Down with the ShineAuthor: Kate Karyus Quinn
Published by: HarperTeen
Publication Date: April 26, 2016
Format: eARC
Pages: 368
Source: Publisher
There's a reason they say "be careful what you wish for." Just ask the girl who wished to be thinner and ended up smaller than Thumbelina, or the boy who asked for "balls of steel" and got them-literally. And never wish for your party to go on forever. Not unless you want your guests to be struck down by debilitating pain if they try to leave.
These are things Lennie only learns when it's too late-after she brings some of her uncles' moonshine to a party and toasts to dozens of wishes, including a big wish of her own: to bring back her best friend, Dylan, who was abducted and murdered six months ago.
Lennie didn't mean to cause so much chaos. She always thought her uncles' moonshine toast was just a tradition. And when they talked about carrying on their "important family legacy," she thought they meant good old-fashioned bootlegging.
As it turns out, they meant granting wishes. And Lennie has just granted more in one night than her uncles would grant in a year.
Now she has to find a way to undo the damage. But once granted, a wish can't be unmade...
So freaking good!
Ever since I read Quinn’s debut novel, I go into each one completely blind. I don’t even read the blurb, knowing nothing about them. All I do is see her name on the cover and dive-in, trusting I’m going to have a great experience. And I certainly did with Down with the Shine. It’s a lot lighter than her previous books, but I am not complaining.
Quinn has, without a doubt, a gift for storytelling. I’m not talking about your basic novel with tired tropes. No, hers are always fresh and unique, keeping me fully mesmerized from cover to cover. She has the magic, that’s for sure.
With that being said, Down with the Shine is a little strange and quirky – I love it! I wasn’t expecting it to be so humorous, though. Even some of the darker moments had a whimsical feel that made it hard not to giggle or keep from smiling. Some of the situations are so ridiculous it’s funny. Believe me, I mean that in a totally good way.
There definitely isn’t a shortage of amusing characters. Lennie finds herself in quite the predicament after accidentally granting wishes using moonshine to a bunch of people at a party. Oh man, these people and what they wish for. Let’s just say I’m not going to eat Cheetos for a while. I really enjoyed all of them, though, especially Lennie. She’s a fantastic heroine who had me laughing with her quips and sarcasm.
Down with the Shine is just an overall fun and refreshing book! It’s a quick read, and even though it’s beyond satisfying, I crave more. It’s over too soon, and now I’m back to waiting for Quinn to wield more of her magic.
By the way, how pretty is that cover?
Twitter: u
It’s great to see that you had a wonderful time again, I didn’t know about this one.
Melliane recently posted…UFO Hunters Book Two by William J. Birnes
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Well this definitely sounds different and in a good way. I haven’t read anything by Quinn yet but sounds like I should get to it. Great review!
Grace recently posted…Review ~ The Decent Proposal
Ali really liked this one as well. Now I think I need to read it because you have me curious. Plus I need a good read.
Heidi recently posted…Must Read: A Mother’s Reckoning: Living in the Aftermath of Tragedy by Sue Klebold
Well, the blurb got me (balls of steel? ROFL) and you had me curious with Cheetos… so I do think I’ll be adding this one to my wishlist. LOL
Melissa (Books and Things) recently posted…Throne of Glass by Sarah J. Maas
Twitter: KEPitts1
This sounds crazy but in a fantastic way! The cover had caught my eye but this was the first time I read the blurb and it definitely had me giggling – especially with the literal balls of steel. This sounds dark, quirky, funny and fantastic. I’m definitely adding it to my TBR.
Katherine recently posted…Ramblings from the Stacks: Spoilers
All of her reads are a bit quirky at times but I love her for it. It’s nice to have something completely different.
kindlemom1 recently posted…Review; The Twelve by Justin Cronin
Twitter: lattenightsbook
Hahahaha not eat cheetos. That was bad haha I can’t look at Cheetos the same way again. Their wishes were so ridiculous especially steel balls hahaha Great review!
Genesis recently posted…No Love Allowed by Kate Evangelista | ARC Review
Good to know. I have a copy of this, but my head is not in the reading game right now. Reality is kicking my brown ass hard! Thanks for the feedback 🙂
Braine Talk Supe recently posted…Suped Feature: Second Life by Emily Reese + Character Chat & #Giveaway
Fun with amusing characters sounds good
Brandi Breathes Books recently posted…Review: The Flip Side by Shawn Johnson and A.L. Sonnichsen
I seriously adore this cover. I haven’t read anything by Quinn yet, but I KNOW I need too. I really want to read this one though. Love that it’s funny!
ShootingStarsMag recently posted…Bridge the Gap Review: The Taste of Ink by Francis Gideon + Music Pick
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Fresh and unique – I think I’ll add Quinn to my auto-buy, too, Christy! I love it when authors can tell a beautiful story without resorting to tried and tired tropes in order to do so. It’s really refreshing to read prose that doesn’t follow in anyone’s footsteps, too.
And I’m the same way as you in many ways, for my fave authors, I never read the blurb or anything, I just get the book and go in blind to be totally surprised 🙂 Great review!
Lexxie recently posted…Blogtour Review: Prince of the Playhouse – Tara Lain
I was not expecting this one to be on the lighter side Christy! I’m definitely adding it to my list now. I was curious before because my husband is obsessed with the show Moonshiners (so I’ve of course had to watch as well), so that element definitely appealed to me. The granting wishes part has me excited though, I can’t wait to find out what everyone at the party wishes for!
Jenny recently posted…Cathy Reviews: A Little Something Different
I’ve heard that this one is on the funny and quirky side and I have to say I did not expect that at all. This wasn’t a book that was on my radar, but I really want to try it now! The fact that you loved it is a great sign for me.
Lovely review, Christy!
Nick recently posted…Review: The Wedding Pact by Katee Robert
Twitter: kbaby81
I’m really ready to read this book. If only to laugh my ass off. Great review!
Lekeisha recently posted…Since You’ve Been Gone by Morgan Matson
This sounds different..and I love quirky, dark and humerous. Another author to try 🙂
kimbacaffeinate recently posted…Let Me by Cecy Robson
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This book is definitely on my TBR list, I love these types of whimsical , magical novels. Thanks for sharing this great review.
Twitter: aila_1woaa
I’ve heard great reviews for this book! It really seems like the author has a magical way with words, and I like how there’s more of a light-hearted tone in this book. It sounds all-around fun!
Aila recently posted…Exquisite Captive Review: Exquisitely Written Story That Had Me Captivated
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Glad this was fun and refreshing! We always need those books 🙂 I think I requested it but I haven’t heard from BFF :/
Daniela Ark recently posted…Book Review: Fury’s Kiss (New England Furies #1), by Nicola R. White
Once in a while, I’m in the mood for black humor and quirkiness. This does sound so different and I’m curious about how something like this would resolve.
Sophia Rose recently posted…Never Sweeter by Charlotte Stein #Review
Oh strange, quirky and humorous sounds like a win to me! I haven’t read any of her books but this definitely sounds great!
Candace recently posted…Save Me a Seat by Sarah Weeks & Gita Varadarajan #mglit
Aren’t those refreshing reads so wonderful??!! This book sounds AMAZING, I can tell how much you really loved it.
Twitter: divabooknerd
I love the quirky reads, the stranger the better actually. I haven’t read anything of hers before, but this sounds too lovely to pass up. I need a lighter, funnier read and I think I’ve just found it Christy. Thanks for sharing lovely and wonderful review! <3 <3
Kelly recently posted…Lady Midnight Discussion
Twitter: herdingcats2012
Strange and quirky can be fun 😀 And going in without blurb. That’s my default reading stance 😀
herding cats & burning soup recently posted…3 stars–Dirtiest Secret (S.I.N., #1) by J. Kenner
Twitter: joyousreads
Strange and quirky is my poison. So heck ya, on this book!
Joy // Joyousreads recently posted…[630]: Beta Test by Annabeth Albert
Twitter: lolasreviews
That is definitely one pretty cover and the blurb sounds pretty cool and original too! I am glad to hear you enjoyed it! And going in without reading the blurb can be a great experience, although I usually read the blurb and then forget parts about it, so depending on how long ago that it was I heard/ read anything about the book I know a lot or very little about it, but hardly go in completely blind. I can’t resist reading the blurb of a book. From the blurb I would’ve expected a more dark book, but that’s great it got humorous as well, sounds like it worked quite well. I am adding this one to my to-read list!
Lola recently posted…Lola’s Ramblings: Why I hate the Obligatory Break-up Scene in Books
Twitter: whykristenburns
I have this book on my TBR because the premise just sounds so interesting! I like quirky and strange, and it’s always great when books can make you laugh. Especially if the laughter comes from the absurdity of the situations, that can be the best when it’s done right. And yes, I LOVE that cover!
Kristen recently posted…The Weekly Update: 4/24/16
I’ve had this one for a while. I had no idea it released already. Shows how well I’m doing keeping track. I’m glad it was good, gives me something to look forward to.
Just starting this and enjoying it so far. I’m happy to hear it’s refreshing and I’m totally okay with lighter, too. Lovely review, Christy.
Cyn recently posted…Blog Tour: Return of the Bad Boy by Jessica Lemmon
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I love it when you can pick up a book and dive into it without knowing nothing except the author that wrote it… And you LOVE it! Sounds like a great read Christy!
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