ARC REVIEW – FLIGHT OF A STARLING by Lisa Heathfield

My Review

Warning – You will need a box of tissues. This is the only book that had me totally sobbing.
 I first fell in love with Lisa’s books with Paper Butterflies, and I believe that I’ve found myself a new favourite author of 2017.

Told in the dual perspective, sisters and kindred spirits, Rita and Lo have been part of the circus all their lives, they were born into it and they will live out their days flying through the air. When Lo and Spider find out ‘something’, this secret could ruin everything they have and she feels obligated to protect Rita and to protect the family she has always known in the circus. Lo feels that what if there was more beyond the big top, to take her away from it all?  She finds herself attracted to the outside world and more specifically to a ‘flattie’ – a non circus being, called Dean.

This is my first book based in a Circus, an impenetrable family of talented gymnasts and artists, travelling the world by storm to share their way of life. That’s what Lisa did and that’s what Lo did to Dean. Rita and Lo have the most precious and unbreakable sisterly bond I’ve ever read. Lo is a little more daring as you can tell and she gets more so when she meets Dean. Experiencing life beyond the circus sets her flying in a different direction, one so new and fresh, it’s almost too much for Lo to bear. Her way of life, is inspiring, everything she see’s is so different than how Dean would see it or live it. Lo is almost innocent and that’s refreshing to see how something so simple or small could mean so much, like leaving your footprint at the end of their time, so they will always be remembered. It reminds me of my own relationship with my best friend. Plus they both like hot blackcurrant, ha! I love when an author resonates with its readers, that’s a sign of a truly brilliant story.I think it doesn’t matter whether you’re a flattie of circus star, the world continues to revolve around us and it’s just how we see it.

I don’t know what is is about Lisa’s writing but she has this way of creating the most touching of characters that you can’t help the way it captures your heart and never lets go till well after reading the book. Rita and Lo have found a special place in my heart with this book, it’s just utter perfection.

I don’t know really want to say – there is only emotions and feels for this book and I have them all. Flight of a Starling is Lisa’s third novel, and it’s as beautiful as it is raw than each of her previous novels. Lisa Heathfield has put her footprint on YA, Flight of a Starling is emotional enthralling, beautiful and uplifting. But don’t be afraid to take over your emotions because it will.

Rating – 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

Note: this books contains themes that readers may find distressing, elements of suicide.
Thank you to Electric Monkey for sending me a copy in exchange for an honest review.