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Rough Romance #1
Melt
Based on true events, MELT is both a chilling tale of abuse, and a timeless romance. MELT will hit you like a punch in the face, and also seep through the cracks in your soul.
MELT is a brutal love story set against the metaphorical backdrop of The Wizard of Oz (not a retelling). When sixteen year old Dorothy moves to the small town of Highland Park, she meets, and falls for Joey – a “bad boy” who tells no one about the catastrophic domestic violence he witnesses at home. Can these two lovers survive peer pressure, Joey’s reputation, and his alcoholism?
Told in dual first person, Joey’s words are scattered on the page – reflecting his broken state. Dorothy is the voice of reason – until something so shattering happens that she, too, may lose her grip. Can their love endure, or will it melt away?
MELT is a brutal love story set against the metaphorical backdrop of The Wizard of Oz (not a retelling). When sixteen year old Dorothy moves to the small town of Highland Park, she meets, and falls for Joey – a “bad boy” who tells no one about the catastrophic domestic violence he witnesses at home. Can these two lovers survive peer pressure, Joey’s reputation, and his alcoholism?
Told in dual first person, Joey’s words are scattered on the page – reflecting his broken state. Dorothy is the voice of reason – until something so shattering happens that she, too, may lose her grip. Can their love endure, or will it melt away?
280 pages, Paperback
First published November 15, 2011
19 people are currently reading
1556 people want to read
About the author
Selene Castrovilla
33 books173 followersHi everyone! I'm a lifelong book lover, and when I was a kid, books saved my life. I was so lonely, but when I held a book and travelled to the place where those characters lived, I was somewhere else, where I had friends. I recently encountered a character like me, Abigail, in TELL ME WHAT HAPPENED by Chelsea Sedoti.
Isn't it exciting to find a piece of yourself in a book?
There's a piece of myself in all of my books, no matter the genre. Yes, I write in several genres, much to the dismay of my editors and, often, to myself. But I love literature, and my muse cannot be confined to one type of story. And no matter the "label", all books have humanity in common. I write about humanity. I want to understand the un-understandable. I want to explore dark thoughts and darker intentions. I want to know why people hurt each other.
And while the rational part of me knows this is impossible, the irrational writer part of me keeps trying, one manuscript at a time.
My goal is to connect with your hearts!
Please visit https://linktr.ee/selenecastrovilla.
Isn't it exciting to find a piece of yourself in a book?
There's a piece of myself in all of my books, no matter the genre. Yes, I write in several genres, much to the dismay of my editors and, often, to myself. But I love literature, and my muse cannot be confined to one type of story. And no matter the "label", all books have humanity in common. I write about humanity. I want to understand the un-understandable. I want to explore dark thoughts and darker intentions. I want to know why people hurt each other.
And while the rational part of me knows this is impossible, the irrational writer part of me keeps trying, one manuscript at a time.
My goal is to connect with your hearts!
Please visit https://linktr.ee/selenecastrovilla.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 164 reviews
September 15, 2014
Find all of my reviews at: http://52bookminimum.blogspot.com/
This one made me feel some . . . things when I first started. Mainly:
At some point can’t an author just write something like “I met Joey two weeks after I moved from NYC. I never would have guessed he would become such an important part of my life” and then get on with the story? Instalove that is so instant they fall in love before even saying hello makes me want to . . .
Not to mention why the f*&^ was this Wizard of Oz backdrop even being used? Just because Dorothy Must Die sold a bunch of copies, doesn’t mean we need a whole slew of books that have not even a hint of Dorothy except for the MC’s name and leading off the chapters with quotes from Frank Baum’s classic.
As you can tell, this book did not make me a happy camper. Luckily, I found a new friend
and he took some of the angry away, told me to get over my self, accept the book with all its faults, and just READ the damn thing. So I did.
Melt is the story of Dorothy (the rich girl) and Joey (the kid from the wrong side of the tracks), how they fall in love (instantly – blech), and how Dorothy eventually comes to find out the truth that lies behind Joey’s troubles with drinking, fighting, and breaking the law.
This one gets 2 Stars for potential rather than delivery. The Oz crap never stopped bugging and I never grew to like Dorothy, but Joey’s story was heartbreaking and real and the stream of consciousness delivery was effective in making the reader feel his pain. It wasn’t great for me, but I am wise enough to know that there is an audience for this book who will love it. I was just not meant to be a part of that audience.
Sidenote with respect to Joey’s voice: It read like Marv from Sin City. There’s a very good chance I could have ended up giving this 1 Star, but I loooooooove me some Marv.
ARC received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley!
This one made me feel some . . . things when I first started. Mainly:
At some point can’t an author just write something like “I met Joey two weeks after I moved from NYC. I never would have guessed he would become such an important part of my life” and then get on with the story? Instalove that is so instant they fall in love before even saying hello makes me want to . . .
Not to mention why the f*&^ was this Wizard of Oz backdrop even being used? Just because Dorothy Must Die sold a bunch of copies, doesn’t mean we need a whole slew of books that have not even a hint of Dorothy except for the MC’s name and leading off the chapters with quotes from Frank Baum’s classic.
As you can tell, this book did not make me a happy camper. Luckily, I found a new friend
and he took some of the angry away, told me to get over my self, accept the book with all its faults, and just READ the damn thing. So I did.
Melt is the story of Dorothy (the rich girl) and Joey (the kid from the wrong side of the tracks), how they fall in love (instantly – blech), and how Dorothy eventually comes to find out the truth that lies behind Joey’s troubles with drinking, fighting, and breaking the law.
This one gets 2 Stars for potential rather than delivery. The Oz crap never stopped bugging and I never grew to like Dorothy, but Joey’s story was heartbreaking and real and the stream of consciousness delivery was effective in making the reader feel his pain. It wasn’t great for me, but I am wise enough to know that there is an audience for this book who will love it. I was just not meant to be a part of that audience.
Sidenote with respect to Joey’s voice: It read like Marv from Sin City. There’s a very good chance I could have ended up giving this 1 Star, but I loooooooove me some Marv.
ARC received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. Thank you, NetGalley!
July 3, 2019
Overall a well written and impactful teen story. There is no relation to the Wizard of Oz, and in fact I question the use of Oz at all (more on that below); but that doesn't retract from the fact that the writing is good, the teenage voices are authentic and the message is one always worth saying to anyone, just in case.
Trauma & Abuse
Yes this is a book about traumatic things. They are described, discussed and ultimate drivers for the climax and ending. When you are reading a book like Melt it can be difficult to remember that all the things that seem illogical or 'backwards' that our characters say are likely exactly how people feel in that moment. It's easy to judge from the outside. Melt does a wonderful job of rationalizing behaviours that we all 'know' are poor choices; but let's be truly honest here, knowing and believing in any scary moment are two totally different things.
I commend Selene Castrovilla for not backing down and making her characters seem like perfect John Green angels or teens that are stronger than everything. There is no pandering or gloss to Melt. This is straight-up a story about abuse and how it affects everyone touched by it in different ways.
Teenage Voices
For some of us, myself perhaps included, we are getting a bit far away from being teenagers and so we tend to forget what it might feel like when we were 15-18. Others perhaps had some traumatic moments during those years (let's face this is maybe the most difficult stage of life) that have made us soften the memory or we like to believe we were smarter than the average bear. Likely none of that is true.
In Melt, we get a very authentic voices in the two lead teens (one male, one female). Each are annoying and frustrating in their own way (like real teens can be). And each have their own unique perspectives on the situations they are in. What's always interesting about POV chapters that swap back and forth is that you get the same experience from each persons perspective. This really changes how you might feel or even view the situation. Castrovilla does a wonderful job of swapping these two POVs at the right time and keeping the teen angst at a place that feels authentic. Her use of stilted language and mechanism to even change the grammar and layout between our characters is a clever writing tool to make the reader feel more like that teenage would.
Perfect Ending
This is not a fairy tale. There is not necessarily a 'and they lived happily ever after' moment. Instead we face a reasonable, realistic, open door ending that allows any number of things to happen. But it's enough of an ending to provide closure for the reader. The progression of each of our characters is obvious both in what they say it and in how the grammar and layout of their voices each changes.
It also helps that, as I suspected from the beginning, there is an author's note indicating that the circumstances of our story are based on true events. This goes back to the authenticity of, not only our characters, but of the extreme situation they are put in. It just feels like a true story throughout. Between the nuggets of real-life events and the set-up of the writing structure (our boy rarely has a full sentence or thought on one line in the text) it pushed me into feeling the mood and head space of our two teens.
The Issues
While a four-star review is a very good rating from me, I know people can't help but wonder why not five given the praise above. It actually comes down to two very simple things for me.
One, the use of Wizard of Oz was unnecessary and feels like a marketing ploy. As someone who adores Dorothy and her story I felt like it was being used as a crutch to make the book stand-out from other independent books. I normally wouldn't forgive this type of use of a classic; except the story is genuinely good enough that it's not as major of a factor to the overall story as it might have been. Remove all the Oz references (but keep the lead gal's name Dorothy) and it wouldn't change the tone or story in any way. For me, that begs the question of why use it at all?
Two, our main characters are a little too isolated for me. I would have liked to see more of the friendship fall-outs and social complications the relationship of our two teens would create given the the intimacy and closeness these two characters begin to have. Additionally the family dynamic for our girl was stilted and cliche. The 'only child that loves her parents, tells them everything; but then dates a bad boy and never talks again' story is very overdone in my mind. I'd have liked to see there be more genuine interaction between the characters, their friends and family.
In the same vein as with our leading gal, I wanted to have at least one scene between our leading boy and his mother; or maybe even with his brother. There was too much isolation in the story given that there were other witnesses around who were party to intense moments. Silence outside the home is one thing (and certainly common in real life); but silence inside the home amoungst those who need each other for support felt a bit too false to me.
Overall
I think there is a very good story here. It's not overly complex, it's honest and it's not difficult (or too long) to read. This is a good book to leave around for teens to find or stumble upon. Unlike teen books like Go Ask Alice where the shock value is the driver; Melt has a more balanced approach and gives the characters more room to feel real. Because it's based on true events there is also the obvious respect and authenticity that parts of this story are someone's history. They are someone's trauma they had to deal with. And while that may be easy to type out or even to read; it is far from easy to live.
If nothing else hopefully this story gives some perspective for readers of: things they should be grateful for, tips for spotting warning signs of domestic abuse or alcoholism, or even the nerve to place a copy of this book in someone's hands or where a needy teen might find it. Just maybe someone's life will be changed when they read the rationalizations and authentic voices of these characters. It only takes a slight change in perspective to motivate an action.
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via BookSirens. This is an honest and unbiased review.
Trauma & Abuse
Yes this is a book about traumatic things. They are described, discussed and ultimate drivers for the climax and ending. When you are reading a book like Melt it can be difficult to remember that all the things that seem illogical or 'backwards' that our characters say are likely exactly how people feel in that moment. It's easy to judge from the outside. Melt does a wonderful job of rationalizing behaviours that we all 'know' are poor choices; but let's be truly honest here, knowing and believing in any scary moment are two totally different things.
I commend Selene Castrovilla for not backing down and making her characters seem like perfect John Green angels or teens that are stronger than everything. There is no pandering or gloss to Melt. This is straight-up a story about abuse and how it affects everyone touched by it in different ways.
Teenage Voices
For some of us, myself perhaps included, we are getting a bit far away from being teenagers and so we tend to forget what it might feel like when we were 15-18. Others perhaps had some traumatic moments during those years (let's face this is maybe the most difficult stage of life) that have made us soften the memory or we like to believe we were smarter than the average bear. Likely none of that is true.
In Melt, we get a very authentic voices in the two lead teens (one male, one female). Each are annoying and frustrating in their own way (like real teens can be). And each have their own unique perspectives on the situations they are in. What's always interesting about POV chapters that swap back and forth is that you get the same experience from each persons perspective. This really changes how you might feel or even view the situation. Castrovilla does a wonderful job of swapping these two POVs at the right time and keeping the teen angst at a place that feels authentic. Her use of stilted language and mechanism to even change the grammar and layout between our characters is a clever writing tool to make the reader feel more like that teenage would.
Perfect Ending
This is not a fairy tale. There is not necessarily a 'and they lived happily ever after' moment. Instead we face a reasonable, realistic, open door ending that allows any number of things to happen. But it's enough of an ending to provide closure for the reader. The progression of each of our characters is obvious both in what they say it and in how the grammar and layout of their voices each changes.
It also helps that, as I suspected from the beginning, there is an author's note indicating that the circumstances of our story are based on true events. This goes back to the authenticity of, not only our characters, but of the extreme situation they are put in. It just feels like a true story throughout. Between the nuggets of real-life events and the set-up of the writing structure (our boy rarely has a full sentence or thought on one line in the text) it pushed me into feeling the mood and head space of our two teens.
The Issues
While a four-star review is a very good rating from me, I know people can't help but wonder why not five given the praise above. It actually comes down to two very simple things for me.
One, the use of Wizard of Oz was unnecessary and feels like a marketing ploy. As someone who adores Dorothy and her story I felt like it was being used as a crutch to make the book stand-out from other independent books. I normally wouldn't forgive this type of use of a classic; except the story is genuinely good enough that it's not as major of a factor to the overall story as it might have been. Remove all the Oz references (but keep the lead gal's name Dorothy) and it wouldn't change the tone or story in any way. For me, that begs the question of why use it at all?
Two, our main characters are a little too isolated for me. I would have liked to see more of the friendship fall-outs and social complications the relationship of our two teens would create given the the intimacy and closeness these two characters begin to have. Additionally the family dynamic for our girl was stilted and cliche. The 'only child that loves her parents, tells them everything; but then dates a bad boy and never talks again' story is very overdone in my mind. I'd have liked to see there be more genuine interaction between the characters, their friends and family.
In the same vein as with our leading gal, I wanted to have at least one scene between our leading boy and his mother; or maybe even with his brother. There was too much isolation in the story given that there were other witnesses around who were party to intense moments. Silence outside the home is one thing (and certainly common in real life); but silence inside the home amoungst those who need each other for support felt a bit too false to me.
Overall
I think there is a very good story here. It's not overly complex, it's honest and it's not difficult (or too long) to read. This is a good book to leave around for teens to find or stumble upon. Unlike teen books like Go Ask Alice where the shock value is the driver; Melt has a more balanced approach and gives the characters more room to feel real. Because it's based on true events there is also the obvious respect and authenticity that parts of this story are someone's history. They are someone's trauma they had to deal with. And while that may be easy to type out or even to read; it is far from easy to live.
If nothing else hopefully this story gives some perspective for readers of: things they should be grateful for, tips for spotting warning signs of domestic abuse or alcoholism, or even the nerve to place a copy of this book in someone's hands or where a needy teen might find it. Just maybe someone's life will be changed when they read the rationalizations and authentic voices of these characters. It only takes a slight change in perspective to motivate an action.
Please note: I received an eARC of this book from the publisher via BookSirens. This is an honest and unbiased review.
March 7, 2020
Happy release day, Melt!!!
-------
YOU CAN ALSO READ MY REVIEW ON MY BLOG.
GUYSSSSS. ASSDFFGKDIEUEUEUSJKL
IT'S PURE PERFECTION.
I’ve waited 2-3 days before I wrote my review of Melt and honestly but until now I still can’t form coherent words about it. So please bear with me, I will try to express how I love this masterpiece as understandable as I can.
We were first introduced by Joey, a teen that has a bad reputation and a bad situation at home. Then there’s Dorothy, sweet, sweet Dorothy who is new in town. When these two completely opposite people collided.. we got a heart melting and soul crushing experience.
I was completely sucked in from the first chapter.. Joey’s voice is heartbreaking and hard to let go. I found myself anticipating his next words. Dorothy is not that different, I really felt for her. That’s why this story is a success for me, it’s scary real and it’s as if I was there! Witnessing what Joey is seeing.. Feeling my heart ache just like Dorothy. I spent half of the time reading this crying and sobbing and I.. I’m speechless.
I get the writing style of “Melt” isn’t for everyone. It’s written as verse, poetic-like. The book is so deep, yet such an easy read. I’ll never forget it. I’ll forever recommend it as a must-read. The fact that she could introduce these deep characters in such a structure that make me feel like I know them is mind blowing.
I have nothing but praise to the author … she created a powerful book that will forever hunt the reader. Poignant and entirely realistic, MELT is a book that should NEVER be missed.
-------
YOU CAN ALSO READ MY REVIEW ON MY BLOG.
GUYSSSSS. ASSDFFGKDIEUEUEUSJKL
IT'S PURE PERFECTION.
I’ve waited 2-3 days before I wrote my review of Melt and honestly but until now I still can’t form coherent words about it. So please bear with me, I will try to express how I love this masterpiece as understandable as I can.
We were first introduced by Joey, a teen that has a bad reputation and a bad situation at home. Then there’s Dorothy, sweet, sweet Dorothy who is new in town. When these two completely opposite people collided.. we got a heart melting and soul crushing experience.
I was completely sucked in from the first chapter.. Joey’s voice is heartbreaking and hard to let go. I found myself anticipating his next words. Dorothy is not that different, I really felt for her. That’s why this story is a success for me, it’s scary real and it’s as if I was there! Witnessing what Joey is seeing.. Feeling my heart ache just like Dorothy. I spent half of the time reading this crying and sobbing and I.. I’m speechless.
I get the writing style of “Melt” isn’t for everyone. It’s written as verse, poetic-like. The book is so deep, yet such an easy read. I’ll never forget it. I’ll forever recommend it as a must-read. The fact that she could introduce these deep characters in such a structure that make me feel like I know them is mind blowing.
I have nothing but praise to the author … she created a powerful book that will forever hunt the reader. Poignant and entirely realistic, MELT is a book that should NEVER be missed.
January 16, 2015
Thank you net galley for sending me this arc in exchange of an honest review
DNF: 29%
Melt is divided in to two perspective, a guy name Joey and a girl name Dorothy however this is not a retelling of the wizard of oz, just a backdrop love story between them. The chapters that are set in Joey perspective are verses and Dorothy's are in normal writing style.
I find it hard to adjust to the writing style. I'm not saying that the writing style is bad or anything. It's actually pretty good and decent, but I personally don't enjoy reading poetry if it's going to be 100+ pages long. As I mention the book is in stanzas in a few chapters and normal writing in another, which I think the author did a great job on contrasting the two characters showing their differences, however I still think it would be better if it's just either.
"To his eyes then, to his smoky-grey eyes which stared back at me. He had the look of an animal caught in a trap. It was like he has caged inside that beautiful body, like he was asking me to carve deeper to set his should free"
Ahh the author is extremely metaphorical which makes her writing style another reason why it is so beautiful, It makes me feel bad for not liking it :(
Oh and one thing I DO NOT ENJOY INSTA LOVE in fact I despite it. Makes me think of Romeo and Juliet, I mean I just don't believe in love in first sight but lust in first sight. So thats another reason I did not really enjoy the book as I find it extremely fake and unrealistic.
I do recommend this book to whoever likes poetry :D or dark romances
Yeah Hope this review helps!
Free worldwide book delivery
THE BOOKS ARE CHEAP IF YOU LIVE FAR FAR AWAY LIKE ME
http://www.bookdepository.com/?a_aid=...
DNF: 29%
Melt is divided in to two perspective, a guy name Joey and a girl name Dorothy however this is not a retelling of the wizard of oz, just a backdrop love story between them. The chapters that are set in Joey perspective are verses and Dorothy's are in normal writing style.
I find it hard to adjust to the writing style. I'm not saying that the writing style is bad or anything. It's actually pretty good and decent, but I personally don't enjoy reading poetry if it's going to be 100+ pages long. As I mention the book is in stanzas in a few chapters and normal writing in another, which I think the author did a great job on contrasting the two characters showing their differences, however I still think it would be better if it's just either.
"To his eyes then, to his smoky-grey eyes which stared back at me. He had the look of an animal caught in a trap. It was like he has caged inside that beautiful body, like he was asking me to carve deeper to set his should free"
Ahh the author is extremely metaphorical which makes her writing style another reason why it is so beautiful, It makes me feel bad for not liking it :(
Oh and one thing I DO NOT ENJOY INSTA LOVE in fact I despite it. Makes me think of Romeo and Juliet, I mean I just don't believe in love in first sight but lust in first sight. So thats another reason I did not really enjoy the book as I find it extremely fake and unrealistic.
I do recommend this book to whoever likes poetry :D or dark romances
Yeah Hope this review helps!
Free worldwide book delivery
THE BOOKS ARE CHEAP IF YOU LIVE FAR FAR AWAY LIKE ME
http://www.bookdepository.com/?a_aid=...
February 21, 2014
Powerful. Gritty. Honest. Gripping.
I finished this book at 2AM. Just WOW. That's all I could say, it's so so good! If you're a fan of Ellen Hopkins, MELT is a must-read. I do feel I should warn that this book deals with violent abuse, alcoholism, drugs (mild), and sex.
I finished this book at 2AM. Just WOW. That's all I could say, it's so so good! If you're a fan of Ellen Hopkins, MELT is a must-read. I do feel I should warn that this book deals with violent abuse, alcoholism, drugs (mild), and sex.
March 6, 2015
* I was provided with a copy via Netgalley for review.
I tried, I really did. I wanted to read the whole thing, but it seemed silly to do so, since I knew it wasn't going to be a positive outcome for me (I confirmed this by skimming the remainder of the book, but I still don't feel qualified to issue a rating). I will try to explain a bit about why it didn't work for me.
The insta love was just too much. I am pretty tolerant of romantic stuff in general, and some insta love I can deal with, but it just didn't make sense to me. And then she was letting some horrible actions slide literally right after they meet, and I just couldn't.
There was a lot of talk about Dunkin Donuts too. I mean, I love DD just as much as the next girl (fine, more than the next girl) but I just didn't understand why there was so much information on donut flavors but no rhyme or reason to the romance.
I did set the book down, then come back and try again later, but I ended up just not being able to, and I called it quits around 33%, figuring I wasn't doing anyone any favors by pushing through.
I tried, I really did. I wanted to read the whole thing, but it seemed silly to do so, since I knew it wasn't going to be a positive outcome for me (I confirmed this by skimming the remainder of the book, but I still don't feel qualified to issue a rating). I will try to explain a bit about why it didn't work for me.
The insta love was just too much. I am pretty tolerant of romantic stuff in general, and some insta love I can deal with, but it just didn't make sense to me. And then she was letting some horrible actions slide literally right after they meet, and I just couldn't.
There was a lot of talk about Dunkin Donuts too. I mean, I love DD just as much as the next girl (fine, more than the next girl) but I just didn't understand why there was so much information on donut flavors but no rhyme or reason to the romance.
I did set the book down, then come back and try again later, but I ended up just not being able to, and I called it quits around 33%, figuring I wasn't doing anyone any favors by pushing through.
January 23, 2015
(Source: I received a digital copy of this book for free on a read-to-review basis. Thanks to Last Syllable Books and NetGalley.)
This was an interesting YA contemporary romance novel, with dealt with some difficult topics. I did find it difficult to relate this to ‘The Wizard of Oz’ though.
I liked both Dorothy and Joey, although they were both pretty different. Dorothy came from quite a privileged family it seemed, while Joey had a father who abused both Joey and his mother on a daily basis. I liked the way the two points of view were split into very different styles of writing, as it made it much easier to know whose point of view you were reading, and the way Joey’s story was written in a sort-of fractured, verse-like way made him seem a little edgier. However; other than the name ‘Dorothy’ I didn’t really feel like there was much symmetry between Dorothy and Joey, and the characters in The Wizard of Oz.
The storyline in this was very much a contemporary romance story, with the added complication of the abuse Joey, his siblings, and his mother were dealing with at home. We also had some troubles for Joey with anger management and alcohol dependency. This story was interesting enough, but again, I had problems really finding the similarities between this and The Wizard of Oz. In fact I didn’t see the similarities until I read the Q&A with the author at the end of the book, which while interesting was a little frustrating. I’ve come across this with books previously, and feel like I shouldn’t need to read additional material to understand a book. Is that just me?
Anyway, we did have some romance between Dorothy and Joey, and this was okay. I didn’t love it, but I didn’t hate it either. I did feel that Dorothy and Joey’s relationship was bound to be tested though, seeing as they were from such different backgrounds, and I didn’t for a moment believe Dorothy when she said that her parents would love him because she loved him. Been there, done that, and it really doesn’t work that way.
The ending left me wanting more. The book stopped, but I felt like we didn’t really get all that much closure. The ending was left fairly open, and it’s very difficult to decide what would have happened next, and whether Joey and his family would ever have gotten away from his abusive father. I wish the ending had been a little more concrete, as at the moment I feel like I don’t know what happened to Dorothy and Joey! Did Joey really get away from his abusive father? Did his mother speak against her husband? Did it all get written off as lies because Joey was a young offender and his father a cop? (Quite probable really.) Did Dorothy and Joey continue their relationship? What did Joey intend to do with the rest of his life? So many questions.
Overall; an okay YA contemporary romance, but not a whole lot of ‘Wizard of Oz’ symmetry,
6.25 out of 10.
This was an interesting YA contemporary romance novel, with dealt with some difficult topics. I did find it difficult to relate this to ‘The Wizard of Oz’ though.
I liked both Dorothy and Joey, although they were both pretty different. Dorothy came from quite a privileged family it seemed, while Joey had a father who abused both Joey and his mother on a daily basis. I liked the way the two points of view were split into very different styles of writing, as it made it much easier to know whose point of view you were reading, and the way Joey’s story was written in a sort-of fractured, verse-like way made him seem a little edgier. However; other than the name ‘Dorothy’ I didn’t really feel like there was much symmetry between Dorothy and Joey, and the characters in The Wizard of Oz.
The storyline in this was very much a contemporary romance story, with the added complication of the abuse Joey, his siblings, and his mother were dealing with at home. We also had some troubles for Joey with anger management and alcohol dependency. This story was interesting enough, but again, I had problems really finding the similarities between this and The Wizard of Oz. In fact I didn’t see the similarities until I read the Q&A with the author at the end of the book, which while interesting was a little frustrating. I’ve come across this with books previously, and feel like I shouldn’t need to read additional material to understand a book. Is that just me?
Anyway, we did have some romance between Dorothy and Joey, and this was okay. I didn’t love it, but I didn’t hate it either. I did feel that Dorothy and Joey’s relationship was bound to be tested though, seeing as they were from such different backgrounds, and I didn’t for a moment believe Dorothy when she said that her parents would love him because she loved him. Been there, done that, and it really doesn’t work that way.
The ending left me wanting more. The book stopped, but I felt like we didn’t really get all that much closure. The ending was left fairly open, and it’s very difficult to decide what would have happened next, and whether Joey and his family would ever have gotten away from his abusive father. I wish the ending had been a little more concrete, as at the moment I feel like I don’t know what happened to Dorothy and Joey! Did Joey really get away from his abusive father? Did his mother speak against her husband? Did it all get written off as lies because Joey was a young offender and his father a cop? (Quite probable really.) Did Dorothy and Joey continue their relationship? What did Joey intend to do with the rest of his life? So many questions.
Overall; an okay YA contemporary romance, but not a whole lot of ‘Wizard of Oz’ symmetry,
6.25 out of 10.
March 6, 2015
Oh Selene, what have you done to me?
This book left me numb, I've finished reading it over an hour ago and I can't get myself to process the feelings I have. I'm glad I gave this book a chance after being thrown off a little by Joey's verse-style POV, but in all honesty, for Joey's character, it works!
The main characters are Joey, and Dorothy. I wasn't able to relate to or connect with Dorothy at all, but Joey, oh poor Joey! I wanted to find him and tell him that nothing is permanent, maybe adopt him because he deserves to have a better life.
The ending wasn't what I expected. The book just ended, and I was left with a ton of questions. I also didn't see how this is a retelling of The Wizard of OZ.
~*ARC, kindly provided by NetGalley and Last Syllable Books, in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!*~
August 29, 2014
(I received a copy from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.)
Actual rating - 2.5
MELT was an okay read, but it dragged at times.
Dorothy and Joey were both okay characters, but i didn't love them. I did feel sorry for Joey and his mum though, as the situation they were in was horrible.
Joey's chapters were quite confusing at first, as they were written in verse, and his thought's were all over the place. After a few chapters though, i got used to it, and i understood why it was written that way.
Apart from Dorothy being called Dorothy, and each part named something like "The great Oz" i didn't see how this was a retelling of the wizard of oz - even after reading the Q&A at the end.
The ending was left open, and it really annoyed me. It left me with so many questions!
Overall, an okay read, but slow, and had an annoying ending.
Actual rating - 2.5
MELT was an okay read, but it dragged at times.
Dorothy and Joey were both okay characters, but i didn't love them. I did feel sorry for Joey and his mum though, as the situation they were in was horrible.
Joey's chapters were quite confusing at first, as they were written in verse, and his thought's were all over the place. After a few chapters though, i got used to it, and i understood why it was written that way.
Apart from Dorothy being called Dorothy, and each part named something like "The great Oz" i didn't see how this was a retelling of the wizard of oz - even after reading the Q&A at the end.
The ending was left open, and it really annoyed me. It left me with so many questions!
Overall, an okay read, but slow, and had an annoying ending.
September 22, 2014
Melt is a retelling of the Wizard of oz but it is far from yellow brick roads and happily ever afters. This is a story of true love caught between a maelstrom of pain and forbidden passion.
Dorothy is the new girl in town. She meets bad boy Joey who has a painful secret. The two of them are fervently in love but circumstances threaten to tear them apart.
Joey comes from an abused family. He drinks, he gets into fights, he's been in jail. He fears that Dorothy will be caught between his father's fury and his own cowardice. Meanwhile, Dorothy must prove to everyone that Joey is a good soul, a guy worth fighting for.
Will their love triumph against all odds?
I liked this story. I liked the poetry, I liked the romance, I liked the conflict. This was beautifully written and very emotional. The ending might catch the reader off guard but all in all it is a very touching tale.
I recommend this book to anyone willing to give it a try.
Dorothy is the new girl in town. She meets bad boy Joey who has a painful secret. The two of them are fervently in love but circumstances threaten to tear them apart.
Joey comes from an abused family. He drinks, he gets into fights, he's been in jail. He fears that Dorothy will be caught between his father's fury and his own cowardice. Meanwhile, Dorothy must prove to everyone that Joey is a good soul, a guy worth fighting for.
Will their love triumph against all odds?
I liked this story. I liked the poetry, I liked the romance, I liked the conflict. This was beautifully written and very emotional. The ending might catch the reader off guard but all in all it is a very touching tale.
I recommend this book to anyone willing to give it a try.
October 4, 2014
Have you ever read something dark? So dark that it leaves you feeling numb. You sit there after, your brain still trying to process everything you just read. That was me once I finished reading Melt . I've never read anything by Ellen Hopkins, and I've never read anything dark. If there's a book that I've read that's classified as dark, it shouldn't be. Selena Castrovilla's Melt is the true definition of a book that is both dark and deep.
All those years building and all it took was for a puddle to bring it down.
Melt is told through two different perspectives from Dorothy and Joey. I liked Joey’s perspective the most because I felt like with every word he painted a vivid picture that will forever be etched into my mind. The writing style took a couple of chapters to get use to, but I liked having the dual perspectives; it allowed you to really grasp what took place.
We didn't speak, and yet we were communicating. Getting to know each other, without words. When you think about it, words don't count for much anyway. It's the intentions behind them that count.
Selene managed to perfectly capture such a devastating and realistic topic and carry it through with a solid plot and deep characters. She kept my heart thumping one I got to the last couple of chapters. At one point I panicked wondering how the book would come to an end. Would I be able to prepare myself? Nope. The ending was power and I re-read about 3 times.
Overall, Melt is the kind of book that you won't be able to shake; it'll haunt you. I recommended this book to everyone! As long as people don't take this as a Wizard of Oz retelling there is nothing to be disappointed about. I’m highly looking forward to what the final layout will be once this hits stores in November.
Thank you Selene Castrovilla & Jen!! :)
May 2, 2015
Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore. Like literally.
Melt is no retelling of The Wizard of Oz if you're ever wondering about a reappearance of the famous ruby slippers. It's real life we're talking about here this time. Selene Castrovilla sure knows how to paint a vivid and revelatory image of the cruelties of Real Life Land.
Whatever expectation I had, whatever doubt I had going into this book was immediately shattered after three chapters or so. The first thing that caught my attention was the narration style, particularly Joey's. His chapters were messy and spontaneous. It reminded me of the narration in Shatter Me and Ellen Hopkins's books. At first I thought it was too flowery, but as I continued reading, I understood what the author was trying to convey through Joey's narration.
The book explores a lot of heavy topics like abuse, redemption, and tough love. There were some scenes that downright made me cringe because it was so graphic and raw. It's like the words were dripping with all of these angry and intense emotions. It was so well-written. If I were to meet Selene right now, I'd clap in front of her for she has written something painfully real and beautiful.
Last thing I want to talk about is the main characters: Dorothy and Joey. I honestly don't want to say anything about their relationship because I think it's best if you go in blind, and in that way you get to feel more from them. But I can say that their relationship is one of the best out there in YA.
And with that, I hope I successfully persuaded/convinced you into reading this book when it comes out. For good measure, here's one of my favourite passages:
Melt is no retelling of The Wizard of Oz if you're ever wondering about a reappearance of the famous ruby slippers. It's real life we're talking about here this time. Selene Castrovilla sure knows how to paint a vivid and revelatory image of the cruelties of Real Life Land.
Whatever expectation I had, whatever doubt I had going into this book was immediately shattered after three chapters or so. The first thing that caught my attention was the narration style, particularly Joey's. His chapters were messy and spontaneous. It reminded me of the narration in Shatter Me and Ellen Hopkins's books. At first I thought it was too flowery, but as I continued reading, I understood what the author was trying to convey through Joey's narration.
The book explores a lot of heavy topics like abuse, redemption, and tough love. There were some scenes that downright made me cringe because it was so graphic and raw. It's like the words were dripping with all of these angry and intense emotions. It was so well-written. If I were to meet Selene right now, I'd clap in front of her for she has written something painfully real and beautiful.
Last thing I want to talk about is the main characters: Dorothy and Joey. I honestly don't want to say anything about their relationship because I think it's best if you go in blind, and in that way you get to feel more from them. But I can say that their relationship is one of the best out there in YA.
And with that, I hope I successfully persuaded/convinced you into reading this book when it comes out. For good measure, here's one of my favourite passages:
I wonder if that tinge of white mixed in midnight is dawn. I wonder if dawn's there always, inside the night. I wonder if dawn's tucked somewhere in midnight's folds, safely stowed until its time to shine.
June 25, 2014
Full review: http://bookjunkiereview.blogspot.com/2014/06/review-melt-by-selene-castrovilla.html
Dorothy is a new comer to Highland Park, where all the cool kids congregate Muchkinland (a.k.a. Dunkin Donuts). There, she meets Joey, the resident ‘bad boy’ who everyone fears and stays away from. But Dorothy is not deterred by his bad rep, for she sees a wounded person, from the pain of abuse and battling his own demons. Both have an instant connection and their love is not just tested by peer pressure, but of Joey’s home life and a devastating encounter threatens to tear them apart.
The story is told through a dual perspective, with Joey’s voice as gritty and heartbreaking as anything I’ve ever read. There is a slight variation to “The Wizard of Oz”, but I hardly found any of it in the book. Dorothy’s sweetness balances out Joey’s sharp prose. Some of you might have heard about Selene’s other novels, including “Saved by the Music” and “The Girl Next Door”, a novel that is also heartbreaking. However, you take that novel and ratchet up a billion volts, and that’s enough to not only break hearts but haunt them as well. I re-read the novel twice, which I was not able to put down. The writing is a sucker punch to the very heart and maybe some readers might not have the heart to continue. That will serve as a challenge since the story itself will grip the reader until the last page.
Selene Castrovilla is indeed a writer worth watching for (the blurb from Jacqueline Woodson on the cover). And “Melt” is a story that is worthy of comparison to Ellen Hopkins. I cannot highly recommend this novel enough.
Dorothy is a new comer to Highland Park, where all the cool kids congregate Muchkinland (a.k.a. Dunkin Donuts). There, she meets Joey, the resident ‘bad boy’ who everyone fears and stays away from. But Dorothy is not deterred by his bad rep, for she sees a wounded person, from the pain of abuse and battling his own demons. Both have an instant connection and their love is not just tested by peer pressure, but of Joey’s home life and a devastating encounter threatens to tear them apart.
The story is told through a dual perspective, with Joey’s voice as gritty and heartbreaking as anything I’ve ever read. There is a slight variation to “The Wizard of Oz”, but I hardly found any of it in the book. Dorothy’s sweetness balances out Joey’s sharp prose. Some of you might have heard about Selene’s other novels, including “Saved by the Music” and “The Girl Next Door”, a novel that is also heartbreaking. However, you take that novel and ratchet up a billion volts, and that’s enough to not only break hearts but haunt them as well. I re-read the novel twice, which I was not able to put down. The writing is a sucker punch to the very heart and maybe some readers might not have the heart to continue. That will serve as a challenge since the story itself will grip the reader until the last page.
Selene Castrovilla is indeed a writer worth watching for (the blurb from Jacqueline Woodson on the cover). And “Melt” is a story that is worthy of comparison to Ellen Hopkins. I cannot highly recommend this novel enough.
August 8, 2016
Melt was a brilliant masterpiece that I couldn't stop reading. It gripped me from the very beginning and I had made the mistake of starting it late at night and so I had to force myself to close my Kindle and place it far away, out of arm's length, to resist the temptation to finish it in one sitting.
Melt is told from the drastically different POV's of Dorothy and Joey. Joey’s perspective gripped me immediately, it was written with a poetic flow - with vivid descriptions and beautiful prose. It was dark and brutally honest. I couldn't help but empathize with him.
Selene Castrovilla takes such a hard topic such as abuse that is easily brushed over or worse, romanticized, in today's fiction and writes it so respectfully.
I was in such suspense until the final chapter, I had a feeling that I would love this book and I was definitely not disappointed :)
Though readers should keep in mind that this is not a retelling of the Wizard of Oz, the author merely took a bit of inspiration from the story and was able to weave it into her own novel.
I don't like to leave very spoiler-ish reviews so I will just recommend this book to anyone interested young adult, realistic fiction, and a good dose of romance. The romance was a bit "Insta-love" but if you are unable to suspend a bit of belief, you may need to re-evaluate the novels you enjoy. But other than that - HAPPY READING!
Melt is told from the drastically different POV's of Dorothy and Joey. Joey’s perspective gripped me immediately, it was written with a poetic flow - with vivid descriptions and beautiful prose. It was dark and brutally honest. I couldn't help but empathize with him.
Selene Castrovilla takes such a hard topic such as abuse that is easily brushed over or worse, romanticized, in today's fiction and writes it so respectfully.
I was in such suspense until the final chapter, I had a feeling that I would love this book and I was definitely not disappointed :)
Though readers should keep in mind that this is not a retelling of the Wizard of Oz, the author merely took a bit of inspiration from the story and was able to weave it into her own novel.
I don't like to leave very spoiler-ish reviews so I will just recommend this book to anyone interested young adult, realistic fiction, and a good dose of romance. The romance was a bit "Insta-love" but if you are unable to suspend a bit of belief, you may need to re-evaluate the novels you enjoy. But other than that - HAPPY READING!
August 28, 2014
I honestly don't get why anyone would give this book more than 2/5. The whole thing is full of drama and nothing else. It has insta-love between a broken boy who suffers from domestic abuse and a girl with disinterested parents (these are practically what we know about the characters themselves, by the way), starting from the first chapter they see each other. Normally I'm attracted to broken boys, but when it comes to Joey, I could see nothing to be attracted, because other than being broken, Joey didn't have anything else to make him a character. Unless you count his addiction, that is. Dorothy? *snorts* Please.
I hated Dorothy's POV. I was going to say "the writing style", but I kind of liked Joey's POV, or I liked how out of his mind he was made to be let's say. I hate verse books, but since it was the best aspect of this book, I should give the writer that.
I sort of found a message about seeing the good sides of people and how a person can change someone's life (only counting the end). I don't know if I'm right, but in both situations, this book is a 1/5. The writer might be meaning well, but the book doesn't have anything to back it up. I can't find anything to write a long review about in this book. 1/5.
Note: Why the hell this book is considered a "retelling"? Anyone?
I hated Dorothy's POV. I was going to say "the writing style", but I kind of liked Joey's POV, or I liked how out of his mind he was made to be let's say. I hate verse books, but since it was the best aspect of this book, I should give the writer that.
I sort of found a message about seeing the good sides of people and how a person can change someone's life (only counting the end). I don't know if I'm right, but in both situations, this book is a 1/5. The writer might be meaning well, but the book doesn't have anything to back it up. I can't find anything to write a long review about in this book. 1/5.
Note: Why the hell this book is considered a "retelling"? Anyone?
August 13, 2016
Got the copy through NetGalley for an honest review
No..no..no..noooo..the ending shouldn't be like that! I just feel that it seemed like a movie ending, but a novel shouldn't ended like that. At least, gave an epilogue because I really..really wanna know what would happened to some characters after that. This story has slow and fast paces in some parts. But I hate when it must end in the FAST ones.
Melt is an insta-love story between Joey, a guy who got domestic abused and Dorothy, a good girl. The words to described how Dorothy loves Joey made me itchy *it doesn't mean that I hate romance, but sometimes I can't handle the flowery words* And I hate the 'Doll' nickname that Joey used to Dorothy. It just...I'm sorry....lame.
But how Joey must handled his broken family, watched his mum beated by his Pop silently...well, it also broke my heart. And I also understand why Dorothy tried to save Joey so bad. I love the way Ms. Castrovilla wrote two POVs with different types of paragraph (I dunno what it called). Firstly, the way she wrote Joey's POV made me crazy. I felt so tired imagined how Joey's mind 'talked'. But when I realized that those kind of writing to expressed the fear (I realized in Dorothy's POV when she 'met' Joey's Pop), I can say, it was brilliant!
But yeah...my only complain is the ending. Just...why????
No..no..no..noooo..the ending shouldn't be like that! I just feel that it seemed like a movie ending, but a novel shouldn't ended like that. At least, gave an epilogue because I really..really wanna know what would happened to some characters after that. This story has slow and fast paces in some parts. But I hate when it must end in the FAST ones.
Melt is an insta-love story between Joey, a guy who got domestic abused and Dorothy, a good girl. The words to described how Dorothy loves Joey made me itchy *it doesn't mean that I hate romance, but sometimes I can't handle the flowery words* And I hate the 'Doll' nickname that Joey used to Dorothy. It just...I'm sorry....lame.
But how Joey must handled his broken family, watched his mum beated by his Pop silently...well, it also broke my heart. And I also understand why Dorothy tried to save Joey so bad. I love the way Ms. Castrovilla wrote two POVs with different types of paragraph (I dunno what it called). Firstly, the way she wrote Joey's POV made me crazy. I felt so tired imagined how Joey's mind 'talked'. But when I realized that those kind of writing to expressed the fear (I realized in Dorothy's POV when she 'met' Joey's Pop), I can say, it was brilliant!
But yeah...my only complain is the ending. Just...why????
dnf
October 16, 2014Ok. I'm sorry. DNF at 17%.
I feel incredibly guilty at not finishing this book, especially as it was a free copy from Netgalley and I know I'm meant to read and review it. But I just can't. I'm reading it and it's just boring me. I can't get into the verse style, I don't like Joey or his way thinking. I have more important things on my TBR that I just need to get into, so I feel like this isn't something I want to carry on reading. I rarely get much time to read anymore as it is so I don't want to waste it on something I'm not enjoying. I may well come back to it at some point. But right now, it really isn't top of my priority list.
I feel incredibly guilty at not finishing this book, especially as it was a free copy from Netgalley and I know I'm meant to read and review it. But I just can't. I'm reading it and it's just boring me. I can't get into the verse style, I don't like Joey or his way thinking. I have more important things on my TBR that I just need to get into, so I feel like this isn't something I want to carry on reading. I rarely get much time to read anymore as it is so I don't want to waste it on something I'm not enjoying. I may well come back to it at some point. But right now, it really isn't top of my priority list.
December 16, 2014
*NetGalley book review*
This was an interesti writing style but it intrigued me so I kept at it. Not a bad based on a true story, story. I felt bad for the kids who feel in love and the tough lives they lived. I also liked all The Wizard of Oz book quotes through out this. I'm a huge sucker for anything to do with Oz and as this book really doesn't per say, it was still a good little fast read.
This was an interesti writing style but it intrigued me so I kept at it. Not a bad based on a true story, story. I felt bad for the kids who feel in love and the tough lives they lived. I also liked all The Wizard of Oz book quotes through out this. I'm a huge sucker for anything to do with Oz and as this book really doesn't per say, it was still a good little fast read.
September 15, 2014
I tried, but HOOOOLY INSTALOVE BATMAN! They literally meet and are making googly eyes and holding hands like 5 minutes later. I could not stomach it. Not to mention, this book basically has NOTHING to do with The Wizard of Oz, except for the fact that the main character's name is Dorothy. This is a not a retelling, and I am sad for that fact.
July 1, 2016
I flew through this book--couldn't put it down! It was intense, gritty, lyrical, romantic, hopeful and powerful at the same time. If you love the writing of Ellen Hopkins, you should give Melt a try because Castrovilla is one to watch.
September 2, 2022
“I couldn't help him. I could hold him, hold space for him, but I couldn't save him. He had to find his own way through.”
Melt, Selene Castrovilla
~~~
While reading this book I really much appreciated how much books/stories are powerful enough to ground us, remind us how we are blessed to have what we have and educate us on things we would otherwise never know about.
This was one painful, vivid, evocative but hard to put down read for me. I wanted to know the intricacies of these characters life and their lines, rhymes, emotions...just kept on pulling me.
Not only that, the way the story is delivered added so much power.
The narrative is told in first person narration from the view of both our main characters. While Joey, spoke in verse that spewed like an open tap, Dorothy spoke in clear, poetic paragraphs up until the story took a worse turn and she too spewed her thoughts and fills in verse. Both came out so deeply, raw and real: like what the other lacked, the partner filled up. Perfect balance.
Despite the heaviness in this world, the book reads real quick.
Domestic abuse, addiction, young love, hope, redemption, self love, healing are some of the themes weaved into this world that started out with darkness but we saw light at the end.
I love the fact that our 'heroine' helps Joey but not in a savior complex way. For a young adult book this is a deep message, that one had to save themselves and others are just spark to that yellow brick road.
This book melted my heart as I saw one character keel over, kneel and heal because one human reminded him he was worthy, strong and he can overcome the challenges and love minus physical abuse exists.
Melt, Selene Castrovilla
~~~
While reading this book I really much appreciated how much books/stories are powerful enough to ground us, remind us how we are blessed to have what we have and educate us on things we would otherwise never know about.
This was one painful, vivid, evocative but hard to put down read for me. I wanted to know the intricacies of these characters life and their lines, rhymes, emotions...just kept on pulling me.
Not only that, the way the story is delivered added so much power.
The narrative is told in first person narration from the view of both our main characters. While Joey, spoke in verse that spewed like an open tap, Dorothy spoke in clear, poetic paragraphs up until the story took a worse turn and she too spewed her thoughts and fills in verse. Both came out so deeply, raw and real: like what the other lacked, the partner filled up. Perfect balance.
Despite the heaviness in this world, the book reads real quick.
Domestic abuse, addiction, young love, hope, redemption, self love, healing are some of the themes weaved into this world that started out with darkness but we saw light at the end.
I love the fact that our 'heroine' helps Joey but not in a savior complex way. For a young adult book this is a deep message, that one had to save themselves and others are just spark to that yellow brick road.
This book melted my heart as I saw one character keel over, kneel and heal because one human reminded him he was worthy, strong and he can overcome the challenges and love minus physical abuse exists.
November 27, 2017
Hard to know what to say about this one as it’s a chilling story, but feels rushed.
Joey is the first character we meet. We learn that his father, an esteemed cop, abuses his mother, beats Joey and thinks nothing of terrorising his kids. Nobody knows about this, and it’s horrible to watch the way Joey is judged without anyone taking the time to think about reasons for this behaviour.
Then there’s Dorothy, new to town and not prejudging anyone. She sees Joey in Dunkin Donuts and instantly falls for him. Before we know it they’re in love, about to save each other...though there’s one or two issues along the way.
The story alternates between views. This is a way of showing us very different perspectives on the same story but it does make the style feel rather stilted. None of the characters really acted in a way that seemed to make sense, and the ending suggested hope but really came out of nowhere.
There were some pretty tenuous links to The Wizard of Oz, and it’s safe to say this didn’t really stay with me. Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy- though I wish I’d got round to it sooner.
Joey is the first character we meet. We learn that his father, an esteemed cop, abuses his mother, beats Joey and thinks nothing of terrorising his kids. Nobody knows about this, and it’s horrible to watch the way Joey is judged without anyone taking the time to think about reasons for this behaviour.
Then there’s Dorothy, new to town and not prejudging anyone. She sees Joey in Dunkin Donuts and instantly falls for him. Before we know it they’re in love, about to save each other...though there’s one or two issues along the way.
The story alternates between views. This is a way of showing us very different perspectives on the same story but it does make the style feel rather stilted. None of the characters really acted in a way that seemed to make sense, and the ending suggested hope but really came out of nowhere.
There were some pretty tenuous links to The Wizard of Oz, and it’s safe to say this didn’t really stay with me. Thank you to NetGalley for the advance copy- though I wish I’d got round to it sooner.
September 9, 2022
“…..and I melt”
I knew this was going to be a devastating story after I read the synopsis but I wasn’t prepared for how much this story would make me feel.
>> Hints of OZ
>> Insta Love
>> Tough topics
>> Abuse
>> Unique dialogue
>> Dual POV
Perhaps my favorite thing, was being in Joeys dialogue. His broken thoughts were reminiscent of the broken and abusive life he had. His parts were written with so much emotion that I could see why Dorothy wanted so much to help him.
Thank you to the author and Bookstagrammers.com for providing me with a copy!
I knew this was going to be a devastating story after I read the synopsis but I wasn’t prepared for how much this story would make me feel.
>> Hints of OZ
>> Insta Love
>> Tough topics
>> Abuse
>> Unique dialogue
>> Dual POV
Perhaps my favorite thing, was being in Joeys dialogue. His broken thoughts were reminiscent of the broken and abusive life he had. His parts were written with so much emotion that I could see why Dorothy wanted so much to help him.
Thank you to the author and Bookstagrammers.com for providing me with a copy!
August 24, 2022
Melt by Selene Castrovilla📚
Trigger warning: Domestic abuse/ violence
Melt by Selene Castrovilla was a lyrical, poetic, literary delight featuring the theme of domestic abuse. The whole experience was just mind-blowing, the author immediately transported me into the world of Joey and Dorothy. It's shows the combination of love at first sight and the effects of abuse in the family as a whole.
The book was based on a true story and that thought was in the back of my mind as I read, it made the book more spine chilling to read. The story and writing tried to pay a homage to the classic, " The Wizard of Oz". It's not a re-telling but used as a analogy. There is no place like home, but what if home is where the danger is? That's what the book highlighted in its pages.
The narration was from Joey and Dorothy's POV and the timeline was linear. Joey's thoughts were scattered on the page because that's how his mind was; I really appreciated that deft touch of the author. Joey was from a home where his cop dad beat up his mom every night and the children pretended it didn't happen. Dorothy was the only child from a loving stable home with 2 psychologists for parents.
When their two worlds collide, an explosion of emotions and drama occur. I loved the way the author had potrayed the impact of domestic abuse. Can love conquer all? Read to find out. I would recommend this book to fans of YA fiction with strong themes.
Rating- ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Afreen Khalil
Trigger warning: Domestic abuse/ violence
Melt by Selene Castrovilla was a lyrical, poetic, literary delight featuring the theme of domestic abuse. The whole experience was just mind-blowing, the author immediately transported me into the world of Joey and Dorothy. It's shows the combination of love at first sight and the effects of abuse in the family as a whole.
The book was based on a true story and that thought was in the back of my mind as I read, it made the book more spine chilling to read. The story and writing tried to pay a homage to the classic, " The Wizard of Oz". It's not a re-telling but used as a analogy. There is no place like home, but what if home is where the danger is? That's what the book highlighted in its pages.
The narration was from Joey and Dorothy's POV and the timeline was linear. Joey's thoughts were scattered on the page because that's how his mind was; I really appreciated that deft touch of the author. Joey was from a home where his cop dad beat up his mom every night and the children pretended it didn't happen. Dorothy was the only child from a loving stable home with 2 psychologists for parents.
When their two worlds collide, an explosion of emotions and drama occur. I loved the way the author had potrayed the impact of domestic abuse. Can love conquer all? Read to find out. I would recommend this book to fans of YA fiction with strong themes.
Rating- ⭐⭐⭐⭐
- Afreen Khalil
June 24, 2014
Follow the journey of a boy emotionally dulled by domestic abuse and the girl who sees life, love, and hope in him.
This is a young adult story for the ages. Sounds clique, but true. It explores the world of domestic violence - a world all too often hidden from most. Just as adult victims, children/teens existing in such an environment are molded by what they see and feel. And it takes its tole.
From the outside, opinions can be told about Joey. He's rough, tough, and known for trouble. No one in their small town wants to know why. Most would rather gossip about him being no good and a loser. But, as with most things in life, what is visible on the outside is far, far from reality.
Physically, Joey is a big guy, built, and quite attractive. Dorothy is new in town and notices him, because of those traits. But for her, there's something more. Her parents work in the psychiatric field and she's developed a feel for people. She feels something off about Joey, that he's not what the other kids are telling her he is.
Joey is soft and deep, on a primitive level. He'd already chalked up the dream everyone wants--a good home, caring family, and love--to fantasy. In Joey's world, all those things that are supposed to equate to love are lies, a mere facade painted on your skin so people don't know. He does love ... his booze and fighting. It helps him forget what he has to go home to. For Joey, his home symbolizes a prison stained in tainted memories of beatings, guilt for not helping his mother, and places his dad kept him to keep him out of the way when he was younger.
And Dorothy sees that. Not the abuse at first, but his desire to be more than he is right now, his want for happiness and hope that he's not ready to admit yet. She senses his loneliness and a tension stirring inside him. She decides to wait on him, let him emerge on his own.
For Joey, Dorothy slowly becomes his hope and courage--a belief there might be more to life than this. But he's so afraid she'll get hurt like his mom.
The writing brilliantly captures the essence of domestic abuse and its lingering affects. It's told from duel point-of-views, which adds such depth to the tale I don't think it could have been written any other way. Joey's POV is visual, too. As I've shown above, the author structured the words in a linear fashion down the left side of the page. Sometimes using a single word, while other times a few words. This gave a tangible view of his brokenness, his vulnerability.
My only issue with the story was how Dorothy met a few friends at the beginning and then it's as if those kids just disappeared once she began talking to Joey.
NOTE: there is vulgarity in the opening, but the piece is so powerful that it's easily overlooked. Honestly, holy wow! Let me rephrase. The opening to this story so overwhelmed me, the blanket of helplessness was so heavy, I got a stomachache. All I could think was 'God help them'. And I couldn't stop reading.
This is a young adult story for the ages. Sounds clique, but true. It explores the world of domestic violence - a world all too often hidden from most. Just as adult victims, children/teens existing in such an environment are molded by what they see and feel. And it takes its tole.
From the outside, opinions can be told about Joey. He's rough, tough, and known for trouble. No one in their small town wants to know why. Most would rather gossip about him being no good and a loser. But, as with most things in life, what is visible on the outside is far, far from reality.
Physically, Joey is a big guy, built, and quite attractive. Dorothy is new in town and notices him, because of those traits. But for her, there's something more. Her parents work in the psychiatric field and she's developed a feel for people. She feels something off about Joey, that he's not what the other kids are telling her he is.
Joey is soft and deep, on a primitive level. He'd already chalked up the dream everyone wants--a good home, caring family, and love--to fantasy. In Joey's world, all those things that are supposed to equate to love are lies, a mere facade painted on your skin so people don't know. He does love ... his booze and fighting. It helps him forget what he has to go home to. For Joey, his home symbolizes a prison stained in tainted memories of beatings, guilt for not helping his mother, and places his dad kept him to keep him out of the way when he was younger.
And Dorothy sees that. Not the abuse at first, but his desire to be more than he is right now, his want for happiness and hope that he's not ready to admit yet. She senses his loneliness and a tension stirring inside him. She decides to wait on him, let him emerge on his own.
For Joey, Dorothy slowly becomes his hope and courage--a belief there might be more to life than this. But he's so afraid she'll get hurt like his mom.
The writing brilliantly captures the essence of domestic abuse and its lingering affects. It's told from duel point-of-views, which adds such depth to the tale I don't think it could have been written any other way. Joey's POV is visual, too. As I've shown above, the author structured the words in a linear fashion down the left side of the page. Sometimes using a single word, while other times a few words. This gave a tangible view of his brokenness, his vulnerability.
My only issue with the story was how Dorothy met a few friends at the beginning and then it's as if those kids just disappeared once she began talking to Joey.
NOTE: there is vulgarity in the opening, but the piece is so powerful that it's easily overlooked. Honestly, holy wow! Let me rephrase. The opening to this story so overwhelmed me, the blanket of helplessness was so heavy, I got a stomachache. All I could think was 'God help them'. And I couldn't stop reading.
June 27, 2014
**I received this book as an ARC from Jen Halligan PR to read & review. This is a 100% honest review.**
This is the story of Dorothy, a sixteen-year-old girl in a new town and a lot to learn. She comes from a perfect family and has never had to worry about a thing. This is the story of Joey, a seventeen-year-old boy that everyone has ruled out. He has a father that will make your skin crawl and a drinking problem of his own. These two character's couldn't be any more different if they tried and yet, somehow, amongst the hustle and bustle of the local Dunkin' Donuts their worlds collide and their lives change. Whether or not that is for the better is up for debate.
Selene Castrovilla did something not many authors can do. Firstly she produced a dual narrative that didn't make me want to scream - which in itself is a not easy but then she also created two distinct voices for two characters with very different backgrounds and made me connect with both of them. But it wasn't just the voices that were different. As the POV swapped so did the writing style. Now, I will admit it takes a little getting used to but I really liked the way in which Joey's parts were written in disjointed sentences. It really emphasised the brokenness of his character.
Joey was probably the hardest part of this book to read, his story is gritty and unapologetic. His father is bastard that beats on his family to make him feel like the big man. He's despicable and I spend the majority of the book wanting to pop Pops.
I think that the only problem I had with this book was that it wasn't what I expected. Obviously with the title, the cover and even the blurb I was expecting something that reflected the world of Oz. However, that wasn't the case. The connections between Melt and The Wizard of Oz are completely metaphorical. The Wicked Witch of the West being substituted for the demons inside Joey and the idea that if only he can find his bucket of water then maybe they to can be rid of this evil. Which was a really interesting little addition to a heart wrenching story. Although I think that, from a marketing point of view there has been way too much emphasis on Oz and not on all the other great things this book has going for it. Of which there are plenty.
Overall this is, without a doubt, a beautifully written and haunting story that is made all the more heart breaking by the fact is is based on true events. It's a fast paced books that is completely unputdownable. Ignoring the insta-love, Dorothy and Joey are a compelling couple that you can't help but get behind. It's written in a unique way that you will either love or hate - which personally, I loved. It was cleaver and chilling and a story that will stick with me for a long time. It's one to look out for this fall and I hope you lot are adding it to your TBR lists.
This is the story of Dorothy, a sixteen-year-old girl in a new town and a lot to learn. She comes from a perfect family and has never had to worry about a thing. This is the story of Joey, a seventeen-year-old boy that everyone has ruled out. He has a father that will make your skin crawl and a drinking problem of his own. These two character's couldn't be any more different if they tried and yet, somehow, amongst the hustle and bustle of the local Dunkin' Donuts their worlds collide and their lives change. Whether or not that is for the better is up for debate.
Selene Castrovilla did something not many authors can do. Firstly she produced a dual narrative that didn't make me want to scream - which in itself is a not easy but then she also created two distinct voices for two characters with very different backgrounds and made me connect with both of them. But it wasn't just the voices that were different. As the POV swapped so did the writing style. Now, I will admit it takes a little getting used to but I really liked the way in which Joey's parts were written in disjointed sentences. It really emphasised the brokenness of his character.
Joey was probably the hardest part of this book to read, his story is gritty and unapologetic. His father is bastard that beats on his family to make him feel like the big man. He's despicable and I spend the majority of the book wanting to pop Pops.
I think that the only problem I had with this book was that it wasn't what I expected. Obviously with the title, the cover and even the blurb I was expecting something that reflected the world of Oz. However, that wasn't the case. The connections between Melt and The Wizard of Oz are completely metaphorical. The Wicked Witch of the West being substituted for the demons inside Joey and the idea that if only he can find his bucket of water then maybe they to can be rid of this evil. Which was a really interesting little addition to a heart wrenching story. Although I think that, from a marketing point of view there has been way too much emphasis on Oz and not on all the other great things this book has going for it. Of which there are plenty.
Overall this is, without a doubt, a beautifully written and haunting story that is made all the more heart breaking by the fact is is based on true events. It's a fast paced books that is completely unputdownable. Ignoring the insta-love, Dorothy and Joey are a compelling couple that you can't help but get behind. It's written in a unique way that you will either love or hate - which personally, I loved. It was cleaver and chilling and a story that will stick with me for a long time. It's one to look out for this fall and I hope you lot are adding it to your TBR lists.
February 10, 2018
There are times when I read a book that it is gripping and moving and so satisfying that I don't know what to say and I'm having that experience right now. I read Melt twice and reread several parts of it more than a few times and I'm still searching for the words to express why it is a must read. This is truly meant to be a compliment because it was that good.
What I liked most was that I was in the moment with the characters - in the room with them, by the river, at that same Dunkin' Donuts. The writing transported me to where Dorothy and Joey were. Through the good and the bad. I wasn't just reading a book, I was witness to this story and this was quite a different experience from many books that I read.
Joey and Dorothy's relationship is immediate, yet it isn't romanticized. They are instantly drawn to one another in a way that I could honestly believe. Sometimes you can feel a person's presence and you are convinced that this is someone that you need to know. That's how it was for Joey and Dorothy.
I loved the stylistic writing used to distinguish Joey and Dorothy's perspectives. Joey's voice is clipped, almost staccato as we learn the horrors that he has to deal with at home. It is like he needs to tell his story fast, to get it out, get it over with. Dorothy's perspective is more narrative, descriptive, she takes the time to tell what she's thinking. The styles shift and change as their perspectives and situations change and this was completely organic to the story.
Here are some notable quotes that stuck with me:
"I couldn't help him. I could hold him, hold space for him -- but I couldn't save him. He had to find his own way through." (Dorothy, page 57)
"In the dark you know things can't get worse so you can finally rest some." (Joey, pages 95-96)
"Apparently an open mind closes real fast when your sixteen year old daughter's involved." (Dorothy, page 101)
"And the ironic thing is, I'd love to talk to them. I'd love to tell them how things have been, to get their advice on everything that's been happening, good and bad. It's all been so new, so much . . ." (Dorothy, page 103)
Melt is a moving book that I couldn't stop reading until the very end. And when I did finish those last pages, all I could think was - Wow, that happened. And it was powerful.
I hope this book makes it in the hands of many readers.
What I liked most was that I was in the moment with the characters - in the room with them, by the river, at that same Dunkin' Donuts. The writing transported me to where Dorothy and Joey were. Through the good and the bad. I wasn't just reading a book, I was witness to this story and this was quite a different experience from many books that I read.
Joey and Dorothy's relationship is immediate, yet it isn't romanticized. They are instantly drawn to one another in a way that I could honestly believe. Sometimes you can feel a person's presence and you are convinced that this is someone that you need to know. That's how it was for Joey and Dorothy.
I loved the stylistic writing used to distinguish Joey and Dorothy's perspectives. Joey's voice is clipped, almost staccato as we learn the horrors that he has to deal with at home. It is like he needs to tell his story fast, to get it out, get it over with. Dorothy's perspective is more narrative, descriptive, she takes the time to tell what she's thinking. The styles shift and change as their perspectives and situations change and this was completely organic to the story.
Here are some notable quotes that stuck with me:
"I couldn't help him. I could hold him, hold space for him -- but I couldn't save him. He had to find his own way through." (Dorothy, page 57)
"In the dark you know things can't get worse so you can finally rest some." (Joey, pages 95-96)
"Apparently an open mind closes real fast when your sixteen year old daughter's involved." (Dorothy, page 101)
"And the ironic thing is, I'd love to talk to them. I'd love to tell them how things have been, to get their advice on everything that's been happening, good and bad. It's all been so new, so much . . ." (Dorothy, page 103)
Melt is a moving book that I couldn't stop reading until the very end. And when I did finish those last pages, all I could think was - Wow, that happened. And it was powerful.
I hope this book makes it in the hands of many readers.
December 5, 2015
MELT follows the story of Dorothy and Joey. We first meet up with them in Dunkin' Donuts. Dorothy is new in town and has caught the eye of Joey, town bad boy. Even though her friend, Amy, tries to warn her away from Joey, stating that he is violent and a criminal, Dorothy can not resist him.....The more time that they spend together, the more that Dorothy starts to realize that there are demons haunting Joey and she doesn't know if she will be strong enough to help him........
MELT starts off with a bang. It was so intense. I just knew this was going to be an interesting book. My heart felt broken for all things that Joey had to go through. Selene Castrovilla did a wonderful job with Joey's character. You could just feel how broken he was and how hard he wanted to be loved. One of my favorite lines from the book was when Joey and Dorothy first meet and he's trying to let her know what she's getting herself into---> "I'm a smeary gooey oozing jelly donut. I'm a mess on the outside, I said holding up my free mutilated hand. And I'm more of a mess on the on the inside" You got a really good feel for his character here.
Now, I know a lot of people are not fans of the whole "insta love", but in this case, I think it worked well. Dorothy and her love was just what Joey needed. Who knows what kind of path he would have continued on without her. She made him want to hope again.
MELT is definitely not an easy read. It's heartbreaking and intense. The subject matter is very heavy and was handled very well. When you get to about 61% into the story, you really get a feeling just how bad things were inside Joey's home. It gave me chills and my heart was racing wondering what in the world was going to happen next.
I loved the writing style for this book. It was so unique. I enjoyed the lyrical style and the dual points of view. The story kept me captivated and there was never a dull moment. My only complaint was that I didn't want the story to end. I wish that we could have had a little more closure, but I was left with a feeling of hope and that things would get better.
MELT was a very quick read for me and is a story that will be staying with me for a while.
*****I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*****
MELT starts off with a bang. It was so intense. I just knew this was going to be an interesting book. My heart felt broken for all things that Joey had to go through. Selene Castrovilla did a wonderful job with Joey's character. You could just feel how broken he was and how hard he wanted to be loved. One of my favorite lines from the book was when Joey and Dorothy first meet and he's trying to let her know what she's getting herself into---> "I'm a smeary gooey oozing jelly donut. I'm a mess on the outside, I said holding up my free mutilated hand. And I'm more of a mess on the on the inside" You got a really good feel for his character here.
Now, I know a lot of people are not fans of the whole "insta love", but in this case, I think it worked well. Dorothy and her love was just what Joey needed. Who knows what kind of path he would have continued on without her. She made him want to hope again.
MELT is definitely not an easy read. It's heartbreaking and intense. The subject matter is very heavy and was handled very well. When you get to about 61% into the story, you really get a feeling just how bad things were inside Joey's home. It gave me chills and my heart was racing wondering what in the world was going to happen next.
I loved the writing style for this book. It was so unique. I enjoyed the lyrical style and the dual points of view. The story kept me captivated and there was never a dull moment. My only complaint was that I didn't want the story to end. I wish that we could have had a little more closure, but I was left with a feeling of hope and that things would get better.
MELT was a very quick read for me and is a story that will be staying with me for a while.
*****I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*****
July 2, 2014
MELT was one of the most powerful, stunning books I’ve read all year. While not based on The Wizard of Oz as a re-telling, Castrovilla sets MELT against a Wizard of Oz backdrop and the L. Frank Baum passages offer a unique insight into the plot of MELT.
Also interesting is Selene Castrovilla’s writing style. Told in dual perspectives, one being written in verse, MELT quickly draws you in and reads very fast. I started this book around 3:00 p.m. and finished it before midnight – it was nearly impossible to put down.
The plot was incredibly real, raw, and painful. Castrovilla takes on many different subjects, such as abuse, addiction, and first love. Despite the heavy subject matter, this novel reads extremely quickly and is amazingly well-written.
If you are a fan on realistic, contemporary fiction, this novel should be a MUST READ. Bravo to Selene Castrovilla on writing one of the best books of 2014!!
Also interesting is Selene Castrovilla’s writing style. Told in dual perspectives, one being written in verse, MELT quickly draws you in and reads very fast. I started this book around 3:00 p.m. and finished it before midnight – it was nearly impossible to put down.
The plot was incredibly real, raw, and painful. Castrovilla takes on many different subjects, such as abuse, addiction, and first love. Despite the heavy subject matter, this novel reads extremely quickly and is amazingly well-written.
If you are a fan on realistic, contemporary fiction, this novel should be a MUST READ. Bravo to Selene Castrovilla on writing one of the best books of 2014!!
September 28, 2015
2.5/5 Stars
I can't say that I loved it, but it definitely held my attention. This is a story about love and family abuse. All of which are truly heart wrenching. There are odd snippets from The Wizard of Oz inserted into the book but I have no idea why they are there or how it relates to the plot. The writing style reminds me of Tahereh Mafi's Shatter Me, with the repeating phrases and poetic writing during Joey's POV. It's pretty short so it was easy to get over the things that bothered me about it.
Check out my full review along with a brief Q&A from Selene Castrovilla herself, all on my blog here.
I can't say that I loved it, but it definitely held my attention. This is a story about love and family abuse. All of which are truly heart wrenching. There are odd snippets from The Wizard of Oz inserted into the book but I have no idea why they are there or how it relates to the plot. The writing style reminds me of Tahereh Mafi's Shatter Me, with the repeating phrases and poetic writing during Joey's POV. It's pretty short so it was easy to get over the things that bothered me about it.
Check out my full review along with a brief Q&A from Selene Castrovilla herself, all on my blog here.
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