Title: Vivaldi in the Dark
Series: N/A
Author: Matthew Metzger
Genre: Coming of Age/Coming Out/Young Adult
Length: Novel (296 pages)
Publisher: Queerteen Press (December 8th, 2013)
Heat Level: Mild
Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥5Hearts
Blurb: Out-and-regretting-it comprehensive attendee Jayden Phillips turns his cast-iron plans for life upside-down by falling in love with private-school violinist Darren Peace, a sardonic boy with the craziest hair Jayden’s ever seen.
But all is not what it seems, and Jayden’s bullying problem becomes meaningless when he is confronted with what the music does to Darren. How do you stop a dangerous depression rooted in the same thing that makes someone what they are? Dark moods, blank apathy, and the undertow of self-loathing all simmer beneath Darren’s dry and beautiful veneer and Jayden feel powerless to stop them.
Then a mugging gone wrong takes the music forcibly away, and Jayden is finally given the chance to change Darren’s life — and, quite literally, his mind.
Product Link: http://www.queerteen-press.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=2&products_id=112
Reviewer: GiGi
Review: This is a great YA read, about coming of age, sexual discovery and coming out. There is also so much more, including the topics of bullying and depression.
Jayden and Darren come into their relationship with different obstacles. Jayden has a couple supportive friends and a family that does not necessarily know about him being gay. They are otherwise very supportive and loving. His school life is made hell by constant bullying and his confidence in the matter is very lacking. Darren has a couple of great friends who suspect he might be gay, seems outwardly confident, defends Jayden against his bullies, has oodles of talent but a family that is cold and distant with high expectations. Both these boys feel the pressure, but are powerfully drawn to each other and let a slowly burning relationship build without too much sexual pressure. Their bond keeps growing and Jayden is excited but Darren has to disclose his serious bouts of depression. Is it too much for a young boyfriend to handle?
This book deals with the very serious issues of bullying and depression which all by themselves can be debilitating, add to that the pressures of coming out and your first fumbling sexual relationships. These topics are handled so well, and the young love between the two main characters taken seriously and treated delicately. Depression, which is such a vague term in reality, is handled so very well in this story. The description of the depression, the results of the “bad days” are felt in such a way as to make them feel real, not just words on a page but a weight on my chest. I’m very impressed with this young adult story.
The sexual encounters are vague but honest, and the two different family reactions to their gay sons are a great illustration of the choices individuals have to accept, or lose their children’s trust. I loved this book. There are some harrowing times, but one is left hopeful and excited for both main characters as they face these hurdles and leap forward into the future.