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When the Stars Go Blue A Novel Caridad Ferrer Books

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When the Stars Go Blue A Novel Caridad Ferrer Books

When the Stars Go Blue is an absolutely stunning novel about Soledad, an 18 year-old dancer in Miami who becomes involved with both a drum and bugle corp, and the corp's lead horn player. It is, quite honestly, one of my favorite books of the year. Unfortunately, it's also very difficult to review without spoilers (which explains why the publisher's book description is so vague). Since there aren't any reviews yet, I'll do my best to share why this (along with another recent read, Mindi Scott's Freefall) is one of my favorite young adult titles of the year.

First of all, this is the story of Soledad and her first love, Jonathan. The relationship between the two is extremely intense, magnified by the drum and bugle corps' trip around the country performing at fairs and festivals. Their relationship grows extremely quickly, and it Ferrer's outstanding writing swept me up in their romance right along with Soledad. However, Soledad also has doubts about their relationship and where it will go when they each possibly head their separate ways at the end of the summer. Ferrer brilliantly explores Jonathan's jealously stemming from her friendship with a soccer player on the same fair circuit as the corp, Taz, and how it confuses and hurts Soledad, because she really does love and is devoted to Jonathan. There is nothing predictable and stereotyped about the way the characters react to the circumstances and obstacles in their paths, and I turned each page feeling the same doubts and confusion about the resolution as Soledad.

Secondly, the book feels like a love letter to the arts. I don't know what the author's personal experience is with drum and bugle corps, or her music/dance background, but her passion for the arts is clear. The story of Soledad's love for dance is just as compelling as her romance with Jonathan. I felt swept into a world I knew only a little about (I was in marching band, but nothing as sophisticated as drum and bugle corps) and loved each scene that brought me inside that world. This is made all the more interesting because the corps in When the Stars Go Blue is an all-male corps, so Soledad is traveling and performing with 150 young men. Even the chapter titles are inspired by music, I believe they're all song titles or lyrics--including the book title, "When the Stars Go Blue." When you read the book, be sure to notice these titles, as they're definitely part of the story (once I realized this a few chapters in, I went back and read them--such a wonderful element, like a musical roadmap to the story). If you love music, dance and the performing arts, this book will speak to that passion in a special way.

Thirdly, the character development is fabulous! Each character is multi-layered and has endearing and frustrating qualities--they feel like real people. Jonathan could easily have been one-dimensional, but he is a very compelling character. Taz, the Spanish soccer player, could have been the good-looking, cocky athlete, but he's complex and interesting. Even the minor characters, such as Raj, Soledad's dance partner, are funny and interesting. I so, so, so appreciate this. Sometimes in young adult novels, especially those targeted at young women, the secondary characters can be a bit shallow, and that's certainly not the case here.

Also, I love that the novel uses Carmen, the show the corps performs each night, as an inspiration, but it's in a subtle way. I was familiar with the story, but found myself reflecting on the similarities after I finished reading the book--not guessing as to the plot twists based on my familiarity with Carmen. I'm conflicted as to whether or not it would help or hinder readers who aren't familiar with the story to familiarize themselves with it. It's summarized briefly in the novel, and I feel like that's enough. Regardless, it's definitely not in the adaptation realm, but instead uses Carmen as a solid plot device.

Finally, I loved the setting of Soledad's hometown of Miami, her relationship with her Cuban grandmother and the Cuban culture detailed in the novel (including frequent uses of Spanish words and phrases). I felt immersed in a world that's very different from my own, and I loved having the chance to visit it through When the Stars Go Blue.

Note: I would highly recommend this book to adult readers. This is one of those young adult novels that many, many people of all ages can connect with. Soledad is a interesting and relatable character and her struggles and dreams feel very authentic. While this review is more effusive than I normally am, I really feel that it's much-deserved. Ferrer has written a book with interesting characters with complex emotions who I really cared about. When the Stars Go Blue has unique elements (such as the highly-driven dancer, the talented musicians, the skilled soccer player--all high achievers, the use of songs/music to subtly drive the story and the look into Cuban American culture) that make it stand out as a fresh and satisfying read.


Tags : Amazon.com: When the Stars Go Blue: A Novel (9780312650049): Caridad Ferrer: Books,Caridad Ferrer,When the Stars Go Blue: A Novel,St. Martin's Griffin,0312650043,JUV026000,Romance - General,Bands (Music),Bands (Music);Juvenile fiction.,Cuban Americans,Dance,Dance;Juvenile fiction.,Dating (Social customs),Drum and bugle corps,Drum and bugle corps;Juvenile fiction.,Miami (Fla.),Children: Young Adult (Gr. 10-12),JUVENILE FICTION Love & Romance,Juvenile Fiction : Performing Arts - Dance,Juvenile Fiction : Social Issues - Emotions & Feelings,Juvenile fiction,Love & Romance,Performing Arts - Dance,Performing Arts Dance,Romance & relationships stories (Children's Teenage),Social Themes - Emotions & Feelings,Social Themes Emotions & Feelings,YOUNG ADULT FICTION Romance Contemporary,Young Adult Fiction,Young Adult Fiction Performing Arts Dance,Young Adult Fiction Romance General,Young Adult Fiction Social Themes Emotions & Feelings,Young Adult FictionPerforming Arts - Dance,Young Adult FictionSocial Themes - Emotions & Feelings

When the Stars Go Blue A Novel Caridad Ferrer Books Reviews

I hadn't heard much about this book, but for some reason, I knew it was going to be good. The beautiful cover - a model who fits to the description of the main character! symbols that actually have something to do with the story! - had When the Stars Go Blue screaming 'read me!' And I am so glad I did.

Soledad is what makes this whole thing work. I just love, love, love Soledad. She's not at all the cliched image you have in mind when you think ballerina - she's spunky and has some serious attitude, in a good way. Her confidence and insecurities are balanced perfectly - she's not the starving-herself, always-doubting-her-abilities, seriously-needs-to-grow-a-spine character the author could have easily made her out to be, but she's not the so-full-of-herself-it's-annoying dancer either. I loved reading about the feisty Soledad and her refreshing sense of humor, as well as being inside her head to know the insecurities she doesn't often let on she has. I just love Soledad - one of my favorite MCs in a long time!

The secondary characters are great, too. I don't want to say too much about them because I liked not knowing much and just seeing how the story develops and who ends up playing an important role, but they're really well done. Each one is complex and realistic. I liked reading about Jonathan's family situation and all of that. Raj is so adorable, and Taz is just... wow. I would have loved to see (even) more of those two! I liked reading about Soledad's family history, too, and Mamacita, Soledad's grandmother, is just plain awesome.

The romance is realistic - one of the most realistic romance storylines I've read in a while. The direction it ends up going is not predictable and actually took me by surprise, which is something that rarely happens with YA romance. (Not that I have anything against YA romances; they're just very predictable, often.) Jonathan's and Soledad's attraction is a little too strong in the beginning, in my opinion, and for a little while, I was dreading insta-love, but that didn't turn out to be the case at all. Their relationship develops over time, and it's flawed, complex and realistic; everything it's supposed to be.

***This paragraph contains spoilers!***
I would have liked to know a little more about Soledad's and Jonathan's fall-out and the accident. It probably has something to do with Soledad writhing in pain while it's happening and therefore not being able to explain what's happening all that well, but I would have liked what happens to be a little more clear. Maybe I'm being stupid, but it took me a while to get what happened, and I'm still not sure whether what I think is right.

The dancing is another aspect of When the Stars Go Blue I really enjoyed. I know nothing about dance, so I can't really judge any of this, but it sounds like Caridad Ferrer knows what she's talking about. The dance Soledad and the corps perform sounds amazing. I would have liked to know a little more about what, exactly, the corps are, though. In the beginning, Soledad is hesitant to join the corps because she was planning on sticking to ballet and latin dancing and because drum and bugle corps are so different from anything she's done. Maybe it's just because I know so little about dance, but I didn't see what makes it so different - her performance sounded similar to the kind of dancing she did before. Drum and bugle corps sounds strange and different, but I'm still not sure what exactly it is, and what exactly makes it so different.

I don't know what it is about it, but When the Stars Go Blue is just right. The writing is beautiful, and it sucked me right into Soledad's world - this is the kind of book where you're reading and so involved in the story you don't even notice anything going on around you. (At least it was like that for me.) With a main character I loved and won't soon forget, When the Stars Go Blue is one of the most realistic romances I've read in a long time!
Amazing book. It's a perfect read for any young adult interested in marching band, dancing, or romance in general.
From the very beginning, I was smiling. Soledad is an amazing character, so real and honest. Her relationship with Jonathan is very down to earth and exactly how you would think a relationship between two teenagers would be. Very passionate, intense, and simply emotional. After all, it is their first true love. They embark on a journey for the summer and along with it comes all the issues that occur in relationships. Don't get me wrong, this book is not predictable in the way most are nowadays. You live every moment with the characters, feel every emotion, breath every second. I admit I had a hard time putting this book down. I honestly did not want the story to end. I truly enjoyed this book cover to cover.
When the Stars Go Blue is an absolutely stunning novel about Soledad, an 18 year-old dancer in Miami who becomes involved with both a drum and bugle corp, and the corp's lead horn player. It is, quite honestly, one of my favorite books of the year. Unfortunately, it's also very difficult to review without spoilers (which explains why the publisher's book description is so vague). Since there aren't any reviews yet, I'll do my best to share why this (along with another recent read, Mindi Scott's Freefall) is one of my favorite young adult titles of the year.

First of all, this is the story of Soledad and her first love, Jonathan. The relationship between the two is extremely intense, magnified by the drum and bugle corps' trip around the country performing at fairs and festivals. Their relationship grows extremely quickly, and it Ferrer's outstanding writing swept me up in their romance right along with Soledad. However, Soledad also has doubts about their relationship and where it will go when they each possibly head their separate ways at the end of the summer. Ferrer brilliantly explores Jonathan's jealously stemming from her friendship with a soccer player on the same fair circuit as the corp, Taz, and how it confuses and hurts Soledad, because she really does love and is devoted to Jonathan. There is nothing predictable and stereotyped about the way the characters react to the circumstances and obstacles in their paths, and I turned each page feeling the same doubts and confusion about the resolution as Soledad.

Secondly, the book feels like a love letter to the arts. I don't know what the author's personal experience is with drum and bugle corps, or her music/dance background, but her passion for the arts is clear. The story of Soledad's love for dance is just as compelling as her romance with Jonathan. I felt swept into a world I knew only a little about (I was in marching band, but nothing as sophisticated as drum and bugle corps) and loved each scene that brought me inside that world. This is made all the more interesting because the corps in When the Stars Go Blue is an all-male corps, so Soledad is traveling and performing with 150 young men. Even the chapter titles are inspired by music, I believe they're all song titles or lyrics--including the book title, "When the Stars Go Blue." When you read the book, be sure to notice these titles, as they're definitely part of the story (once I realized this a few chapters in, I went back and read them--such a wonderful element, like a musical roadmap to the story). If you love music, dance and the performing arts, this book will speak to that passion in a special way.

Thirdly, the character development is fabulous! Each character is multi-layered and has endearing and frustrating qualities--they feel like real people. Jonathan could easily have been one-dimensional, but he is a very compelling character. Taz, the Spanish soccer player, could have been the good-looking, cocky athlete, but he's complex and interesting. Even the minor characters, such as Raj, Soledad's dance partner, are funny and interesting. I so, so, so appreciate this. Sometimes in young adult novels, especially those targeted at young women, the secondary characters can be a bit shallow, and that's certainly not the case here.

Also, I love that the novel uses Carmen, the show the corps performs each night, as an inspiration, but it's in a subtle way. I was familiar with the story, but found myself reflecting on the similarities after I finished reading the book--not guessing as to the plot twists based on my familiarity with Carmen. I'm conflicted as to whether or not it would help or hinder readers who aren't familiar with the story to familiarize themselves with it. It's summarized briefly in the novel, and I feel like that's enough. Regardless, it's definitely not in the adaptation realm, but instead uses Carmen as a solid plot device.

Finally, I loved the setting of Soledad's hometown of Miami, her relationship with her Cuban grandmother and the Cuban culture detailed in the novel (including frequent uses of Spanish words and phrases). I felt immersed in a world that's very different from my own, and I loved having the chance to visit it through When the Stars Go Blue.

Note I would highly recommend this book to adult readers. This is one of those young adult novels that many, many people of all ages can connect with. Soledad is a interesting and relatable character and her struggles and dreams feel very authentic. While this review is more effusive than I normally am, I really feel that it's much-deserved. Ferrer has written a book with interesting characters with complex emotions who I really cared about. When the Stars Go Blue has unique elements (such as the highly-driven dancer, the talented musicians, the skilled soccer player--all high achievers, the use of songs/music to subtly drive the story and the look into Cuban American culture) that make it stand out as a fresh and satisfying read.