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Sunday, June 13, 2010

Review: Freefall by Mindi Scott


Title: Freefall
Author: Mindi Scott
Publisher: Simon Pulse
Pub. Date: 10.5.10
Genre: Contemporary YA
Keywords: Music, Love, Friendship, Loss, Guilt
Pages: 315
Description (from GoodReads):
How do you come back from the point of no return?

Seth McCoy was the last person to see his best friend Isaac alive, and the first to find him dead. It was just another night, just another party, just another time where Isaac drank too much and passed out on the lawn. Only this time, Isaac didn’t wake up.
Convinced that his own actions led to his friend’s death, Seth is torn between turning his life around . . . or losing himself completely.
Then he meets Rosetta: so beautiful and so different from everything and everyone he's ever known. But Rosetta has secrets of her own, and Seth will soon realize he isn’t the only one who needs saving . . .

When I first read through FREEFALL's description I was torn. The cover seemed to call to me, but the description worried me... To be honest, only one seemingly small detail of the description gave me pause: Seth. I often have a difficult time relating to male narrators. In fact, there have only been two such novels that I enjoyed enough to compare to female narrated novels: PAPER TOWNS by John Green and BLACK RABBIT SUMMER by Kevin Brooks. I should never have underestimated author Mindi Scott; I found it remarkably easy to emphathize with Seth.


In ways, this novel was horrifying. I'm from a small town where most kids consider a "good time" a weekend of drunken debauchery. I now live in a college town where the weekend starts on Thirsty Thursday ... and there are still people that like to get an early start. So, for this reason, the drinking and subsequent consequences that occur in FREEFALL hit home. Seth's best friend loses his life on one of their many drunken nights. It's terrifying to think how many times the exact same circumstances could have led to the death of someone I actually know... someone real. I must give credit to Scott for portraying underage drinking and partying in such a realistic way. There's no sugar coating, no shiny veneer - and anyone who says that the situations in FREEFALL aren't realistic is terribly naive. I think it takes an honest portrayal for a message like Scott's to have any real impact on teen readers and authors do a disservice to teens if they try to soften those sharp edges.


As an onlooker, Seth's journey towards the acceptance of Isaac's death and the role his actions played invoked various emotions. I was grateful for the minor characters throughout the novel, who not only facilitated Seth's journey, but provided a much needed reprieve from his darker thoughts. Mrs. Dalloway, who teaches Seth's interpersonal communications class, was definitely one of my favorite characters and reminded me of some of the quirky teachers I've had. She provided humorous situations throughout the novel and the tools and guidance Seth needs to reach out to other characters, like Rosetta.


I found Seth's relationship with Rosetta to be completely believable. Scott's representation of many of the firsts Rosetta and Seth share is, at times, painfully realistic. I closely identified with their first real fight; it was so easy to draw parallels between reality and fiction. The accuracy of the depiction renewed the emotions I had felt when I was in the same situation, causing my bond to the characters to strengthen that much more.


FREEFALL is a tremendous debut from an extremely talented author. Not only did Scott write a male narrator that I could easily identify with, her novel imparts an important message about the choices we make and the consequences that follow... and how, afterward, we must pick up the pieces and move on.


Grade: A


Cover Notes:
I love the simplicity of the cover! Sometimes a cover clearly appeals to one gender over another, but, thankfully, FREEFALL's is neutral.

81 comments:

  1. Awesome review! I haven't paid this book much attention, but now I've already added it to my wishlist. Thanks ;)

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  2. I really want to read this one. This is the first review I have read of it and I am so glad that you enjoyed it so much. Great review!

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  3. Great review! I have an ARC of this, but was also hesitant about jumping right into it. Thanks to your review, however, I'm no longer afraid, I'm excited. :-)

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  4. Marvellous review - I have this on my wish list but think that I will invest sooner than I planned. You make it sound fascinating and I'm now really looking forward to reading about it.

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  5. OHH wonderful review, this one sounds soo amazing! :) I cant wait to pick it up.

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  6. Great, great, great review! I might actually pick this up, although I hadn't planned on doing so!

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  7. beautiful review! i cannot wait to read freefall- it sounds poignant and beautiful. when i first heard about it, it reminded me of looking for alaska by john green. i loved that book! if you haven't read it yet, you might want to give it a try. it's narrated by a male, too, but it's simply amazing :)

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  8. I totally know what you mean when you talk about living in a college town. I live in one too and it's definitely scary when you sit down and think about stuff that can happen with alcohol..

    -Briana

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  9. This was an excellent review, and this might be one of my next reads.

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  10. I can't wait to read Mindi's book!!!

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  11. Aw, I'm just popping by with warm fuzzies. Mindi is someone I know, and I'm so happy that this book and these characters are being shared beyond those of us who have been privy to the development of these people in the story. I can certainly attest to the research and thought that went into writing this book.

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  12. What an amazing review. I think I would like this because it has a male protagonist. I am always looking for strong male narrators because so few YA books use them. Thanks.

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  13. I really am interested in reading this book especially since it has a male narrator! Looking forward to reading the book!

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  14. I love reading books from male perspectives, and reading about sensitive topics is one of my favorite things. This book looks awesome, and its cover intrigues me.

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  15. This book looks awesome! I can't wait to read it, especially since it deals with a sensitive topic.. The cover is also amazing.

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  16. This book sounds amazing! I can't wait to check it out! :)

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  17. The cover seems to fit very well with the book. Can wait to check this one out.

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  18. Boy narrators are also tricky for me, but this one sounds promising.

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  19. I haven't read many male POVs either but it's not because I don't connect. I guess I just never come across them. I have to say when I first read the synopsis and saw it had a male POV, I was very interested.

    I adore the cover also! I think less is more. It really makes a statement in my opinion.

    Thank you for the review!

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  20. great review I've been wanting this book for so long it really looks like a good read ! :3

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  21. This sounds like an awesome book which deals with realistic situations. I like forward to reading it. Great review.

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  22. I can totally see this book getting banned because It touches on drinking and underage partying. I mean we all know it happens in the real world so why not keep books like these out in the real world. Freefall sounds like a very touching novel and I can't wait to check it out.

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  23. This books sounds amazing! This is so going on my wish list. And I love that it's told for Seth's POV.

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  24. Fantastic review! I love the sound of this one and after reading your review I might just buy it for myself!

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  25. Great review, I definitely want to read the book now!

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  26. If your interview made me want to read Freefall, this makes me want to read it NOW!
    Confession time: I have a soft spot for male narrators!
    I heard people that have trouble empathizing with them like you do, but I just love them, guys are more honest than girls and they are more real in my opinion.

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  27. Awesome review :) This book sounds great, and definitely relateable. It's nice to hear about a story where it's realistic too, not everything in life is perfect, so it shouldn't be in books either. I'm from a small town myself so I'd probably feel the same way you did after reading this book, but it sounds like it's done really well. I'll definitely be adding it to my TBR list :D
    Thanks for sharing.

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  28. I was actually lucky enough to interview Ms. Scott for my blog, but not lucky enough to read a copy yet. Thanks for your review--I'm going to have to get my hands on a copy.

    And, this is a contemps challenge book, right?

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  29. I can't wait to read this book, it sounds amazing! :D

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  30. I've been hearing a lot about this book and am tempted to go pick up a copy!

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  31. I like the cover too, the shattered glass = shattered lives.
    Thanks for the review.

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  32. great review!!! Cant wait to read it!!!!

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  33. Great review. I had no idea what Freefall was about before now but now that I do I really want to read it.

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  34. Wow. Amazing review. I really want to read this!

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  35. Wow thanks for this amazing review! I have to say that were I went to school most kids did drink, but I feel like the majority were (still are) into drugs namely pot. Its really sad what people do to their bodies.

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  36. I'm glad that you said it was easy for you to empathize with Seth. I often have a hard time relating with main characters that are male as well, so I understand. And the cover is beautiful! It's so simple, yet it pulls you in. :)

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  37. That was an amazing review! I've been seeing this book everywhere and like you I've been having second thoughts reading it, but seeing your review makes me want to read it now. It's kind of scary to read books like this, but I'm willing to give it a try. thanks for the review!

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  38. This was a great review! This book sounds like a very good read. I'd never heard of it, but I will be on the lookout for it. Thanks for the review.

    mlawson17 at hotmail dot com

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  39. I liked your review :D I look forward to reading her books!

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  40. Thanks for the review! This book has been on my wishlist forever!

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  41. Excellent review! I love trying books with male narrators. I seem to like their point of view. Looks like Mindi Scott did a wonderful job on her debut!

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  42. I think underage drinking is a worldwide problem and it is good to see this tackled in a new YA book.

    However this is also often coupled with the first trial uses of drugs and you don't say if this is also brought out in the book ?

    Carol T

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  43. Thanks for the review! This book is definitely on my wishlist!

    <3

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  44. CANNOT wait to read this book! Sounds like it's going to be amazing!

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  45. I'm so glad Seth is easy to relate to. The book sounds great, but I'm not the biggest fan of male narration, either.

    Also, the cover is gorgeous... every time I see it I'm filled with wonder.

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  46. I wanna read this one soooooooooooooo bad! Thanks for the awesome review.

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  47. I really do want to start reading more novels from the male perspective (John Green is my main man for that), and this seems like the perfect one to start with.

    I really enjoyed reading your review, and I'm so happy that you enjoyed it.

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  48. Wow, great review! I can't wait to read this. Like you, I'm no stranger to teen drinking so that's one of the main reasons I want to read it.
    Male POVs don't bother me, I think it's nice to change perspectives once in a while :)

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  49. the cover is very nice.

    good review btw.

    regards,

    maidenhealer@hotmail.com

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  50. I would be interested to read something from the male perspective. Writers tend to shy away from men dealing with their emotions.

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  51. looks like a great book, I would like to read it.

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  52. Great review! ^^ To be honest, the teaser plot doesn't really draw me as much, although the cover is quite striking and powerful. After reading your review, I think I might want to give this one a try. c:

    vesipisaroita [at] gmail [dot] com

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  53. i liked your review! i actually had some hesitations about this book, the fact that it's from Seth's POV...but your review is really positve and convincing so i might give it a try after all 8D

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  54. The cover by itself makes me want to grab it. Now with this review I really want to read it.

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  55. Wow, this was a great review! I'm glad that this male POV is definitely one to consider. And I'm liking how this book is very realistic and modern to this day and age. Thanks for the review! :)

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  56. I kinda had the same concers. Glad to hear you ended up really liking it!

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  57. This sounds like an amazing novel. I always love when your grades are in the A range. That means I'm going to like the novel!!!!

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  58. Great review this book sounds so good can't wait to read it!

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  59. Is looks like an awesome book! I would like to read it!

    Vicky Vakouftsi

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  60. This sounds really good. I had those drinking times when I was young. but, of course, no one died.

    lkish77123 at gmail dot com

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  61. Great review :)Sounds like an amazing novel

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  62. I liked your review...Sounds interesting ...and the book sounds "realistic"...and i'm gonna add it to my TBB list :)


    Have a good day ;)

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  63. Sounds like a good book ...I like your review for this,like seriously liked it :)

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  64. love the book!!
    it sounds great :)
    love the description <3
    i want it, really love it, and love seth... <3
    i wish i could read the book someday!
    for now, it´s in my wishlist :)
    bye

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  65. I'm glad to hear you like it! I love male protagonists, but it's not always easy to find one who is well written.

    Weekends also start on Thursday over here. I don't drink, but must of my friends love to get drunk and pass away....

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  66. I guess this book would be a book that could pull anyone back to reality. and this book even deals with death, sigh.

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  67. I like your review...and the theme of the book

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  68. I've read so many great reviews with yours on top of them. I NEED to read Freefall soon. I am already excited about this book,. although I haven't started reading yet:D

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  69. As an eighth grade teacher, I'm always on the lookout for books that deal with topics such as this to promote to my students before they head off to high school when these situations become all too realistic. You make it sound great, and I'm hoping this one will be a good fit and not too mature for them. Looking forward to reading it!

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  70. The cover is beautiful and your review make me want to read it. I like the theme of the book.

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  71. I love the cover! It's really simple but still pretty. After reading your review I really want to read it now! Another book to my never-ending TBR list!

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  72. Liking the review. I hadnt heard of this book till I read your review. The cover doesnt appeal to me but the story is quite intriging. Am the same as you I often find it hard relating to male narrated novels compared to female narrated novels. However this book sounds really good it just caught my attention with the story I would love to read it!

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  73. Wonderful review! I can not wait to read this book. I like that the author has created a real character with a problem that could be anyone. As I said in my review of the interview I think the guys are not aware of the real problem may be the drunken , what a great that author to handle it well this topic.

    Thanks for the honest review!

    ~Yelania

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  74. Great review! I really want to read this...I am totally intrigued now!

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  75. I LOVE the cover! So simple as you said but so remarkable! ^^

    I've been waiting to read Freefall for months, even before its release!
    Just because I liked its cover.
    So I read your review and now my bookaholic side is freaking out. LOL

    And I think Freefall is all I need now to get out of my paranormal-YA-books mood.

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  76. Great review. The book seems very interesting.

    I love the cover as well. It's simple but at the same time it catches your attention.

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  77. Great review! I am looking forward to read Mindi Scott's Freefall.

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  78. Great review. I've now added this to my TBR list because of your review!

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