Out of the Blue

Reviewed by: Sheila Dube - Springvale Public Library, Springvale, Southern Maine Library District

Review Date: September 23, 2018

Review

Recommending this title to the Cream Committee. The falling Beings started plummeting to earth all around the globe a few weeks after seventeen-year-old Jaya's mother died. Her father's obsession with finding one lands her and her younger sister on a Being finding quest in Edinburgh. While out by herself, Jaya witnesses a falling Being, the only one of 87 to land alive, and is able to hide her in the absent landlord's apartment. Jaya enlists the help twin siblings, Allie and Calum, who she had seen the day before as they were publicly protesting one of the Being-centered cult groups. Protecting the Being, they name Teacake, proves to be frustrating, enlightening and amusing for the three while Teacake tries to assimilate and heal her broken wing. Along the way, Jaya is forced to confront the romantic loss of her girlfriend, the loss of her mother and how grief has changed her. Each character, aside from Teacake whose origin and world remains a mystery, is fully developed and adds to the theme of loss whether it be relationship, loss of parent, chronic illness, or family roles. Cameron does not offer an answer to the Teacakes origins, but provides an interesting take on what earthlings envision angels to be that will stay with readers after the pages of the book fly shut.

Overall Book Score: excellent