REVOLUTION by Jennifer Donnelly

Reviewed by Alex Salkin

“Two girls, united in a quest to save a young prince, but separated by over two hundred years.”
Andi was sinking into depression after her brother, Truman, died. Her mother is pretty much not there anymore, her father is never around. Her father turns up one day and tells Andi she is going to Paris. In Paris, she meets some people, falls in love, and makes some shocking discoveries. Her life is then changed forever. Andi goes on a terrifying trip to the catacombs of Paris. While she is in Paris, she keeps seeing things and has a panic attack. Once she wakes up, her life changes.
Andi is nearly in depression, and every time she starts getting better, she suddenly goes straight back down. The only way to make her feel better, is playing guitar. Throughout the book, she often plays guitar until she is freezing and her fingers are bleeding. Andi is the main character. She is quiet, shy, reserved, and is reluctant to do anything after the traumatic death of her brother, which she blames on herself.
The plot is incredible. You will think, that one thing might happen, be one hundred percent sure, then suddenly it will change direction. Interesting, exciting, depressing, are words you can use to describe the plot.
When Andi moves to Paris, she discovers a diary. A diary of a girl from the French Revolution. Her name was Alexandrine, and she worked for the royal family and lived nearly two centuries ago. The girls are united, on a mission to save a young boy.
The royal family found Alexandrine performing to make money. Louis Charles saw her and his face lit up. The royal family were astonished. Louis Charles was only a young boy at the time. As his caretaker, Alexandrine needs to make sure he is happy. But at what length will she go to make sure of that? Andi and Alexandrine, have a connection. It doesn’t matter that they lived nearly two centuries apart. You might even go as far as to say that they could be the same person.
Jennifer Donnelly gives you an insight of the French Revolution. What happened, and where. What people might have been thinking, and why. I haven’t read any other of Jennifer Donnelly’s other books, but other reviewers say that nothing can compare to it. It’s an exciting story, of friendship, trust, change and recovery. Her collection includes A Gathering Light, A Northern Light, The tea rose and Humble Pie.
Revolution is an award winning bestseller that captured the hearts of so many. This is an amazing read. I couldn’t put it down.
Enjoy reading!