Revolution by Jennifer Donnolley

(3 stars)

Revolution

Published: October 12th 2010

Synopsis from Goodreads: BROOKLYN: Andi Alpers is on the edge. She’s angry at her father for leaving, angry at her mother for not being able to cope, and heartbroken by the loss of her younger brother, Truman. Rage and grief are destroying her. And she’s about to be expelled from Brooklyn Heights’ most prestigious private school when her father intervenes. Now Andi must accompany him to Paris for winter break. PARIS: Alexandrine Paradis lived over two centuries ago. She dreamed of making her mark on the Paris stage, but a fateful encounter with a doomed prince of France cast her in a tragic role she didn’t want—and couldn’t escape. 

Two girls, two centuries apart. One never knowing the other. But when Andi finds Alexandrine’s diary, she recognizes something in her words and is moved to the point of obsession. There’s comfort and distraction for Andi in the journal’s antique pages—until, on a midnight journey through the catacombs of Paris, Alexandrine’s words transcend paper and time, and the past becomes suddenly, terrifyingly present.

I have very mixed feelings about Revolution. On one hand, the writing was brilliant and the level of research and work put into the book was evident in the storyline and the characters. On the other hand, I think the book became too focused on the details and not focused enough on the characters that were in desperate need of attention.

I've seen a few reviews with people saying that they didn't like Andi, the protagonist, but I actually quite liked her. I thought her issues were understandable, though the angst did not really ever let up for a second.  She had a good voice and was a very good example of the unreliable narrator. To me, Virgil stole the show to the point where he should've been a bigger character than he was. I also wanted to know more about both Vijay and Nathan. They were all woven into the story but they were very much on the back burner, and I really wanted to see more of them.

The book did lose its steam halfway through, I put it down for a couple of days before I picked it up again (plus I was ill.) The main event, mentioned in the synopsis, did not happen until about 3/4 of the way through, which made the synopsis seem a little misleading to be honest. It was not at all the story that I had expected from the synopsis, and maybe not in a good way. All of the connections are never truly explained. However, having said that, some parts were quite moving and the writing was beautiful, particularly with Malherbeau, so that did make me read on. I have to admit, I did skim-read some of the DNA conversations and some of the long-winded parts in Alexandrine's journal, and don't feel like I missed anything important from doing so.

I suddenly realised this review may be coming off as though I didn't really like it, but that isn't the case. The setting of Paris was believable and real, the characters seemed to come right off the page, and the old Paris, I could practically smell it. My main problem is all the storyline threads, when only two or three were properly explored. There was a bit too much going on, and I'd have liked the focus to have been on Andi and Alexandrine, and more of an explanation for their connection. Instead, running in the background was a storyline about Nick, the Truman storyline, Andi's mother in hospital,  Andi's friendship with Nathan, Vijay being in a very controlling household, Andi's father and his way of grieving, and Virgil, whose life I wanted to know more about because he was by the far the most interesting one. All  of them were parts of the whole, but it didn't quite come together well enough for me, which is why I gave it 3 stars. Plus, the time travel, in my opinion, should've featured much more heavily in the novel, it really let it down.

I did love the mix of historical and fiction, and for someone who knows little to nothing about the revolution, I was able to just let them mingle together and feel the characters and their struggles more deeply. Overall, I did really like the book but just not enough to feel very passionately about it. However, I'd definitely recommend it to anyone who likes historical fiction, darker YA, family angst, and a few sprinkles of romance.

Have you read Revolution? What were your thoughts?