Out of the Blue

E-galley received from Netgalley for review.

"You're going to hate me forever when you learn my secret"

This sentence practically drew me in. It's very powerful. I would've read the book just for this sentence alone.

In order to protect his younger sister, 17-year-old stoner Aaron Foster is practically forced to become a "narc" and help the cops discover who is dealing drugs to the students of Miami's Palm Hammock High School. This is not easy for him. Previously, he was "human wallpaper" and just drifted by; now he mingles with everyone, trying to get to know people and scoring invites to the coolest parties.

In this way, he gets to know cute, but troubled art-girl Morgan and her best friend, Skully. He starts feeling protective of the girls, especially of Morgan with whom he's now having a relationship, and tries to work out a way to keep up his end of the deal with the police, while at the same time not ratting the girls out. In fact, Morgan has sold small quant of weed in the past, and Skully let her do it at her parties. It's hard for Aaron to keep lying to all his friends, but he needs to stay true to his character or things could get ugly for him and his family.

I thought this book was interesting, but it didn't grab me completely. At times I found myself just wishing things would just hurry up. There was some cool symbolism in the book which I didn't get at first (and probably still woudn't, if I hadn't read a review on Goodreads pointing it out): Aaron observing mama bird and her little ones from his window, which stands for his desire to take care of his family; and Aaron playing magic tricks, hinting at the skill he needs to have in order not to blow his cover.

I liked this, but I didn't love it. The ending was bittersweet and appropriate, and in some way it was the only ending possible. I'm just slightly perplexed because the book seemed overall a bit weak to me. I'm not sure why.

Cover attraction: I think the double image of the guy refers to Aaron's secret identity as a "narc". It also hints at him being lonely, "human wallpaper" as he puts it. I like this cover, even though, like the book, it's nothing exceptional (still refreshing from the long line of pretty-girl-in-a-long-dress covers, though.)