Review: The One Thing by Marci Lyn Curtis

The One Thing by Marci Lyn Curtis

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Received: Hachette Book Group Canada
Publication Date: September 8th 2015
Publisher: Disney-Hyperion
Point of View: 1st Person & Feminine
Recommended Age: 12+
Pacing: Fast
Genres & Themes: Young Adult, Music, Contemporary, Family, Romance, Friendship, Disability, Magical Realism

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BLURB:

Maggie Sanders might be blind, but she won’t invite anyone to her pity party. Ever since losing her sight six months ago, Maggie’s rebellious streak has taken on a life of its own, culminating with an elaborate school prank. Maggie called it genius. The judge called it illegal.

Now Maggie has a probation officer. But she isn’t interested in rehabilitation, not when she’s still mourning the loss of her professional-soccer dreams, and furious at her so-called friends, who lost interest in her as soon as she could no longer lead the team to victory.

Then Maggie’s whole world is turned upside down. Somehow, incredibly, she can see again. But only one person: Ben, a precocious ten-year-old unlike anyone she’s ever met.Ben’s life isn’t easy, but he doesn’t see limits, only possibilities. After awhile, Maggie starts to realize that losing her sight doesn’t have to mean losing everything she dreamed of. Even if what she’s currently dreaming of is Mason Milton, the infuriatingly attractive lead singer of Maggie’s new favorite band, who just happens to be Ben’s brother.

I didn’t think this book would be so emotional.

It sure didn’t start like that. Maggie is full of snark, so she isn’t the type to wallow in her misery. She’s blind and it sucks, but what can she do about it?

Looks like she didn’t need to find answer to her question, because the answer found HER.

And he goes by the name of Ben.

Before you start rolling your eyes, know this: Ben is ten years old. He is NOT the love-interest. He is a friend. And the only person whom Maggie can see.

AND, he stole my heart. He is A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E. Poor kiddo, but good for him that his disability doesn’t keep him from doing what he loves.

So there’s a lot of happy and disbelieving at first, then comes the real drama. It takes some time for it to reach Maggie (was probably stuck in traffic), but when it does, it’ll be hard for you to will your eyes to stay dry.

There’s a case of love-hate relationship in this—Maggie’s love-interest thinks she isn’t really blind, that she’s faking it, which is absurd but logic all things considered and, ultimately, kind of fun.

This was one of the first books that I read with a blind heroine, and I must say I didn’t feel as if it lacked anything—descriptions, characterization or dept. Not at all.

BUT, I’m going to warn you, it’s not realistic. It feels real—so not contrived—but there’s definitely some magical realism involved.

It’s good though, so good. You can’t see me, but I’m giving the author a hand of applause.

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