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İşaretleri İzle
Riley iki sene önce annesini kaybettiğinden beri yas destek grubunda edindiği tuhaf ailesi onun en büyük sığınağı olmuştu. Jay, Kate ve Noah acısını anlıyorlardı; hepsi sevdikleri birini kaybetmişti ve farklılıklarına rağmen yalnızca kendilerinin anlayabileceği trajedilerle birbirlerine kenetlenmişlerdi.
Riley, annesini bir markette alışveriş yaparken gördüğünü sandığında aklını kaçırdığını düşünmüştü. Jay ve Kate’in de benzer tecrübeler yaşaması, Noah’yı onlardan uzaklaştırmış gibiydi ve onun birden ortadan kaybolması tüm grubu alarma geçirmişti.
Çılgınca onu aramaya koyulduklarında, ölümden sonraki yaşama dair birtakım ipuçları barındıran bir gizemin içine çekildiler. Riley bir yandan da içinde uzun zamandır büyüyen hisleriyle boğuşmak zorundaydı. Eğer sevdiklerine ve kendine yardım etmek istiyorsa, önce zincirlerinden kurtulmalıydı.
“Altıncı His ve Da Vinci Şifresi’nin genç okurlar için baştan yaratılmış hâli.” —Kirkus
“Trajedinin ardından insanların hayatlarına devam edebilmesini sağlayan şeye dair çok güçlü bir mesajı var.” —Publishers Weekly
“Biraz gizem, biraz doğaüstü olaylar, biraz da spiritüel meditasyon – kusursuz karışım.” —Booklist
“Okurlar bu yazarın heybesinde başka neler olduğunu görmeye can atacak.” —VOYA
“Bazen kahkaha attıracak kadar komik, bazen gözyaşı döktürecek kadar hüzünlü, bazen de tüylerinizi diken diken edecek kadar ürpertici. Kalbe dokunan ve elinizden bırakması çok güç bir gizem.” —Jodi Lynn Anderson
“İşaretleri İzle sanki benim için yazılmış.” —Gwenda Bond
“Bu kitap yaşamın ve ondan sonra gelen gizemin perdesini aralıyor. Son sayfayı kapadıktan çok sonra bile sizinle kalacak.” —Melanie Crowder
“Komik, merak uyandıran ve romantik esintiler taşıyan İşaretleri İzle’de Emily France bize bir insanın derin bir kayıp karşısında yaşamını nasıl sürdürebileceğini gösteriyor.” —Deborah Heiligman
“Emily France, insan kalbinin derinliklerini ustalıkla gözler önüne sererken, yakınlarını kaybeden dört arkadaşın anlam ve sevgi arayışını konu alan bu hikâyeyi bir yandan da mistisizm, arkadaşlık, zekâ ve yas gibi konularla harmanlıyor.” —Ingrid Law
“İşaretleri İzle, gerçek spiritüel yolculuğa bir kapı açıyor.” —Elizabeth Searle
Riley, annesini bir markette alışveriş yaparken gördüğünü sandığında aklını kaçırdığını düşünmüştü. Jay ve Kate’in de benzer tecrübeler yaşaması, Noah’yı onlardan uzaklaştırmış gibiydi ve onun birden ortadan kaybolması tüm grubu alarma geçirmişti.
Çılgınca onu aramaya koyulduklarında, ölümden sonraki yaşama dair birtakım ipuçları barındıran bir gizemin içine çekildiler. Riley bir yandan da içinde uzun zamandır büyüyen hisleriyle boğuşmak zorundaydı. Eğer sevdiklerine ve kendine yardım etmek istiyorsa, önce zincirlerinden kurtulmalıydı.
“Altıncı His ve Da Vinci Şifresi’nin genç okurlar için baştan yaratılmış hâli.” —Kirkus
“Trajedinin ardından insanların hayatlarına devam edebilmesini sağlayan şeye dair çok güçlü bir mesajı var.” —Publishers Weekly
“Biraz gizem, biraz doğaüstü olaylar, biraz da spiritüel meditasyon – kusursuz karışım.” —Booklist
“Okurlar bu yazarın heybesinde başka neler olduğunu görmeye can atacak.” —VOYA
“Bazen kahkaha attıracak kadar komik, bazen gözyaşı döktürecek kadar hüzünlü, bazen de tüylerinizi diken diken edecek kadar ürpertici. Kalbe dokunan ve elinizden bırakması çok güç bir gizem.” —Jodi Lynn Anderson
“İşaretleri İzle sanki benim için yazılmış.” —Gwenda Bond
“Bu kitap yaşamın ve ondan sonra gelen gizemin perdesini aralıyor. Son sayfayı kapadıktan çok sonra bile sizinle kalacak.” —Melanie Crowder
“Komik, merak uyandıran ve romantik esintiler taşıyan İşaretleri İzle’de Emily France bize bir insanın derin bir kayıp karşısında yaşamını nasıl sürdürebileceğini gösteriyor.” —Deborah Heiligman
“Emily France, insan kalbinin derinliklerini ustalıkla gözler önüne sererken, yakınlarını kaybeden dört arkadaşın anlam ve sevgi arayışını konu alan bu hikâyeyi bir yandan da mistisizm, arkadaşlık, zekâ ve yas gibi konularla harmanlıyor.” —Ingrid Law
“İşaretleri İzle, gerçek spiritüel yolculuğa bir kapı açıyor.” —Elizabeth Searle
240 pages, Hardcover
First published July 19, 2016
30 people are currently reading
2824 people want to read
About the author
Emily France
5 books97 followersEmily France is a graduate of Brown University and is the critically acclaimed author of several books. Her young adult titles, Zen and Gone and Signs of You, were selected as a Washington Post Best Book of the Month and an Apple Books Best of the Month. She now writes historical fiction. Daughter Dalloway is her adult debut.
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August 18, 2016
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As an avid reader, it's always refreshing when you come upon a book that completely takes you by surprise. Going into Signs of You, I never really knew what to expect, especially since it was a debut novel. It baffles me now why this book isn't more acclaimed and hyped because oh my goodness, it's brilliant.
From the very first chapter, the voice establishes itself right away. It's strong and emotional, which made me interested and invested in Riley's narrative then and there. Riley feels like she's going crazy when she sees her dead mother at the grocery store. Her distress about this was unmistakable and definitely left me longing to know what unfolds from this inciting event. Moreover, Riley's grief and guilt from losing her mother because of a tragic accident after a huge fight, really resonated. Emily France portrays grief in such a genuine way and I love how she ties it all together later on as the plot thickens.
Perturbed and feeling haunted, Riley turns to her closest friends, Jay, Kate and Noah, who understood tragedy just as much as she did, having each lost a loved one. To her disbelief, she finds out they've been seeing their own dead family members as well. Connected by their heartache and adversities, the group ventures to find out the reason for their strange visions.
One of my favorite things in the book was Riley's relationship with her friends. I think it's so rare and beautiful to find people who truly understand you and what you've been through and who are as close as family. Each character was different in their own way, but I really admired how tight-knit their friendship was, that they would travel lengths to find Noah when he suddenly vanishes later on.
I loved how being there for your friends is given such a huge importance in the book, as well as the fact that people connect not because of shared grief but because they share what grief has let them see. Aside from the friendships, I also loved the father-daughter dynamics in this book. Riley's relationship with her dad was complex but also very real, especially after mourning Riley's mom for two years.
Another thing that I think Signs of You portrays really well was unrequited teenage love. Riley, who's been crushing on Jay for the longest time, was a true image of a girl pining over her clueless guy best friend, one thing I'm sure a lot of readers will find relatable. Unrequited love aside, I loved the light romance in the book so much. I pretty much shipped Noah and Riley since the first quarter of the book! The brief but sweet happily-ever-after was so so gratifying that it made my heart soar.
The huge mystery of the book revolves around the reason why Riley and her friends are seeing spirits and I was perplexed in the best way but also incredibly satisfied with how it was explained. Seriously, the whole mystery plot was remarkable. I love how so much of it was trying to decrypt an enigmatic ancient relic related to St. Ignatius. The author did such a great job looking into this aspect and I admit that I was totally captivated by the mystical elements in the book that I even did my own research right after reading. It was just so fascinating and I think the mystery and mystique are what makes this book so memorable and one of a kind.
But what makes Signs of You so special for me is how I was absolutely moved by the amazing introspection on the way spirits influence us and how we can let ourselves be their portals by truly living. I've never been a spiritual person but I loved how this brought out this side of me. I was touched by how lovely and inspiring the spirituality in the story was written that I was actually in tears after reading one of the best scenes in the book. I'm so impressed by Emily France's poignant prose and I wish more YA books grappled with spirituality so teenagers can get in touch with their own beliefs.
To sum up, Signs of You is a transcendent story dealing with grief, mystery and spirituality. With vivid characters, emotional scenes, powerful writing and an engrossing mystery, it reminds us how we can remember the people we've lost. This is one heck of an unforgettable debut and I can't wait to read whatever Emily France rights next!
As an avid reader, it's always refreshing when you come upon a book that completely takes you by surprise. Going into Signs of You, I never really knew what to expect, especially since it was a debut novel. It baffles me now why this book isn't more acclaimed and hyped because oh my goodness, it's brilliant.
From the very first chapter, the voice establishes itself right away. It's strong and emotional, which made me interested and invested in Riley's narrative then and there. Riley feels like she's going crazy when she sees her dead mother at the grocery store. Her distress about this was unmistakable and definitely left me longing to know what unfolds from this inciting event. Moreover, Riley's grief and guilt from losing her mother because of a tragic accident after a huge fight, really resonated. Emily France portrays grief in such a genuine way and I love how she ties it all together later on as the plot thickens.
“That old, familiar ache fills my body. I know it's grief. I've lived with it for over two years, and I know it so well. It's like a roommate who never leaves the house, like the brother I never had... And sometimes, you almost forget he’s there. Almost.”
Perturbed and feeling haunted, Riley turns to her closest friends, Jay, Kate and Noah, who understood tragedy just as much as she did, having each lost a loved one. To her disbelief, she finds out they've been seeing their own dead family members as well. Connected by their heartache and adversities, the group ventures to find out the reason for their strange visions.
One of my favorite things in the book was Riley's relationship with her friends. I think it's so rare and beautiful to find people who truly understand you and what you've been through and who are as close as family. Each character was different in their own way, but I really admired how tight-knit their friendship was, that they would travel lengths to find Noah when he suddenly vanishes later on.
“My deepest, darkest fear is that maybe we don't ever get over some things. maybe we just carry them around, permanently, these heavy, dull aches in the heart. And maybe they don't heal; maybe we just learn to work around the pain.”
I loved how being there for your friends is given such a huge importance in the book, as well as the fact that people connect not because of shared grief but because they share what grief has let them see. Aside from the friendships, I also loved the father-daughter dynamics in this book. Riley's relationship with her dad was complex but also very real, especially after mourning Riley's mom for two years.
“If I’d never been hurt, if I’d never been through anything, I might have only seen the bright stars like Sarah and those other super popular girls. And they’d blot out the really beautiful people. The people who sometimes get overshadowed—the intricate flares and filaments.” He looks at me, directly at me, with those eyes. “I wouldn’t wish what has happened to us on anyone. But if it hadn’t happened, I would never have seen you—a beautiful, complicated loop of light.”
Another thing that I think Signs of You portrays really well was unrequited teenage love. Riley, who's been crushing on Jay for the longest time, was a true image of a girl pining over her clueless guy best friend, one thing I'm sure a lot of readers will find relatable. Unrequited love aside, I loved the light romance in the book so much. I pretty much shipped Noah and Riley since the first quarter of the book! The brief but sweet happily-ever-after was so so gratifying that it made my heart soar.
“And I kiss him. Like really kiss him. I’ve never kissed a boy before, not like this. And I feel it. From the top of my head, past my glued-together heart, all the way down to my unpainted toenails. I’m two places at once—forever in this moment, on this porch, grounded by this kiss, this warmth, this now-ness, and simultaneously soaring in the storming sky. Swooping like dizzy birds, unafraid of rushing dark clouds. And then I soar twenty feet higher, let the ground get smaller and smaller—because he’s kissing back.”
The huge mystery of the book revolves around the reason why Riley and her friends are seeing spirits and I was perplexed in the best way but also incredibly satisfied with how it was explained. Seriously, the whole mystery plot was remarkable. I love how so much of it was trying to decrypt an enigmatic ancient relic related to St. Ignatius. The author did such a great job looking into this aspect and I admit that I was totally captivated by the mystical elements in the book that I even did my own research right after reading. It was just so fascinating and I think the mystery and mystique are what makes this book so memorable and one of a kind.
“Portae ad caelum: doorways to heaven. We’re all doorways. To the other side. That’s what the dead are trying to do. To cross through us.”
But what makes Signs of You so special for me is how I was absolutely moved by the amazing introspection on the way spirits influence us and how we can let ourselves be their portals by truly living. I've never been a spiritual person but I loved how this brought out this side of me. I was touched by how lovely and inspiring the spirituality in the story was written that I was actually in tears after reading one of the best scenes in the book. I'm so impressed by Emily France's poignant prose and I wish more YA books grappled with spirituality so teenagers can get in touch with their own beliefs.
“Missing my life is no way to remember you,” I whisper. “Living is.”
To sum up, Signs of You is a transcendent story dealing with grief, mystery and spirituality. With vivid characters, emotional scenes, powerful writing and an engrossing mystery, it reminds us how we can remember the people we've lost. This is one heck of an unforgettable debut and I can't wait to read whatever Emily France rights next!
October 9, 2016
This would have been a solid 3 star book until the end. Because there was NO ending. No resolution of many of the things the story had been building. It stopped so abruptly that it felt like a few chapters had just been torn out of the book.
Instead of figuring out a solution to any of their problems, the story ends when the main character kisses a boy. Because that's the solution to everything, ladies.
Aside from how it ended, I also just wasn't a fan of this story once I realized what it was about, and yet... I couldn't put it down. It was a short book and it was making enough well-researched real life references about spirits that I was kind of freaked out and wanted to know where this book was going.
The story is heavily based in Catholic beliefs, surrounding Saint Ignatius's Spiritual Exercises. I am not Catholic, so I wasn't familiar with this, but I started Googling it and found that a lot of the history mentioned in this book was true (there is an Author's Note at the end of the book that explains in depth which parts were true and fictionalized). The characters in this book aren't religious and I've never read a secular book with such a faith based plot before, so color me intrigued.
But that's also what put me off. I don't really think faith and religion, deeply personal things, should be changed for the sake of being made into plot twists and mysteries. Although the author did it well (she has an interesting bio and background), it just wasn't my personal preference.
Additionally, I was frustrated that a group of teenagers with bad grades were able to somehow translate an ancient artifact that had stumped ADULT SCHOLARS - using just Google translate and a history book. Really?
Though this deals with the loss of loved ones, this story didn't deal with grief in the way that had intrigued me. So overall, this wasn't bad or poorly written, it just absolutely wasn't for me.
Instead of figuring out a solution to any of their problems, the story ends when the main character kisses a boy. Because that's the solution to everything, ladies.
Aside from how it ended, I also just wasn't a fan of this story once I realized what it was about, and yet... I couldn't put it down. It was a short book and it was making enough well-researched real life references about spirits that I was kind of freaked out and wanted to know where this book was going.
The story is heavily based in Catholic beliefs, surrounding Saint Ignatius's Spiritual Exercises. I am not Catholic, so I wasn't familiar with this, but I started Googling it and found that a lot of the history mentioned in this book was true (there is an Author's Note at the end of the book that explains in depth which parts were true and fictionalized). The characters in this book aren't religious and I've never read a secular book with such a faith based plot before, so color me intrigued.
But that's also what put me off. I don't really think faith and religion, deeply personal things, should be changed for the sake of being made into plot twists and mysteries. Although the author did it well (she has an interesting bio and background), it just wasn't my personal preference.
Additionally, I was frustrated that a group of teenagers with bad grades were able to somehow translate an ancient artifact that had stumped ADULT SCHOLARS - using just Google translate and a history book. Really?
Though this deals with the loss of loved ones, this story didn't deal with grief in the way that had intrigued me. So overall, this wasn't bad or poorly written, it just absolutely wasn't for me.
May 18, 2016
This book blew me away. The writing style was beautiful and I loved the plot. Once I picked Signs of You up, I couldn't put it down. I thought Riley was an incredibly well written character. I really liked how Sign of You focused on friendship and loss and didn't get twisted and confused by forcing romance into the plot.
February 23, 2016
I LOVED THIS BOOK!
SIGNS OF YOU defies categories. It has shades of contemporary, mystery, and magical realism, but it’s something completely unique. My best description would be that this is a contemporary mystical story. Riley is dealing with a terrible loss, and she finds her way through grief as she and her friends--all burdened with loss--decipher a mystery surrounding a relic of St. Ignatius. Riley's journey is a hard one--she believes she is responsible for her mother's death--but it is a beautiful journey too. It led me to realizations that broke my heart but reassembled it in a way that left me more whole than I'd been before. The connection between the living and the dead is explored here in a new and unique way, and I felt the pull of the unseen on every page. Riley's voice is humorous and lyrical and always full of warmth. As someone who lost her own mother young, Riley felt completely authentic to me.
I received an ARC for an honest review. This is definitely a new favorite, and I can't wait for more people to experience it!
SIGNS OF YOU defies categories. It has shades of contemporary, mystery, and magical realism, but it’s something completely unique. My best description would be that this is a contemporary mystical story. Riley is dealing with a terrible loss, and she finds her way through grief as she and her friends--all burdened with loss--decipher a mystery surrounding a relic of St. Ignatius. Riley's journey is a hard one--she believes she is responsible for her mother's death--but it is a beautiful journey too. It led me to realizations that broke my heart but reassembled it in a way that left me more whole than I'd been before. The connection between the living and the dead is explored here in a new and unique way, and I felt the pull of the unseen on every page. Riley's voice is humorous and lyrical and always full of warmth. As someone who lost her own mother young, Riley felt completely authentic to me.
I received an ARC for an honest review. This is definitely a new favorite, and I can't wait for more people to experience it!
July 20, 2016
*I would like to thank Soho Teen & Penguin Random House for sending me a finished copy of this book for the #ThrillerThursday campaign.
This doesn’t affect nor influence my review.*
This was my first time reading something like this book & it was my first time reading something by Emily France. I didn’t know what to expect. Thriller + Drama + Mystery + Romance (mostly thriller though! goosebumps(!!)). This book was all in one. It was way more than what I expected it to be.
The name of the main character was Riley Strout. Her mom died 2 years ago. One day, she went to the grocery story and she saw her mom shopping, too! (WHAT EVEN?!) It instantly gave me chills, bookworms. You’re not feeling any chills yet? The same thing has been happening to her friends, too.
I was also amazed by the friendship circle in this book. They might have broken some rules, but they stayed together and didn’t let each other down.
I personally believe that when we die, we don’t instantly go to our “true home” & we’re given the time to wander and spend our last time here on Earth looking for answers.
Signs of You was wonderfully written & it made me teary-eyed and freaked me out BIG TIME! This book is a must-read. Make sure to grab your copy when it comes out on the 19th! Thank you so much for this, Emily France. Hands down to you!❤
This doesn’t affect nor influence my review.*
This was my first time reading something like this book & it was my first time reading something by Emily France. I didn’t know what to expect. Thriller + Drama + Mystery + Romance (mostly thriller though! goosebumps(!!)). This book was all in one. It was way more than what I expected it to be.
The name of the main character was Riley Strout. Her mom died 2 years ago. One day, she went to the grocery story and she saw her mom shopping, too! (WHAT EVEN?!) It instantly gave me chills, bookworms. You’re not feeling any chills yet? The same thing has been happening to her friends, too.
I was also amazed by the friendship circle in this book. They might have broken some rules, but they stayed together and didn’t let each other down.
I personally believe that when we die, we don’t instantly go to our “true home” & we’re given the time to wander and spend our last time here on Earth looking for answers.
Signs of You was wonderfully written & it made me teary-eyed and freaked me out BIG TIME! This book is a must-read. Make sure to grab your copy when it comes out on the 19th! Thank you so much for this, Emily France. Hands down to you!❤
July 31, 2016
Such a unique, interesting, and ambitious premise- a historic, magical cross that when worn, allows the main characters to see loved ones that have passed away. I'm pretty sure my heart was in my throat from the first chapter when Riley saw her deceased mom in the grocery store, and from there, I was turning pages to unravel the mystery. I really loved the depiction of Riley's relationships with her friends, and how they're united by grief but process it in different ways. Faith, hope, guilt, and grief are interwoven beautifully, and I felt as though I was unspooling each character along with the overarching mystery. Emily France has the ability as an author to take readers into a character's head so that we're feeling with them, not just feeling something for them.
A debut brimming with intrigue and suspense, and with so much depth. SIGNS OF YOU is a book you'll want to savor, but end read fast because you need to know what happens next.
A debut brimming with intrigue and suspense, and with so much depth. SIGNS OF YOU is a book you'll want to savor, but end read fast because you need to know what happens next.
June 28, 2016
To be honest, I did not know whether or not I wanted to read this at first. However, there was just something about the synopsis that called to me, and the high Goodreads rating definitely factored in as well. When I started reading this book, I was taken by surprise because I didn't know that religion (St. Ignatius of Loyola) would be involved, and I don't read books that involve religion as a general rule. But as I said, there's just something about this book that's compelling, and I couldn't help but read on.
I can't believe I'll ever say this about a book that has religion for a pretty big part but I really loved how everything was connected to each other. The way the author merged the aspects of religion, grief, acceptance and romance is seamless, and the way that they were connected makes this book really, really amazing. This book is such a creative brilliance written by an author that I would surely be looking out for!
This book is about a group of four teens who have one thing in common - they each have lost a loved one. When Riley saw her dead mother in a supermarket, she begins to think that she is crazy. But then Kate and Jay also saw their loved ones, and so began their quest to uncover the mystery of Saint Ignatius of Loyola's Lost Cross.
Although I couldn't connect with the characters fully, I really did enjoy reading this book in the weirdest sense. It's not the kind of happy enjoyment, but the kind of enjoyment that says I'm glad I read this book. In a way, this book is heavy because it deals with grief. It also deals with good and bad spirits, which gave me literal chills multiple times while reading it, by the way.
I think that this book is really special. There's so many amazing things here about moving on and finally accepting certain things, but also getting that you can both move on and still be sad from time to time as well. I love how Riley dealt with her grief, how it was a long and vigorous process but she did the best she can to do it anyway.
Overall, this book is a really special book, in my opinion. It's impactful, full of lessons and 100% unique. I don't think that this will be everyone's cup of tea, but if this sounds interesting to you, I urge you to give it a shot.
I can't believe I'll ever say this about a book that has religion for a pretty big part but I really loved how everything was connected to each other. The way the author merged the aspects of religion, grief, acceptance and romance is seamless, and the way that they were connected makes this book really, really amazing. This book is such a creative brilliance written by an author that I would surely be looking out for!
This book is about a group of four teens who have one thing in common - they each have lost a loved one. When Riley saw her dead mother in a supermarket, she begins to think that she is crazy. But then Kate and Jay also saw their loved ones, and so began their quest to uncover the mystery of Saint Ignatius of Loyola's Lost Cross.
Although I couldn't connect with the characters fully, I really did enjoy reading this book in the weirdest sense. It's not the kind of happy enjoyment, but the kind of enjoyment that says I'm glad I read this book. In a way, this book is heavy because it deals with grief. It also deals with good and bad spirits, which gave me literal chills multiple times while reading it, by the way.
I think that this book is really special. There's so many amazing things here about moving on and finally accepting certain things, but also getting that you can both move on and still be sad from time to time as well. I love how Riley dealt with her grief, how it was a long and vigorous process but she did the best she can to do it anyway.
Overall, this book is a really special book, in my opinion. It's impactful, full of lessons and 100% unique. I don't think that this will be everyone's cup of tea, but if this sounds interesting to you, I urge you to give it a shot.
February 23, 2016
I loved SIGNS OF YOU so much I barreled through it one day (and that is a major accomplishment for me because I am not a fast reader by any means)!
The premise of SIGNS OF YOU was in itself so unique and intriguing-sightings of departed loved ones and a mysterious relic-that I knew I needed to read this book. But when I began reading, I connected with Riley's voice so strongly I was immediately pulled in from the very first page...and did not look up again until I was halfway through the book (surprised that several hours had passed).
The writing was so beautiful and engaging, the characters real and relatable, and the plot fast-paced and completely engrossing. Emily France has created something truly special in SIGNS OF YOU, managing to somehow strike a delicate and difficult balance, telling a story that is at once spiritual though not religious, mysterious, but not dark. Rather, this book is full of light and hope, carrying with it a beautiful message about life and death, love and loss, humanity and forgiveness, and the freedom that comes with learning to let go.
This is a memorable, inspiring, and moving debut novel from an author I will certainly be keeping my eye on-I can't wait to see what Emily France will write next!
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review*
The premise of SIGNS OF YOU was in itself so unique and intriguing-sightings of departed loved ones and a mysterious relic-that I knew I needed to read this book. But when I began reading, I connected with Riley's voice so strongly I was immediately pulled in from the very first page...and did not look up again until I was halfway through the book (surprised that several hours had passed).
The writing was so beautiful and engaging, the characters real and relatable, and the plot fast-paced and completely engrossing. Emily France has created something truly special in SIGNS OF YOU, managing to somehow strike a delicate and difficult balance, telling a story that is at once spiritual though not religious, mysterious, but not dark. Rather, this book is full of light and hope, carrying with it a beautiful message about life and death, love and loss, humanity and forgiveness, and the freedom that comes with learning to let go.
This is a memorable, inspiring, and moving debut novel from an author I will certainly be keeping my eye on-I can't wait to see what Emily France will write next!
*I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review*
January 13, 2016
I stayed up until midnight on a work night to finish reading this book (my first read of 2016), so I'd say that's a good start to my year's reading list (and a terrible habit to set for my sleep)!
I got an ARC of Signs of You, which will be out in July. It's a YA book that touches on love, loss, and big life questions, like what drives us to make the choices we do and how do we listen to our hearts?
As an adult orphan, I found Emily France's descriptions of grief and mourning believable, relatable, and even beautiful. She tackles those big life questions with humor and lyricism. Through Riley and her three friends, Emily France explores why we should trust gut feelings and the importance of mindfulness.
Although spirituality (and a Jesuit relic) play a big part in Signs of You, this book is not preachy or "religious." The story is, ultimately, about our human need for connection and closure.
I thoroughly enjoyed this debut novel and highly recommend it.
I got an ARC of Signs of You, which will be out in July. It's a YA book that touches on love, loss, and big life questions, like what drives us to make the choices we do and how do we listen to our hearts?
As an adult orphan, I found Emily France's descriptions of grief and mourning believable, relatable, and even beautiful. She tackles those big life questions with humor and lyricism. Through Riley and her three friends, Emily France explores why we should trust gut feelings and the importance of mindfulness.
Although spirituality (and a Jesuit relic) play a big part in Signs of You, this book is not preachy or "religious." The story is, ultimately, about our human need for connection and closure.
I thoroughly enjoyed this debut novel and highly recommend it.
July 8, 2017
This wasn't what I was expecting. It ended up being different from what the description lead us to believe. Luckily it ended up being a decent book. The characters were okay. They all shared the bond of losing someone close but other than that there was nothing special about them.
July 10, 2016
Signs of You completely took me by surprise. It was raw, surreal and wow, magic. Just magic. I'm not sure if this book is under fantasy genre, but for some reason, I don't think it fits in that genre. It seemed too real to be categorized as just fantasy. Sidenote: This book is not under fantasy, I just checked.
This book was amazing and beautiful, and it lets us look at grief in a completely different way. Even though I did not bawled my eyes out, I felt like this book just ripped my heart out open. I have a feeling that those who lost a loved one would relate to the characters in this book. I know I definitely did, and I so wanted it to be real. I wanted the stories in this book to be so real so badly.
This book delved in religious aspects, and I have to admit that being an Islam, I was a teeeeny bit uncomfortable reading about Christian stuffs, but I was thoroughly into this book up till the end. I almost read this in one sitting. Almost, because my Kindle died in the middle of the night and I was too scared of the dark to look for my charger. It gave me more insight into the theories in the religion, and the mystery part got me excited, looking around for the clues, trying to figure out what just happened.
I love the main four characters, and even though this book was only written in the first-person perspective by one of the characters, I felt like the author take the time to actually let us get to know the other main characters, and I grieved with them, cried with them, laughed with them throughout this book.
I would definitely recommend this book to the mass of people out there, whether you're seeking for some closure, or just mainly curious. Read it.
This book was amazing and beautiful, and it lets us look at grief in a completely different way. Even though I did not bawled my eyes out, I felt like this book just ripped my heart out open. I have a feeling that those who lost a loved one would relate to the characters in this book. I know I definitely did, and I so wanted it to be real. I wanted the stories in this book to be so real so badly.
This book delved in religious aspects, and I have to admit that being an Islam, I was a teeeeny bit uncomfortable reading about Christian stuffs, but I was thoroughly into this book up till the end. I almost read this in one sitting. Almost, because my Kindle died in the middle of the night and I was too scared of the dark to look for my charger. It gave me more insight into the theories in the religion, and the mystery part got me excited, looking around for the clues, trying to figure out what just happened.
I love the main four characters, and even though this book was only written in the first-person perspective by one of the characters, I felt like the author take the time to actually let us get to know the other main characters, and I grieved with them, cried with them, laughed with them throughout this book.
I would definitely recommend this book to the mass of people out there, whether you're seeking for some closure, or just mainly curious. Read it.
March 19, 2016
A little bit historical mystery, a little bit ghost story, a big part teen friendship story, and most of all an exploration of grief in all its facets--SIGNS OF YOU is doing a lot, and it's doing it in a really lovely, very engaging way. Riley and her friends are wonderful characters. They're all hurting in their own way, all grieving for people they've lost and looking for ways to move on, but still trying to live their lives as ordinary teenagers as best they can. They're all wonderfully believable characters, flaws and all, and I enjoyed spending time with them as they took another step toward figuring themselves and each other out.
But where this book really shines is in its depiction of grief and all its aspects--the guilt that causes people to burrow into themselves, the shared pained that brings them together, the hope and confusion and fear that comes with being the person left behind when a loved one dies, it's all in here, playing itself out differently in all the characters. Every impact feels real and human, every reaction genuine. Both of Riley's parents--the living one and the dead one--are fantastic characters too. Loving but imperfect and very much an important part of who she is.
There's this big mystery involving saints and magical artifacts and weird philosophical corners church history (which I loved, btw), and a supernatural/magical realist element too, but the characters are never anything less than people, just trying to live and love and hold onto each other, and the result is beautiful.
But where this book really shines is in its depiction of grief and all its aspects--the guilt that causes people to burrow into themselves, the shared pained that brings them together, the hope and confusion and fear that comes with being the person left behind when a loved one dies, it's all in here, playing itself out differently in all the characters. Every impact feels real and human, every reaction genuine. Both of Riley's parents--the living one and the dead one--are fantastic characters too. Loving but imperfect and very much an important part of who she is.
There's this big mystery involving saints and magical artifacts and weird philosophical corners church history (which I loved, btw), and a supernatural/magical realist element too, but the characters are never anything less than people, just trying to live and love and hold onto each other, and the result is beautiful.
June 8, 2016
I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I love it when a book takes a turn in a way that I don't expect. Well, I love it when that happens and it's well done and original. And the good news is that Emily's book is both! It has such a perfect balance of contemporary and supernatural as well as having an incredibly brilliant hook. The characters jumped off the page and the camaraderie they share is so fun and authentic. The author's note at the back explained how much research went into creating this story. And it shows. Not only does the book take you on a fast-paced journey as these teens try to discover the secrets behind the visions they're having, but it does that while immersing you in a wonderfully rich history of the 16th-century world Saint Ignatius. I can't recommend SIGNS OF YOU enough. It's a story of hope, of redemption, of coping with loss, and of the power of friendship.
Humorous, intelligent, and thought provoking, all the signs point to five well-deserved stars for Emily France's debut.
I love it when a book takes a turn in a way that I don't expect. Well, I love it when that happens and it's well done and original. And the good news is that Emily's book is both! It has such a perfect balance of contemporary and supernatural as well as having an incredibly brilliant hook. The characters jumped off the page and the camaraderie they share is so fun and authentic. The author's note at the back explained how much research went into creating this story. And it shows. Not only does the book take you on a fast-paced journey as these teens try to discover the secrets behind the visions they're having, but it does that while immersing you in a wonderfully rich history of the 16th-century world Saint Ignatius. I can't recommend SIGNS OF YOU enough. It's a story of hope, of redemption, of coping with loss, and of the power of friendship.
Humorous, intelligent, and thought provoking, all the signs point to five well-deserved stars for Emily France's debut.
January 28, 2016
This was a completely lovely book. Four friends - Riley, Kate, Jay and Noah - form a little high school family. One common thread binds them all - they have all lost someone close to them. I loved this book about the big and little mysteries of life. How do we process loss? How do we hold on to the memories our loved ones have given us? How do we hold on to each other even when things feel so difficult and impossible? How do we let go?
I loved the historical mystery as well - the lost early version of St. Ignatius' Spiritual Exercises. It was a really interesting lens to look through, and the use of it felt totally unique.
This book really had so many things I love in a book: close friendships, mystery, big life questions.
I am really looking forward to Emily France's next novel! I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review but can't wait to get a copy of my own.
I loved the historical mystery as well - the lost early version of St. Ignatius' Spiritual Exercises. It was a really interesting lens to look through, and the use of it felt totally unique.
This book really had so many things I love in a book: close friendships, mystery, big life questions.
I am really looking forward to Emily France's next novel! I received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review but can't wait to get a copy of my own.
March 17, 2017
Signs of You is GORGEOUS. I stayed up late last night and woke early this morning to finish it. I expected the writing would be gorgeous because I had read some of Emily France’s shorter fiction, but I was so pleasantly surprised by the uniqueness of the story and Riley’s journey. I have never read anything like this in YA and am glad this novel is available for readers of all ages because it beautifully explores the connection between grief and love and hope--and the triumph of human will. And in a world that is often loud and chaotic, this book reminds us that signs are everywhere... if you are quiet enough to listen to the world whisper its secrets to you, and that feels like the ultimate gift of this debut novel.
December 3, 2016
I don't DNF a lot...hardly ever but I could NOT get past page 59. The dialogue was awkward, there was too much going on...and I really wanted to get sucked into a story about dealing with grief and this was just disappointing. Always a risk with a new book and it was a free ARC donated to my classroom from a local bookstore.
February 18, 2016
This was an excellent book. I highly recommend it. I read it in two days, which is unusual for me lately. It's a cool kind of spooky, gothic teen tale.
November 24, 2018
I checked this audiobook out from my library on a whim, and didn't really know what it was about or what to expect. The beginning was intriguing, and the ending was satisfying for me, but the plot went in a completely unexpected direction that I can't say I really liked. I think people with who are very spiritual would enjoy this book, but it just wasn't for me. I am love with the beautiful cover though, and the narrator was wonderful.
July 30, 2016
3.5 stars
Signs of You was both an engaging and emotionally entangling story about grief, friendship and the power of self-awareness. Although the initial hype for the book promised an emotional journey that would make me weep, I found the careful prose and a tightly woven mystery of France’s debut made more of a well-rounded story than a simple sobfest. The realistic dialogue made me laugh, the mysterious plot devices made me shiver with suspense and yes, I cried a little too. But while I undeniably enjoyed this book as a whole, there were a few elements that - in isolation - made me feel a little unsatisfied.
While the characters were by no means unrealistic or ‘unrelatable’, their development was somewhat lacking. Most of the characters, particularly our protagonist, Riley, were defined by their grief. Although the final chapters of the story did largely touch upon this - and some development was achieved - it was a case of too little, too late. I wanted to truly connect to the characters and understand their motivations as the story was progressing, but Kate was the only character with any personality. Noah’s shadiness made it hard to connect with him, while Jay’s mood swings were off-putting. I will say that the emotional aspect of grief, particularly the effect of survivor’s guilt and how it strained familial relationships, was incredibly well-done - with a sensitive touch but still in a blunt, raw style that resonated so, so well with me.
As with most recent YA novels, there was some romantic drama incorporated into Signs of You. Riley has an unrequited crush on her best friend, Jay, but she also has something going on with her other best friend, Noah… so it’s was a love triangle. As always, I will complain that the drama which ensued was perfectly avoidable and completely unnecessary. It added nothing major to the overarching plotline and should been removed to allow the story to have complete focus on the more important plotlines. It was a massive turn-off for me.
The plotline as a whole was undeniably the most interest aspect of the story. The author’s choice of Jesusim as a focus point was unique and fascinating. It certainly appealed to the history buff side of me! Although the author’s note did state that she took some liberties, the research never rang anything but true. It was incredibly exciting, fast-paced and undeniably captivating. Without the mystery driving the story forward, I do not doubt that the tone and pace of the story itself would have dramatically changed... and not in a good way.
With that being said, I did question the character’s reaction to the more startling conclusions their research revealed. For one, connecting their supposed sightings of their dead loved ones to a ‘cursed’ cross necklace was a little forced and unrealistic. Seeing as this is actually a common phenomenon amongst those in mourning, I think it is safe to say that most individuals would blame their grief on their “sightings” and shrug it off. The more and more they uncovered, the less and less I believed that this could genuinely occur. I’m not saying that fantastical stories have to be realistic, but I didn’t quite understand why the characters assumed that the book was anything but fiction. I don’t automatically think all stories are fact and none of the characters were religious. It seems a bit of a stretch to think that some historical figure’s diary was the truth when he was writing about such outlandish ideas. Maybe this could have been elaborated on further?
The ending - while touching and sweet at moments - was largely unsatisfying. Without the promise of the sequel, leaving so many elements of the story unanswered is problematic. I’m curious! I want to know whether these ‘powers’ affected the characters for the rest of their lives or whether they were able to overcome them. Were they driven insane like Jay’s father? There’s nothing worse than a mystery without a conclusive aha! moment where all is revealed and everything ties together.
Overall?
This was a fast-paced, exciting read that set itself apart from the other 2016 YA releases. The characters were slightly underdeveloped, but the mystery was engaging and different to anything I’d ever read before. I couldn’t put the book down and flew through the story with relative ease. The romance was as pointless and frustrating as expected, but for a debut, Signs of You was an undeniably solid novel. I will definitely be reading more of this author’s future works and I wish she would release a sequel of some sorts.
Review copy provided by the publisher for an honest review.
Signs of You was both an engaging and emotionally entangling story about grief, friendship and the power of self-awareness. Although the initial hype for the book promised an emotional journey that would make me weep, I found the careful prose and a tightly woven mystery of France’s debut made more of a well-rounded story than a simple sobfest. The realistic dialogue made me laugh, the mysterious plot devices made me shiver with suspense and yes, I cried a little too. But while I undeniably enjoyed this book as a whole, there were a few elements that - in isolation - made me feel a little unsatisfied.
While the characters were by no means unrealistic or ‘unrelatable’, their development was somewhat lacking. Most of the characters, particularly our protagonist, Riley, were defined by their grief. Although the final chapters of the story did largely touch upon this - and some development was achieved - it was a case of too little, too late. I wanted to truly connect to the characters and understand their motivations as the story was progressing, but Kate was the only character with any personality. Noah’s shadiness made it hard to connect with him, while Jay’s mood swings were off-putting. I will say that the emotional aspect of grief, particularly the effect of survivor’s guilt and how it strained familial relationships, was incredibly well-done - with a sensitive touch but still in a blunt, raw style that resonated so, so well with me.
My deepest, darkest fear is that maybe we don’t even get over some things. Maybe we just carry them around, permanently, these heavy dull aches in the heart. And maybe they don’t heal; maybe we just learn to work around the pain.
As with most recent YA novels, there was some romantic drama incorporated into Signs of You. Riley has an unrequited crush on her best friend, Jay, but she also has something going on with her other best friend, Noah… so it’s was a love triangle. As always, I will complain that the drama which ensued was perfectly avoidable and completely unnecessary. It added nothing major to the overarching plotline and should been removed to allow the story to have complete focus on the more important plotlines. It was a massive turn-off for me.
The plotline as a whole was undeniably the most interest aspect of the story. The author’s choice of Jesusim as a focus point was unique and fascinating. It certainly appealed to the history buff side of me! Although the author’s note did state that she took some liberties, the research never rang anything but true. It was incredibly exciting, fast-paced and undeniably captivating. Without the mystery driving the story forward, I do not doubt that the tone and pace of the story itself would have dramatically changed... and not in a good way.
With that being said, I did question the character’s reaction to the more startling conclusions their research revealed. For one, connecting their supposed sightings of their dead loved ones to a ‘cursed’ cross necklace was a little forced and unrealistic. Seeing as this is actually a common phenomenon amongst those in mourning, I think it is safe to say that most individuals would blame their grief on their “sightings” and shrug it off. The more and more they uncovered, the less and less I believed that this could genuinely occur. I’m not saying that fantastical stories have to be realistic, but I didn’t quite understand why the characters assumed that the book was anything but fiction. I don’t automatically think all stories are fact and none of the characters were religious. It seems a bit of a stretch to think that some historical figure’s diary was the truth when he was writing about such outlandish ideas. Maybe this could have been elaborated on further?
The ending - while touching and sweet at moments - was largely unsatisfying. Without the promise of the sequel, leaving so many elements of the story unanswered is problematic. I’m curious! I want to know whether these ‘powers’ affected the characters for the rest of their lives or whether they were able to overcome them. Were they driven insane like Jay’s father? There’s nothing worse than a mystery without a conclusive aha! moment where all is revealed and everything ties together.
Overall?
This was a fast-paced, exciting read that set itself apart from the other 2016 YA releases. The characters were slightly underdeveloped, but the mystery was engaging and different to anything I’d ever read before. I couldn’t put the book down and flew through the story with relative ease. The romance was as pointless and frustrating as expected, but for a debut, Signs of You was an undeniably solid novel. I will definitely be reading more of this author’s future works and I wish she would release a sequel of some sorts.
Review copy provided by the publisher for an honest review.
April 22, 2018
Why I Recommend Bumping This UP On Your TBR:
WHOA. This book made me think so much. I read it like it had contemporary elements masquerading as fabulism, and that worked for me. The conversations about grief were thorough, to the point that they made me feel anxious and sad (I cried!) but also made me think a lot about life, death, and grief. The subplot about her mother's experiences got my wheels turning. The relationship dynamics were well fleshed-out, felt organic, and made these characters worth experiencing. Riley's moments with her dad were everything, as were Riley's moments with her female best friend. And the psuedo-love triangle was well-done, too! I even appreciated the way alcohol use disorder was handled. The premise of this book didn't appeal to me at all, but the writing style hooked me and kept me going. I will read the next novel by this author if only for the way she weaves her words together to make them easy to process and follow, what I usually refer to as "flow". I enjoyed reading between the lines of this. The most impactful scene to analyze and get more out of is the scene between Jay and the man who knew his father. If this wasn't a hardcore metaphor about how we process current interactions based on past relationships, then I'll cut up my library card right now.
Depending On Your Personal Preferences:
I didn't even pay attention to the "plot" and was okay with how the plot was just used as a way to get us through the different underlying messages and themes. I don't think this book will work for people who read it literally or who are wanting paranormal elements. I think this is a deeply symbolic contemporary work. Or would that make it literary?
Why You Might Bump This Down On Your TBR:
The author used the term "damaged people", which is unhealthy and lazy writing. She could have explained this idea differently.
WHOA. This book made me think so much. I read it like it had contemporary elements masquerading as fabulism, and that worked for me. The conversations about grief were thorough, to the point that they made me feel anxious and sad (I cried!) but also made me think a lot about life, death, and grief. The subplot about her mother's experiences got my wheels turning. The relationship dynamics were well fleshed-out, felt organic, and made these characters worth experiencing. Riley's moments with her dad were everything, as were Riley's moments with her female best friend. And the psuedo-love triangle was well-done, too! I even appreciated the way alcohol use disorder was handled. The premise of this book didn't appeal to me at all, but the writing style hooked me and kept me going. I will read the next novel by this author if only for the way she weaves her words together to make them easy to process and follow, what I usually refer to as "flow". I enjoyed reading between the lines of this. The most impactful scene to analyze and get more out of is the scene between Jay and the man who knew his father. If this wasn't a hardcore metaphor about how we process current interactions based on past relationships, then I'll cut up my library card right now.
Depending On Your Personal Preferences:
I didn't even pay attention to the "plot" and was okay with how the plot was just used as a way to get us through the different underlying messages and themes. I don't think this book will work for people who read it literally or who are wanting paranormal elements. I think this is a deeply symbolic contemporary work. Or would that make it literary?
Why You Might Bump This Down On Your TBR:
The author used the term "damaged people", which is unhealthy and lazy writing. She could have explained this idea differently.
July 16, 2016
I received this ARC from Edelweiss in exchange for my honest review.
Where do I start with this one? I loved the premise and the beginning held a lot of promise. Riley and her friends were initially drawn together because of one thing: they all lost someone close to them. Riley is still grieving for her mother, Cam's brother committed suicide, Jay's father did as a result of his alcoholism and Kate lost her aunt. One thing that struck me was how amazingly unbelievable Riley's dad was. First of all, he showed his love by FOOD! God I love food. I would love a dad who cooked eggs or bread at 2:00am and spent time on a pot roast for Sunday dinner just so he could show his daughter how much he loved her. Too often in YA literature, one parent's death means the other parent tends to neglect the child. I am so happy that did not happen here. Riley's relationship with her dad and a conversation she had with him about possibly moving on with another woman were the best things about this book.
I loved the possible mystery of Riley and her friends seeing their loved ones and what that could mean. The problem was that the mystery behind it was so BORING. You wouldn't think a book about teenagers seeing the ghosts of their loved ones would be boring, but you would be wrong. There was a lot of stuff about a religious relic and a saint and a possible curse and other spirits trying to cross over and it was all just too boring and too much. This book could have been more about these kids trying to move on and I guess to some extent it was, but there was all this other religious stuff added to it and there was a lot of history about some saint that I honestly didn't really care about. So much potential and absolutely no follow-through. It looks like I am a black sheep on this one though because just about every review on Goodreads is four or five stars. Oh well.
Where do I start with this one? I loved the premise and the beginning held a lot of promise. Riley and her friends were initially drawn together because of one thing: they all lost someone close to them. Riley is still grieving for her mother, Cam's brother committed suicide, Jay's father did as a result of his alcoholism and Kate lost her aunt. One thing that struck me was how amazingly unbelievable Riley's dad was. First of all, he showed his love by FOOD! God I love food. I would love a dad who cooked eggs or bread at 2:00am and spent time on a pot roast for Sunday dinner just so he could show his daughter how much he loved her. Too often in YA literature, one parent's death means the other parent tends to neglect the child. I am so happy that did not happen here. Riley's relationship with her dad and a conversation she had with him about possibly moving on with another woman were the best things about this book.
I loved the possible mystery of Riley and her friends seeing their loved ones and what that could mean. The problem was that the mystery behind it was so BORING. You wouldn't think a book about teenagers seeing the ghosts of their loved ones would be boring, but you would be wrong. There was a lot of stuff about a religious relic and a saint and a possible curse and other spirits trying to cross over and it was all just too boring and too much. This book could have been more about these kids trying to move on and I guess to some extent it was, but there was all this other religious stuff added to it and there was a lot of history about some saint that I honestly didn't really care about. So much potential and absolutely no follow-through. It looks like I am a black sheep on this one though because just about every review on Goodreads is four or five stars. Oh well.
April 6, 2016
I absolutely loved Signs of You! For me, this arc was a YA The Da Vinci Code only done better! Emily France is a stunning writer - with brilliant and moving passages on loss and grief while at the same time injecting sharp and funny characters and dialogue. The MC, Riley, is not only dealing with the death of her mother but also a staggering amount of guilt for her supposed role in her mother's death. Guilt as well as fear of living keep Riley from moving forward with her life and towards any joy. Her incredible friends have also suffered loss (they met and bonded through a grief therapy group.) But in the supermarket one day, Riley spots her mom near the bubble bath. Suddenly, three out of the four friends are catching fleeting glimpses of their deceased loved ones. What a premise - I was hooked but what gave Signs of You it's very unique hook was the historical mystery. An ancient artifact, a cross worn by the founder of the Jesuit order, St. Ignacious, seems to be the reason. What follows from here is a quest to understand the cross and the meaning behind these spirit visits. Despite the heavy topics of mourning and loss, France does an incredible job of balancing this as well as the fascinating history with a ton of humor. This is a cast you want to hang out with and the love they have for one another was definitely one of the best parts of the story for me. Can't wait for this amazing book to get out there! Do not miss this one! It is unique, intriguing, and uplifting.
So happy to have gotten a chance to read this arc!!
So happy to have gotten a chance to read this arc!!
July 30, 2016
Grief is a lens to look at life through.
The final 5 minutes of this book is just full of #allthefeels and now I'm just sobbing. SOBBING.
Signs of You is a little nugget of a contemporary with a bit of magic/paranormalism mixed in. It's one of those books that you'll likely consume in one sitting, not just because of it's dainty size but because the journey of Noah, Riley, Kate, and Jay is equally as mysterious as it is mesmerizing.
Everyone has experienced grief at some point in their life. For Noah, Riley, Kate, and Jay, grief is one of the things that connects them. They're a tight-knit support group of friends who are suddenly experiencing a very surreal thing: they can see their deceased love ones around town. These aren't zombies and they're not even really ghosts. What they do know is this phenomenon is connected to an old Totem they were warned against.
Each of the characters and their surrounding supports were likeable and charming in their own ways. There's very little ego in this book, just pure caring and support for each other, which is a refreshing thing to see in a contemporary novel. The story arc is not perpetuated by some awful thing that happens between characters but by a new sensation that they're all learning about together. In that sense, Signs of You is a mystery novel.
Overall, Signs of You is worth your read (or listen, because the audiobook is also fantastic) because it's something new and different that crosses genres and has wide appeal. Just be prepared for a few tears at the end!
The final 5 minutes of this book is just full of #allthefeels and now I'm just sobbing. SOBBING.
Signs of You is a little nugget of a contemporary with a bit of magic/paranormalism mixed in. It's one of those books that you'll likely consume in one sitting, not just because of it's dainty size but because the journey of Noah, Riley, Kate, and Jay is equally as mysterious as it is mesmerizing.
Everyone has experienced grief at some point in their life. For Noah, Riley, Kate, and Jay, grief is one of the things that connects them. They're a tight-knit support group of friends who are suddenly experiencing a very surreal thing: they can see their deceased love ones around town. These aren't zombies and they're not even really ghosts. What they do know is this phenomenon is connected to an old Totem they were warned against.
Each of the characters and their surrounding supports were likeable and charming in their own ways. There's very little ego in this book, just pure caring and support for each other, which is a refreshing thing to see in a contemporary novel. The story arc is not perpetuated by some awful thing that happens between characters but by a new sensation that they're all learning about together. In that sense, Signs of You is a mystery novel.
Overall, Signs of You is worth your read (or listen, because the audiobook is also fantastic) because it's something new and different that crosses genres and has wide appeal. Just be prepared for a few tears at the end!
June 26, 2016
ARC Review:
Ahh!! This book. What an original, intriguing premise! I was so engrossed with what was happening to these four characters. I just LOVED this. France is a natural storyteller. I really felt like I learned something about myself and about faith and life. What a cool, unique concept to write a book about. I enjoyed this one, and I KNOW others will too. I'm such a fan!!
A unique and intriguing debut that I will certainly be thinking about for a long time to come <3
Ahh!! This book. What an original, intriguing premise! I was so engrossed with what was happening to these four characters. I just LOVED this. France is a natural storyteller. I really felt like I learned something about myself and about faith and life. What a cool, unique concept to write a book about. I enjoyed this one, and I KNOW others will too. I'm such a fan!!
A unique and intriguing debut that I will certainly be thinking about for a long time to come <3
February 16, 2016
YA author Emily France's Signs of You is a unique, fast-paced melding of teen angst and GHOSTS (!), which may or may not have something to do with a 16th century saint and the relics he's left lying about. I devoured my pre-release arc in one sitting. Expect a full review closer to pub date.
April 12, 2017
Signs of You by Emily France is a really interesting book about Riley and her friends. First of all, the book is about a girl named Riley and her friends Noah, Jay, and Kate. Jay's dad has a necklace that he keeps in velvet cushion but he doesn't let nobody touch it. Later on Jay's dad dies and the kids wear the necklace. The next day they see their dead Family members. At the end they want to get rid of the necklace but it is the only way they can get in touch with their family members that have passed away. What will they do? In my opinion this book can get interesting but at the same time intense. It gets interesting because Emily explains Riley,Jay, Noah, and Kate's day when they saw their dead family members. Like in the book it tells us that “we all know aunt Lilly”. “She's been dead for almost two years”. (France 40) “ And I know she's freaking about seeing aunt Lilly”. (France 42) it is also intense because of the way they act when they saw their dead family members. Like in the book it tells us that “ she's been dead two year when I see her in the grocery store…” “ I must be losing my mind. I look again. It's her”. (France 1) On the other hand, people might think that it must be scary looking at someone that died two years ago. However, I personally thought that it must be amazing looking at your family members when they are loved once. In conclusion, I really recommend this book to someone who likes books with mystery or love in them.
April 10, 2024
Lugesin eelnevalt teiste arvamusi raamatust, mis ei olnud väga kiitvad. Seega lähtepunkt lugemiseks oli päris hea, vähem ootusi. Ja nii saan öelda, et meeldis küll. Raamatu idee oli hea ja algus tundus põnev. Rohkem oleks võinud romantilist liini olla ja et kõik tegelased oleksid lõpus rahu endas üles leidnud, leinast läbi tulnud. Aga eks see olegi jätkuv protsess ja võib-olla soovis autor otsad lahti jätta, juhuks kui peaks tahtma järje kirjutada.
June 10, 2024
Okay I loved the writing style and the power of grief and love and all of that but honestly other than the conclusion with Noah (who I loveeeee as a love interest but I felt coming from a mile away) there was so many plot holes that I felt could’ve been filled. The romance kind of felt forced but other than that it was an all around pretty decent book that didn’t make me feel anything much
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 20, 2021
No words to say how much I adored this book! It teaches us lot about friendship and love and the grief these characters went through after losing their loved ones and very much appreciated that the author didn't drag it too much with unnecessary drama. And of course this was read within one sitting and HIGHLY RECOMMENDED to anyone who's looking for an easy read which teaches about friendship and love.
October 15, 2017
Minu arvamuse leiab blogist https://triinuraamatud.wordpress.com/...
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