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November 08, 2012

Review: In Honor by Jessi Kirby


Title: In Honor
Author: Jessi Kirby
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Publication date: May 8th, 2012
Genre(s): Young Adult (Contemporary)
Challenges: Debut, Contemporary, SARC
Source: Own
Format: E-book
Pages: 240
Honor receives her brother’s last letter from Iraq three days after learning that he died, and opens it the day his fellow Marines lay the flag over his casket. Its contents are a complete shock: concert tickets to see Kyra Kelly, her favorite pop star and Finn’s celebrity crush. In his letter, he jokingly charged Honor with the task of telling Kyra Kelly that he was in love with her.

Grief-stricken and determined to grant Finn’s last request, she rushes to leave immediately. But she only gets as far as the driveway before running into Rusty, Finn’s best friend since third grade and his polar opposite. She hasn’t seen him in ages, thanks to a falling out between the two guys, but Rusty is much the same as Honor remembers him: arrogant, stubborn . . . and ruggedly good-looking. Neither one is what the other would ever look for in a road trip partner, but the two of them set off together, on a voyage that makes sense only because it doesn’t. Along the way, they find small and sometimes surprising ways to ease their shared loss and honor Finn--but when shocking truths are revealed at the end of the road, will either of them be able to cope with the consequences?
We get started with the tragic death of Honor's brother, Finn. I found it quite interesting for the book to just start off as them being in the memorial of her brother who died while he was with the Marines in Iraq. I was kind of grateful that I didn't actually get to know Finn, or else I would have been in tears for his death. Anyways, Honor is the main protagonist in this book. After her parents death, Honor and her brother moved in with their aunt. I can see how close Honor and Finn were, and how his death strongly effected Honor. The last letter Honor got from Finn were two tickets to see famous popstar Kyra Kelly. Honor found it a job for her to actually go there, and tell Kyra about her brother. Honor decides to start her journey the next day, only leaving a note for her aunt about her sudden disappearance.
Later, we get to meet Finn's old best friend, Rusty. Things start off kind of weird since it's been a long time since they last met. The next day, Honor finds Rusty drunk and blacked out, so she just decides to throw him in the back side of the car, and starts her long journey to California. I really liked how Honor and Rusty's relationship develops as friends. Finn means a lot to both of them, and I felt like both of them just needed to find that closure for themselves. Jessi Kirby really wrote a book that was cute, funny, and even emotional at times. Both characters felt so believable, and I felt like it was very easy to relate to them as well. 
Overall, I really enjoyed this book very much. The characters were very lovable, and funny as well. This book wasn't that sad, but it wasn't all fun either. Jessi balances the fun and seriousness very well, and I loved every moment of it. I would recommend this to all contemporary young adult readers out there. Can't wait to read more of Jessi Kirby's future books.

13 comments:

  1. I started reading this a month ago, came half-way, only to discover that a bunch of pages were missing so I had to wait for a new copy to be sent out. The new copy has arrived but the annoying thing is, I had just started to get into it when I came across the missing pages. I'll pick it up again because I want to finish it and I like the author but so far, I'm kind of let down. I'm glad to see you you enjoyed it so much though! It definitely gives me a spark of hope that maybe I'll enjoy it more the second time round. Great review :)

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  2. :) Sweet review! I always love those serious yet relaxing romantic books with relatable characters. In Honnor sounds like a fine book.
    Thanks for following!
    Following back

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  3. I am very excited to read this book! It's been on my TBR for a while, but your review has definitely bumped it up! Plus, I love books where an author can effectively balance the good and the bad, so I'll be checking this one out soon! Soooo glad you enjoyed this! Brilliant review, Farah! :D

    ~ Maida @ Literary Love Affair

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  4. I loved In Honor, and she's coming out with another book next year which I'm really excited for :) I also really liked the characters, great review!

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  5. I love a book that can be both funny and serious at the same time. Balance is so important, too much of either simply doesn't work. I've heard nice things about this one before, but it wasn't until your review that I really decided to read it.
    Thanks, Farah!

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  6. I've had this in my tbr for ages! But your gorgeous review Farah makes me want to chuck everything in to read next pile and read this right away, I think I will have to either do that or bump this high into my pile! I love books about road trips and books which authors seem to mash up sad and fun aspects in well together! I think this would totally be a me book! :)

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  7. OMG! I totally loved this book soooooooo much! It was the best. Glad to see that you enjoyed it as well :)

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  8. This book was recommended to me by a good friend just two days ago. I can be a bit funny about contemporary books (it takes me FOREVER to realise I might want to give something like this a shot) but I usually end up enjoying them despite my initial reluctance. Hopefully I'll like this too. Wonderful review, Farah!

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  9. I really, really want to read this book, just two read about Honor and Rusty's relationship. Great review!

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  10. I would read this just for the cover. I lovable characters. Charming Review :D

    -Dannielle

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  11. Seeing your review reminds me that I got the book on my kindle. I've meant to read it but still haven't gotten to it. Thanks for sharing that you enjoyed reading the book. I think I'll have to set up a schedule to help me organize my TBR list. Lovely review :)

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  12. I'm so mad that I haven't yet read this book. I've heard Jessi Kirby is gifted, and that this book in particular is emotionally stunning so YES YES YES I NEED THIS BOOK.

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  13. Ooohhh this sounds better than I was originally thinking. I love road trip books! Like you I am glad we don't get to know Finn to well otherwise that would make me very sad during the book. Honor and Rusty on a journey to the concert sounds like a great way to become friends and fall in love. Nice review!

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