Infamous
Allison Stowe
Publication date: September 19th 2017
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult
Enter the world of this YA thriller, where nothing is ever quite as it seems…
It’s been five years since the high profile kidnapping case which turned Cassie Waterson’s life upside down. The aftermath led her to become a household name – for months, she was splashed across TV screens, appeared in newspaper headlines, and featured in the furtive whispers of the residents of her hometown. But why? She hadn’t done anything significant. In fact, she’d done nothing at all; merely watched, motionless, as a shadowy figure lifted her baby sister off her feet, and bundled her into the back of a station wagon.
That single moment soon became Cassie Waterson’s life. Agonised by guilt, confused by the lack of punishment, scrutinised by the media circus… everyone claims to know Cassie now, but nobody does at all. The face she puts on for cameras, the voice she fakes for the talk shows… none of that is the reality behind the mask. Cassie is not the strong, confident girl who glares with certainty from the screen. Cassie doesn’t have her assuredness, or her optimism about her sister coming home. Cassie is someone else entirely, and the only person who knows is the one person she must avoid… at all costs.
Every story has two sides, and the flipside of Cassie Waterson is Alexis Aldridge. Unknown, anonymous, kept hidden from the world by her fearful parents… Alexis is a conundrum, wrapped in darkness. While her and Cassie lead opposite lives, they both long for the one thing they miss: a sense of normalcy, and the freedom to be themselves.
Infamous is an unmissable YA mystery novel which will take you on twist after turn, and which provides suspense and surprises on every page.
My Review:
Infamous has two main characters and is told from both of
their point of views which is great. I like when a book is written in more than
one point of view as you get to know each person better like who they are and
what makes them the person they happen to be and the circumstances that led up
to making them who they are and also how they came to be where they are now in
their lives.
Our first main character is Cassie Waterson and Infamous
starts out with eight year old Cassie playing in the front yard with her three
year old little sister Sophie. Cassie was put in charge of her little sister by
their parents. Cassie was a little upset at being put in charge as that meant
she couldn’t ride her car around the yard as they were told to stay close to
the house. Cassie likes driving her car as she likes to go real fast. Cassie
keeps inching out further and further away from the house when she hears Sophie
calling her name and she looks around to see what she is hollering about now
she sees a woman has taken Sophie and is putting her in a car and driving away.
Cassie becomes famous after her sister is taken by being
interviewed on TV. Cassie knew her little sister was out there somewhere and
she was never going to stop looking for her. Cassie’s home life had change
drastically. Cassie and her parents had changed roles. Cassie had to become the
parent. There were days that her parents couldn’t even get out of bed.
Our second main character is Alexis Aldridge who lives an
ocean away from Cassie. Alexis lives with her mother in London and Cassie lives
in Canada. Alexis is not allowed to go outdoors as there are bad people out
there who could take her away from her mother. Alexis has never had a friend
and sometimes probably wonders if there are any little kids out in the world
like her. Alexis wishes all the time that her mother would take her to the park
and then take her to McDonalds.
Infamous will draw you in from the beginning and not let go
until the end. It will draw on the heart strings as well it will have you in
tears on more than one occasion. Alexis and Cassie both will have you in the
need for a box of tissues.
Infamous is unlike any story I have read before. It is one
of those books that will have you guessing what is going to happen next and
trying to figure out what is happening and whodunit but that is all you will do
is guess and that ending is one that I never saw coming. Infamous is one of
those books that will stay with you long after you have read the last page. It
is one of those books that you would love to see on the big screen.
I would recommend Infamous to all who loves thrillers,
suspense, mystery and an all around great book.
Author Bio:
Allison Stowe is the author of the YA novel, ‘Infamous.’ Raised in a generic Toronto suburb, Allison spent her childhood posting fan fiction online in hopes of influencing The WB’s writing rooms. She wrote her first novel at age 13. It was based on her favorite TV show, and upon submission she learned of copyright law.
In 2010, she graduated with a BA (Hons) in Journalism from Ryerson University, where she was the Managing Editor of the online newspaper. During her brief journalistic career, Allison wrote for Chatelaine magazine and TV Guide Canada (essentially achieving a life dream). Shortly after graduation, she relocated to Brighton, UK, and refocused her attention on her second passion – helping young people.
While studying for her MSc in Educational Psychology at UCL, Allison wrote Infamous as a way to fulfil her instinct to keep writing. When she isn’t writing about the lives of young adults, or watching prime time teen dramas, Allison mentors university students who’ve been diagnosed with mental health issues. She lives in London, UK, with her fluffy ginger cat, Sawyer. ‘Infamous’ is her debut novel.
1 comments:
This sounds compelling and an emotional ride, too! Great review, Nancy!
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