Imaginary Girls by Nova Ren Suma

Imaginary Girls

Author: Nova Ren Suma

Pages: 344

Publisher: Dutton Juvenile

Genre: Paranormal

Release: June 4th 2011

Age: Young Adult (12-18)

Book Source: Library

     Chloe's older sister, Ruby, always gets what she wants. One night two summers ago, Fourteen year old Chloe was dared to swim across the reservoir, quite a dire and dangerous task. But she never did it. Soon after beginning to swim she discovers a boat, with the body of a classmate. Dead.

      Soon after Chloe moves to live with her dad, to live a normal life and escape the past that has been haunting her ever since the night she swam upon the boat. Two years later, Ruby wants Chloe back. She wants everything normal and as if it was those two summers ago.

      When Chloe returns to their quaint little town everything is the same; the exact same. Or is it?

      Ruby as the older sister of Chloe, she'll always protect Chloe, its her duty as a sister. But when deadly secrets threaten to expose the truth to Chloe of that night out at the reservoir. But for Chloe deadly secrets can have deadly consequences, that may lead to her straight to her death. 

      Imaginary Girls by Nova Suma Ren was quite a feat that left me guessing through out the entire novel. I suppose you could classify this book as a thriller but the plot went along quite slow and was rather dragging throughout the first third of the book. But soon after the ball began rolling I just couldn't put it down and read the rest in one seating. 

      The characters were rather confusing,  such as Ruby's strange, suspicious personality. She is the kind of girl no one can ever figure out, and that no one knows that better than Chloe.

      The sisterhood exemplified in this novel was rather sweet and endearing. In a creepy way.  But when Chloe is always following Ruby it feels rather forced, Why can't Chloe have her own personality? But maybe that's the point... Anyways, the true sisterly love does appear. Throughout the book Chloe always thought her feelings but never communicated them to other characters which I had found rather annoying (COME ON JUST SPIT IT OUT ALREADY). 

       Nova Ren Suma's writing was very much her own. I haven't read a book with writing quite like that- ever. It had just enough creative writing and descriptive writing to keep me hooked throughout the novel. The mystery portrayed through her words was intriguing and exciting to follow.

      Imaginary Girls may be a paranormal thriller- do not confuse it with a book such as White Cat by Holly Black. This book is very unique with it's plot and characters and that was one of the things I enjoyed most. Though it got REALLY wacko confusing at times, it was a delectable read that left me wanting more. I can't wait to see what Nova Ren Suma has up her sleeve next!

 “Ruby’s stories didn’t have morals. 

They meant one thing in the light

 and one thing in the dark 

and another thing entirely when she was wearing sunglasses.”

 “Sometimes a perfect memory can be ruined if put to words.”

“There's something ugly about a pretty boy who knows he's pretty 

and assumes everyone else know it too.” 

“The story you choose to tell isn't always the story you believe.”
― Nova Ren Suma, Imaginary Girls 

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