* Disclaimer: I received this book through Around the World Tours.
When the Stars Go Blue by Caridad Ferrer is all the cover suggests it to be — stunningly beautiful.
It is the story of Soledad, and passionate and gifted dancer, hurt by her past but full of life and love, and ready to give. It is the story of Jonathan, an intense and brilliant musician, damaged by his past and present and scared of the love he's giving. It is the story of Carmen, a sultry gypsy who jilts her jealous lover for another and meets with tragedy because of it.
Before you read this book, I strongly recommend familiarizing yourself with the story of Carmen. (Link takes you to Wikipedia page — which is a good place to start).
Soledad is asked by Jonathan to play the part of Carmen as a dancer in the drum and bugle corps he is a part of. She eventually agrees, largely in part because of her growing relationship and fascination with Jonathan. Their relationship quickly takes off, and it's easy to see why Soledad falls so hard for him so quickly. He's very attractive, understands her dedication and passion for dance, because he shares it for music, and he thinks she is the center of his world. It's a heady feeling to be the recipient of that much love and passion, and it's easy to understand how a young girl, experiencing love for the first time could get so wrapped up in him. Soledad is just as involved with Jonathan as he is with her. I enjoyed their relationship in the beginning, but it quickly started to scare me. Jonathan is just too intense. I would be worried for my daughter if she was involved with someone as intensely involved with and devoted to her as Jonathan is, especially at 18. Soledad becomes his world and he is possessive of her affection. He loses track of boundaries and his jealousy begins to consume his thoughts. It scares and confused and hurts Soledad because she doesn't understand why Jonathan is worried when she is so in love with him, and as devoted to him and he is to her.
I was beyond impressed with this book. Ferrer's writing is beautiful and haunting, bringing the world of dance and drum corps alive. I was involved in the band program all through school, and I've watched more than one corps perform. Ferrer captured the powerful emotions associated with that world perfectly. I could feel the chills with Soledad as she begins to learn what a corps is all about, and as she performs her routine successfully. I haven't really missed that part of my life before, but reading this story made me wish for it again.
The writing is beautiful, and the characterization is spot on. Ferrer has done a brilliant job creating multi-dimensional characters. There was not a single character I felt to be one-dimensional. Everyone had depth. The closest we come to a one-dimensional character is Jonathan's father, Marc. We learn early on that their relationship is rocky and it's easy to hate him. But as we learn more about what drives him, he's more understandable. I doubt anyone will ever like him, but I found his actions and reactions easy to believe. I've seen it before. Soledad has an amazing inner strength, one that I hope I share, but equally hope I'm never in a position to find that strength as Soledad was forced to. Jonathan appears to be perfect, in nearly every way but it doesn't take long to realize there is much buried within him, and far more than meets the eye. Raj, one of my favorite characters, describes him as one within whom still waters run deep and that becomes more and more clear as the novel progresses. Raj is good for Soledad, a close friend within the all-male corps who isn't a threat to her relationship with Jonathan, and someone who is always willing to listen and help where he can. He's also her partner, dancing as Don Jose (Carmen's jealous lover) throughout the show. Then, there's Taz. He is a Spanish soccer player, touring the United States with his Spanish team. At first, he seems a bit like just another cocky, good looking jock, but there's a lot more to him than that, and as we get to know him better, it's really easy to fall for him. Plus, he's just oozes hotness.
He is interested in Soledad and takes every opportunity to talk to her when their tours cross paths. Both teams are playing at many county fairs, so they see each other several times over the course of the tours. Each time they meet, Soledad is more and more intrigued by Taz, more interested and more drawn, and Jonathan becomes more jealous of their conversations and more possessive of her attention every time. It soon becomes complicated, and there is a sense of imminent danger. Something is about to happen, but what is unclear.
The story by itself was wonderful, but I believe it was made better by the ties it shares with Carmen. Too often when people use a previous story for inspiration, they merely retell the same story, adding a thing or two of their own, but leaving no doubt as to where the ideas came from. I don't like stories like that. I never have. I have to say, I was very impressed with the Carmen connections made, because it was easy to see the inspiration, but it was never over the top. It was still Ferrer's own story.
This is a book I think it would be a shame to miss. It has much to offer, was beautifully written and definitely captivating. The prose moves seamlessly, filled with gorgeous descriptions and evocative imagery. It's certainly a book to pick up, one that would be a great addition to almost any collection.