It's hard finding beauty in the badlands of Washokey, Wyoming, but 14-year-old Grace Carpenter knows it's not her mother's pageant obsessions, or the cowboy dances adored by her small-town classmates. True beauty is wild-girl Mandarin Ramey: 17, shameless and utterly carefree. Grace would give anything to be like Mandarin.
When they're united for a project, they form an unlikely, explosive friendship, packed with nights spent skinny-dipping in the canal, liberating the town's animal-head trophies, and searching for someplace magic. Grace plays along when Mandarin suggests they run away together. Blame it on the crazy-making wildwinds plaguing their badlands town.
Because all too soon, Grace discovers Mandarin's unique beauty hides a girl who's troubled, broken, and even dangerous. And no matter how hard Grace fights to keep the magic, no friendship can withstand betrayal.
This is a 2011 debut novel, so be sure to add it to your list (which I need to start on soon)! Check out the growing list here.
This sounds like a unique book that focuses on friendship, instead of romance. (Even though Grace seems a little infatuated). But it also sounds like it may have some darkness thrown in there as well.
Can't wait to pick this one up. Depending on the reviews, I may get this from the library instead of buying. (If I don't win it in a contest.)
