When “crazy”
runs in your family and your namesake is known for walking into a river with a
pocket full of rocks, a girl kind of wants to avoid tempting fate at all costs.
For Virginia Nichols, the only way to dodge that bullet is to be perfect at
everything: school, student council, life. Too bad it’s all a lie, and
underneath the perfection...Virginia is lost.
Ryder
Blackstock knows a thing or two about being born into fate. The talents passed
down from his father aren't exactly normal; instead of learning how to throw a
fastball, he was taught to hot-wire a car like a pro and pick any pocket in
sight. He’s got criminal blood, just like his old man. And as soon as he turns
eighteen, he’ll be living life on the run with his dad.
When Ryder and
Virginia meet on the beach, it seems they couldn't be more different. Soon they
discover they’re both trapped in their lives—Virginia denying her fate, Ryder
embracing his. Like the rocks in Virginia Woolf’s pockets, the weight of their
destinies will pull them under. But being together brings out pieces of
themselves they didn't know existed—pieces that make them want to take fate
into their own hands and rewrite their destinies...if it’s not too late.
"Whenever
I read Nyrae Dawn, I am reminded that words are her art, and she wields her
paintbrush with all the skill of Rembrandt. The tender romance of Ryder and
Virginia is palpable on the page, and the story sings with all the complexities
of the interwoven plot. I read late into the night to finish this one, and once
again, Nyrae has managed a masterpiece. LOVED." ~ USA Today and New
York Times Bestselling Author Courtney Cole
"The
Weight of Destiny unfolds like a storm. It is dark and electric and
incredibly romantic. I lost and found myself. The characters are so vivid, so
alive, you'll forget anything but them exists." ~ David James author of
Between the Stars and Sky
"The
Weight of Destiny is YA at its absolute finest. Nyrae Dawn flawlessly
brought two seemingly broken characters to life and showed everyone deserves a
second chance at love and life. This breathtaking storytelling will blow you
away." ~ USA Today Bestselling Author Tiffany King
"The
Weight of Destiny is art at its best, Ryder and Virginia canvasses on which
the good and bad of life and love unfold in brilliant, true color." ~ Author
Jamie Manning
Amazon link:
I am a huge fan of Nyrae Dawn, she never disappoints with her stories- and this is no exception. She's done it again my friends. And I was so fortunate to be able to read an advanced reader's copy, in exchange for my honest review.
Both characters in this book- know a little about fate, destiny. Things that have happened in both of their lives set them on a path forever. But what if they don't want to follow that path, what if they meet each other and the weight of that path, doesn’t feel so heavy. It makes them whole to be together- no one can explain it- so don't even try. Maybe, they are each other's destiny now, and
that suits me just fine. This story was intricately woven and poetically beautiful- all in the same book. From the character development, to the plot to the themes scattered throughout the story, there was so much brilliance in this story.
In Virginia- "Lulu" Nichols family, she has a lot of crazy to deal with. From her grandmother dying not so nicely, her mother suffering her own version of crazy, and her namesake Virginia Woolf committing suicide- it’s all she can do some days to breathe. I really did love her character. Her strong outside, versus the weak inside. And her inner voice coming out- was one of my favorite parts.
The struggles she had were so real for someone her age.
"There once was a girl named Fear. Everything scared her, but she couldn’t let anyone know. Maybe if she fought hard enough, she could change her name to Strength. That's who she wanted to be. "
Then there was Ryder Blackstock, he has a lot of crazy to deal with. His father raised him to believe there has to be a balance of people in the world, the good and the evil- and because there was enough good, his father chose the evil. Breaking and entering, stealing- you name it, his father did it, and he taught Ryder to be the same way. He always felt unloved- his father left him, he was on the run from the police- and Ryder was left with his brother, and two strikes against him. And then one day, by chance he meets Virginia, and his destiny is forever changed.
"You're changing everything, and I can't figure out why I'm not more scared about that."
I press my lips to her forehead. 'Yeah, me either."
Growing up is HARD, and if your future is predetermined, or so it seems, it feels even HARDER. But even with the weight of this destiny they both feel- when they are together it doesn't make them feel so bad.
"Because the weight isn’t as heavy when I'm with you.
"The weight of what?" she asks.
"Of everything."
"But it's not my words that settle into my chest. Its hers. Virginia shakes her head and answers her own question. "Of destiny."
I really loved this book, and it really soared- for me, about fifty percent in. not saying the beginning
wasn’t equally as brilliant, but I started to really get IT around that point. To understand the author's words and story- that 's when it clicked. And then it was a only mere seconds, or so it felt like, and I was finished and I heaved a huge sigh- and said "Now that is how you write a YA novel!"
Growing up is HARD, and if your future is predetermined, or so it seems, it feels even HARDER. But even with the weight of this destiny they both feel- when they are together it doesn't make them feel so bad.
"Because the weight isn’t as heavy when I'm with you.
"The weight of what?" she asks.
"Of everything."
"But it's not my words that settle into my chest. Its hers. Virginia shakes her head and answers her own question. "Of destiny."
I really loved this book, and it really soared- for me, about fifty percent in. not saying the beginning
wasn’t equally as brilliant, but I started to really get IT around that point. To understand the author's words and story- that 's when it clicked. And then it was a only mere seconds, or so it felt like, and I was finished and I heaved a huge sigh- and said "Now that is how you write a YA novel!"
“You’re strong and beautiful.”
She chuckles softly and shakes her head.
“It’s just a different kind of strength.
You are who you are, and you don’t care what people think. You don’t care that
you’re sober at a party where everyone is drinking. You don’t give a shit if
you’re the girl who leaves to do her homework, because it’s important to you.”
“Is it still strength if the reason behind
it is fear?” She sounds like she’s drifting away, her voice getting softer and
softer. I need to reel her back in, keep her close, so I roll to my side, lean
my head into my hand and let my elbow prop me up. With my other hand, I brush
her cheek with my thumb.
“I don’t know. You’re the smart one.
Regardless, I know you’re strong.” Because I know she’s dealing with more than
I’ve seen; I just don’t have a clear picture of what it is.
“We’re still different, though, so why me?”
Words get trapped in my throat. I can tell
her it’s because of what I said—she’s beautiful and strong. I can tell her it’s
because sometimes the loneliness in her eyes mirrors mine, only I didn’t know
it was there before her. Maybe it’s to prove I won’t screw up with a girl like
her the way Luke thinks I will. There are a million possibilities, not all of
them good. The only thing that manages to come out is, “Because the weight isn’t
as heavy when I’m with you.”
Her breath hitches. I let my fingers gently
glide against her neck, her throat. When she speaks, I feel the words vibrate
through my fingertips. It’s a crazy-wild feeling, and I want it to keep going,
want to touch all her words.
“The
weight of what?” she asks.
I
don’t know… I shrug. “Of everything.”
But it’s not my words that settle into my
chest. It’s hers. Virginia shakes her head and answers her own question. “Of
destiny.”
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