A Different Blue

“Someone told me once that to create true art you must be willing to bleed and let others watch.”

Funnily enough, I knew I wouldn't enjoy this book before I even read it. So why still read it? Well I was on a quest to read all of the Amy Harmon works because her books are magnificent, but I guess there are exceptions in every situation.
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​Also I disliked the cover from the very first time I laid my eyes on it - it's weird, but I think not liking the cover also influenced my opinion on the book. I guess I'm just a cover whore.

“Why don’t you focus on where you’re going and less on where you came from?”

​I honestly don't even know where to start - I guess I should say that this is the only Amy Harmon book that I actively show more disliked, and I read 8 of her books already.

First off, the writing - the first 100 pages of the book are completely horrendous. It felt like somebody completely different wrote it. Normally Harmon's writing is lyrical and beautiful, and inspiring. This felt like something I'd read on a WatPad (which there is nothing wrong with, it's just not what I expected). A Different Blue was full of "he threw his hands up into the air", "he ran his hands through his locks", "I clipped", "growled", "sashayed to him" and more, - very cringe-y.

I alsmot DNF'd the book, but lately I've been dnf-ing so much that I felt I had to finish something! So I kept reading. The writing did get better as the book progressed, and so did the plot (sadly, by the end of the book the plot plummeted back to the ground).

I wasn't able to identify with, or for that matter like, any of the main characters. Blue was irrational and bitchy, and while I did see the reasons for it - it just didn't do anything for me. There were some moments where I felt for her, but even that wasn't much.
​Darcy, despite his British old fashioned manners, was a complete jackass and I just don't understand the attraction at all. There was no spark, no rhyme or reason for them to be each other's love interests.
The only character I more or less liked was Tiffa - she was fun and so full of life, she just didn't get enough page time.

The book seemed to have no plot, or maybe too many plots - I honestly am not sure. So many things were happening, but then they all just ended up going nowhere. Things that could have gone somewhere and that could have had a big impact weren't explored nearly enough. Manny and Graciela seemed like great side characters to build a story on, but around 30% they were just whisked away and only mentioned once after - such a waste.

Also I really disliked how "my sister wanted to kill herself because of you" arc didn't go anywhere at all! It was just brushed aside and never mentioned again, and the message behind it was so important! Very disappointing.

The whole purpose of the book, besides the romance (bleh) was that of Blue suffering because she didn't know who she was and where she came from - which I didn't find tragic at all, so that plot line was extremely weak to me. Sure, she didn't know her family history but she had a full life - she was taken care of, fed and clothed. So many kids have it way worse and they don't even complain half as hard as she did. And in the end when everything unraveled and came together, well, it was all very anti climatic.

If you want to read something by Amy Harmon, I'd recommend Making Faces, The law of Moses/Song of David, or if you are feeling like reading a romantic fantasy The Bird and the Sword. A Different Blue is a very weak novel comparing to all of them and doesn't do this author justice. show less

I liked Blue's character, her courage,her strength,& the way she handled difficult situations and made vital decisions (& her name :-) )
I liked Darcy Wilson's personality and the maturity with which he handled Blue. But really,I immensely enjoyed his lectures ,those were too engrossing for me.
I was very excited about reading this novel,the teacher-student forbidden love promised in the synopsis had me full of anticipation and was happy to not to be disappointed. It was just my type of romance novel because I don't like the ones where there are pages and pages depicting sensual encounters and that keeps happening after every five minutes (no pun intended).I want THE STORY,the author getting into the depth and complexity of characters' show more feelings,a few good lessons. Needless to say, I have found my favorite author in Amy Harmon :-) it was Amy's first book that I read and I want to read the rest. show less

A Different Blue was a captivating read and one of my more favorite fade to black romances but really this author writes the best romances that have very little spice to it. Which is refreshing to see stories that don't rely on the spice to deliver a powerful story. I was very nervous before reading this book. I never know what to expect with a teacher/student romance pairing. This is also a super slow burn but I really enjoyed how well this book was written. Many times with a teacher/student pairing, there is quite a bit of inappropriate discussions happening. But Amy Harmon really handled this setup so delicately and loved the way the accidental pregnancy was portrayed. It had a very honest approach to it that I found refreshing. I show more also appreciated how the Native American heritage was handled within this story. I was able to listen to this one in the format of an audiobook, and it was purely delightful to listen to. This author just has the best narrations for her books. They so easily draw you into the story and with how she writes being so slow burn, it's much appreciated there. The more and more that I read from this author, the more I respect this writing style and just want to read more of it. show less

"I keep wishing you had a better life...a different life. But a different life would have made you a different Blue." He looked at me then. "And that would be the biggest tragedy of all."

"Continuo a desiderare che la tua vita sia stata migliore...diversa. Ma una vita diversa ti avrebbe fatta diventare una Blue diversa." In quel momento mi guardò. "E questa sarebbe stata la tragedia più grande." (scusate la traduzione un pò becera, è tutta mia e non incolpate altri che me ;)

I cento colori del blu (A Different Blue) è un romanzo che, dalla sola quarta di copertina o dal genere letterario in cui la massa lo ha inserito (new adult romantico), può essere sottostimato o proprio visto nell'ottica sbagliata.
Certo, l'età dei protagonisti show more è quella dei new adult: 20 (circa...e c'è tutto un perchè dietro questa incertezza) Blue e 22 Wilson (non chiamatelo Darcy che si imbarazza! E dico io, come non capirlo!).
E, come nella vita reale, c'è una parte di romanticismo...anche se sicuramente secondaria.

Ma alla fine questo è il romanzo di Blue, punto.
La sua storia, la sua crescita...quindi la sua infanzia difficile, l'adolescenza ancora più difficile. Poi l'incontro con un insegnante, giovane certo, ma probailmente proprio per questo qualcuno con cui confrontarsi e che la fa pensare.
Wilson involontariamente, attraverso un compito dato in classe, spinge Blue a rivivere e ad affrontare memorie dolci-amare che la accompagneranno però in un cammino di scoperta di sè e di crescita. Dal tempo passato da piccola con l'amato e vagabondo Jimmy, papà putativo o meglio compagno di viaggio taciturno e dall'affetto burbero, che è maestro di vita e da cui impara a scolpire il legno, ma che la abbandona presto nella vita.
Dai quesiti mai risolti sulla sua vera madre, che l'ha abbandonata piccolissima nel camioncino di Jimmy.

Ed è quindi l'idea che ha di sè, di essere indesiderata e indesiderabile, a costellare il romanzo e ad essere il vero punto su cui Blue deve confrontarsi per crescere.

L'arte, poi, è una delle cose che più mi è piaciuta della storia.
L'amore per la scultura, mezzo con cui Blue riesce ad esprimere le sue violente e nascoste emozioni, mi ha sicuramente avvicinato al personaggio in maniera diversa.
Amando disegnare fin da piccola, questo particolare veramente ben gestito dall'autrice che lo descrive con intensità e passione, è stato un bellissimo modo per farmi amare -rendendola originale e a tutto tondo- Blue.

Di fronte alle persone Blue è chiusa, aggressiva, sulla difensiva.
Ma di fronte alla sua arte l'anima esce e si trasforma in qualcosa di meraviglioso.

Blue commetterà errori, anche molto importanti e con conseguenze difficili, ma l’aiuto di persone buone e amorevoli conosciute durante il suo “viaggio” di scoperta, nonchè la sua arte, le permetteranno alla fine di avere il suo happy ending o meglio il suo starting anew, perchè è tutto solo un nuovo inizio.

http://azurestrawberry.altervista.org/recensione-amy-harmon-cento-colori-blu/ show less

"Once upon a time there was a little blackbird, pushed from the nest, unwanted. Discarded."

Blue Echohawk, you are one of my favorite characters - A beautiful, tormented soul. I lived this story with her, a stunning portrayal of redemption, resolution and revelations.

This is the story of a troubled young girl and a young history teacher, Wilson, who helps her discover her truth, her story. Abandoned by her mother at 2 and left with a stranger Jimmmy Echohawk, Blue's life has far from perfect, but losing her beloved caregiver at 10 has devastated her. Leaving an emotionally scarred and broken girl.

"That's what I was. A chicken, pecking at nothing, squawking and ruffling my feathers to make myself appear strong, to keep people at a show more distance."

At the end of Blue's senior year her life has changed dramatically, her strength was inspiring and beautiful. Blue and Wilson develop a strong bond and the development of their relationship is written perfectly.

" You're wrong about one thing, though. Girls like me notice guys like you. We just don't think we deserve them"

"I keep wishing you had a better life...a different life. But a different life would have made you a different Blue." He looked at me then, "And that would be the biggest tragedy of all."

I was not sure what I expected began this book, but it exceeded my expectations beyond words. A Different Blue is a beautiful, heartbreaking story about a girl, finding her way, learning her story and choosing her future.

"I stopped, considering. I was scarred, but I was not broken. Beneath my insecurities, beneath my pain, beneath my struggle, beneath it all, I was still whole" show less

Totally different then what I thought. I figured this story would be your run of the mill love story but nope. It is so much more. Following Blue as she found herself was an emotional and entertaining journey. I LOVED her snarky attitude and her strength. This book is witty and endearing, emotional and informative. I have to mention that I laughed for at least ten minutes straight when Blue asked the choir singer on her first visit to church if she knew any Willy Nelson songs. Classic.

I believe Blue to be strong and independent and was still a decent person after having so much negative in her life. I loved reading about her childhood with Jimmy and the talent she picked up from him.

Wilson. Oh, Wilson!! Who wouldn't swoon with a simple show more "hullo" from him. I believe they complimented each other and fact that he was patient with her snarky attitude towards him only made me love him more. He was understanding, supportive, sweet,and patient. And friends first and foremost.
Wilson is one of a kind.

This is a book a full emotion, good and bad. I enjoyed Blues transformation from lonely, unloved, expendable Blue to a responsible, artistic, smart, and selfless woman. Definitely a book for my faves and one I will read again. The end was happy, the story was deep and had substance, and I felt the emotion through it all. So many things can go wrong in life but it's your choice to handle it accordingly or to submit to the ugly. The choice is there, you know what you should do, in your mind you know what's right, the only thing left is acceptance and action.

Blue choose to change and be someone. Someone she would be proud of and for that reason I LOVED this book. It's not your typical love story but it is A must read. show less

Divorato. Molto coinvolgente, ben scritto, con alcune frasi da ricordare. Storia tutto sommato accettabile, concordo con chi ha detto che il protagonista maschile dimostra qualche anno di più dell'età attribuita! Interessanti gli spezzoni sulla cultura indiana e le citazioni letterarie, e pure l'aspetto poliziesco non stona.
Buonissimo libro, non un capolavoro assoluto ma meritevole.