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Summary: With parents too busy to pay her attention, an older brother and sister who would rather spend their time with friends, and peers who oscillate between picking on her and simply ignoring her, it’s no wonder that Fain spends most of her time in a world of her own making. During the day, Fain takes solace in crafting her own fantastical adventures in writing, but in the darkness of night, these adventures come to life as Fain lives and breathes alongside a legion of imaginary creatures. Whether floating through space or under the sea, climbing mountains or traipsing through forests, Fain becomes queen beyond – and in spite of – the walls of her bedroom.
In time, Fain begins to see possibilities and friendships emerge in her day-to-day reality. . . yet when she is let down by the one relationship she thought she could trust, Fain must decide: remain queen of the imaginary creatures, or risk the pain that comes with opening herself up to the fragile connections that exist only in the real world? Told in breathless and visual verse, THE LONELY ONES takes readers through the intricate inner workings of a girl who struggles to navigate isolation and finds friendship where she least expects it.
Review by Lauren
source: copy for review; all opinions are my own
Review: The Lonely Ones is such a lovely MG novel. I would highly recommend it! It’s not a long book, and it’s told in verse, so it’s definitely a fast read. I completed the whole book in only a couple hours, but despite the book being quick, it was still a really fleshed-out story of loneliness and finding those people in your life that will always be there for you.
The actual book is about Fain who has an older brother and sister who are often leaving the house to be with friends and get away from their parents, who are often always fighting. Fain’s mom was going to graduate school but had to quit and take up waitressing when her dad loses his job. As for Fain, she’s often left alone, trying to take care of her little brother Peter, and learning to be invisible. Her favorite time of the day is actually night, when the house is asleep and her monsters knock on the window, beckoning her to go with them. These nightly adventures bring her to the top of mountains and even to the moon.
As the book continues, Fain begins to find ways to find solace with others, and she begins to move away from her monsters. The Lonely Ones is an emotional read, as you can’t help but feel for Fain and wish her company and love. Not everything is perfect in the end, but it’s one step closer!
About the Author:
Kelsey Sutton is the author of teen novels SOME QUIET PLACE and GARDENIA. She is also the author of two novels for middle grade readers, THE LONELY ONES and BENJAMIN. She lives in Minnesota, where she received a dual bachelor’s degree in English and Creative Writing from Bemidji State University. She is currently working on a master’s degree from Hamline University. Her work has received an Independent Publisher Book Award, an IndieFab Award, and was selected as a Kirkus Reviews Best Teen Book of 2013. When not writing, Kelsey can be found watching too much Netflix, ordering a mocha at the nearest coffee shop, or browsing a bookstore. You can like her on Facebook and follow her on Twitter @KelseyJSutton.
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6425045.Kelsey_Sutton
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Kelsey-Sutton-139415419471775/
Website: http://www.kelseysuttonbooks.com/
Read below for an excerpt from The Lonely Ones
Claws scrape
against my window sill.
Then, a voice,
raspy, childlike, familiar.
It calls my name
and becomes a symphony.
“Fain, are you coming?”
“Come with us, Fain!”
“Wake up!”
“Open your eyes, Fain!”
I try to be firm,
I try to say no.
There’s a voice in my head
that whispers I’m getting too old
for these games and adventures.
The ground is so thick with mud
that someone could notice
my tracks.
But my little friends persist
again and again.
Their pleas batter
against my resolve,
until debris crashes down
and I am too weak to resist.
The unbearable truth is
no one will notice my tracks
because no one notices anything.
I take one of their scaly hands,
a feather tickles against my cheek.
Then I climb outside
and disappear into the night.
The Giveaway:
2 signed copies of The Lonely Ones by Kelsey Sutton, open to US and Canada:
Follow the rest of the tour!
Despite not being a big fan of books written in verse I'm longing to read this as Fain sounds like a wonderful character and one I can relate to in many ways.
Thank you for featuring The Lonely Ones, I'm away to add it to my wish list now.
Girlllll, thanks so much for joining The Lonely Ones Review Tour! This is such a great review! <3
I think books like this one are more realistic when they end with things looking up but not perfect or a complete HEA. Lovely review Lauren!
While I tend to have a bit of trouble with novels in verse, I'm actually pretty interested in this one, especially since it's MG. Plus the cover looks so nice!
I do like the cover! The story sounds interesting, and I'm intrigued by it being told in verse 🙂
I love verse novels! And I'm in awe of authors who can write a full story in sparse words.
Sounds like a lovely MG book!
I don't usually go for books in verse, but I read one recently was really good, so I'm actually interested in more.
Ooh, I've never read a novel in verse before and it's only recently that I've been really considering trying it out! I think I would like it, especially because this one seems quite well done.
Wow Lauren, this sounds like a good read, I like that it drew the emotions out of you. Fantastic review!
I have never read a book written in verse, well at least not that I can remember. This story line sounds really good though. Thanks for sharing this and the giveaway!
This sounds like my type of book! I always seem to enjoy the middle-grade genre most; especially when it is peppered with realistic themes. Lovely review Lauren 🙂