REVIEW: Kindred Spirits by Rainbow Rowell
When Elena decided to camp out for the next Star Wars movie, she was expecting a celebration, a communion — a line full of people who love Star Wars so much, they have to share it.
She wasn’t expecting this: a freezing sidewalk, nowhere to pee, and three nights stuck with a boy who decided not to like her before they even met.
It’s enough to make a girl leave the line…
But Elena came here for Star Wars, and it will take more than bad weather and a dumb boy to squash her spirits.
Dear Ms. Rowell,
This turned out to be a cute and charming story. A little pricey, and that did make me put it in my wish list for a little while, but I’m glad I splurged.
Elena, Gabe and Troy are true members of the tribe – ready and willing to camp out for days not just to see the movie first (after all, you can buy your tickets online now) but for the #LineExperience. To bond over a shared love for the Star Wars universe. Elena’s mom might worry and think her daughter is mad but Elena will not be stopped.
As a #LineVirgin, she has some etiquette to learn: what constitutes losing your place, the order in which they go to the theater’s bathrooms, looking out for each other’s stuff and bringing back coffee if you go to the Starbucks down the street. Code of the Line. Elena has to deal with something her two male line members don’t – a smaller bladder. Ugh, taking care of that is true dedication.
But where’s the #LineParty, the jokes, and bonding that Elena expected? Listening to Troy’s many stories of his previous lines makes Elena wish this line was a little livelier. True she’s “sacrificing for the experience” but she’s more cold, tired and longing for a bathroom than meeting line soulmates.
Until she and Gabe finally start talking and discussing more than favorite characters and worst Star Wars movie and Star Wars trivia. He’s not the stuck up guy she thought and she can even confess her shameful Star Wars secret. Gabe is hiding a secret too though, one which could change the way Elena is starting to think of him.
“Kindred Spirits” is charming and although short, it packs a lot into the story. Awkward YA social encounters, nerd-dom, peer pressure and how to pee while waiting four days in line outside a movie theater. Hint – hum the Imperial March very loudly. It leaves me with a happy smile as this group of true believers does bond, gets in the theater first and we have the start of a friendship that will last past opening night. B
~Jayne
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