Friend us on FaceBook | Tweet about this | Never miss a review

Fade to Blue by Sean Beaudoin

Fade to Blue by Sean Beaudoin is a strangely humorous thriller starring Sophie Blue, a clapped out popsicle truck and a crazy nurse

My Book Review Rating: 3 stars – an enjoyable read, but I’m not really sure I fully understood it!

Sean Beaudoin is the acclaimed author of Going Nowhere Faster which was nominated for the YALSA Best Book of the Year award. In Fade to Blue he introduces us to Sophie Blue – an artistic and sarcastic girl turned goth following the disappearance of her father one year ago on her birthday – and Kenny Fade – a basketball god with a hot cheerleader girlfriend. Sophie and Kenny don’t have much in common… except for the feeling that they are losing their minds!

Fade to Blue is a teenage comic-scifi-thriller novel, filled with humour and enough twists and turns to keep you guessing that by the end of it all you’re not really too sure what actually happened!

And just to avoid any confusion – despite what you might expect from the cover of this book, it is not a graphic novel – though it does have a comic book insert in the middle.

Amazon.com Price: $5.99 (as of 2010-07-30 12:33:24 GMT) Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon.com at the time of purchase will apply to the purchase of this product.

User Reviews Send this to a friend
	Manufacturer: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers Customer Rating:   List Price: $16.99 Sale Price: $5.99 Availibility: Usually ships in 24 hours Free Shipping Available Buy Now
Product Description
Sophie Blue started wearing a black skirt and Midnight Noir lipstick on her last birthday. It was also the day her father disappeared. Or spontaneously combusted. Which is sort of bad timing, since a Popsicle truck with tinted windows has started circling the house. Kenny Fade is a basketball god. His sneakers cost more than his Jeep. He's the guy all the ladies (and their mommas) want. Bad. Sophie Blue and Kenny Fade don't have a thing in common. Aside from being reasonably sure they're losing their minds. Acclaimed author Sean Beaudoin's wildly innovative novel combines uproarious humor with enough plot twists to fill a tube sock. Part thriller, part darkly comic philosophical discussion, and accompanied by a comic book interstitial, Fade to Blue is a whip-smart romp that keeps readers guessing until the last paragraph.
Product Details
ISBN13: 9780316014175 Condition: New Notes: BUY WITH CONFIDENCE, Over one million books sold! 98% Positive feedback. Compare our books, prices and service to the competition. 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed
Customer Reviews
Great concept, not as stellar execution   Review Date: July 3, 2010 Reviewer: The Book Muncher, On Sophie Blue's last birthday, her dad disappeared. Since that day, she's worn all black. Now, her birthday is approaching again, and Sophie thinks she might be losing her mind. She keeps having these weird dreams that she's going to get run over by an ice cream truck with tinted windows, and there's one just like it that keeps circling her house, which also keeps getting broken into. Then there's this whole thing about a lab and an evil Nurse. Of course, no one but Sophie seems to know about these things, but Sophie knows that they must be real. Her attempt to find out the truth will be a hilarious and strangely dangerous romp through a world she never knew existed. If the summary to Fade to Blue sounds confusing, it's with good reason; the story itself is very convoluted. The book starts with a bunch of separate narratives, but most importantly Sophie's and Kenny Fade's. This is interesting and easy enough to follow--until the reader finds out that one of these characters isn't quite real. Then Beaudoin proceeds to reveal a series of strange new developments in the story, each of which is more twisted than the last. The effect is startling; though most readers will be thoroughly baffled, they will still want to read on to see if they can figure out the rest of the story. I am sorry to say that I was unable to do this. Beaudoin's writing, particularly toward the end of this novel, reminds me of a TV show's season finale just before cancellation in the sense that writers try to cram the answer to almost every plotline; the result is that while the story undoubtedly comes to a close, too many details are neglected in the process. This is what happened with Fade to Blue, and though I was very impressed with the start of the story and Beaudoin's ideas for the Virtuality, I was disappointed that this wasn't done is a clearer manner. Fade to Blue may appeal to fans of The Year of Secret Assignments by Jaclyn Moriarty and The Secrets of the Immortal Nicholas Flamel series by Michael Scott. Very odd and very confusing   Review Date: April 24, 2010 Reviewer: Brittany Moore, New Hampshire One day Sophie Blue's father disappeared and no one knows what happened. Sophie has since noticed a Popsicle truck with tinted windows that seems to be everywhere. Kenny Fade is a popular basketball jock. He seems to have a normal life, up until he doesn't. The only thing linking Kenny and Sophie is that they are both starting to see and hear things that aren't really there. It says that this book keeps you guessing until the last paragraph. It does because half the time you have no idea who's who and what the heck is going on. Why then did I give it a three star rating. Well, I liked it. I probably won't recommend it to many people and probably won't read it again; but I loved it's originality. One thing I'm wondering is how the title is pronounced. In the book the character Kenny's last name is pronounced fah-day. I'm wondering if these are the same? Anyone... anyone? It was a very interesting novel, something to do with death/virtual reality/reality/things not always being what they seem/fighting "the man"(not so much this last one *shrugs*). I'd say if you had already planned on reading it go for it, but be forewarned things get a little tricky to navigate once you're inside. First Line: "The place was packed." Favorite Line: "'Yo, dude, watch it, she's got and Uzi!'" Bizarre & Confusing, but Hilarious   Review Date: November 10, 2009 Reviewer: Reader Views, Austin, Texas Reviewed by Maggie Desmond-O'Brien (age 14) for Reader Views (11/09) Sophie Blue and Kenny Fade seem to have nothing in common: she's the goth, he's the school's dreamboat basketball star. But now, one year after Sophie's father mysteriously disappeared on her seventeenth birthday, nothing seems to make sense. First, a freaky popsicle truck begins to circle Sophie's house and follow her to school. And then Kenny starts to feel like his life...isn't really his life. Now they must investigate a very shady bio-lab and some dubious school experiments, all before a psychotic nurse and the Popsicle Man find out what they're up to... I can honestly say that, perhaps for the first time ever, I was stumped by a novel. I loved it, I hated it; I was utterly confused by it. One part "The Matrix," one part "Donnie Darko" and the other just plain weird, it's a hilarious thrill-ride that shouldn't be missed by any teen fan of the offbeat and satirical. But it's also overcomplicated, too quick-moving and too witty for its own good. From the constant plot twists, raunchy, snarky humor and comic-book sci-fi pace, everything about this book could be construed as either good or bad or both, depending on what you like to read -- which, of course, makes it a reviewer's worst nightmare. I literally felt listless and depressed while I was reading it, knowing that, at some point, I was going to have to face the dreaded blank page and dredge up the words to describe this sardonic little gem. So now I've filled that page with four paragraphs of saying that I was confused. In "Fade to Blue" by Sean Beaudoin the writing was good, the story clever if a little unoriginal--so what was my problem? I don't really know. Something about it just didn't add up, and while a little mystery is the spice of life, this book had way too much. Part of me wants to read a sequel, if only for a little bit of closure, but the rest of me thinks that I'll only end up more nonplussed. Way better than another vampire story!   Review Date: October 30, 2009 Reviewer: Ian Brady, Brooklyn, NY Where were books like this when I was a teen? Smart, edgy and well thought out. It's science fiction, but not in the sense that most people think of these days. There are no spaceships, aliens or talking robots but instead Sean Beaudoin touches upon the themes of altered and separate realities in a way that's very reminiscent of the great Phillip K. Dick. A fun book !   Review Date: September 18, 2009 Reviewer: Henry E. Kyburg, A little complex, perhaps, but full of sharp, self deprecating humor. I could see this book becoming a cultural touchstone for generations of young adults. It's that original in it's rigor and empathy. He captures the post-cynical sophistication of today's blossoming intelligentsia. He is writing UP to the young adults of today. interesting book, although somewhat confusing at times   Review Date: September 17, 2009 Reviewer: Heather O'Roark, Round Lake, Il USA I don't know what to make of Fade to Blue. For the first half I was very interested in what was going to happen with Sophie and Kenny, yet VERY confused about what was going on in this book. I am pretty sure that the author meant it to be somewhat confusing and convoluted, like a puzzle that the reader has to unravel, but I had a difficult time unraveling that puzzle. I'm still not sure that I even "got" the book, having finished it. The second half of Fade to Blue was less confusing, but as there were elements I was still not comprehending, I still found myself feeling a little lost throughout the entire book, even up to and including the ending. Even though the book confused me, I did enjoy the characters - well, one character in particular, and that would be Sophie. You'd have to read the book to understand why I didn't "like" any of the other characters. I found Sophie interesting and sympathetic and I really rooted for her to solve all the huge questions she had about her life, about her father leaving, and about this Popsicle truck obsession. Fade to Blue was really different from the books I typically read, and even though I didn't really "get" the novel I think people who enjoy more out-there, different, and interesting types of fiction may enjoy this one. It's also marketed as YA, so perhaps it would be better for teens than it was for me. "Fade to Blue" Won't Fade Away   Review Date: September 15, 2009 Reviewer: Maria Behan, Sean Beaudoin's "Fade to Blue" stays in your mind long after the last page is turned. And those pages turn increasingly fast as the reader gets enthralled by the misadventures of Sophie Blue, the novel's adorable goth (not an oxymoron in this case) heroine. Like its main character, the book combines humor and menace. You may not understand all the plot twists, but you likely won't care, since you'll be caught up in the thrill ride the author provides with bizarre characters, irreverent wit, and clever (and sometimes audacious) pop culture references. Despite all the sizzle, "Fade to Blue" delivers real substance, too: Both the teenage protagonists and the adults who make up the supporting cast are rendered with insight and humanity. This book works on many levels and will appeal to audiences from savvy teens to adults who haven't outgrown their ability to laugh and wonder at the world--both the one they live in, and the one they can imagine. I Didn't Know What To Make of It   Review Date: September 10, 2009 Reviewer: Melissa B. Owens, Canton, GA Honestly, I'm not sure what to make of this book. Fade to Blue is an off-beat, confusing read, and I'm pretty sure it's meant to be. Parts of the story find Sophie and Kenny questioning their sanity, and as I read this, I found myself wondering if I was going crazy, as well. The book is that difficult to follow, but at the same time I found myself wanting to find out just what in the world was going on! For the sake of being up front, this is the strangest book I've read all year. (And possibly the most frustrating.) The plot feels like it is all over the place, yet it is obviously intricately written. It is as if the story is going forwards and then backwards again. The characters are all pretty quirky, and various names and brands sound suspiciously like names and brands we are familiar with, yet often they convey something else. I should probably note that Fade to Blue is not a graphic novel, though the cover art suggests it may be. However, the story does revolve around comic books--well, one in particular... I can't say that this is a book for everyone, but I think that readers who like books that are out there and off-beat will enjoy this one. While not one of my favorite reads, I can appreciate what Beaudoin was working to achieve with Fade to Blue. Fun and engaging   Review Date: August 19, 2009 Reviewer: Roy Howell, Madison, WI I wasn't sure if Beaudoin could top Going Nowhere Faster, but he absolutely does with Fade To Blue. I was hooked from the first page, and it never let up. It's filled with flips and twists, and Sophie Blue is a character I wish I could hang out with. Mostly though, it's funny (ice cream anyone?) and I really can't wait for whatever Beaudoin does next. Check this book out, it's totally worth it. Totally Engaging   Review Date: August 1, 2009 Reviewer: M. L. Mattox, Bellevue, WA USA WOW...A rare talent demonstrated by Beaudoin has the reader hooked wondering whether what is happening is reality, in the characters' minds, both, or neither. And while the characters are all extreme in one way or another, they are all so totally human underneath thier goth/god/crip exteriors. I loved it totally, but understood it not at all. That's part of what makes it so tight. Sean's.Just.Funny   Review Date: July 31, 2009 Reviewer: Bridget B. Schwartz, Beaudoin's funny! He's also smart, quick, and interesting. I love books with different plot lines and characters that are wrapped in wit and sarcasm. Definately recomment Fade to Blue, and if you haven't yet read it, Going Nowhere Faster as well. Awesome Gift   Review Date: July 26, 2009 Reviewer: a to the g, Santa Monica, CA USA I'd bought this author's first book as a gift for my nephew. It was a huge hit. So I figured this would be a good bet as well. I was correct! I had a week before the birthday gift was due- I know this isn't right, but I read it myself before giving it away. I definitely don't classify as a young adult, but I thoroughly enjoyed this read. There are bizarre twists and turns in this one - enough of them to keep you interested and a little confused - and once you think you know where it's going, you realize you were wrong, and it starts all over again! The writer has a great and twisted sense of humor that I loved. Most importantly, the nephew loved it- and I scored massive points for being the "cool uncle". Now I just hope this author writes another one before the next b-day! Great read. Great gift. Highly recommended. Dig In   Review Date: July 25, 2009 Reviewer: left city reader, san francisco, ca United States Totally agree with the other reviewers about the great original wit and just plain old fun and sheer readability of this book. What was really satisfying amid all the page-turning and plot, though, was that there was real heart in this book, as well- the kind that comes from clever and sensitive observations about the relationships between friends, brothers and sisters, fathers and daughters. Okay, sure. It's the bending of reality and the sumo wrestlers and demonic ice cream trucks that you'll remember. And rightly so. But all of those things work so well because the plot and humor ultimately spring from characters that are real and true and who you are invested in from page one. Can't recommend this one enough. Even Better the Second Time   Review Date: July 25, 2009 Reviewer: Sloaty, San Francisco As much as I enjoyed Going Nowhere Faster, Fade to Blue is even better. Like his first book, Beaudoin writes with insight and hilarity, but Fade to Blue takes even more risks and pushes even further. A very impressive second book and highly recommended. Non-stop mystery, excitement, fun......   Review Date: July 24, 2009 Reviewer: nurse chris, CT What a treat. Strap yourself in. From the first page you are on a rollercoaster ride. Beaudoin skillfully blends fascinating characters, unexpected plot twists, raucous humor, and suspense. The inclusion of the books' own comic will make it a hit with kids of all ages. For those who loved Going Nowhere Faster and anxiously awaited Beaudoins' next offering, you will be delighted.
Buy Now

Other books you may be interested in...

Book Review | Coraline by Neil Gaiman (Graphic Novel)

Coraline is about… A young girl who goes exploring in her apartment and opens a door to another world where her ‘other mother’ tries to kidnap her and her parents.

I’ve heard fantastic things about this book over recent months and thought it would be a good opportunity for me to experience my first graphic novel – but I think it will unfortunately be my last. I just didn’t get it.