What do you think?
Rate this book
Paper Stars #1
Nora & Kettle
"What if Peter Pan was a homeless kid just trying to survive, and Wendy flew away for a really good reason?"
Seventeen-year-old Kettle has had his share of adversity. As an orphaned Japanese American struggling to make a life in the aftermath of an event in history not often referred to — the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II and the removal of children from orphanages for having "one drop of Japanese blood in them" — things are finally looking up. He has his hideout in an abandoned subway tunnel, a job, and his gang of Lost Boys.
Desperate to run away, the world outside her oppressive brownstone calls to naive, eighteen-year-old Nora — the privileged daughter of a controlling and violent civil rights lawyer who is building a compensation case for the interned Japanese Americans. But she is trapped, enduring abuse to protect her younger sister Frankie and wishing on the stars every night for things to change.
For months, they've lived side by side, their paths crossing yet never meeting. But when Nora is nearly killed and her sister taken away, their worlds collide as Kettle, grief stricken at the loss of a friend, angrily pulls Nora from her window.
In her honeyed eyes, Kettle sees sadness and suffering. In his, Nora sees the chance to take to the window and fly away.
Set in 1953, Nora & Kettle explores the collision of two teenagers facing extraordinary hardship. Their meeting is inevitable, devastating, and ultimately healing. Their stories a collection of events, are each on their own harmless. But together, one after the other, they change the world.
Seventeen-year-old Kettle has had his share of adversity. As an orphaned Japanese American struggling to make a life in the aftermath of an event in history not often referred to — the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II and the removal of children from orphanages for having "one drop of Japanese blood in them" — things are finally looking up. He has his hideout in an abandoned subway tunnel, a job, and his gang of Lost Boys.
Desperate to run away, the world outside her oppressive brownstone calls to naive, eighteen-year-old Nora — the privileged daughter of a controlling and violent civil rights lawyer who is building a compensation case for the interned Japanese Americans. But she is trapped, enduring abuse to protect her younger sister Frankie and wishing on the stars every night for things to change.
For months, they've lived side by side, their paths crossing yet never meeting. But when Nora is nearly killed and her sister taken away, their worlds collide as Kettle, grief stricken at the loss of a friend, angrily pulls Nora from her window.
In her honeyed eyes, Kettle sees sadness and suffering. In his, Nora sees the chance to take to the window and fly away.
Set in 1953, Nora & Kettle explores the collision of two teenagers facing extraordinary hardship. Their meeting is inevitable, devastating, and ultimately healing. Their stories a collection of events, are each on their own harmless. But together, one after the other, they change the world.
328 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 29, 2016
533 people are currently reading
6228 people want to read
About the author
Lauren Nicolle Taylor
16 books456 followersLauren Nicolle Taylor is the bestselling author of THE WOODLANDS SERIES and the award-winning YA novel NORA & KETTLE (Gold medal Winner for Multicultural fiction, Independent Publishers Book Awards 2017), which is the first book in the acclaimed PAPER STARS SERIES.
She has a Health Science degree and an honors degree in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
A full time writer and artist, Lauren recently moved to Canada with her husband and three children for a new adventure. She recently signed a three book deal for her YA fantasy series and can't wait to share it with you.
She is a proud hapa and draws on her multicultural background in all of her novels.
She has a Health Science degree and an honors degree in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
A full time writer and artist, Lauren recently moved to Canada with her husband and three children for a new adventure. She recently signed a three book deal for her YA fantasy series and can't wait to share it with you.
She is a proud hapa and draws on her multicultural background in all of her novels.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 335 reviews
April 27, 2016
I don't have words for how much I loved this <3 The story tore my heart to pieces in every way possible, but it was wonderful, just wonderful. Beautiful storytelling, lyrical prose, dynamic characters, all set in a period of U.S history that far too often ignored. An instant favorite. (Plus it's a series!!! I need more!!!!!)
A video review will be up on my channel very soon :D
A video review will be up on my channel very soon :D
February 29, 2016
You can find the full review and all the fancy and/or randomness that accompanies it at It Starts at Midnight
Nora & Kettle is set in 1953, and things aren't going great for either of them. For Kettle, things look as bad as they are, because he is a homeless Japanese-American orphan, who has been making it on his own in a tunnel with a bunch of other kids in his situation. He has a job that he to, quite literally, fight for every day. It isn't easy, but he's getting by. Nora's life, on the outside, looks lovely. Well-to-do family, nice home, father with a successful law career. Only looks can be deceiving. Nora's father is the actual worst, and is incredibly abusive, physically and emotionally.
Let's start with Nora. Nora may not be likeable in the usual sense, because of course she isn't going to be pleasant- her life is hell. She would have run away, but the only thing in life that matters to her is her little sister Frankie. And their love... oh, I can't even type about it without tearing up. Nora will put up with anything, just to keep her sister safe. And her father has definitely resolved to break her.
That is why Nora is so damn incredible. She is brave when there is basically no hope. She dares to hope for better, for her and for Frankie. As for Kettle, he is every bit as brave. He cares so deeply for the kids in his care. He's basically taken on the role of guardian, even while he himself should still be able to be a kid. He's realistic, but positive. He's incredibly loyal, and he works so hard every minute of every day. And it broke my heart that he ever had to do this.
It made me so mad that people are so willing to hate. It happened then, it happened before then, it happens now, and sadly, I feel like it will always happen, to someone. In this case, Kettle did nothing wrong, except happen to be of Japanese ancestry. Even people who were seemingly sympathetic to his plight didn't fully understand why this blatant racism was so fundamentally wrong.
Um, really, really not. But that is the world that Kettle and Kin are living in, and Kettle just rises above time and time again. That isn't to say he accepts it, but he lives his best in spite of it.
Their stores will break your heart, but their character will fill it back up. They seem almost fated to meet, after several near-misses, and when they finally do, it's startling how two people from such seemingly different backgrounds can have so very much in common. I don't want to tell you much more about the plot, because you just need to experience this one.
Bottom Line: Nora & Kettle was gorgeous, from start to finish. It's incredibly raw and emotional while still being hopeful. Both Nora and Kettle are easy to fall in love with, and to root for, and they have captured my heart.
Nora & Kettle is set in 1953, and things aren't going great for either of them. For Kettle, things look as bad as they are, because he is a homeless Japanese-American orphan, who has been making it on his own in a tunnel with a bunch of other kids in his situation. He has a job that he to, quite literally, fight for every day. It isn't easy, but he's getting by. Nora's life, on the outside, looks lovely. Well-to-do family, nice home, father with a successful law career. Only looks can be deceiving. Nora's father is the actual worst, and is incredibly abusive, physically and emotionally.
Let's start with Nora. Nora may not be likeable in the usual sense, because of course she isn't going to be pleasant- her life is hell. She would have run away, but the only thing in life that matters to her is her little sister Frankie. And their love... oh, I can't even type about it without tearing up. Nora will put up with anything, just to keep her sister safe. And her father has definitely resolved to break her.
"As pink water runs down the drain, I think of his words. 'You're of no value to me'. He may think he has me pinned. That he has clipped my wings and broken my spirit, but he's wrong. My value is in my love for my sister. My value is growing with every day I live."
That is why Nora is so damn incredible. She is brave when there is basically no hope. She dares to hope for better, for her and for Frankie. As for Kettle, he is every bit as brave. He cares so deeply for the kids in his care. He's basically taken on the role of guardian, even while he himself should still be able to be a kid. He's realistic, but positive. He's incredibly loyal, and he works so hard every minute of every day. And it broke my heart that he ever had to do this.
It made me so mad that people are so willing to hate. It happened then, it happened before then, it happens now, and sadly, I feel like it will always happen, to someone. In this case, Kettle did nothing wrong, except happen to be of Japanese ancestry. Even people who were seemingly sympathetic to his plight didn't fully understand why this blatant racism was so fundamentally wrong.
"The guard gives us a sympathetic look when we reach him. 'Look, boys, I'm sorry that happened but you know, with the way you look, particularly, this one,' he points at Kin, 'well, you can understand why they'd want to punch you.'"
Um, really, really not. But that is the world that Kettle and Kin are living in, and Kettle just rises above time and time again. That isn't to say he accepts it, but he lives his best in spite of it.
Their stores will break your heart, but their character will fill it back up. They seem almost fated to meet, after several near-misses, and when they finally do, it's startling how two people from such seemingly different backgrounds can have so very much in common. I don't want to tell you much more about the plot, because you just need to experience this one.
Bottom Line: Nora & Kettle was gorgeous, from start to finish. It's incredibly raw and emotional while still being hopeful. Both Nora and Kettle are easy to fall in love with, and to root for, and they have captured my heart.
April 3, 2016
This was such a wonderful book.
--
GUYYYYYSSSSSSS. IT'S A SERIES OH MY GOD I CAN'T EXPLAIN HOW HAPPY I AM
anyway, here, full review (before I found out it was a series!!)
This was both beautifully written and heartbreaking. If you're worried about romance overtaking everything--do NOT be. This is the story of two separate worlds--and before you think some cliche thing where they crash and everything is changed forever, hear me out. Privileged Nora and her younger sister, Frankie, hide behind walls and bruises. Their father is a well-known civil rights lawyer and he tends to speak with cutting words and his fists. With their mother gone, Nora is the only one that can protect Frankie... but it's only a matter of time before her father breaks her.
On the other side, you have Kettle, leader of the Kings. As a half-Japanese child, he's been tossed around and neglected by the country he lives in just because of who he is. He has to work harsh labouring jobs so he can keep himself and his fellow Kings safe and fed. He's resourceful, not a thief.
I found both their stories to be so heartbreaking. Reading what Nora would go through, both physically and mentally, was especially hard, because the signs were there and yet everyone would overlook them. It broke me to read her point of view. I admired her strength, her will, her determination to keep Frankie safe at all costs, even if it meant she had to get in the crossfire. Even more so, she never hesitated to put herself in the crossfire. Near the end of the novel, when every raised voice and clenched fist was near her, reading about her flinching... that just kind of ruined me.
Kettle... oh my Kettle. I loved him and Kin and the other Kings, limited page time they had. I loved the camaraderie he and Kin had--they aren't brothers, but it shows with every action, every single thing they do for each other. Kettle had to make hard decisions, choices that come to haunt him, even though it was the right thing to do. He took responsibility of a bunch of orphans at only 17 and he's not giving up on them--ever. He's doing everything he can to keep them safe, healthy, and fed. Even if it means aching bones--he's willing to risk everything for them. He has his own demons to face from the past, and little by little, we see his story. From his loving mother, to meeting Kin, to running off and doing their own thing. In his own way, Kettle is admirably strong and capable and he's especially adorable.
I know that this might be a bit strange... but I found both characters to be a bit naive. I mean, with Nora, it's kind of understandable--she HAS seen horrors, but being on the streets was a whole new world for her, of course. With Kettle, though? It wasn't the usual nothings about the upper class... it's hard to explain. After the bit with Kin, he just seemed kind of... lost. He knew what to do, yes, but it went beyond things not being the same. And I guess it's not entirely naivety on his part, but that feeling of helplessness, I suppose.
Taylor wrote from both of their perspectives and I know, more often than not, that doing that is a tricky thing. Authors usually tend to write in the same voice, even though that clearly ins't their intention. I found the voices of Nora and Kettle to be differentiable, though. Like I mentioned, Nora has that innocence, but also that bitter hardness that abuse has brought out; where Kettle has that sense of humour but also the crystal clarity of horror, knowing when something can go wrong, so quickly. The two don't meet for a while, and there isn't much romance in the book. But despite that, I loved that Taylor got both of their stories out instead of just focusing on romance. I felt the ending could've been a bit better--it's very open ending, and I'm not sure if there's a sequel--but in any case, I enjoyed the book overall!
--
GUYYYYYSSSSSSS. IT'S A SERIES OH MY GOD I CAN'T EXPLAIN HOW HAPPY I AM
anyway, here, full review (before I found out it was a series!!)
This was both beautifully written and heartbreaking. If you're worried about romance overtaking everything--do NOT be. This is the story of two separate worlds--and before you think some cliche thing where they crash and everything is changed forever, hear me out. Privileged Nora and her younger sister, Frankie, hide behind walls and bruises. Their father is a well-known civil rights lawyer and he tends to speak with cutting words and his fists. With their mother gone, Nora is the only one that can protect Frankie... but it's only a matter of time before her father breaks her.
On the other side, you have Kettle, leader of the Kings. As a half-Japanese child, he's been tossed around and neglected by the country he lives in just because of who he is. He has to work harsh labouring jobs so he can keep himself and his fellow Kings safe and fed. He's resourceful, not a thief.
I found both their stories to be so heartbreaking. Reading what Nora would go through, both physically and mentally, was especially hard, because the signs were there and yet everyone would overlook them. It broke me to read her point of view. I admired her strength, her will, her determination to keep Frankie safe at all costs, even if it meant she had to get in the crossfire. Even more so, she never hesitated to put herself in the crossfire. Near the end of the novel, when every raised voice and clenched fist was near her, reading about her flinching... that just kind of ruined me.
Kettle... oh my Kettle. I loved him and Kin and the other Kings, limited page time they had. I loved the camaraderie he and Kin had--they aren't brothers, but it shows with every action, every single thing they do for each other. Kettle had to make hard decisions, choices that come to haunt him, even though it was the right thing to do. He took responsibility of a bunch of orphans at only 17 and he's not giving up on them--ever. He's doing everything he can to keep them safe, healthy, and fed. Even if it means aching bones--he's willing to risk everything for them. He has his own demons to face from the past, and little by little, we see his story. From his loving mother, to meeting Kin, to running off and doing their own thing. In his own way, Kettle is admirably strong and capable and he's especially adorable.
I know that this might be a bit strange... but I found both characters to be a bit naive. I mean, with Nora, it's kind of understandable--she HAS seen horrors, but being on the streets was a whole new world for her, of course. With Kettle, though? It wasn't the usual nothings about the upper class... it's hard to explain. After the bit with Kin, he just seemed kind of... lost. He knew what to do, yes, but it went beyond things not being the same. And I guess it's not entirely naivety on his part, but that feeling of helplessness, I suppose.
Taylor wrote from both of their perspectives and I know, more often than not, that doing that is a tricky thing. Authors usually tend to write in the same voice, even though that clearly ins't their intention. I found the voices of Nora and Kettle to be differentiable, though. Like I mentioned, Nora has that innocence, but also that bitter hardness that abuse has brought out; where Kettle has that sense of humour but also the crystal clarity of horror, knowing when something can go wrong, so quickly. The two don't meet for a while, and there isn't much romance in the book. But despite that, I loved that Taylor got both of their stories out instead of just focusing on romance. I felt the ending could've been a bit better--it's very open ending, and I'm not sure if there's a sequel--but in any case, I enjoyed the book overall!
May 23, 2016
A truly wonderful story about a girl from a rich family named Nora and a street kid named Kettle. Their stories are both fraught with danger and tragedy. Each have their own story to be told at first, as they live side by side without realising it. Then their lives cross and they become a strange sad and yet brave team. Despite their own problems they aim to help others.
A great read with an ending that leaves you wanting more.
A great read with an ending that leaves you wanting more.
September 9, 2024
4.5/5 Stars
WHY IS THIS NOT MORE WELL KNOWN!?
So I accidently stumbled across this book when it was advertised in my possible books to read email. (not it's actual name btw)
I liked the blurb of it and thought why not!
Best choice ever!
It's wonderfully unique, with an incredibly sad yet uplifting storyline and characters that are so full of emotion brewing underneath them that I ended up loving them very dearly and desperately wanting to know more, particularly with that ending!
WHY IS THIS NOT MORE WELL KNOWN!?
So I accidently stumbled across this book when it was advertised in my possible books to read email. (not it's actual name btw)
I liked the blurb of it and thought why not!
Best choice ever!
It's wonderfully unique, with an incredibly sad yet uplifting storyline and characters that are so full of emotion brewing underneath them that I ended up loving them very dearly and desperately wanting to know more, particularly with that ending!
March 1, 2016
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
This is not my normal type of read, but I have to tell you that I’m so glad I stepped out of my comfort zone to read it. I have to confess that it was the Peter Pan reference that first got my attention. The book has some very loose ties to the Peter Pan story, but I hadn’t reread the blurb before reading the book and hadn’t noticed any but the incredibly obvious ones – this is not a retelling (though now that I’m thinking back on it, the ties are certainly there, and I’m thinking of more and more of them – this is one of the first times I wish I’d read the blurb right before reading the book so I would have caught more of them). But that was fine with me because the book easily stood on its own – it didn’t need a fairy tale to fall back on.
What Fed My Addiction:
A story that needs to be told.
This story is told in parts at first, and Kettle’s portion of the story is one we don’t hear a lot about, especially in YA literature: how Japanese Americans were treated after World War II. In this part of the story, you get Kettle’s story of how he is struggling with being an outsider in society, trying his hardest to survive in a country that doesn’t want him because of his parentage. Kettle lived a good portion of his life in a Japanese internment camp – a part of the history of WWII that we often ignore (we prefer to focus on the inhumanity of Hitler instead of admitting to our own). Kettle is doing his best to scrape together enough of a living to keep himself and the band of Lost Boys he’s collected (they call themselves the Kings) together and alive. It’s not easy, and he has to face the judgments and the prejudices of his fellow US citizens while doing it. But is ever-hopeful and he won’t give up – and he won’t resort to stealing (though scrounging through garbage is definitely a necessity). Kettle’s life was fascinating, in a horrifying sort of way, and I’m so glad I read his story.
Chillingly painful.
Then there was Nora’s story. Hers was often almost more painful and emotional, simply because it was seen more directly. Where it took a little while to truly understand Kettle’s situation, Nora’s painful reality was clear from the very beginning. Her life with an abusive father was incredibly disturbing (and uncomfortable to read about sometimes – be prepared). I was appalled at the actions of this man who, on the outside, seemed to be fighting for social justice while perpetrating such atrocities in his own home. I couldn’t put this book down because I needed to find out what happened to Nora in the end.
The selves we hide.
This book highlighted how we have this darkness in us as humans. In Kettle’s story, he talked about how people who would think themselves good could become their basest selves because of prejudice and act inhumanely, even with evil. Then there was Nora’s dad, who cared about the injustices against Japanese Americans, but couldn’t control the demons inside him – he was a completely different person with his family than he was to the world. And, unfortunately, this is true for so many of us (hopefully to a much lesser degree, but still). I found the commentary on the state of the human soul fascinating.
World’s collide.
Just a warning – it wasn’t until about 65% into the book that Nora and Kettle’s stories truly came together – but it was worth the wait! From the very moment that these two found each other, I was mesmerized, and the story took on a whole new, thrilling dimension!
What Left Me Wanting More:
Separate stories at first.
Like I said, the two stories were told mostly separately with just thin ties between them up until about 65% of the book. While I appreciated both stories, I was more connected to Nora’s, and I sometimes felt like I wanted to hurry past Kettle’s part to find out what was going to happen to Nora (which I shouldn’t have – because while Kettle’s story was slower-building, it was just as important!).
This story was beautifully painful and haunting, and it should not be missed! While this book says it’s a Paper Stars Novel, it can definitely be read as a standalone – though I’m eager to see what Taylor has planned for future books in this series. I give Nora & Kettle 4.5/5 stars.
***Disclosure: I received this book from the author via XPresso Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
This is not my normal type of read, but I have to tell you that I’m so glad I stepped out of my comfort zone to read it. I have to confess that it was the Peter Pan reference that first got my attention. The book has some very loose ties to the Peter Pan story, but I hadn’t reread the blurb before reading the book and hadn’t noticed any but the incredibly obvious ones – this is not a retelling (though now that I’m thinking back on it, the ties are certainly there, and I’m thinking of more and more of them – this is one of the first times I wish I’d read the blurb right before reading the book so I would have caught more of them). But that was fine with me because the book easily stood on its own – it didn’t need a fairy tale to fall back on.
What Fed My Addiction:
A story that needs to be told.
This story is told in parts at first, and Kettle’s portion of the story is one we don’t hear a lot about, especially in YA literature: how Japanese Americans were treated after World War II. In this part of the story, you get Kettle’s story of how he is struggling with being an outsider in society, trying his hardest to survive in a country that doesn’t want him because of his parentage. Kettle lived a good portion of his life in a Japanese internment camp – a part of the history of WWII that we often ignore (we prefer to focus on the inhumanity of Hitler instead of admitting to our own). Kettle is doing his best to scrape together enough of a living to keep himself and the band of Lost Boys he’s collected (they call themselves the Kings) together and alive. It’s not easy, and he has to face the judgments and the prejudices of his fellow US citizens while doing it. But is ever-hopeful and he won’t give up – and he won’t resort to stealing (though scrounging through garbage is definitely a necessity). Kettle’s life was fascinating, in a horrifying sort of way, and I’m so glad I read his story.
Chillingly painful.
Then there was Nora’s story. Hers was often almost more painful and emotional, simply because it was seen more directly. Where it took a little while to truly understand Kettle’s situation, Nora’s painful reality was clear from the very beginning. Her life with an abusive father was incredibly disturbing (and uncomfortable to read about sometimes – be prepared). I was appalled at the actions of this man who, on the outside, seemed to be fighting for social justice while perpetrating such atrocities in his own home. I couldn’t put this book down because I needed to find out what happened to Nora in the end.
The selves we hide.
This book highlighted how we have this darkness in us as humans. In Kettle’s story, he talked about how people who would think themselves good could become their basest selves because of prejudice and act inhumanely, even with evil. Then there was Nora’s dad, who cared about the injustices against Japanese Americans, but couldn’t control the demons inside him – he was a completely different person with his family than he was to the world. And, unfortunately, this is true for so many of us (hopefully to a much lesser degree, but still). I found the commentary on the state of the human soul fascinating.
World’s collide.
Just a warning – it wasn’t until about 65% into the book that Nora and Kettle’s stories truly came together – but it was worth the wait! From the very moment that these two found each other, I was mesmerized, and the story took on a whole new, thrilling dimension!
What Left Me Wanting More:
Separate stories at first.
Like I said, the two stories were told mostly separately with just thin ties between them up until about 65% of the book. While I appreciated both stories, I was more connected to Nora’s, and I sometimes felt like I wanted to hurry past Kettle’s part to find out what was going to happen to Nora (which I shouldn’t have – because while Kettle’s story was slower-building, it was just as important!).
This story was beautifully painful and haunting, and it should not be missed! While this book says it’s a Paper Stars Novel, it can definitely be read as a standalone – though I’m eager to see what Taylor has planned for future books in this series. I give Nora & Kettle 4.5/5 stars.
***Disclosure: I received this book from the author via XPresso Book Tours in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
June 24, 2015
A sketch of Nora and Kettle, by Lauren Nicolle Taylor
If you haven’t read anything by Lauren Nicolle Taylor, you’re in for a real treat: Nora and Kettle is an upcoming novel by Lauren Nicolle Taylor, international bestselling author of The Woodlands. Set in the years after World War II, Nora and Kettle features a story about friendship and love between the daughter of a civil rights lawyer and a mixed-race Japanese-American orphan.
The first few pages of Nora and Kettle whisked me away into the sheltered but troubled life of Nora, daughter of a prestigious civil rights attorney. Living in a large home with her affluent family, Nora has learned to hide her bruises and stay quiet, mostly for the sake of keeping her little sister safe from their violent father.
The story soon shifts to the perspective of Kettle, a young man who goes out of his way to make life livable for his family, a group of Nisei orphans (“Lost Children”) who were taken from orphanages and placed into internment camps.
What do Nora and Kettle have in common? They are protective of those they love, and would sacrifice much to make sure that their loved ones are safe. Nora bravely endures her father’s beatings to make sure her sister is safe, while Kettle fights to work risky jobs in the mines in order to feed his family of fellow homeless children. On the surface, they live very different lives, but they also have a lot in common.
The story flows seamlessly between the perspectives of Nora and Kettle. I found myself attempting to piece together different facts and details to get a hold of the big picture or the “real deal” of a character.The revelations are satisfying and add layers of complexity to characters and their motivations. Hints introduced throughout the book come together to reveal important discoveries later on in the story--wish I could say but it’d be too spoilery. Take my word on this!
Nora and Kettle left me reeling with strong emotions--happy ones, angry ones, and also sad ones. I dreamed along with Nora, simmered with anger at her father’s violence and hypocrisy, and cheered for both Nora and Kettle. I found myself identifying with both characters’ struggles, dreams, and fears.
The emotional impact of this novel also stems from Lauren Nicolle Taylor’s signature style of poetic prose. Her vivid writing sweeps me away into the secret realms of her characters’ minds and hearts, where they are free to express how they truly feel. This is especially true for Nora, whose innerworld is dreamy and mobile compared to her oppressive situation at home, where she has to hide her true thoughts from her overbearing father.
"A Frankie and Kettle Moment" by Lauren Nicolle Taylor
Overall, this is a poetically written novel about two strong-willed characters who will do whatever they can to ensure the safety of the people they love. The post-World War II setting and Kettle’s background illuminates a segment of history that is often overlooked: the removal of children from orphanages and their subsequent placement into internment camps for having any sort of Japanese ancestry. Nora and Kettle are likable characters who drive the plot forward and I find myself investing deeply in their struggles. Nora and Kettle is an exhilarating read and I highly recommend it.
August 1, 2020
2/5stars
I was actually quite excited for this Peter Pan retelling, as it seems to be one of the most unique, but it became pretty apparently pretty quickly that this was not going to be something I enjoyed. This is marketed as YA but it is on the VERY young side of YA with incredibly over-the-top things happening to these characters and some pretty fucked up shit happening to them but with very surface level conversations about it. This read exactly like a middle grade to me - with an over the top "evil to just be evil" character that forces the main character (nora) to run away to a fantasy world. I wish this had actually talked about abuse in a more in depth way, I wish it had talked more about race as Kettle is supposed to be a Japanese boy, and I wish this entire story had been aged up to an adult novel, as I think it could have worked through a lot of these themes that way. The characters were 18 years old but in my head were about 8 or 9.
So overall, didn't enjoy this, barely got anything for my thesis, and I cant really recommend it.
I was actually quite excited for this Peter Pan retelling, as it seems to be one of the most unique, but it became pretty apparently pretty quickly that this was not going to be something I enjoyed. This is marketed as YA but it is on the VERY young side of YA with incredibly over-the-top things happening to these characters and some pretty fucked up shit happening to them but with very surface level conversations about it. This read exactly like a middle grade to me - with an over the top "evil to just be evil" character that forces the main character (nora) to run away to a fantasy world. I wish this had actually talked about abuse in a more in depth way, I wish it had talked more about race as Kettle is supposed to be a Japanese boy, and I wish this entire story had been aged up to an adult novel, as I think it could have worked through a lot of these themes that way. The characters were 18 years old but in my head were about 8 or 9.
So overall, didn't enjoy this, barely got anything for my thesis, and I cant really recommend it.
March 29, 2016
Eighteen-year-old Nora has lived through a life of physical abuse at the hands of her father, a lawyer campaigning for the civil rights of Japanese Americans interned seven years earlier in World War II prison camps. Children who escaped from these camps or became orphans were dubbed the "Lost Children" by the press. Kettle is one of these children. Now seventeen, Kettle lives in the tunnels of the railway station with his "family" of homeless children, the Kings of the Subway. Refusing to resort to stealing, Kettle ekes out a meager living by working dangerous jobs on the docks to support his family. We follow both Nora and Kettle on their separate journeys. Their paths intersect on so many levels until they finally meet - right when they both need each other most.
This is a heartbreaking account of a young man's struggle to survive on the streets and of a young woman's physical abuse at the hands of her own father. This is a story that moved me the tears. It is an emotional journey for both the characters and the reader. The author imbues the story with a fable-like quality through her beautiful, lyrical, and poetic prose, full of rich metaphors and similes. We see shades of Peter Pan through the recurring theme of flying, and the more you look, the more references you will find; this added layer of nuance provides the reader some relief from the stark realities of the characters' lives. I love the cover, the significance of which will be revealed as you read. Thankfully, this story is ultimately uplifting. I love how Nora ends up defeating her father in a totally unexpected, yet satisfying, way.
Best read of the year so far.
Warnings: domestic violence, violence, animal cruelty, mild swearing, minor sexual references.
Full blog post: https://booksdirectonline.blogspot.co...
This is a heartbreaking account of a young man's struggle to survive on the streets and of a young woman's physical abuse at the hands of her own father. This is a story that moved me the tears. It is an emotional journey for both the characters and the reader. The author imbues the story with a fable-like quality through her beautiful, lyrical, and poetic prose, full of rich metaphors and similes. We see shades of Peter Pan through the recurring theme of flying, and the more you look, the more references you will find; this added layer of nuance provides the reader some relief from the stark realities of the characters' lives. I love the cover, the significance of which will be revealed as you read. Thankfully, this story is ultimately uplifting. I love how Nora ends up defeating her father in a totally unexpected, yet satisfying, way.
Best read of the year so far.
Warnings: domestic violence, violence, animal cruelty, mild swearing, minor sexual references.
Full blog post: https://booksdirectonline.blogspot.co...
February 29, 2016
One of the more haunting retellings that I have ever encountered, this book gave a whole new outtake on the beloved tale of Peter Pan, grounded it in reality and harsh truths. It's not magical like the original is, but there is a certain lyrical quality to this writing that I inhaled as I read.
I wouldn't say it is a pleasant tale to read, but it's a myriad of light and dark, from the desperation that clouds Kettle's days and the fear that shrouds Nora to the moments of joy and happiness they feel around those they care about. The abuse and hurt that Nora feels is painful to read about, and her hopeless life is bleak with little light besides her younger sister. She may seem more privileged than most but that privilege is marred by the ugly bruises she has. On the other hand there is Kettle, the orphan with little besides his fellow Lost Boys and his brother Kin, desperately scrounging a life together, haunted by the past and heritage he shoulders. Both characters are fearful, afraid of missteps yet burdened by a load that they are far too young and innocent to be shouldering.
While the book didn't go into much detail about the internment camps themselves, I commend the way the author treated the aftermath, the pain and uncertainty that Japanese Americans felt after being treated as the enemy in their own country.
I was a left bereft by the ending however, and I do wish we'd received a bit more in terms of closure, but I appreciate the hope it gave to the characters.
There is a wonderful flow to Taylor's writing and I am keen to read more books by her, after seeing how she has handled the theme of Japanese Americans and my favorite tale of Peter Pan.
Thank you to Netgalley and Xpresso Book Tours for the review copy.
I wouldn't say it is a pleasant tale to read, but it's a myriad of light and dark, from the desperation that clouds Kettle's days and the fear that shrouds Nora to the moments of joy and happiness they feel around those they care about. The abuse and hurt that Nora feels is painful to read about, and her hopeless life is bleak with little light besides her younger sister. She may seem more privileged than most but that privilege is marred by the ugly bruises she has. On the other hand there is Kettle, the orphan with little besides his fellow Lost Boys and his brother Kin, desperately scrounging a life together, haunted by the past and heritage he shoulders. Both characters are fearful, afraid of missteps yet burdened by a load that they are far too young and innocent to be shouldering.
While the book didn't go into much detail about the internment camps themselves, I commend the way the author treated the aftermath, the pain and uncertainty that Japanese Americans felt after being treated as the enemy in their own country.
I was a left bereft by the ending however, and I do wish we'd received a bit more in terms of closure, but I appreciate the hope it gave to the characters.
There is a wonderful flow to Taylor's writing and I am keen to read more books by her, after seeing how she has handled the theme of Japanese Americans and my favorite tale of Peter Pan.
Thank you to Netgalley and Xpresso Book Tours for the review copy.
March 13, 2016
"Nora & Kettle" is set in the post-war, 1953 New York.
The seventeen year old, Nora Deere, lives in a nice house with her mum, lawyer dad and younger sister, Frankie. But not all is what it seems. Nora's dad is a bully and physically abusive. Following Nora's mother's accidental death, her dad becomes even more abusive. Nobody stands up for Nora. She's all alone.
Kettle is a part Japanese teenager, who lives on streets as he doesn't want to return to the orphanage he left. His best friend, Kin, is always by his side. Together they look after a few other younger street kids, whom they feed and clothes and keep them sheltered to the best of their abilities. Kettle and Kin work for minimum wage at the docks. They have to overcome lots of obstacles. Looking different doesn't make their life any easier.
I should have liked this novel much more than I did. But things didn't gel that well for me. I don't know if it was because of the first person, alternate point of views of both Nora and Kettle, or the tone, I just felt disconnected and not as emotional as I think the plot and subject warranted.
So 'Nora & Kettle' gets only a 3-3.5 stars.
I've received this novel via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this novel.
Cover: 5 stars
The seventeen year old, Nora Deere, lives in a nice house with her mum, lawyer dad and younger sister, Frankie. But not all is what it seems. Nora's dad is a bully and physically abusive. Following Nora's mother's accidental death, her dad becomes even more abusive. Nobody stands up for Nora. She's all alone.
Kettle is a part Japanese teenager, who lives on streets as he doesn't want to return to the orphanage he left. His best friend, Kin, is always by his side. Together they look after a few other younger street kids, whom they feed and clothes and keep them sheltered to the best of their abilities. Kettle and Kin work for minimum wage at the docks. They have to overcome lots of obstacles. Looking different doesn't make their life any easier.
I should have liked this novel much more than I did. But things didn't gel that well for me. I don't know if it was because of the first person, alternate point of views of both Nora and Kettle, or the tone, I just felt disconnected and not as emotional as I think the plot and subject warranted.
So 'Nora & Kettle' gets only a 3-3.5 stars.
I've received this novel via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to the publishers for the opportunity to read and review this novel.
Cover: 5 stars
April 29, 2016
In the post-WWII 1950s America, stereotypes and prejudices against the Japanese were still prevalent. Kettle is a Japanese American boy, raised in the internment camps, who prefers life on the streets to the brutality of life in a Home. Along with his “brother” Kin, Kettle leads and protects a group of lost boys, known as the Kings, in a more “free” life. Nora, on the other hand, lives a privileged life of luxury and money, at least on the outside. Behind the scenes, Nora is physically abused by her father and is the sole protector of her younger sister, who has already been the permanently affected by his abuse.
A historical fiction loosely based on Peter Pan, Nora and Kettle is heartbreaking, beautiful, and rich with character development.
My biggest problem with this book is also one of its strengths: character development. While I loved the extensive look into these characters and their lives, understanding their motivations and who they are individually, it took 200 pages before the characters actually came together and the plot advanced. While this is written in a more “contemporary” style, focused on character and relationships, I would’ve liked to see that struggle of them coming together as more of the focus on the story. Nora on the streets, Kettle struggling with his identity: that’s where the real story lies, not 200 pages of will Nora leave home or not.
The first book in a series, the ending, while cathartic at times, seemed more interested in setting up the next book than finishing the current one. Readers are left with a cliffhanger and a major change in Nora’s life that should’ve been addressed much earlier.
That being said, Nora and Kettle is lyrically written, with beautiful paragraphs of dialogue and description that naturally flow together. It’s very easy to picture and watch the words dance around your head.
Dealing with some very tough topics, Nora and Kettle doesn’t shy away from the brutality of child abuse and racial prejudices, but doesn’t make it the sole characterization of its characters. Nora is abused, and that affects her in very real ways, but she’s also a sister, a dreamer, and someone whose mind hasn’t been shut to new experiences. Kettle is a Japanese American, but even he doesn’t know what that means for him; he doesn’t know what to identify as, and while he keeps his head low to avoid confrontation, he also works hard, refuses to give into those prejudices, and protects those that need it.
Though it takes some time for the title characters to finally come together - for Peter to whisk Wendy away through the window - when they do, it’s magical. They have a natural chemistry, and knowing them as well as we do, it’s exciting to see them together and beginning to fall for one another. It’s fast, but it also feels very slow at the same time.
A big fan of Peter Pan and its many retellings, this was not a disappointment.
3.5 stars
A historical fiction loosely based on Peter Pan, Nora and Kettle is heartbreaking, beautiful, and rich with character development.
My biggest problem with this book is also one of its strengths: character development. While I loved the extensive look into these characters and their lives, understanding their motivations and who they are individually, it took 200 pages before the characters actually came together and the plot advanced. While this is written in a more “contemporary” style, focused on character and relationships, I would’ve liked to see that struggle of them coming together as more of the focus on the story. Nora on the streets, Kettle struggling with his identity: that’s where the real story lies, not 200 pages of will Nora leave home or not.
The first book in a series, the ending, while cathartic at times, seemed more interested in setting up the next book than finishing the current one. Readers are left with a cliffhanger and a major change in Nora’s life that should’ve been addressed much earlier.
That being said, Nora and Kettle is lyrically written, with beautiful paragraphs of dialogue and description that naturally flow together. It’s very easy to picture and watch the words dance around your head.
Dealing with some very tough topics, Nora and Kettle doesn’t shy away from the brutality of child abuse and racial prejudices, but doesn’t make it the sole characterization of its characters. Nora is abused, and that affects her in very real ways, but she’s also a sister, a dreamer, and someone whose mind hasn’t been shut to new experiences. Kettle is a Japanese American, but even he doesn’t know what that means for him; he doesn’t know what to identify as, and while he keeps his head low to avoid confrontation, he also works hard, refuses to give into those prejudices, and protects those that need it.
Though it takes some time for the title characters to finally come together - for Peter to whisk Wendy away through the window - when they do, it’s magical. They have a natural chemistry, and knowing them as well as we do, it’s exciting to see them together and beginning to fall for one another. It’s fast, but it also feels very slow at the same time.
A big fan of Peter Pan and its many retellings, this was not a disappointment.
3.5 stars
December 27, 2016
It looks like Nora is from a perfect home. Her father is a well-known civil rights lawyer, there's enough money to spend and she has a sister she adores. Only Nora's father might stand up for those who need him in the outside world, but at home he's a tyrant. Nora is afraid of his beatings and she wants to protect her sister Frankie from more life-threatening abuse. When nothing and nobody can protect her and her sister any longer Nora tries to find a way out of her dire situation.
Kettle is a Japanese American seventeen-year-old. It's 1953 and because of the Second World War people don't want to have anything to do with him. He's an orphan and has nowhere to go. He lives on the street, but he's clean, he never steals and he provides food and shelter for a group of kids who need his help. When his best friend gets into a lot of trouble there isn't much he can do to protect him. When Nora and Kettle need help the most their paths coincidentally cross...
Nora & Kettle is an impressive story. It's honest and raw. The abuse is terrible to read about and it made me shed some tears for Nora and Kettle. Sometimes life can be unfair, but Nora and Kettle never stop fighting to make it better. They're strong and independent individually and together they're much more. It takes a while for them to meet, but there's an instant and deep connection. What they're going through is heartbreaking and I couldn't stop reading because I had to find out what would happen to them.
Nora and Kettle are special and I instantly cared about them. I haven't read such a moving story in a long time. It's beautiful and fantastically written. Lauren Nicolle Taylor knows how to write with emotion. The story is sad, but there's also hope. She never makes it too heavy, but she knows how to move her readers. This book made an incredibly strong impression on me and I think it's an absolute must-read. It's an amazing influencing story that will stay with me for a very long time.
Kettle is a Japanese American seventeen-year-old. It's 1953 and because of the Second World War people don't want to have anything to do with him. He's an orphan and has nowhere to go. He lives on the street, but he's clean, he never steals and he provides food and shelter for a group of kids who need his help. When his best friend gets into a lot of trouble there isn't much he can do to protect him. When Nora and Kettle need help the most their paths coincidentally cross...
Nora & Kettle is an impressive story. It's honest and raw. The abuse is terrible to read about and it made me shed some tears for Nora and Kettle. Sometimes life can be unfair, but Nora and Kettle never stop fighting to make it better. They're strong and independent individually and together they're much more. It takes a while for them to meet, but there's an instant and deep connection. What they're going through is heartbreaking and I couldn't stop reading because I had to find out what would happen to them.
Nora and Kettle are special and I instantly cared about them. I haven't read such a moving story in a long time. It's beautiful and fantastically written. Lauren Nicolle Taylor knows how to write with emotion. The story is sad, but there's also hope. She never makes it too heavy, but she knows how to move her readers. This book made an incredibly strong impression on me and I think it's an absolute must-read. It's an amazing influencing story that will stay with me for a very long time.
April 21, 2016
3.5 stars
Wow. Just wow.
I don’t know where I got the idea that this was going to be a light-hearted read – perhaps the fact that this is a Peter Pan retelling at heart – but wow, I definitely do not regret picking it up. This book deals with heavy themes and difficult topics in such an amazing way; I read the book within a breath and a heartbeat and even after the final page did the story stay with me.
I can’t deny that the book weighed heavily on my heart from start to finish. Vivid descriptions of Nora being physically abused by her father make room for scenes of post-war racism against Asians in Kettle’s chapters. These themes are so very raw and so very real that you can’t help but be moved and root for our characters. It’s the Peter Pan elements that make the story flutter – how Kettle takes care of a nest of Lost Children and how they all worship the ground he walks on. How Nora dreams of spreading her arms and being able to fly. How she finds power and defiance with every beating.
When our two protagonists finally meet, it is heart-warming and breath-taking and you didn’t realise how much you’d been waiting for this moment until it finally happened. On the surface, Nora and Kettle seem like fire and ice – two complete opposites. It is when you dive deeper that you discover just how much these two have in common, both in mannerisms as well as experiences.
And so these two form an alliance that will eventually be a triumph for the both of them. While not without hurdles, I believe they can survive them all as long as they stick together. Do so, and they will be able to fly.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with a copy
Wow. Just wow.
I don’t know where I got the idea that this was going to be a light-hearted read – perhaps the fact that this is a Peter Pan retelling at heart – but wow, I definitely do not regret picking it up. This book deals with heavy themes and difficult topics in such an amazing way; I read the book within a breath and a heartbeat and even after the final page did the story stay with me.
I can’t deny that the book weighed heavily on my heart from start to finish. Vivid descriptions of Nora being physically abused by her father make room for scenes of post-war racism against Asians in Kettle’s chapters. These themes are so very raw and so very real that you can’t help but be moved and root for our characters. It’s the Peter Pan elements that make the story flutter – how Kettle takes care of a nest of Lost Children and how they all worship the ground he walks on. How Nora dreams of spreading her arms and being able to fly. How she finds power and defiance with every beating.
"He may think he has me pinned. That he has clipped my wings and broken my spirit, but he's wrong. My value is in my love for my sister. My value is growing with every day I live."
When our two protagonists finally meet, it is heart-warming and breath-taking and you didn’t realise how much you’d been waiting for this moment until it finally happened. On the surface, Nora and Kettle seem like fire and ice – two complete opposites. It is when you dive deeper that you discover just how much these two have in common, both in mannerisms as well as experiences.
And so these two form an alliance that will eventually be a triumph for the both of them. While not without hurdles, I believe they can survive them all as long as they stick together. Do so, and they will be able to fly.
Thank you NetGalley for providing me with a copy
April 2, 2015
I wish I could give a dozen stars!
I don't want to give anything away so, I've decided not to describe the story in my review.
I would like to say this....I have read thousands of books. Fantasy, Dystopian, Post Apocalyptic, Romance...the list goes on and on. I usually give the highest reviews I feel are appropriate to my interest and genuine feel
in/of the story. These five stars are not enough.
This vivid world, crusted with dirt and salt and fish air, this world pulled me in so far that I had to gasp for air a few times not realizing I'd been holding my breath. There were moments I laughed out loud and times I couldn't see the words through my tears.
In a life as rushed as ours, I think sometimes I forget to stop and TRULY FEEL. Thank you Lauren Nicolle Taylor for reminding me of the gifts I take for granted. Thank you for reminding me to stop and see, really see, the people around me.
If you haven't read one of Lauren's books, this is a great place to start.
I don't want to give anything away so, I've decided not to describe the story in my review.
I would like to say this....I have read thousands of books. Fantasy, Dystopian, Post Apocalyptic, Romance...the list goes on and on. I usually give the highest reviews I feel are appropriate to my interest and genuine feel
in/of the story. These five stars are not enough.
This vivid world, crusted with dirt and salt and fish air, this world pulled me in so far that I had to gasp for air a few times not realizing I'd been holding my breath. There were moments I laughed out loud and times I couldn't see the words through my tears.
In a life as rushed as ours, I think sometimes I forget to stop and TRULY FEEL. Thank you Lauren Nicolle Taylor for reminding me of the gifts I take for granted. Thank you for reminding me to stop and see, really see, the people around me.
If you haven't read one of Lauren's books, this is a great place to start.
February 29, 2016
This post is going to be different. And it's going to contain a lot of emotional experiences I've been through and a really personal look into my life. If you're not willing to be confronted with those facts, or you at all feel uncomfortable with that idea, please don't hesitate to go read a more upbeat, less emotional review.
Because the truth of it is, this book handled very hard issues in a way that was so realistic that it just about destroyed me.
Summary:
Nora Deere was raised to be the classical upper class girl. Her father is a respected Civil Rights Attorney. Her mother a beautiful and wealthy lady. And a little sister who, despite her deafness, is all wildness and enthusiasm for whatever little things life throws her way.
It is all a lie.
Her father is a monster. And somehow she has to find the strength to be the shield for her sister when her mother's life slips away. But when things reach their breaking point, there's nothing left but the hysteria.
Kettle is a King. Co-founder of a band of kids known to be "Lost" who are really just unwanted, forgotten, or left to the streets. Between him and his brother, Kin, they created the Kings of the subway, and they keep the kids alive as much as possible. They don't steal and they don't cause problems, and they are free. Working hard to maintain that freedom, Kettle still has his own personal demons to overcome.
When Kettle chooses to sleep in the alley beneath Nora's window, it will pull the tethers of their lives ever closer until they're faced with challenges and hopes they never knew could exist.
Review:
I've heard that smell is the stronger sense. The one that can coax memories from a hazy brain. For me, it's sounds. Sounds wrap around my throat and strangle me. Sounds warn like a foghorn in the night.
~ Nora and Kettle by Lauren Nicolle Taylor ~
I know this feeling. All too well. The terror that chokes you every time he enters the room. The tension straightening your back and tightening every muscle in your body, because you know that for whatever order he gives, you'll have to react fast. The absolute awareness of your surroundings even during something so innocent as a night of watching TV. Every sound is catalogued and identified. From the creaks in the floor with every heavy step he takes, to the groaning of his chair as he gets settled. The snap of his fingers as he demands a refill, ordering about whichever kid is closest. His voice as he speaks above us to the only person he considers on his level, my mom. The rest of us keeping our eyes trained on the television, except for those few furtive glances we make excuses for in order to gauge his mood.
I know this terror. I lived with it for nearly fifteen years. The hatred, I know better. And my father wasn't nearly as bad as Nora's.
You see, I was hit, but never beaten. And it was always as a result of what he'd decided was an actual transgression. My dad didn't just decide that he needed to take out his anger on someone. He didn't just decide that his children were walking punching bags, best suited for expelling his rage. And he definitely never hated any one of us.
Many people tell me that my dad was a great man. Most days, I just shrug it off because it's not worth it to puncture that perfect image they have left of the man. But I knew the asshole and I knew his anger issues and I knew his flaws better than any other being. I knew what it was to have no room left in my soul to fear anything else, because I lived in a constant state of terror of him. And before I was above the age of six, I knew what it was to hate.
I know Nora's terror. And despite the fact that our circumstances are nowhere near similar, that emotion is still as raw and real for me as it is for her.
I also know her confusion. Why can't she just let him go? Why does she make everything about him? How could she let him have so much control over her life, even when he's not around? How was it fair to see the good in him and know it exists, but have every interaction with him confirm why she hates him?
I've also never gotten any of these answers. Maybe it has something to do with the damage inflicted. When you're exposed to something like that for so long, it's scarring upon scarring upon scarring. Until your body feels more like it's made of scar tissue than muscle. Well, that's what happens to our minds. We fixate on why they can't be better. Why they can't control their anger and rage. And why we had to be the targets. Why did we have to suffer for it?
People like to say that every girl has daddy issues. Well, in my case, it's true. And those are issues that will remain unresolved because, at fifteen, my darkest wish was finally answered: he died.
I thought I hated him before… Leaving my mother like that, at a time when things were finally turning for the better ... nothing could make me hate him more.
As I said in the beginning of this review, this was very emotional for me as I read through Nora's narrative. I also often describe it as "destroying me." And it was at that point that I quoted above that I almost burst into tears at work, because it so accurately described how I'd lived my entire childhood.
This, my friends, is the mark of a truly skillful author. One who evokes the emotions necessary to the situation. If you're lucky to have never experienced anything like this firsthand, you will once you read this. And if you have … consider this review your trigger warning.
I've read several of Miss Taylor's books before, and always knew that I had to be emotionally prepared before going in. This … I needed to prepare better for this. I've read other books that feature some abuse in several forms. Never have I read anything that brings back that many memories.
Despite what this sounds like, this is actually a very positive review. When a writer has that power to evoke so many emotions and memories from me, I have to give them every praise the situation demands. Heart-wrenching as this was to read, I am eternally grateful that I had the opportunity to read Nora and Kettle.
And, to be honest, Kettle hasn't had it easy either. In fact, he's been in Nora's situation--but with a lot less money--and he's been in a Japanese American internment camp. And while I also connected with Kettle, and actually liked him better as a narrator, it was my emotional solidarity with Nora that really hit me.
But Kettle is such a great character to get to know. His realism stands as a stark contrast to Nora's daydreaming. Though his memories have a tendency to swallow him whole, he uses them as a reminder of what he's been through, and how much things have grown better for him. Truthfully, without Kettle's mindset, I don't know how much of Nora I could have taken. Because as much as I identified with her situation, I could still see that she sounded nowhere near an eighteen year old girl. Especially when it came to her spacing out in a daydream instead of being focused on the very critical present.
All in all, this is the story of two broken people who are trying to learn how to stitch themselves back together while looking after the ones they care about. And maybe learning to let someone else in long enough to help with the healing.
Because the truth of it is, this book handled very hard issues in a way that was so realistic that it just about destroyed me.
Summary:
Nora Deere was raised to be the classical upper class girl. Her father is a respected Civil Rights Attorney. Her mother a beautiful and wealthy lady. And a little sister who, despite her deafness, is all wildness and enthusiasm for whatever little things life throws her way.
It is all a lie.
Her father is a monster. And somehow she has to find the strength to be the shield for her sister when her mother's life slips away. But when things reach their breaking point, there's nothing left but the hysteria.
Kettle is a King. Co-founder of a band of kids known to be "Lost" who are really just unwanted, forgotten, or left to the streets. Between him and his brother, Kin, they created the Kings of the subway, and they keep the kids alive as much as possible. They don't steal and they don't cause problems, and they are free. Working hard to maintain that freedom, Kettle still has his own personal demons to overcome.
When Kettle chooses to sleep in the alley beneath Nora's window, it will pull the tethers of their lives ever closer until they're faced with challenges and hopes they never knew could exist.
Review:
I've heard that smell is the stronger sense. The one that can coax memories from a hazy brain. For me, it's sounds. Sounds wrap around my throat and strangle me. Sounds warn like a foghorn in the night.
~ Nora and Kettle by Lauren Nicolle Taylor ~
I know this feeling. All too well. The terror that chokes you every time he enters the room. The tension straightening your back and tightening every muscle in your body, because you know that for whatever order he gives, you'll have to react fast. The absolute awareness of your surroundings even during something so innocent as a night of watching TV. Every sound is catalogued and identified. From the creaks in the floor with every heavy step he takes, to the groaning of his chair as he gets settled. The snap of his fingers as he demands a refill, ordering about whichever kid is closest. His voice as he speaks above us to the only person he considers on his level, my mom. The rest of us keeping our eyes trained on the television, except for those few furtive glances we make excuses for in order to gauge his mood.
I know this terror. I lived with it for nearly fifteen years. The hatred, I know better. And my father wasn't nearly as bad as Nora's.
You see, I was hit, but never beaten. And it was always as a result of what he'd decided was an actual transgression. My dad didn't just decide that he needed to take out his anger on someone. He didn't just decide that his children were walking punching bags, best suited for expelling his rage. And he definitely never hated any one of us.
Many people tell me that my dad was a great man. Most days, I just shrug it off because it's not worth it to puncture that perfect image they have left of the man. But I knew the asshole and I knew his anger issues and I knew his flaws better than any other being. I knew what it was to have no room left in my soul to fear anything else, because I lived in a constant state of terror of him. And before I was above the age of six, I knew what it was to hate.
I know Nora's terror. And despite the fact that our circumstances are nowhere near similar, that emotion is still as raw and real for me as it is for her.
I also know her confusion. Why can't she just let him go? Why does she make everything about him? How could she let him have so much control over her life, even when he's not around? How was it fair to see the good in him and know it exists, but have every interaction with him confirm why she hates him?
I've also never gotten any of these answers. Maybe it has something to do with the damage inflicted. When you're exposed to something like that for so long, it's scarring upon scarring upon scarring. Until your body feels more like it's made of scar tissue than muscle. Well, that's what happens to our minds. We fixate on why they can't be better. Why they can't control their anger and rage. And why we had to be the targets. Why did we have to suffer for it?
People like to say that every girl has daddy issues. Well, in my case, it's true. And those are issues that will remain unresolved because, at fifteen, my darkest wish was finally answered: he died.
I thought I hated him before… Leaving my mother like that, at a time when things were finally turning for the better ... nothing could make me hate him more.
As I said in the beginning of this review, this was very emotional for me as I read through Nora's narrative. I also often describe it as "destroying me." And it was at that point that I quoted above that I almost burst into tears at work, because it so accurately described how I'd lived my entire childhood.
This, my friends, is the mark of a truly skillful author. One who evokes the emotions necessary to the situation. If you're lucky to have never experienced anything like this firsthand, you will once you read this. And if you have … consider this review your trigger warning.
I've read several of Miss Taylor's books before, and always knew that I had to be emotionally prepared before going in. This … I needed to prepare better for this. I've read other books that feature some abuse in several forms. Never have I read anything that brings back that many memories.
Despite what this sounds like, this is actually a very positive review. When a writer has that power to evoke so many emotions and memories from me, I have to give them every praise the situation demands. Heart-wrenching as this was to read, I am eternally grateful that I had the opportunity to read Nora and Kettle.
And, to be honest, Kettle hasn't had it easy either. In fact, he's been in Nora's situation--but with a lot less money--and he's been in a Japanese American internment camp. And while I also connected with Kettle, and actually liked him better as a narrator, it was my emotional solidarity with Nora that really hit me.
But Kettle is such a great character to get to know. His realism stands as a stark contrast to Nora's daydreaming. Though his memories have a tendency to swallow him whole, he uses them as a reminder of what he's been through, and how much things have grown better for him. Truthfully, without Kettle's mindset, I don't know how much of Nora I could have taken. Because as much as I identified with her situation, I could still see that she sounded nowhere near an eighteen year old girl. Especially when it came to her spacing out in a daydream instead of being focused on the very critical present.
All in all, this is the story of two broken people who are trying to learn how to stitch themselves back together while looking after the ones they care about. And maybe learning to let someone else in long enough to help with the healing.
September 26, 2020
So incredibly beautiful and heart breaking. The best Peter pan retelling...ever.
TW: animal abuse/death; Domestic Violence.
TW: animal abuse/death; Domestic Violence.
July 28, 2016
If I were to describe any book I’ve read so far this year as “unforgettable,” I’d say Nora & Kettle absolutely fits the bill and some more. This book is perfect and tear-jerking and devastating, but hopeful and liberating.
Nora & Kettle is set in 1953, a time when memories of the war, of the destruction at Pearl Harbour, and the hatred towards the Axis powers was fresh in people’s minds. It was in this time that the incarceration of Japanese-American citizens took place, and in what was perhaps one of the most inhuman of post-war crisis, children with even a small amount of Japanese lineage were removed from orphanages, many ending up with no place to go to. As mentioned in the synopsis of the book, this era is not talked about too often, and even less in YA, and so Nora & Kettle is as informative as it is moving.
Our story begins with Nora, the daughter of a well respected civil right lawyer, who is abusive and controlling. Nora mentions seeing his out of control rage and abuse from a very young age, and though I don’t remember her pin-pointing exactly when he started beating her, I’m inclined to believe that she had been a victim for quite some time before the book began. She has a younger sister, Frankie, whom she must protect, though, and so she endures the violence and hatred her father bears towards her.
Nora’s life was hell. She was in a situation so ghastly, so terrible that no person must ever go through even a shadow if it, but she lived through it day in and day out, all for the sake of her sister. And that is what won me over. Nora was strong and courageous is the face of adversity, and her infinite love for her sister grounded her and kept her from drowning. I can’t even imagine what it must feel like to be scared of your own father, to live in fear for your life in your own house, but wanting to protect your sister from anything and everything evil is something I can understand, and so Nora had my full sympathy from the very beginning.
Kettle, on the other hand, had circumstances completely different from Nora’s—but not any easier. Fighting for a dangerous, possibly fatal job everyday, feeding his “lost boys,” living like a thief in his own country at a time when his skin colour invited only hate and resentment, and these were only the struggles we see him go through in the course of the book. His past does flash back to abuse at the hands of the orphanage he stayed at for a while, and it was gut wrenchingly painful to relive his past with him. But not once did I see resentment or bitterness in his heart for all the people he had to take care of—and Kettle managed to warm my soul with this attitude.
As a unit, we don't see Nora and Kettle together for very long. It takes a long time for them to meet, even longer to break the preconceived notions they had built about each other through the course of the book. And yet, when they were together, they looked like perfection. They were the balms to each others souls and it showed. And I only have the writing to thank for this. In a way I’ve never quite seen before, Lauren Nicolle Taylor managed to show the light at the end of the tunnel. I loved her skill with words, her flowing narrative, her characters that evoke love and support from a reader. Nora & Kettle was both raw and gutting, but it was also gorgeous and gripping from the beginning to the end. The story will weave into your heart and make you want to stop and feel and think, and from mere words on paper, I think that is the greatest thing we can ask for.
I was provided a free earc of this book by Xpresso Book Tours in exchange of an honest review. This did not in any way, however, influence the content of this review.
Nora & Kettle is set in 1953, a time when memories of the war, of the destruction at Pearl Harbour, and the hatred towards the Axis powers was fresh in people’s minds. It was in this time that the incarceration of Japanese-American citizens took place, and in what was perhaps one of the most inhuman of post-war crisis, children with even a small amount of Japanese lineage were removed from orphanages, many ending up with no place to go to. As mentioned in the synopsis of the book, this era is not talked about too often, and even less in YA, and so Nora & Kettle is as informative as it is moving.
Our story begins with Nora, the daughter of a well respected civil right lawyer, who is abusive and controlling. Nora mentions seeing his out of control rage and abuse from a very young age, and though I don’t remember her pin-pointing exactly when he started beating her, I’m inclined to believe that she had been a victim for quite some time before the book began. She has a younger sister, Frankie, whom she must protect, though, and so she endures the violence and hatred her father bears towards her.
Nora’s life was hell. She was in a situation so ghastly, so terrible that no person must ever go through even a shadow if it, but she lived through it day in and day out, all for the sake of her sister. And that is what won me over. Nora was strong and courageous is the face of adversity, and her infinite love for her sister grounded her and kept her from drowning. I can’t even imagine what it must feel like to be scared of your own father, to live in fear for your life in your own house, but wanting to protect your sister from anything and everything evil is something I can understand, and so Nora had my full sympathy from the very beginning.
Kettle, on the other hand, had circumstances completely different from Nora’s—but not any easier. Fighting for a dangerous, possibly fatal job everyday, feeding his “lost boys,” living like a thief in his own country at a time when his skin colour invited only hate and resentment, and these were only the struggles we see him go through in the course of the book. His past does flash back to abuse at the hands of the orphanage he stayed at for a while, and it was gut wrenchingly painful to relive his past with him. But not once did I see resentment or bitterness in his heart for all the people he had to take care of—and Kettle managed to warm my soul with this attitude.
As a unit, we don't see Nora and Kettle together for very long. It takes a long time for them to meet, even longer to break the preconceived notions they had built about each other through the course of the book. And yet, when they were together, they looked like perfection. They were the balms to each others souls and it showed. And I only have the writing to thank for this. In a way I’ve never quite seen before, Lauren Nicolle Taylor managed to show the light at the end of the tunnel. I loved her skill with words, her flowing narrative, her characters that evoke love and support from a reader. Nora & Kettle was both raw and gutting, but it was also gorgeous and gripping from the beginning to the end. The story will weave into your heart and make you want to stop and feel and think, and from mere words on paper, I think that is the greatest thing we can ask for.
I was provided a free earc of this book by Xpresso Book Tours in exchange of an honest review. This did not in any way, however, influence the content of this review.
October 4, 2016
** I received this ARC through NetGalley from the publishers.**
Initial thoughts:
If a book makes me physically sob, then it's an automatic favourite. It just so happens that this is my most favourite book of all time. I can't begin to describe how I'm feeling right now.
Review:
As soon as I received this book, I was ecstatic about reading it. I had read the reviews on Goodreads and pretty much everyone said it was amazing. I cannot agree more, this book isn't one of the most beautiful books I've ever read and will infinitely be at the top of my favourites list.
The more I think about the characters, the more I miss them. This book was average length, so you'd think you wouldn't really get that attached, oh no. These two characters, Nora and Kettle, are so different but yet so similar. They come from different backgrounds but both face abuse, they try to care for their families in difficult times and by chance they happen to find each other.
Nora is a strong woman living with her sister and father after the tragic death of her mother. Since her mother's death, her father has been unhinged and takes his anger out on his two daughters. Nora, being the older sister, protects her little sister Frankie by taking her beatings. When she is finally ready to leave her life behind, she stumbles upon Kettle.
Kettle is a JA living in America after World War Two. Since Pearl Harbour and the clash between Japan and America, all JAs have been neglected from their orphanages and workplaces. Kettle is one of the unlucky few living on the streets and barely getting by. He and his brother, Kin, form an underground alliance of JAs, The Kings. And by circumstance, they meet Nora.
If that story doesn't intrigue, I don't know what will. Couple that amazing story with the absolutely beautiful and fluid writing style, you will instantly be sucked into this world and these characters. Now I must warn you, this book is not for the faint of heart, there are some truly gut-wrenching scenes. If you are in anyway sensitive to domestic abuse, then I suggest keeping away from this book because it is quite graphic. But on the whole, this book is amazing and I can't really fault it, I can't even nitpick anything, it is just pure genius. I would like to say I want a second book but I don't know, I kind of liked and didn't like the ending the way it was, I wouldn't object if there was another book but who knows.
Initial thoughts:
If a book makes me physically sob, then it's an automatic favourite. It just so happens that this is my most favourite book of all time. I can't begin to describe how I'm feeling right now.
Review:
As soon as I received this book, I was ecstatic about reading it. I had read the reviews on Goodreads and pretty much everyone said it was amazing. I cannot agree more, this book isn't one of the most beautiful books I've ever read and will infinitely be at the top of my favourites list.
The more I think about the characters, the more I miss them. This book was average length, so you'd think you wouldn't really get that attached, oh no. These two characters, Nora and Kettle, are so different but yet so similar. They come from different backgrounds but both face abuse, they try to care for their families in difficult times and by chance they happen to find each other.
Nora is a strong woman living with her sister and father after the tragic death of her mother. Since her mother's death, her father has been unhinged and takes his anger out on his two daughters. Nora, being the older sister, protects her little sister Frankie by taking her beatings. When she is finally ready to leave her life behind, she stumbles upon Kettle.
Kettle is a JA living in America after World War Two. Since Pearl Harbour and the clash between Japan and America, all JAs have been neglected from their orphanages and workplaces. Kettle is one of the unlucky few living on the streets and barely getting by. He and his brother, Kin, form an underground alliance of JAs, The Kings. And by circumstance, they meet Nora.
If that story doesn't intrigue, I don't know what will. Couple that amazing story with the absolutely beautiful and fluid writing style, you will instantly be sucked into this world and these characters. Now I must warn you, this book is not for the faint of heart, there are some truly gut-wrenching scenes. If you are in anyway sensitive to domestic abuse, then I suggest keeping away from this book because it is quite graphic. But on the whole, this book is amazing and I can't really fault it, I can't even nitpick anything, it is just pure genius. I would like to say I want a second book but I don't know, I kind of liked and didn't like the ending the way it was, I wouldn't object if there was another book but who knows.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 11, 2016
If I had wings, they would be black, thin, and feathered. Not a flat color... but iridescent. Shining with hues of purple, green and blue. Catching the light with the barest fingertips. And when I needed, I could fold into the darkest shadows and hide.
My first 5 star book of 2016!!
I requested Nora & Kettle from Netgalley thinking it looked like an interesting read, but I was in no way prepared for how much I would love it.
Within the first 5% of the book I was completely hooked. I found myself caring for the characters very early on, and as the story progressed I only adored them more. I loved that while Nora and Kettle were from different worlds, they were similar in the way that they were both dealt bad luck, one with money and one without.
One of my favourite things about this tale was that it wasn't romance heavy. While I definitely wouldn't have complained if there were more sweet moments, I felt that the plot wasn't completely focused on their romantic relationship, but rather focused on their struggles that led to a forced bond that turned out to be really beautiful. They were established as individual characters before their meeting, too, which is something that I feel is overlooked when it comes to romance in some books. I would have been happy to read about either one of them even if they didn't meet; they were both interesting and developed enough on their own. Their relationship was just a nice fringe benefit.
The writing was beautiful, and so descriptive of the time period. The author didn't shy away from the harsh facts either, whether it be the cruelty shown to the Japanese Americans, or the physical abuse that was hard to stomach. While it was hard to fathom that these things happen, I appreciated the fact that it wasn't glossed over.
I won't be forgetting this one in a long time. I love books that make me take a step back and help me appreciate just how lucky I am to have a roof over my head and a loving family. I can't wait to read more from Lauren Nicolle Taylor.
Thank you to Netgalley and Clean Teen Publishing for this ARC!
My first 5 star book of 2016!!
I requested Nora & Kettle from Netgalley thinking it looked like an interesting read, but I was in no way prepared for how much I would love it.
Within the first 5% of the book I was completely hooked. I found myself caring for the characters very early on, and as the story progressed I only adored them more. I loved that while Nora and Kettle were from different worlds, they were similar in the way that they were both dealt bad luck, one with money and one without.
One of my favourite things about this tale was that it wasn't romance heavy. While I definitely wouldn't have complained if there were more sweet moments, I felt that the plot wasn't completely focused on their romantic relationship, but rather focused on their struggles that led to a forced bond that turned out to be really beautiful. They were established as individual characters before their meeting, too, which is something that I feel is overlooked when it comes to romance in some books. I would have been happy to read about either one of them even if they didn't meet; they were both interesting and developed enough on their own. Their relationship was just a nice fringe benefit.
The writing was beautiful, and so descriptive of the time period. The author didn't shy away from the harsh facts either, whether it be the cruelty shown to the Japanese Americans, or the physical abuse that was hard to stomach. While it was hard to fathom that these things happen, I appreciated the fact that it wasn't glossed over.
I won't be forgetting this one in a long time. I love books that make me take a step back and help me appreciate just how lucky I am to have a roof over my head and a loving family. I can't wait to read more from Lauren Nicolle Taylor.
Thank you to Netgalley and Clean Teen Publishing for this ARC!
May 16, 2016
Video Review: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vrgR3...
Going into this book, I was not expecting to love it as much as I did! It is heartbreakingly beautiful, and I couldn't help but love every minute of it. There were many times the book was incredibly difficult to read due to the heavy topics it is dealing with, but I am so impressed with just how well the issues of abuse and racism were handled. I will say there is definitely a trigger warning for abuse. If that is a situation you find hard to read about, I would not pick this book up; however if that is something you can deal with, then I highly recommend this book! The writing is superb, the characters are very raw and real, and the issues in this book are dealt with brilliantly. I went into the story expecting it to be full of romance, but what I got was a story of two people dealing with very different and difficult situations whose lives eventually intertwine. I have never been more pleased with a review book, and I want to thank Clean Teen Publishing for sending it to me and giving me the opportunity to read it. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
Going into this book, I was not expecting to love it as much as I did! It is heartbreakingly beautiful, and I couldn't help but love every minute of it. There were many times the book was incredibly difficult to read due to the heavy topics it is dealing with, but I am so impressed with just how well the issues of abuse and racism were handled. I will say there is definitely a trigger warning for abuse. If that is a situation you find hard to read about, I would not pick this book up; however if that is something you can deal with, then I highly recommend this book! The writing is superb, the characters are very raw and real, and the issues in this book are dealt with brilliantly. I went into the story expecting it to be full of romance, but what I got was a story of two people dealing with very different and difficult situations whose lives eventually intertwine. I have never been more pleased with a review book, and I want to thank Clean Teen Publishing for sending it to me and giving me the opportunity to read it. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
Want to read
July 7, 2015I kid you not, I raised both my hands/arms up in a "shut UP" sort of position after reading the first line of this synopsis and unexpectedly saw Peter Pan and Wendy Darling mentioned.
Give it to me.
Give it to me now.
Give it to me.
Give it to me now.
Want to read
April 21, 20172017 Gold Medallion IPPY Award winner in the National YA Multicultural Fiction category.
Source: Purchased it at full price, but currently free on Amazon at time of pre-review.
Source: Purchased it at full price, but currently free on Amazon at time of pre-review.
March 14, 2016
This book was so incredibly beautiful and moving and amazing and I really don't know if I can do this book justice. Everything about it was perfect! I am a really, really fast reader but for this book, I had to force myself to slow down and savor it. Every single word was perfection.
I freaking loved the characters. First of all, this book takes place in a time period that isn't often talked about. It is set after the horrible period in American history where Japanese Americans were placed in "internment camps." Kettle and his friend, Kin, are homeless and live with a group of Lot Boys. These boys are all of Japanese ancestry and they all have a fear of authority due to their time in the camps. Kettle had been forcibly removed from an orphanage to be taken to a camp, while Kin's mom actually died of TB while inside the camps. Both of these boys, along with the children they take care of, have emotional scars from this time and the amount of racism in America does not help. Kettle and Kin had to dodge physical blows and name calling at every single turn. There were people who obviously felt bad about the camps, but wanted to forget anything had happened. Then there were people who still thought Japanese people were dangerous and bad. It was so incredibly sad, but man, I loved, loved, LOVED Kettle. He was so incredibly brave and loyal and protective. He worked awful (and very dangerous) jobs to pay for food for his lost boys and he refused to steal to do it.
Then there was Nora. My heart broke for Nina on every single page. On the outside, things looked great. She was very well off and she seemingly had a great family. Her dad was a famous civil rights lawyer who was trying to get compensation for the Japanese Americans who had been placed in the camps. The problem was that Nora's father was an abusive and controlling and sadistic man. I hated that man with every fiber of my being. But Nora was so incredibly strong. She had a sister, Frankie, and she was wiling to do ANYTHING for her. Frankie was partially deaf and needed a hearing aid because of an injury that their father inflicted when she was young. Nora vowed to make sure her dad never laid a hand on her again and she took so much punishment for it. There was one scene where Frankie tried to comfort her and she said "You saved me." I just lost it at that point. My eyes tear up right now just thinking about it. Their relationship was the most beautiful thing in Nora's life and I adored Frankie so much. It was so twisted that this man was so focused on getting justice for others on the outside, while he treated his family like they weren't even human.
The book goes back and forth between the two POVs. Their lives kind of intersect and overlap, but they still don't meet each other until more than halfway through the book. I was waiting and waiting for them to meet and I was not disappointed. I don't want to give away any of the plot, but I loved their interactions. These two people had so much in common and they were destined to meet.
It looks like this book MAY get a sequel. The author has a sequel outline, but it depends on how well this one does. So basically, you need to read this book NOW!! Read it because I know you will love it and then you can give it a rave review and then we can get that sequel!
I freaking loved the characters. First of all, this book takes place in a time period that isn't often talked about. It is set after the horrible period in American history where Japanese Americans were placed in "internment camps." Kettle and his friend, Kin, are homeless and live with a group of Lot Boys. These boys are all of Japanese ancestry and they all have a fear of authority due to their time in the camps. Kettle had been forcibly removed from an orphanage to be taken to a camp, while Kin's mom actually died of TB while inside the camps. Both of these boys, along with the children they take care of, have emotional scars from this time and the amount of racism in America does not help. Kettle and Kin had to dodge physical blows and name calling at every single turn. There were people who obviously felt bad about the camps, but wanted to forget anything had happened. Then there were people who still thought Japanese people were dangerous and bad. It was so incredibly sad, but man, I loved, loved, LOVED Kettle. He was so incredibly brave and loyal and protective. He worked awful (and very dangerous) jobs to pay for food for his lost boys and he refused to steal to do it.
Then there was Nora. My heart broke for Nina on every single page. On the outside, things looked great. She was very well off and she seemingly had a great family. Her dad was a famous civil rights lawyer who was trying to get compensation for the Japanese Americans who had been placed in the camps. The problem was that Nora's father was an abusive and controlling and sadistic man. I hated that man with every fiber of my being. But Nora was so incredibly strong. She had a sister, Frankie, and she was wiling to do ANYTHING for her. Frankie was partially deaf and needed a hearing aid because of an injury that their father inflicted when she was young. Nora vowed to make sure her dad never laid a hand on her again and she took so much punishment for it. There was one scene where Frankie tried to comfort her and she said "You saved me." I just lost it at that point. My eyes tear up right now just thinking about it. Their relationship was the most beautiful thing in Nora's life and I adored Frankie so much. It was so twisted that this man was so focused on getting justice for others on the outside, while he treated his family like they weren't even human.
The book goes back and forth between the two POVs. Their lives kind of intersect and overlap, but they still don't meet each other until more than halfway through the book. I was waiting and waiting for them to meet and I was not disappointed. I don't want to give away any of the plot, but I loved their interactions. These two people had so much in common and they were destined to meet.
It looks like this book MAY get a sequel. The author has a sequel outline, but it depends on how well this one does. So basically, you need to read this book NOW!! Read it because I know you will love it and then you can give it a rave review and then we can get that sequel!
June 14, 2017
I think this is less a retelling of Peter Pan, and more inspired by Peter Pan. At least that's how it read to me.
Set a little after WWII in what I'm assuming is America (it's not really specified), focusing on two very different young adults.
Nora is a rich, white girl in a very scary, unhappy home, dreaming of running away but staying to protect her little sister.
Kettle is a homeless Japanese boy living in a country that hates him (that whole Pearl Harbour thing I guess), trying to take care of his little group of Japanese kids, because being homeless is better than where they ran away from.
Eventually the two come together.
It was a good story, emotional and readable. I found it a little annoying in parts and the characters decisions sometimes annoyed me (particularly Nora) but overall it was pretty good.
Set a little after WWII in what I'm assuming is America (it's not really specified), focusing on two very different young adults.
Nora is a rich, white girl in a very scary, unhappy home, dreaming of running away but staying to protect her little sister.
Kettle is a homeless Japanese boy living in a country that hates him (that whole Pearl Harbour thing I guess), trying to take care of his little group of Japanese kids, because being homeless is better than where they ran away from.
Eventually the two come together.
It was a good story, emotional and readable. I found it a little annoying in parts and the characters decisions sometimes annoyed me (particularly Nora) but overall it was pretty good.
August 25, 2015
This is a story that dives into the depths of depravity and the purpose of hope in life. Without hope in desolation, there is no life worth living. Nora and Kettle live through things that most of us cannot grasp as reality, but unfortunately this is all too real for some. It is only with the help of one another that they find their true courage and inner strength. This story is incredible and I honestly cannot wait to see what comes next. It made me laugh, it made me cry and it even made me angry. Nora and Kettle is a must read.
April 8, 2015
It left me speechless. I tried to flip the last page over a number of times hoping that magically more chapters would appear. It should be said that if you have experienced domestic violence or are sensitive to that subject matter this may not be the book for you due to Laurens ability to write and build characters that will literally walk off the pages and into your heart. I shed many a tear over nora and kettle for both their torments and triumphs. I anxiously await it's sequel where my journey with them can continue.
January 21, 2019
(3.7)
cute. A nice take on Peter Pan and Wendy. lowkey broke my heart, but in a gentle way.
There were a million times I wanted to hit *someone* but maybe that's why I'm not the heroine of a book. I'm short, fragile, and full of anger. I wouldn't last very long.
cute. A nice take on Peter Pan and Wendy. lowkey broke my heart, but in a gentle way.
There were a million times I wanted to hit *someone* but maybe that's why I'm not the heroine of a book. I'm short, fragile, and full of anger. I wouldn't last very long.
June 4, 2017
I devoured this from start to finish in one day. Compelling.
March 15, 2020
My main two points are that I expected more Peter Pan and that I underestimated the domestic abuse part
Displaying 1 - 30 of 335 reviews