The Fortune of Carmen Navarro by Jen Bryant
November 9th 2010 by Knopf Books for Young Readers
Carmen Navarro rings up customers at the Quikmart, bored to tears. It’s a job, and she needs it. But Carmen’s true love is music: she dropped out of high school to sing with the Gypsy Lovers and land a recording contract, someday.
Just a few miles away, Ryan Sweeney hunches over his books, a studious cadet with his eye on West Point. There’s not a single girl at the Valley Forge Military Academy, and that’s fine by him.
But when Ryan, on a day pass from campus, spots Carmen, with her shining black hair and snake tattoo, his pulse quickens. Carmen, who normally rolls her eyes at the stiff Academy soldados, can tell this one is different. She slips him a note: “Come hear my band.” A romance begins, unlikely, passionate . . . and quickly imbalanced. In an enthralling narrative of obsessive love, the novel builds to a stunning close.
Inspired by the novella and opera Carmen, Jen Bryant creates a strong-minded and alluring heroine in this contemporary tale of tragic love.
Okay.
1 - Books about/based on operas = FAN-BLOODY-TASTIC.
2 - Books that play on cross-culture relationships = brilliant.
3 - Summaries that mention "tragic love" = make me want to hide under the duvet and cry.
Eep, I have mixed, dark and twisty feelings about this book already! Let's all stare at the gorgeous cover instead.
@Sabrina - Agreed!
ReplyDeletetotally lurves the name and like Sabrina...hoping for a not too tragic end!
ReplyDeleteInteresting. The whole cadet things piques my interest since I was a Wac stationed at W.P. and I love the cover. Great choice.
ReplyDeleteWow, this sounds great. Adding to my tbr list now!
ReplyDeleteMy Waiting on Wednesday pick "Other" is here.
What are you waiting on?
xx,
E.J
Great synopsis - really grabs my attention!
ReplyDeleteAh, love between opposites always sizzles...
ReplyDeleteHere's mine:
http://chezraine.wordpress.com/2010/05/19/waiting-on-wednesday-10/
I'm all for staring at the cover...great pick!
ReplyDeleteWhat a good synopsis. Great pick! Mine is at The Crowded Leaf.
ReplyDeleteGreat pick! I haven't heard of this one before.
ReplyDeleteI can't wait to read this book! Love the cover, the military background for Ryan, and the fact that it's based on the opera Carmen. Great pick!
ReplyDeleteOh goodness! This sounds like a passionate read. Will have to check it out.
ReplyDeleteSounds amazing! And the cover is very nice!
ReplyDeleteMy "Waiting on Wednesday"
that book sounds amazing. i want to read it now. definitely add it to my wishlist.
ReplyDeleteThat book does sound interesting even though they are a rather unlikely couple. Here is my WoW post. I couldn't decide and had to make two choices.
ReplyDeleteThat's one beautiful cover! And so interesting that it's based on Carmen.
ReplyDeleteOkay, so this sounds amazing!
ReplyDelete