author/carolpreston
Hi Carol. I think your review is great. It tells me what you enjoyed and what gripped you without telling the plot like so many do. It sure sounds like a book worth reading. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteThanks Rita. I do think it's a book worth reading. Really enjoyed it.
DeleteThanks for the review, Carol. I really liked the quote, "Music’s not meant to be understood, only relished. It is its beauty, not its mechanics, that heals." Sounds like a great read. :)
ReplyDeleteYes, anyone who appreciates the power of music to heal would love this book
DeleteCarol, this book sounds like a fascinating read. Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
ReplyDelete