The Sea of Tranquility: A Novel
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Editorial Reviews
From Booklist
Aspiring concert pianist Nastya’s left hand has been so badly damaged, she will never play the piano again. What caused the injury has left the 17-year-old traumatized; in fact, she has chosen to become mute and hasn’t spoken a word in more than a year. Meanwhile, Josh, also 17, has lost his entire family to death, leaving him bereft and very much alone in the world. The two troubled teens meet and begin a cautious friendship that will blossom into something deeper. But will it be enough to save the two from themselves? Author Millay writes her first novel from the respective points of view of the preternaturally introspective teens, whose relentless self-loathing—especially Nastya’s—will test some readers’ patience, as will the book’s length and often deliberate pace. That said, fans of character-driven fiction will find much to admire in this deeply felt novel that is an excellent example of crossover fiction, which has equal appeal to older teens and the twentysomethings who are now being called New Adults. --Michael Cart
Review
"Fans of character-driven fiction will find much to admire in this deeply felt novel that is an excellent example of crossover fiction." (Booklist)
“A heart-stopping, emotional journey from the first word to the last. Hands down my favorite book of the year...and quite possibly all of infinity.” (Colleen Hoover New York Times bestselling author of Slammed and Point of Retreat)
"Alternating first-person narratives allow Millay to delve into the minds of both of her main characters, and she keeps readers on the edge of their seats...Populated with perfectly realized teen characters–not a stereotype in sight–this is the ideal crossover novel." (School Library Journal (starred review))
"A stunning debut. The Sea of Tranquility stole my heart, broke it, robbed me of breath, and made me ache. Read it and fall in love with Katja Millay's raw, lyrical writing." (Ann Aguirre USA Today bestselling author of Enclave & Outpost)
“Equally heartbreaking and uplifting—a riveting, unforgettable read. Absolutely brilliant.” (Maryse’s Book Blog)
“Everyone should read this book at some point in their lives. It was GORGEOUS and unforgettable. A must-read!!” (Aesta's Book Blog)
“I am finding it difficult to express with mere words just how much I adore this book. It touched me in a way that only a few books before it have. It left my heart aching, filled with sadness and despair, love and hope. So much hope.” (The Indie Bookshelf)
“The Sea of Tranquility reminded me that books aren't just entertaining; they're more than that. This was more than that. It caused me to feel, invaded my thoughts, my heart...it became a part of me.” (Tough Critic Book Reviews)
“One of the most AMAZINGLY written books I have read to date! Simply BEAUTIFUL! I was so connected to the story and it’s characters, I completely tuned out everyone and everything around me while reading. I felt like I was there and I never wanted to leave.” (Lisa's Book Review)
“The best advice that I can give readers who are considering reading The Sea of Tranquility is BUY IT NOW! The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay is one of the best books of 2012. It definitely earned its spot on my MUST READS list.” (Reading, Eating and Dreaming)
"This is the kind of story that stays with you because you can’t stop thinking about it." (Cristina's Book Reviews)
“A heart-stopping, emotional journey from the first word to the last. Hands down my favorite book of the year...and quite possibly all of infinity.” (Colleen Hoover New York Times bestselling author of Slammed and Point of Retreat)
"Alternating first-person narratives allow Millay to delve into the minds of both of her main characters, and she keeps readers on the edge of their seats...Populated with perfectly realized teen characters–not a stereotype in sight–this is the ideal crossover novel." (School Library Journal (starred review))
"A stunning debut. The Sea of Tranquility stole my heart, broke it, robbed me of breath, and made me ache. Read it and fall in love with Katja Millay's raw, lyrical writing." (Ann Aguirre USA Today bestselling author of Enclave & Outpost)
“Equally heartbreaking and uplifting—a riveting, unforgettable read. Absolutely brilliant.” (Maryse’s Book Blog)
“Everyone should read this book at some point in their lives. It was GORGEOUS and unforgettable. A must-read!!” (Aesta's Book Blog)
“I am finding it difficult to express with mere words just how much I adore this book. It touched me in a way that only a few books before it have. It left my heart aching, filled with sadness and despair, love and hope. So much hope.” (The Indie Bookshelf)
“The Sea of Tranquility reminded me that books aren't just entertaining; they're more than that. This was more than that. It caused me to feel, invaded my thoughts, my heart...it became a part of me.” (Tough Critic Book Reviews)
“One of the most AMAZINGLY written books I have read to date! Simply BEAUTIFUL! I was so connected to the story and it’s characters, I completely tuned out everyone and everything around me while reading. I felt like I was there and I never wanted to leave.” (Lisa's Book Review)
“The best advice that I can give readers who are considering reading The Sea of Tranquility is BUY IT NOW! The Sea of Tranquility by Katja Millay is one of the best books of 2012. It definitely earned its spot on my MUST READS list.” (Reading, Eating and Dreaming)
"This is the kind of story that stays with you because you can’t stop thinking about it." (Cristina's Book Reviews)
More About the Author
Katja Millay graduated with a degree in film and television production from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts and has worked as a television producer and film studies & screenwriting teacher. Her debut novel The Sea of Tranquility was a recipient of the American Library Association's Alex Award and was named one of the Best Books of 2013 by the School Library Journal. She currently resides in Florida with her family.
Customer Reviews
Most Helpful Customer Reviews
169 of 170 people found the following review helpful
By
J.C. Lillis
on September 24, 2012
Format: Kindle Edition
7 Comments
Sending feedback...
Here are my (spoiler-free) Top 5 Reasons why you should read The Sea of Tranquility:
1. No insta-love. If you're tired of YA protagonists locking eyes across a crowded hallway one minute and plotting their forbidden elopement the next, this is the book for you. The central relationship is built slowly and thoughtfully, with realistic setbacks and obstacles. You can feel them falling in love, which doesn't always happen in YA romance.
2. Creative, memorable romantic gestures. As the boombox was to Say Anything, so a bucket of pennies is to The Sea of Tranquility. Read it and you'll see what I mean. There are at least three or four really cinematic courtship scenes in here that will make you melt (and wish you knew someone like Josh Bennett).
3. Great supporting characters. Sometimes secondary characters are there for comic relief or steadfast support - which can work fine, depending on the book. Here, I appreciated the extra care and attention given to characters like Clay and (especially) Drew. I like an author who thinks beyond the two main characters and takes time to build a believable network of friends and family around them. (She could easily write a sequel about Drew, a realistically flawed and endearing character readers will love.)
4. Compelling, respectful treatment of trauma and its aftereffects. The characters' pasts are much, much more than dramatic devices. Nastya's ongoing struggle with the trauma that changed her life is complex and well-drawn, and your heart will be in your throat when the details of that day are slowly revealed. She's got quite a wall around her at first, but take Josh's cue and stick with her; she opens up as the story unfolds, and you'll be rooting for her all the way to the end.
5.Read more ›
1. No insta-love. If you're tired of YA protagonists locking eyes across a crowded hallway one minute and plotting their forbidden elopement the next, this is the book for you. The central relationship is built slowly and thoughtfully, with realistic setbacks and obstacles. You can feel them falling in love, which doesn't always happen in YA romance.
2. Creative, memorable romantic gestures. As the boombox was to Say Anything, so a bucket of pennies is to The Sea of Tranquility. Read it and you'll see what I mean. There are at least three or four really cinematic courtship scenes in here that will make you melt (and wish you knew someone like Josh Bennett).
3. Great supporting characters. Sometimes secondary characters are there for comic relief or steadfast support - which can work fine, depending on the book. Here, I appreciated the extra care and attention given to characters like Clay and (especially) Drew. I like an author who thinks beyond the two main characters and takes time to build a believable network of friends and family around them. (She could easily write a sequel about Drew, a realistically flawed and endearing character readers will love.)
4. Compelling, respectful treatment of trauma and its aftereffects. The characters' pasts are much, much more than dramatic devices. Nastya's ongoing struggle with the trauma that changed her life is complex and well-drawn, and your heart will be in your throat when the details of that day are slowly revealed. She's got quite a wall around her at first, but take Josh's cue and stick with her; she opens up as the story unfolds, and you'll be rooting for her all the way to the end.
5.Read more ›
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56 of 58 people found the following review helpful
By
Fred LeBaron
on September 8, 2012
Format: Kindle Edition
Verified Purchase
6 Comments
Sending feedback...
I loved this beautiful and emotional contemporary romantic drama. I felt caught up in, and utterly swept away by its power, like a small boat being slowly but inexorably driven by the wind into a storm, an emotional storm that left me washed up and wrung out, but somehow richer as a person for having experienced it. It's beautifully and poetically crafted - every element, every character, all combine and contribute to the artful and emotionally intense world author Millay creates.
So what's up with that "Sea of Tranquility," referenced in the title? "It sounded like this beautiful, peaceful place," MC Nastya (it's a Russian name, "NAH-stee-ya") reflects. "Like where you'd want to go when you die. Quiet and water everywhere. A place that would swallow you up and accept you no matter what." But like so many things in this book, the Sea of Tranquility isn't what it seems. It's only an illusion, concealing the truth that "[i]t's not a sea at all. It's just a big dark shadow on the moon. The whole name is a lie." Sadly, Nastya is as bitter, sullen and sometimes snarky as her analysis of the lunar landscape might suggest. Her caked on makeup, her four-and-a-half-inches-of-insanity stilettos, her so smexy its barely there black attire? Maybe all that is an illusion too, concealing that Nastya's got more issues than the National Geographic, as she so succintly summarizes it. When we meet her, it's just three days before she's to start her senior year at a new school, and her Aunt Margot, with whom she's now living, is explaining Nastya's "unique circumstances" to the principal.Read more ›
So what's up with that "Sea of Tranquility," referenced in the title? "It sounded like this beautiful, peaceful place," MC Nastya (it's a Russian name, "NAH-stee-ya") reflects. "Like where you'd want to go when you die. Quiet and water everywhere. A place that would swallow you up and accept you no matter what." But like so many things in this book, the Sea of Tranquility isn't what it seems. It's only an illusion, concealing the truth that "[i]t's not a sea at all. It's just a big dark shadow on the moon. The whole name is a lie." Sadly, Nastya is as bitter, sullen and sometimes snarky as her analysis of the lunar landscape might suggest. Her caked on makeup, her four-and-a-half-inches-of-insanity stilettos, her so smexy its barely there black attire? Maybe all that is an illusion too, concealing that Nastya's got more issues than the National Geographic, as she so succintly summarizes it. When we meet her, it's just three days before she's to start her senior year at a new school, and her Aunt Margot, with whom she's now living, is explaining Nastya's "unique circumstances" to the principal.Read more ›
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37 of 39 people found the following review helpful
By
Amazon Customer
on September 19, 2012
Format: Kindle Edition
Verified Purchase
2 Comments
Sending feedback...
I have been holding off on writing this review for a few days. One because I don't usually write reviews, but am so in love with this book that I HAD to write one. The other reason is because I know I will not be able to put into words how wonderful this book is. I feel totally unqualified to tell others the beauty of this story, yet I want everyone to know that they would truly be missing out if they passed this book up.
If you enjoy books that are character driven, deal with issues and emotions that are real, but give you hope that even the darkest times can be flooded with light, then you will love The Sea of Tranquility. I love to read, and sometimes I read books that are meaningful and other times they are a bit lighter. Most times I'm hard pressed to find a book where I'm not frustrated or annoyed with at least one of the main characters. In TSOT, I fell for each of the main characters. They were fleshed out so well, I felt like I either knew them or could really relate to them. My heart broke for Sunshine and Josh, yet also soared as they found hope in each other. In TSOT, you will experience, hurt, pain, anger, hate, fear, love, hope,(among lots of others) and most importantly redemption. I will read anything Katja Millay ever writes, because she has already written a book that will stay with me forever. I'm eternally devoted!
Do not go another day without reading this book. Shove everything in your "to be read" pile down one, and move this to the top. You will not regret it!!
If you enjoy books that are character driven, deal with issues and emotions that are real, but give you hope that even the darkest times can be flooded with light, then you will love The Sea of Tranquility. I love to read, and sometimes I read books that are meaningful and other times they are a bit lighter. Most times I'm hard pressed to find a book where I'm not frustrated or annoyed with at least one of the main characters. In TSOT, I fell for each of the main characters. They were fleshed out so well, I felt like I either knew them or could really relate to them. My heart broke for Sunshine and Josh, yet also soared as they found hope in each other. In TSOT, you will experience, hurt, pain, anger, hate, fear, love, hope,(among lots of others) and most importantly redemption. I will read anything Katja Millay ever writes, because she has already written a book that will stay with me forever. I'm eternally devoted!
Do not go another day without reading this book. Shove everything in your "to be read" pile down one, and move this to the top. You will not regret it!!
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