I received this book for free from Publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Slice of Cherry by Dia ReevesPublished by Simon and Schuster on 2011-01-04
Genres: Death & Dying, Family, Siblings, Social Issues, Violence, Young Adult
Pages: 512
Format: ARC
Source: Publisher
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Kit and Fancy Cordelle are sisters of the best kind: best friends, best confidantes, and best accomplices. The daughters of the infamous Bonesaw Killer, Kit and Fancy are used to feeling like outsiders, and that’s just the way they like it. But in Portero, where the weird and wild run rampant, the Cordelle sisters are hardly the oddest or most dangerous creatures around.
It’s no surprise when Kit and Fancy start to give in to their deepest desire—the desire to kill. What starts as a fascination with slicing open and stitching up quickly spirals into a gratifying murder spree. Of course, the sisters aren’t killing just anyone, only the people who truly deserve it. But the girls have learned from the mistakes of their father, and know that a shred of evidence could get them caught. So when Fancy stumbles upon a mysterious and invisible doorway to another world, she opens a door to endless possibilities….
When I think serial killer, the first thing that comes to mind is often Hannibal Lector. Hence the awesome quote. It’s not often that I read Young Adult where the main characters are Dexter-esque serial killers. However, I’ve come to the conclusion that Dia Reeves’ writing is unlike any other in the YA-world. In Slice of Cherry, Kit and Fancy Cordelle are sisters whose father was put on death row for being the Bonesaw Killer. You can infer what he did. In Portero,life moves differently than where you or I may be from. With weird creatures, doors that lead to places more sinister than Narnia, Portero is weird. As walking cliche, I’d like to state that the bonds of sisterhood are TESTED, when Kit decides that maybe she wants more than Fancy in her life.
Can I get a raise the roof (because I am elderly) for YA that deviates from the norm? I love that this book took such a twisted and dark path. I love that we learned up front that the girls were serial killers rather than be sucker punched with it later. I love that for the most part the book focused on the relationship between sisters as opposed to romantic relationships. Although, there were romantic relationships, just they were a side factor and not the entire book.
Aside from the murdering, the whole main theme of Slice of Cherry is change. Whether one is changing or resisting. Through Kit, we see her character go from acting the child, to being a mature young woman, interested in romantic love and sex and having attachments with people who are not Fancy. On the other hand, there is Fancy. She has this fear of things being different. When things don’t go as she is used to, she basically has an insane reaction, killing and such. She does not let other people get close to her, not even a potential love interest. I mean, it’s interesting because although she’s like 14, she dresses and acts like she is six for most of the book, including playing with dolls/toys. I just find that fascinating, the binary between the two sisters, one ready to grow, the other afraid and steadfast in her sameness.
I quite liked Reeves writing style. I wasn’t spoon-fed anything, and this was one of those books that I read after reading adult books. I never felt the dumb-down-disconnect that I occasionally feel. I will say this book is long, and if you have a life outside of reading and your blog, it will probably be a week-long investment, however, if you want to read something that is slightly outside the norm, read Slice of Cherry, it’s worth the week.
My only real complaint was the awkward sex/hook-up scenes. I’m not a prude or anything OBVIOUSLY, I mean hello, obviously I’m not a 40 year old virgin book blogger. But, good lord, those scenes.
Also, finally, I haven’t read Bleeding Violet yet. I can tell you it’s not necessary to read Bleeding Violet before Slice of Cherry. I wasn’t confused and the world of Portero is easy to slip into. Just sit back and enjoy the read.
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SOME FAVA BEANS AND A NICE CHIANTI!
also I need to read this like, yesterday.
you amuse me 😀
I definitely agree this book is outside the norm, although some of the sex stuff definitely made me a bit uncomfortable… and I don’t consider myself a prude either.
I reviewed the book here if you’re interested:
http://inthenextroom.blogspot.com/2011/01/slice-of-cherry-by-dia-reeves.html
Overall it wasn’t for me, but I did appreciate Reeves twisted and interesting mind.
I really really liked this one too! I love that you pinpointed that theme of the story is change, and our reactions to it. It’s one of those thoughts that I wish I had thought of first!
I also really love how this book is competely different than books out there! Great review!
DUDE. I have this book and have been trying to read it for like a month now. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I love dark & twisty books. Awesome review as always, April. AND I’m quite comforted to know that I don’t have to read BV first, though I do plan on reading it eventually. It’s just that I kinda want to read SoC….more.
Dexteresque is a great way to describe the sisters. It nice to see a new YA Fantasy novel that’s different and very out there.
This sounds awesome! I love dark fiction & horror. I’m definitely going to check this out along with Bleeding Violet.
Wow… thank you so much for the informative review! I probably would not have picked up this book otherwise, primarily because of the cover (yes, I’m cover-judgmental, sigh). But now it is most definitely going on my to read/buy list… I love books that walk the twisted path of the shadowed forest 🙂
We don’t own this book at my library! Or Bleeding Violet. But I am oh so intrigued we might just have to order it. I love when I read reviews on blogs of slightly older books that are more under the radar that I’ve missed. Not every post has to be about the book of the moment. This sounds delightfully creepy. Thanks for the review!
I’ve had both Slice of Cherry and Bleeding Violet on my TBR for a while now. In fact, I own Bleeding Violet! I’ve just never gotten around to it. But I’ve been so interested in these books because they sound so different, and because Portero sounds like a weird, fascinating place. Definitely going to be checking both of these out soon!