Downcast by Cait Reynolds **Review**
What would you do when faced with an impossible truth? Written with heart and passion, Downcast by Cait Reynolds is ripe with twists you never saw coming and love that defies the odds in this intense new Paranormal Romance retelling one of mythology’s greatest love stories.
It’s the start of Stephanie Starr’s senior year of high school, but sadly, this is no life of the prom queen. Stuck at the bottom of the high school social totem pole, Stephanie is forced by her domineering mother to wear lumpy linen dresses and eat organic tofu for lunch in a world of mini-skirts and pizza.
What Stephanie doesn’t anticipate is gorgeous and cocky Haley Smith who breaks social convention and pursues her with a determination that is both terrifying and flattering. Afraid that Haley is simply trying to set her up for massive humiliation, Stephanie does her best to push him away. But the more attention he pays to her, the more she runs, and the more everyone else begins to notice.
Instead of a loving family to support her as the mean girls make their play, Stephanie’s mother begins to unravel mentally, her possessiveness of Stephanie spiraling to new and frightening extremes. Stephanie is forced to grow up, find herself, and learn the truth about her past in order to save her mother, her friends, and her town. When the truth is revealed, nothing can prepare her for the outrageous reality of her existence…and nothing can save her from her fate.
Except Haley.
It’s the start of Stephanie Starr’s senior year of high school, but sadly, this is no life of the prom queen. Stuck at the bottom of the high school social totem pole, Stephanie is forced by her domineering mother to wear lumpy linen dresses and eat organic tofu for lunch in a world of mini-skirts and pizza.
What Stephanie doesn’t anticipate is gorgeous and cocky Haley Smith who breaks social convention and pursues her with a determination that is both terrifying and flattering. Afraid that Haley is simply trying to set her up for massive humiliation, Stephanie does her best to push him away. But the more attention he pays to her, the more she runs, and the more everyone else begins to notice.
Instead of a loving family to support her as the mean girls make their play, Stephanie’s mother begins to unravel mentally, her possessiveness of Stephanie spiraling to new and frightening extremes. Stephanie is forced to grow up, find herself, and learn the truth about her past in order to save her mother, her friends, and her town. When the truth is revealed, nothing can prepare her for the outrageous reality of her existence…and nothing can save her from her fate.
Except Haley.
4.5 "Love is such a mortal word” stars
Downcast is a wonderful retelling of the well known story of Hades and Persephone. If that doesn't ring a bell, go read some greek mythology. Maybe I'm biased, because I'm greek, but I really loved this book. This couple always held a special space in my heart, because I think it's the original 'bad guy steals innocent girl' kind of story. If you think about it, this is a story made eons ago, so yes, maybe that's why I love this so much.
"Call it sentimental, but I have a special place in my stone-cold eternal heart for Greece."
Back to this story now. Stephanie is a seventeen year old girl, who has lived her whole life obeying the rules of her overprotective mother, Deborah. Stephanie Starr doesn't live the life she would like to. She wears the clothes her mother picks, eats and drinks her mother's choices etc. You get the idea. Now she's a senior at Darbyfield high school, and she's just a few days away from turning 18, a legal adult. Stephanie wants to be able to express herself, to explore the world, to live experiences like studying and living in a dorm, but her mother wants just the two of them and she's a step away from being homeschooled.
"Teenagers were supposed to yell and fight with their parents. Teenagers were supposed to rebel and be rude. Not Stephanie Starr, though."
The first day at school, Haley Smith walks in with his brother Zack. They are the new seniors and somehow Haley can't take his eyes off her. But Stephanie thinks he's mocking her and this is a set up for all the popular kids to laugh at her, because why would someone like her?
"I finally admitted to myself that I wanted his attraction to be real, to be genuine. I was so achingly lonely in my life, and every day, little evil seeds of self-doubt sprouted in my heart."
At the same time strange things start happening and Stephanie is confused. Why is her mother acting like that? Why can't she be who she wants to be? Why can't she be a normal teenage girl? Is Haley really interested in her or is this a game? What's going on with the crazy weather? One day is snowing in September the next is freaking hot. Why so many secrets?
I really enjoyed this book, it was well written, interesting with adventure, suspense and it provoked emotions in me. It was sweet, educational and fun at the same time. The only thing that kind of disappointed me was the epilogue. Still, I recommend this book to all my friends who enjoy fantasy reads.
Arc provided by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
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