Hello and welcome to the But Then I Came Back Blog Tour hosted by Raincoat Books! Today I have for you my review of the book, as well as a brief interview from the author. I hope that you enjoy!
But Then I Came Back by Estelle Laure
Release Date: April 4th, 2017
Read: March 19th-27th, 2017
Publisher: Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books for Young Readers
Series: Standalone
Format: ARC, 320 pages
Source: Raincoast Books in exchange for an honest review
Description from GoodReads:
“Something does exist. I saw. It’s a place. Like this but different.”
“Okay, so let’s say we do reach her, that something like that is even possible. Then what?”
“Then we ask her to come back.”
Eden: As far as coma patients go, Eden’s lucky. She woke up. But still, she can’t shake the feeling that she might have dragged something back from the near-afterlife.
Joe: Joe visits the hospital every day, hoping that Jaz, his lifelong friend, will wake up. More than anything, he wants to hear her voice again. But he’s not sure anyone can reach her.
Eden & Joe: Even though she knows it sounds crazy, Eden tells Joe that they might be able to talk to Jaz. Opening themselves up to the great unknown—and each other—Eden and Joe experience life: mysterious and scary, beautiful and bright.
Review:
Time is speeding, speeding while I stand perfectly still.
By now most of you know that I personally don't enjoy Contemporary novels all that often, but on occasion, like this one, I do put in an effort to pick one up. When I first heard the synopsis for But Then I Came Back I was intrigued, the book sounded to me as a new story from all the other contemporary novels that I'd read. When Raincoast Books announced that they'd be hosting a tour for But Then I Came Back, I hopped on the chance.
But Then I Came Back was a unique read, I've read novels where characters go into comas or where the story takes place while the character is in a coma. But I haven't read a story where the character wakes up from one and is recovering. That was my favourite thing about the story, I liked how we went on a journey of recovery with Eden, the protagonist. Laure showed the recovery process of coma patients from after they wake up, showing how smoothies are the only thing that they can swallow for a while because the patient hasn't been able to swallow food or drinks for as long as they've been out, and it damages their throats. Facts like this show up in the novel, facts that you probably wouldn't have thought of.
Although But Then I Came Back is considered a standalone, there was the odd time where I didn't completely understand what role a specific character played or who they were. I feel like these characters were explained in the first novel that Estelle Laure wrote, This Raging Light, where this novel takes place in the same world but with different characters.
And finally I felt that I could relate to Eden on a personal level when it came to her brother and best friend dating, I'm currently in a somewhat similar situation and I still don't know how I feel about it or how to deal with it. I also felt like the relationship between the brother and best friend could have been explained a bit more, but it's understandable why it wasn't considering This Raging Light is based off of that story.
But Then I Came Back was a little slow at times, but a very intriguing read. I enjoyed hearing the stories of the characters in But Then I Came Back, so I can not wait to pick up This Raging Light.
But Then I Came Back was a unique read, I've read novels where characters go into comas or where the story takes place while the character is in a coma. But I haven't read a story where the character wakes up from one and is recovering. That was my favourite thing about the story, I liked how we went on a journey of recovery with Eden, the protagonist. Laure showed the recovery process of coma patients from after they wake up, showing how smoothies are the only thing that they can swallow for a while because the patient hasn't been able to swallow food or drinks for as long as they've been out, and it damages their throats. Facts like this show up in the novel, facts that you probably wouldn't have thought of.
Although But Then I Came Back is considered a standalone, there was the odd time where I didn't completely understand what role a specific character played or who they were. I feel like these characters were explained in the first novel that Estelle Laure wrote, This Raging Light, where this novel takes place in the same world but with different characters.
And finally I felt that I could relate to Eden on a personal level when it came to her brother and best friend dating, I'm currently in a somewhat similar situation and I still don't know how I feel about it or how to deal with it. I also felt like the relationship between the brother and best friend could have been explained a bit more, but it's understandable why it wasn't considering This Raging Light is based off of that story.
But Then I Came Back was a little slow at times, but a very intriguing read. I enjoyed hearing the stories of the characters in But Then I Came Back, so I can not wait to pick up This Raging Light.
Rating:
Favourite Quote:
"It’s so damn sweet to be nothing but a riversong."
Recommend to People Who Enjoy:
Young Adult, Contemporary, Realistic Fiction, Romance, Death, Afterlife, Coma Stories
But Then I Came Back is your second book to be published, it’s been said that this book also takes place in the same world as your first book This Raging Light. For people who’ve read This Raging Light, what are they to expect in But Then I Came Back that is similar to your first book? And for people who haven’t read This Raging Light, would you recommend that they read that one first before reading But Then I Came Back?
People who read This Raging Light can expect to see some familiar faces and get further into that story, maybe get some answers about things I left open in the first book. Also, and for me this was the most interesting part, they will see that no one is how they seem on the outside. Eden seems like she has it all together from Lucille’s perspective, but once you’re in Eden’s head you’ll see everyone is grappling with their own difficulties and insecurities. But no, I don’t think you have to have read This Raging Light at all. If you have, it will have an extra layer, but it’s not like you won’t understand what’s going on.
Estelle Laure is a Vonnegut worshipper who believes in love and magic and the power of facing hard truths. She has a BA in Theater Arts from New Mexico State University and an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts, and thinks everyone should have to wait tables or work in a kitchen at least once in their lives. She lives in Taos, New Mexico with her children.
Thanks so much for stopping by, I hope you enjoy the rest of the tour!
