Romancing the Dark in the City of Light

August 3, 2015
In her debut novel, Jacobus explores difficult topics including depression, alcoholism, death, and the reckless behavior that can accompany them. Summer Barnes is obsessed with death, reading up on near-death experiences and watching burial ceremonies online. Her father died of alcohol-related causes, she has been kicked out of four schools, and now she is living in Paris with her mother, trying to finish high school. She’s desperate to find a reason to keep on living and thinks that falling in love might help. Enter Moony, a hopeful boy recovering from a near-death accident, and Kurt, a mysterious man who pulls Summer further into her dark place. Summer can be bright-eyed and hopeful, her thoughts and dialogue funny, at times, despite the stubborn curtain of despair that hangs over her every move. As Summer struggles with alcohol dependency and contemplates suicide, readers will grit their teeth in the hope that Moony will win the romantic tug-of-war with Kurt in time to help Summer see the light at the end of the tunnel. Ages 14–up. Agent: Erzsi Deàk, Hen & Ink Literary Studio.

August 1, 2015
Summer finds herself living with her mother in Paris while attempting to finish high school so she will be eligible to inherit her grandfather's fortune. It seems unlikely that 19-year-old Summer will finish a four-year college degree by age 22, a stipulation of her grandfather's will. Her mother bemoans Summer's lack of academic progress but prioritizes work travel over helping Summer succeed. Lonely, Summer believes a boyfriend could make all the difference and soon finds herself the subject of interest of two boys. Kurt, a handsome but also slightly menacing stranger she first meets on the Metro, encourages Summer to pursue the activities that are most dangerous to her-drinking and indulging in suicidal fantasies. Moony, however, is the picture of stability, encouraging Summer to study and attend Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. It's possible the two boys are meant to create an engaging love triangle, but Kurt is so obviously a terrible choice (and part of a pretty obvious plot twist) that Moony quickly becomes the only logical outcome-though considering her mistreatment of him, his love for Summer is occasionally puzzling. The novel does capture some of the crushing feelings of inadequacy that contribute to Summer's growing interest in suicide, but overall, her emotional and addiction struggles wrap up very quickly. Summer's real troubles are marred by the inclusion of fantastical Kurt and the predictably pat ending. (Fiction. 14-18)

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October 1, 2015

Gr 9 Up-Summer Barnes has moved to Paris to be near her mother and repeat her senior year of high school. The Paris American International School is the fifth school she has attended in four years. Summer has to acclimate to a new environment while she struggles with her father's death, her mother's absenteeism, and her own alcoholism. She hopes to graduate high school and college by age 22 in order to inherit her grandfather's fortune. After Summer enrolls in school, Moony and Kurt fall for her. Moony is a likable senior who tries to keep Summer out of trouble. Kurt is mysterious and encourages her demons. But there is more to Kurt than meets the eye. He seems to follow Summer and anticipate her needs. Although Summer knows Moony is the right choice, Kurt seems to have a destructive influence over her. Dealing with her problems and being caught between two such different guys, she begins to wonder if her difficult life is even worth living. In this realistic fiction title, Jacobus has created three strong characters. Summer and Moony are believable, flawed, and well-crafted teen protagonists. They each have their own complications and struggles. Many young adults will be able to relate to one or both of these characters. Savvy readers may pick up on clues along the way, making the ending less surprising. VERDICT The short chapters will appeal to reluctant readers, and the seamless pacing makes this book hard to put down.-Jeni Tahaney, Duncanville High School Library, TX

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