Book Review: Sing Me To Sleep by Angela Morrison

Book Description:

THE TRANSFORMATION


Beth has always been “The Beast”—that’s what everyone at school calls her because of her awkward height, facial scars, and thick glasses. Beth’s only friend is geeky, golden-haired Scott. That is, until she’s selected to be her choir’s soprano soloist, and receives the makeover that will change her life forever.

THE LOVE AFFAIR

When Beth’s choir travels to Switzerland, she meets Derek: pale, brooding, totally dreamy. Derek’s untethered passion—for music, and for Beth—leaves her breathless. Because in Derek’s eyes? She’s not The Beast, she’s The Beauty.

THE IMPOSSIBLE CHOICE

When Beth comes home, Scott, her best friend in the world, makes a confession that leaves her completely torn. Should she stand by sweet, steady Scott or follow the dangerous, intense new feelings she has for Derek?

THE HEARTBREAK

The closer Beth gets to Derek, the further away he seems. Then Beth discovers that Derek’s been hiding a dark secret from her …one that could shatter everything.

My Thoughts:


Let me start by saying that Sing Me to Sleep is the best YA novel I’ve ever read, that isn’t Paranormal. I completely liked, loved and adored this book.

Beth is labelled as ‘The Beast’ because of her appearance. She was bullied because of it. Her hair aka her mane is her constant hiding place from the world of high school. But when her choir, Bliss, got in the Youth Choir competition, Beth gets a major makeover. They fly to Switzerland. Beth and her supporting and equally lovable friends meet some of the boys from Amabile – Blake and Derek. From that point, everything changes.

Derek is wonderful. Dark hair. Brown eyes. Breathtaking voice. He’s sweet and gentle. He’s the soloist of Amabile. But Derek has a secret. A really important one that can shatter Beth’s world. As Derek keeps appearing and disappearing, Beth’s worry heightens. She knows that there is something Derek isn’t telling her. She’s dying to know what it is.

How long can he keep his secret?

Will he be able to reveal it to Beth without breaking her heart?

Angela Morrison is a very talented YA author. Her novel is wonderfully-written and dives us to an emotional depth that I haven’t experienced before. She successfully weaved together music, high school life, family and friend relationship, love and health condition into Sing. It is also an eye-opener to the condition of a person with CF – Cystic Fibrosis. It was entirely detailed.

I was really able to connect with Beth and Derek. The emotional pull was really strong, very intense. Their relationship seemed so surreal, so dream-like. But at the same time, it felt so real, so passionate in many ways that I can never explain. What is lovely is that I can feel Beth’s feeling pulsing with every scribbled word of her lyrics. Plus, she reminded me of myself. I usually write poems or essays all the time, especially when something really big happens.

I cried. Twice. To be honest, this is the second novel that ever made me cry. The first one was Shiver by Maggie Stieftvater. But I’m certain that more tears poured for Sing. The ending perfectly concludes the story with a song arranged by Derek and written by Beth, and a shard of hope.

Sing Me to Sleep is a story of love, hope, loss and change. It’s a story of struggling and coping with the unfortunate circumstances in life with the accompanying harmony of rich and expressive music. I learned that sometimes we have to let go and let things happen as they should be. There’s more to the earth in which we live. There’s always the other side – the perfect paradise.

Rating:

Special thanks to Reggie from The Undercover Booklover for letting me borrow her signed ARC of Sing Me To Sleep!! I now share her love for Derek. :)