Release Date: August 1st, 2010
Source: Blog tour
Fourteen year old nerd-boy Dan Cereill is not quite coping with a reversal of family fortune, moving house, new school hell, a mother with a failing wedding cake business, a just-out gay dad, and an impossible crush on Estelle, the girl next door. His life is a mess, but for now he's narrowed it down to just six impossible things...
Six Impossible Things was a fast, light-hearted read that had me smiling and laughing until the last page. I loved Dan Cereill (pronounced surreal, not cereal) and his quirkiness. Despite having a lot of emotional hurdles thrown at him, he copes pretty well all things considered. Dan was so honest about things and his sarcasm (directed at everything, including himself) made the story much more fun to read. I do wish that we could've seen more of his father (especially after that one scene where Dan opens his birthday present) but his mother provided a lot of sad and hilarious moments. It was so funny seeing his mom trying to start a wedding cake business but ending up convincing her clients that they shouldn't get married, lol.
And maybe it's just me, but I really loved seeing Dan get along with Howard, the dog left along with the house his mother inherited from her great aunt. Their relationship was so endearing and reminded me of how I act with my own dog (I talk to her too sometimes) ♥ My only issue with the story is kind of silly--I liked Estelle enough but I didn't think she was as awesome as Dan did. I don't think she even deserves him, really! But Dan gets his happy ending and if he's happy, then so am I. xD
Final verdict: Six Impossible Things is an impressive debut from author Fiona Wood. The story itself is easy to zip through in one sitting and you're left feeling all smiley and content. It's a perfect choice for whenever you want to read something that lifts your spirit; Wood's snappy writing, realistic characters and penchant for awesome dialogue made what could've been a depressing story into a novel that skims along some dark edges certainly but is mostly heartwarming, hopeful and ultimately delightful. Also, I didn't know this but Dan Cereill is an anagram for Cinderella. How awesome is that?!
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Again, thank you to Holly for letting me be a part in this tour too! I never would've read any Aussie YA if it weren't for you :)
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