Two girls. Two stories. One day. A murder spree and magic tea help two star crossed lovers see the light.
Mary Susan and Stefi Angel are two constant exes who can never get it right, always as eager to give up as they are to start up again. But one day in New York City helps change that forever. The city is in a panic as the T and S Killers rising body count has everyone on edge. Free spirit Mary Susan just wants to see a movie and ends up trapped in Hell’s Kitchen being chased by vigilantes and murderers alike. She spends the night trying to escape the city that never sleeps and deciding if she should give Stefi another chance. Star basketball player Stefi Angel can’t see the forest for the trees when it comes to love…until she drinks magical tea and suddenly has all the questions and the answers. She just hopes she can get Mary Susan to believe they have the kind of love worth fighting for and that it’s not too late.
Aurora Zahni is a former rebel who’s trying to bring a little bit of Judy Blume and Sylvia Plath to the Twilight Generation. Over the years I have given half-assed / full throttle contributions to numerous zines and blogs, written a web movie and done significantly well in countless competitive eating events.
When I was in the 8th grade I was on the local evening news. A dead body was being lifted out of the water at a marina by the Meadowlands and you could clearly see me standing in the background watching, looking a bit excited for the camera. Looking back it may have been the highlight of my entire childhood.
I received a free copy of this short LGBT romance novel from the author in a Facebook contest.
Mary Susan and Stefi Angel are two exes who just can't get it right - although, they are always trying to make it work yet just as willing to call it quits. One day in NYC changes things for both. Mary Susan winds up being chased by both murderers and vigilantes in Hell's Kitchen, trying to escape the city and wondering if she should give Stefi another chance. Stefi doesn't recognize what the two of them have until she drinks special magical tea and realizes she has all of the answers. She just needs to convince Mary Susan that their love is worth fighting for before it's too late.
The Island and the Kite by Aurora Zahni is a quick read. The story is clearly divided into two sections - Mary Susan's and Stefi Angel's - that are both set during the same time period. I really enjoyed getting to know the two main characters and what each goes through over the course of the day. I knew there was a fantasy element which I would usually enjoy, but for some reason it just didn't quite work out for me. Overall, though, I recommend this well written novella.
The Island and the Kite is an interesting mix of particularly weird day in the life of two very different young women who happen to have an off and on relationship together. Mary Susan has a day off and goes into the city to watch a movie and gets stranded overnight while a serial killer is on the loose. Steffi Angel is home from college and trying to dump her girlfriend (or is she even her girlfriend) and runs an errand for her brother and sees Mary Susan by chance. The characters you meet are interesting, and the outcome is sweet, and I think this is another weird yet incredible book by a talented author.
If you like a a real, yet offbeat read... then this book would be perfect for you.
I didn't really know how Aurora Zahni could follow up after Ellie Stanton, but Zanhi did. Mary Susan is a gem of a character and her and Stefi's stories were right on the money. I couldn't put this book down once i got started. I honestly can't wait to see what Zahni comes up with next.
Normally I can read a book in a day, hours even, not so with this one. I took my time and let the story take me. I didn’t want to miss a thing. In my opinion this story was written perfectly. From page one to the last page, I was invested in Mary Susan and Stefi Angel. They both had similar yet totally different journeys. And those dream sequences, loved them. You should definitely grab a copy! Curl up with your favorite blanket and let the words capture you!
Ok so this was not my norm when reading a book, but I have to admit I truly enjoyed it and found that I was unable to put it down. At first I was a little confused but it was interesting enough that I continued and I'm happy that I did. I for one completely enjoyed the story and Aurora and a great writing talent. C ant wait to see what's next.
I don't know how he does it, but he makes it seem like it was true at some point in time. I think I liked this one a little better. What a wild night for Mary and that is actually how some people's luck runs(minus the "magical" parts). You get both sides of the story in this one, which I didn't expect, but enjoyed. Now I need the next one.
This book is about a girl. One who lights up a room by being in it. Mary Susan is her name. She ends up being in the wrong place at the wrong time on one very long night for her. This book is a wild ride. Lots going on.
I liked this book. It was unusual but definitely entertaining. I liked Mary Susan more than Stefi. She seems good and weird. The storyline definitely kept you reading because you want to know how it ends.
The Island and the Kite is an amazing story. It has a lot of drama, suspense and mystery. I look forward to reading the next book in the series. I recommend this book to everyone.
To be honest, I wasn't sure if I'd like this book. It didn't seem like it was in my wheel-house, since I read mostly romance, but the author gave me a copy and I said I'd give it an honest review.
The first half of the book, from Mary Susan's POV caught me off guard at first. She is such a great character and you want her night to end quickly. There was so much drama for her and it seems that danger is circling her. I was drawn into her plight from the beginning.
The second half of the book, from Stefi Angel's POV had me cringing at first. I wasn't sure I could grow to like her character, but I truly did. Through the story she grows and you can't help but like her. She becomes enlightened throughout the story and by the end, I wanted a HEA for them.
Overall, I really enjoyed this, although the chapters going back and forth in the first half was a little bothersome, I appreciated the authors humor in referring you to the sequence. I definitely enjoyed the mystical elements and will consider reading more books by the author.
This is the first book that I've read by Aurora Zahni and I have to say that I am a fan! This is a bit different from my normal reads but I enjoyed it.
The Island and the Kite is a story of a day in the life of not only Mary Susan but Steffi Angel. We first get to hear about all of the adventures...perhaps misadventures...Mary Susan goes through just to get home.
Steffi Angel is on break from college and is visiting home. She doesn't really know what she wants until she has a spot of tea that opens her heart and mind.
There are so many things that I love about this book but one of my favs is the interaction that Steffi has with her brother. Both Steffi and Mary Susan are great characters and I thoroughly enjoyed them both! I didn't realize this is the third book in his Heller Park series so I would say that you are safe to read this as a standalone. With that said, I plan to go back and read the first two in his series, Ellie Stanton and Terminal Romantic.
This was a different read for me, I LOVED every minute of it! The characters are perfectly written! Mary Susan is impossible not to love! She has such a goodness inside of her and would do anything for anyone! Stefi Angel is the perfect woman for Mary Susan! The were made for each other! This books has an amazing sense of humor, and the writing style is so different... and it works!! I will be a fan of Aurora Zahni's books forever. I would recommend them to anyone!!!! Please, if you haven't picked up this book.... do it now!
This book was a story about two women: Mary Susan and Stephi Angel and each of their views as they reconsider their relationship apart on separate magical paths. Their are are some references to people and places in the first two books but this is more of a stand alone story. I loved the inventiveness, the creativity but I missed Ellie and the time travel aspect. Cute story!
I enjoyed the premise of this book. It captured my attention right away and I didn't want to put it down. Mary Susan and Stefi Angel are both unique characters that you can relate to. Behind the suspense of a few hours in their shoes you come to know them, love them as they are.
Very well written and well developed. I very much enjoyed the dual perspective of the initial evening and then learning what happens next.
It's a fast read but so good it's two stories in one book. It follows two girls on one day. This was wonderfully weird. Such a adventure highly enjoyable. I really love how it's written. Author is very talented.
This was a good read. Really different than anything I've read lately. God story line. Like how it keeps you guessing what's gonna happen. Such a sweet book