Review: Belzhar by Meg Wolitzer

Belzhar

Author: Meg Wolitzer
Series: Standalone
Publisher: Dutton Books for Young Readers
Genre: YA Contemporary/Paranormal
Format: ARC
Release Date: September 30, 2014
Source: ARC received from publisher at BEA
Rating: 3 Stars
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***I received a free copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This has in no way changed my opinion of the book. The review below is my open and honest opinion.***

Synopsis from Goodreads:

If life were fair, Jam Gallahue would still be  at home in New Jersey with her sweet British  boyfriend, Reeve Maxfield. She’d be watching  old comedy sketches with him. She’d be kissing  him in the library stacks.

She certainly wouldn’t be at The Wooden Barn, a therapeutic boarding school in rural Vermont, living with a weird roommate, and signed up for an exclusive, mysterious class called Special Topics in English.

But life isn’t fair, and Reeve Maxfield is dead.

Until a journal-writing assignment leads Jam to Belzhar, where the untainted past is restored, and Jam can feel Reeve’s arms around her once again. But there are hidden truths on Jam’s path to reclaim her loss.

My Review:

I really liked this book. It was definitely a solid 4-star read. Right up until the big reveal and then everything changed. But we’ll get to that. Belzhar is about a young girl who has suffered a traumatic experience, the death of her charming British boyfriend. This was a boy who she loved deeply. Her life revolved around him. They were intertwined like vines that needed to twist around each other in order to grow. So when she suffers his death, it’s the end of her life too. She can’t pull herself out of her misery and depression so her parents send her to a boarding school designed to help kids who have gone through traumatic experiences. Jam gets chosen to be in an elite class called Special Topics in English and from there, experiences life-changing events.

I loved the boarding school setting. It was in Vermont and it was peaceful and gorgeous. I could just see the walkways and the beautiful trees with their changing leaves. The setting definitely stole my heart. I really liked how, when Jam first arrives, she’s super closed off, but slowly begins to let people in. I loved hearing the other students’ stories and how they got to this place and I loved watching them slowly heal.

I loved the little bit of romance that was involved. I loved Jam’s home life, her parents and her younger brother. I loved Mrs. Q, their English teacher. Really I was just loving everything about this book. Jam’s experiences truly begin to help her heal and to shape who she is going to be in the future. She does things she never thought she would do and she finally starts to explore her feelings and emotions regarding Reeve.

But then the big reveal happens. Obviously, I’m not going to spoil it for you, but it just did NOT work for me. It was like slamming really hard on the brakes and hearing the tires squeal. It was like when a DJ is spinning and they mess up and drop the beat or whatever you call it. You know the sound I’m talking about when the music just stops? That’s what it felt like with this book. It changed my entire perspective on the main character and not in a good way. Which really left a sour taste in my mouth.

But I did enjoy it for the most part which is why it gets three stars. There are also some really awesome quotes about the power of the written word. The emphasis on English and writing was great. The author really took great care to show that both reading and writing can be so therapeutic, healing and ultimately life-changing. This was a very unique book with some powerful messages. I think a lot of people will really enjoy it. If I could just make myself forget about that one thing, this would easily be a 4 or 4.5 star book, so definitely give it a try. It may work for you. Happy reading all! 

Have you read this one yet? What did you think of the big reveal? If you want to talk spoilery things feel free to email me!