Monday, May 7, 2012

Review: In Honor by Jessi Kirby

In Honor by Jessi Kirby
Reviewed by Maggie: May 7, 2012
Published: May 8, 2012
Publisher: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
Goodreads • Buy at AmazonKindleBook Depository



My unofficial title for In Honor is 33 Shades of Blue. This isn't mommy porn; this is straight up Maggie porn.

There are a lot of reasons to read In Honor -- likable main character, road trip to California, scuba diving (who knew it could be so hot?), and some really beautiful images of nature. But really, there's ONE main reason:
Tim Riggins.

Before I digress, and I will digress, let's talk plot. In Honor begins with our main character, Honor, at the funeral of her beloved older brother, Finn. 18-year-old Finn, the high school football star who rejected his college football scholarship to enlist in the Marines, died while serving in Iraq. A few days after he dies, Honor gets a delayed letter from him written months before his death. This isn't a meaningful, symbolic letter written while in the trenches because a) there aren't any trenches in Iraq, and b) this isn't a paranormal romance where the characters know when they're going to die. Rather this letter is more along the lines of a you-always-complain-about-me-never-writing-you-any-letters-so-here's-a-letter letter.

However, as a surprise, Finn included two tickets to see Kyra Kelley, Honor's all time favorite singer, in California. Finn closes the letter by telling Honor to put her feet in the ocean and tell Kyra Kelley about "her handsome older brother." Honor knows this isn't some final dying wish of his, but as a way to hold on to him, she chooses to interpret his letter literally. All you readers who complain about how underdeveloped parents are in YA, this isn't a problem here. The parents are killed off way before the book starts. (Is it wrong to put a smiley face here? Yeah, probably. Okay, moving on...) For Honor, losing Finn isn't just losing a brother, it's losing her only family. This makes her impetuous decision to drive alone from Texas to California, without telling anyone, to see a concert believable. Sure, she's grasping at straws but you can understand her motivation. However, she doesn't end up making the trip alone. Enter Rusty.
Rusty was Finn's best friend. They did everything together from the time they were 5 years old, including rebuilding a classic Chevy Impala. However, when Finn decided to enlist instead of going to college together, their friendship cracked. This is why Honor is surprised when she spots Rusty at the funeral. What doesn't surprise her is that there's a beer bottle wrapped in a paper bag at his side. He spots her the next day as she's preparing to leave for California in the Pala, and he invites himself along. This is where the story really begins.

Now let's get back to #33. This is why I love YA. Jessi Kirby unabashedly loves Friday Night Lights and Tim Riggins and unapologetically writes him into her story.
Picture of Jessi Kirby posted by Heidi Kling on Twitter.
Look at the shirt! How can you not love her?
However, such is her talent that it doesn't read like fan fiction -- or my diary. Tim is the base, and the face and the voice (at least in my head), but the character is Rusty. There are times when Rusty says or does something and it's just that much hotter picturing Tim Riggins saying and doing it. Including talking about foot sweat. It cracked me up when Honor, after having shared a beautiful moment with someone else, is walking through the woods pondering the sweetness of lif--OH HAI, SHIRTLESS RUSTY. Can you blame her? Not even when Rusty says things like,
"There's a lot they like about me, H, but it doesn't have much to do with football. Or conversation."
I put a "33!" in my notes here. Speaking of my notes, I needed to buy a bigger pack of Post-it flags. And the "HO HU" is actually "UH OH" and it refers to tequila. Most of those notes refer to Riggins-worthy moments, but my favorite notes involve Finn. I loved Finn, or rather the memory of him. If you've read Sarah Ockler's Twenty Boy Summer, the sibling relationship in In Honor rivals that. I sobbed through Twenty Boy Summer, but In Honor has a much lighter tone with notable poignant moments. There are two endings in this book. The first one, I loved. I thought it was true to the characters and as it should be. The second ending... I didn't need. Don't get me wrong, it was SUPER cute, but I didn't think it was necessary. There are some predictable scenes but overall, I really enjoyed where this book took me. And for Honor and for me, it's about the journey, not the destination. 

Rating: Riggins would tell you to read this book. 4/5 stars.

17 comments:

  1. I feel like I have been reading reviews of this book for months now but yours has really made me want to read it, Mags, even though I've only watch a few eps of FNL and I'm not sold on Riggins, yet ;)

    Also, I love that use colourful post it notes in your books!

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    1. Hopping in here to say not to worry the best thing about Riggins is his character's growth and just you wait. I hope you keep watching Mandee! --Noelle

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    2. Me too! How many episodes have you watched so far? FNL pressure! Haha. -M

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  2. Your summary of this sort of reminds me of the plot of Saving June (which tbh, I didn't really enjoy) but it sounds a lot less angsty. I laughed so hard at your mini-celebration of the parents' long ago death. Nice, Maggie. Nice. :P I thoroughly enjoyed your review as always.

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    1. Thanks, Catie! BTW, did you ever go to Sedona when you lived in AZ? This book made me want to plan a roadtrip ASAP.

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  3. "All you readers who complain about how underdeveloped parents are in YA, this isn't a problem here. The parents are killed off way before the book starts."

    LOL! Great review, totally want to read this now. I haven't seen any Friday Night Lights but I've been told I need to watch it.

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    1. Yes, Belle! I wonder if all the football talk will be off-putting to non-Americans. It's definitely not just a football show, though.

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  4. I haven't seen FNL either but you've succeeded in making me want to read this book AND watch FNL. You saucy minx, you.

    Also, look at you with your post-it flags. So organized! I bet they're color coded, too. Romantic=red, Funny=green, Quote to remember=yellow!

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    1. Ha! I wish. I just had to use a Post-It to write down who was what color for Skins.

      Flannery, Kinect. Netflix. FNL. ASAP.

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  5. Fab review Maggie! This is another of my highly anticipated reads of the year (aren't I lucky with you reading them and actually enjoying them?, I probably would have cried if you didn't. I didn't really like Twenty Boy Summer so it's good to know I won't be sobbing as much! :)

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    1. I think what Twenty Boy Summer was missing was one Tim Riggins. Haha. I hope you like this one, Jasprit!

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  6. Every time you talk about FNL it makes me sad because I've never seen it and I feel that's the ONLY thing that is stopping us being the same person.


    This book looks awesome. Great review dearest.

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    1. And now I know what to send you -- even though there is no ACTUAL PENIS. :P

      Having now watched my 3rd episode of Skins (Jal!), I think you'd REALLY like FNL.

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  7. I really want to read this, Maggie! Even though I have no idea who Tim Riggins is. Maybe I should watch Friday Night Lights? But I'm behind on TV shows as it is. I asked in local bookstores and they're not going to order copies of In Honor. Boo! Will check it out in the Book Depository.

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    1. That sucks! But FNL is a great consolation prize. :) How do your local bookstores decide which books to order?

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  8. Okay so...Tim Riggins is awesome, therefore this book must be awesome because it is made of Tim Riggins. Plus, to imagine going on a road trip alone with Tim Riggins, hanging out with him and such? AWESOME.

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    1. Lauren, I like your transitive property thinking! :) And my thoughts exactly!

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