Publishers Weekly
When Indigo broke up with Adam, the Blank Stare guitarist wrote a breakup song about her--which goes on to hit number one on the charts. Now, Indigo is unhappy that she has become an infamous heartbreaker in her small town, and Adam still isn't over her. Readers will likely be drawn into the scintillating premise and will get a real sense of Adam and Indigo from their alternating narration (instead of reveling in his stardom, Adam feels "desperate" to write a new hit, and Indigo is tough enough to pour a frappuccino on the head of a girl who teases her). Even so, this book is a bit like a pop song. The drama is fun, but lacks substance, despite allusions to Adam's troubled interior life--his mother died tragically, and he hints she was having an affair at the time. While the hubbub about one song feels over the top, hot clubs, romantic miscommunications, and Adam's headrush to fame should keep readers tuned in. Ages 14–up. (July)
Judith A. Hayn
Indigo is facing ultimate humiliation. Her ex, Adam Spade, has penned and sings a #1 song, Indigo Blues, for his band Blank Stare. Now the lyrics are everywhere, and the band is rocketing to stardom in New York City. Indigo, however, suffers unwelcome attention back home in her small town high school as she plays out her senior year. Indigo just wants to live her own life on her own terms: she wants her best friend Cat to offer support; her potential new boyfriend (and popular jock) Tripp to pursue her; her interfering, genius little brother Eli to come up with solutions to her problems; and nasty enemy Kristin to just go away. Indigo faces continual pressure when the whole world accuses her of cruelly breaking Adam's heart, and she feels like everyone wants a piece of her. Told in alternating viewpoints by protagonists Indigo and Adam, the tale of romance on the rocks unfolds realistically as teenage love clashes with overnight musical celebrity. Reviewer: Judith A. Hayn
VOYA
- Lisa A. Hazlett
Indigo was anticipating her senior year with friends and family, and turning her crush on gorgeous athlete, Tripp, into much more. Instead, her life catapults into mortification after Adam, whom she had casually dated and dumped after three months because of his unsettling neediness, reappears in a colossal way. Adam's "Indigo Blues," a stirring song of their relationship and his heartbreak over its cruel end, is recorded by his fledgling band and skyrockets to number one on the charts. Publicity launches the band, and while they are living large in New York City, Indigo is besieged by ever-present lyrics, clamoring reporters, and judgmental comments from those in her small town, with the Internet and national media portraying her as a gleeful heartbreaker. Moreover, although Indigo and Tripp begin dating, he quickly ends their promising relationship lest the hoopla damage his potential scholarships. Indigo had been refusing interviews, but must now publicly salvage her reputation. Chapters are alternately narrated by Indigo, with her wicked wit grabbing readers, and Adam, whose heartbreak will resonate with any teen who has had a failed relationship. Initially, the story hints of more ominous reasons for Indigo's split as Adam appears unstable and perhaps dangerous, but this vanishes. Relationship details are scant, with what actually transpired unknown; backstory would clarify their current actions and emotions. Overall this realistic story of private events made public is strongly appealing, emphasizing honesty and kindness toward others. Reviewer: Lisa A. Hazlett
Children's Literature
- Sue Poduska
When Adam Spade, member of boy band Blank Stare, writes a song about breaking up with Indigo Jackson, the song shoots to number one and destroys Indigo's privacy. With everyone pulling them in different directions, neither of them can immediately come to terms with the impact the song has on their lives. Indigo's brother and friend try to set the record straight. People at Indigo's school are willing to crucify her. Adam's manager wants the next hit song. Adam's next girlfriend is only interested in being famous. For readers interested in pop culture, there is a lot to enjoy. The characters are not very sympathetic. He's clueless and she's self-absorbed. But they do redeem themselves somewhat in the end. The book is written from both Adam's and Indigo's points of view, alternating chapters between the two. Many of the pop references seem gratuitous, with frequent references to brand names and famous people plus scattered use of profanity, sexual encounters, and drunken binges. Reviewer: Sue Poduska
School Library Journal
Gr 11 Up—Wouldn't every girl love to be the subject of a #1 song? After the release of Indigo Blues by her ex-boyfriend, Indigo Jackson answers that question with a resounding "No!" The chart-topping song wreaks havoc on her home and social life, and all the while Adam is missing her, wanting her back, and adjusting to stardom with his band, Blank Stare. Alternating chapters tell the two sides of the story. Indigo felt smothered and never even considered their three-month relationship all that serious. Adam, however, fell hard and decided to write about his heartbreak in a song. Throughout the book, readers see both characters learn about themselves and others as a result of their sudden notoriety. While the characters are not particularly well developed, teens will relate to them. Joseph even does a good job of portraying Indigo's family in a realistic light—they are supportive, kind, and normal—unlike the intrusive or absent parents that inhabit so many YA books. However, the story does include underage drinking that is neither questioned nor deemed problematic. Fans of John Green's Paper Towns (Dutton, 2008) will likely enjoy this quirky novel that shares similar elements of exploring why some relationships just don't have a happy ending.—Gina Bowling, South Gibson County High School, Medina, TN
