Riley Risko

I looked forward to picking this book up whenever it was in sight, reading avidly within the time I was able to aside for myself to delve deep into Alma and Francesca's world. These characters, though fictional, are real in my mind and in my heart. With lives and a story that are sure to have a lasting impact on one's conscience. If this book was a flavor, it would be a darkened bittersweet gelato . . . Sentence structure was well-thought out and carefully worded, making the reading experience a rich one, and a real one at that. The setting of the story is constructed within a range of socioeconomic communities, conveying subtle elegant and earthy notes as one reads further on throughout the book. The text was structured well, a bit redundant in certain phrases and a few select terms, however, they challenged my comprehension of the grammar and retention of new vocabulary. Diction was very adventurous, Webb generously dishing out words that my eyes nor ears were familiar with. The novel was descriptive in every essence, permitting the reader to ease into a world beyond them and allowing them to be immersed in every situation Alma and Francesca found themselves in. Be prepared to see those sights, smell those unforgettable smells, soak up the intense emotion, bear pain and delight, listen to a motley of voices and musical accents. A thoughtful Afterward, captivating and intriguing as the author goes into detail about who and what was based off of real events.