My Thoughts: Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta

At age eleven, Taylor Markham was abandoned by her mother. At fourteen, she ran away from boarding school, only to be tracked down and brought back by a mysterious stranger. Now seventeen, Taylor's the reluctant leader of her school's underground community, whose annual territory war with the Townies and visiting Cadets has just begun. This year, though, the Cadets are led by Jonah Griggs, and Taylor can't avoid his intense gaze for long. To make matters worse, Hannah, the one adult Taylor trusts, has disappeared. But if Taylor can piece together the clues Hannah left behind, the truth she uncovers might not just settle her past, but also change her future.



There are so many reviews floating around about Jellicoe Road by Melina Marchetta. People talk about it, saying it's the best book they have ever read and so on. Even with the all the raving reviews I wasn't convinced; I've been deceived before. Novels that people have gushed over and then I read them find that they are really terrible. So I wasn't overly eager to read this. I was at the library this past Saturday looking for I Am Number Four (which I did not find), when I saw Jellicoe Road and decided that I'd pick it up.

It is not often that I regret not buying a book, usually I wish I would have just borrowed them from the library. However I really wish that I would have bought a copy of this book. This is one of the best books I have read in a very long time, and I have read some really good books. But there is something special about Jellicoe Road. Although while you are reading it, there is no way to tell what is so amazing about it. Even now trying to think about it, and express it, I am having a hard time.

Marchetta writes a truly amazing story about love and friendship. A story about trust and truth. It's magical. She has this amazing mix of humour and heartbreak. She has a perfect blend of fun and fights. There are three communities that have mini turf wars, but I really loved how when it really mattered they were able to put aside their differences and come together. Her writing is beautiful. There is a story within a story and in some cases this is annoying as you would much rather being reading about the other story. However the second story is very much a part of the initial story. It's a very smooth transition.

The characters, I think, are what make this story. They are unbelievable. They work so well with each other. Taylor the female protagonist is a fantastic character. She is strong and independent, but she's afraid to give herself. She has not had the easiest life, and she has ample reason to not trust people. There are so many great characters and I can't talk about them all of them, but you cannot talk about Jellicoe Road with out mentioning Jonah Griggs. He is so cool. He's absolutely perfect for Taylor. I was reading a post the other day about which YA characters you'd most want to date, and Griggs made the list and my reaction was, no way man he belongs to Taylor- I felt silly for thinking that the moment I thought it, but you get what I mean- He is truly an amazing character.

I don't have a single bad thing to say about this book. Nothing bugged me or made me roll my eyes, I laughed, I cried. It made me feel sad sometimes, but it added to it's greatness. I don't know. Read it. All of you. You will not be sorry.

Happy Reading Everyone!