The One Thing by Marci Lyn Curtis
Published by Disney-Hyperion on September 8th 2015Advanced copy from Author
336 pages
Purchase on Amazon・Fully Booked
Synopsis
Maggie Sanders might be blind, but she won't invite anyone to her pity party. Ever since losing her sight six months ago, Maggie's rebellious streak has taken on a life of its own, culminating with an elaborate school prank. Maggie called it genius. The judge called it illegal.
Now Maggie has a probation officer. But she isn't interested in rehabilitation, not when she's still mourning the loss of her professional-soccer dreams, and furious at her so-called friends, who lost interest in her as soon as she could no longer lead the team to victory.
Then Maggie's whole world is turned upside down. Somehow, incredibly, she can see again. But only one person: Ben, a precocious ten-year-old unlike anyone she's ever met. Ben's life isn't easy, but he doesn't see limits, only possibilities. After awhile, Maggie starts to realize that losing her sight doesn't have to mean losing everything she dreamed of. Even if what she's currently dreaming of is Mason Milton, the magnetic lead singer of Maggie's new favorite band, who just happens to be Ben's brother.
But when she learns the real reason she can see Ben, Maggie must find the courage to face a once-unimaginable future...before she loses everything she has grown to love.
When a book has you staying up late and crying at 2 in the morning, you know it’s undeniably good. The One Thing, however, is not only undeniably good but brilliant. Upon finishing in one sitting, The One Thing turned instantly into one of the best YA contemporary books I’ve read this year.
I was lucky to receive an early draft from the author and while I was more than excited to read, I didn’t particularly know what to expect. I didn’t expect to be so hooked from the very first chapter that I couldn’t put down the book for the life of me until I turned to the last page. I didn’t expect to laugh so hard at the main character’s sarcasm and fun banter. I didn’t expect to fall completely in love not only with the love interest, but with his completely adorable kid brother too. Most of all, I didn’t expect the strong emotional punches that Marci Lyn Curtis packed with her story.
What I did expect was to read about a girl who was struggling to come to terms with becoming blind. Maggie used to be a soccer star before she lost her sight. Her professional soccer dreams suddenly upturned, alongside with basically her whole life, she’s taken aback when she meets ten year old Ben Milton, and she suddenly can see. Ben’s spina bifida doesn’t stop him from being adorably quick-witted and mature for his age and as Maggie becomes fast friends with the young boy, she learns that while she may have lost her sight, she hasn’t lost her heart.
Nothing beats having a heroine you want to root for. Maggie is probably one of my favourite narrators ever. I only wish I had her sass. I loved her voice and narrative SO much. Not only was she utterly hilarious, she was also so honest and authentic. I just couldn’t help but love her strong personality. Moreover, I loved her growth in the book, especially as she grappled with her strained relationships with her mom and best friend and embracing her life as it is now.
As for Ben, no words can describe my love for this kid. I once wrote a list of List Of Awesome Quirky Contemporary Kids and while it needs to be updated, Ben totally tops the list, with his infinite charm and funny wisecracks. I’ve never read a more vibrantly happy character as him. Still, like Maggie, he was very realistically portrayed. All of the characters were, actually. Ben’s brother, Mason, who is Maggie’s love interest was also awesome and I loveeeee the slow-burn romance between them.
Finally, the writing in this book is also something to behold. The fabulous musical aspect incorporated in the story made Marci’s prose even more lyrical and resounding. Not only do her words give you all the feels, they also inspire you to think and ponder the things (the people most especially) that we value and love and the circumstances that reveal us.
Now can we change The One Thing’s title to The Best Thing yet? I’m mostly kidding- I really wouldn’t change a thing about this amazing book. I swear, it is an excellent read. If you’re looking for your next favourite book, Marci Lyn Curtis’ witty, passionate, heart-soaring debut novel is it.
39 Responses
Ohhh my god! Your review is absolutely stunning! I’m glad to read that you loved it as much as I did! SUCH A GOOD BOOK, RIGHT?!? I can only agree with everything you said … it instantly became one of my favorite books of this year. <3
Thank you also for stopping by my blog! Your blog is so, so lovely – I'm following you now! :D
Yvonne @ A World Between Folded Pages
Thank you! That’s so sweet of you to say! Adore your blog, as well! <3 So glad THE ONE THING brought me to your site!
The “Thing” that makes me the happiest, next to books of course, is blogging. I haven’t blogged for almost a month because of my thesis. And because of that, I felt like I can’t share a lot of myself, especially since I share experiences and whatnot. I love my Misfit self and it means a lot to me that blogging has become a huge part of me. And it makes me super happy. Not getting to do it, I think I fell into depression for quite some time, but I just stay positive that I can get back as soon to it as possible.
*nods* I totally get it. Blogging is so my thing too. I’m happy to hear you’re staying positive!
Is it cheating if I say that my “thing” is your blog? ‘Cause it’s really #goals. LOL. Anyway, that “Thing” that makes me really happy isn’t technically a thing but a person. I’m such a hardcore Swiftie, so I’m gonna say that Taylor Swift is my thing :)
Loved this review, btw. Now on my GR shelf!
UHM I LOVE YOUR ANSWER! Thank you so much for your kind words about my blog! <3 Yay for Swifties! I adore Taylor myself. :D
This book sounds utterly wonderful, and what a good question! My ‘thing’ would have to be cooking. It makes me so happy, to be doing what I love, using my creativity and making people around me happy. Whenever I’ve had a long day in the kitchen, after all the hard work I can’t help but go to sleep with a smile on my face. That’s the best feeling! Rosie x
I assure you it is as wonderful as it sounds! ;) I wish cooking were my thing but I’m sadly no good in the kitchen. I once enjoyed baking though but I’m too busy to bake nowadays.
LOL I love the fact that you KNEW that you had to exempt books (’cause it obviously goes first) But if I do have a Thing other than books, it’ll probably be writing my own stuff. I’m not really that good (YET!) but I’m getting there. And it’s something that makes me happy :)
I totally understand that! I enjoy writing but I’m not really that good either but I’m working on it. I’m so glad to hear it makes you happy as well. :)
This sounds like an amazing book! The realistic portrayal of love is something that I desperately look for when I read YA, so I’ll have to check this one out. It reminds me a lot about the contemporary feel of Deb Caletti books.
My *thing* might just be my cat, Pixel ;)
Great review, Hazel. You’ve definitely convinced me to look into this book!
The thing besides books that makes me extremely happy is singing or music in general :)
P.S I love the review.
Beautiful review, and this sounds like an incredible premise! I’m an optometrist so I am always interested in how blindness is portrayed in fiction. It’s always so heartbreaking to see a young person afflicted with the disability – and it never gets easier.
The “thing” that makes me grateful in life is to have best people around me:)
My “thing” would be music. When things aren’t exactly going my way or if I’m having a bad day, I just listen to music. I find comfort in listening to music and it is the best thing. This book is one of my most anticipated this year!!!!!!!!!!! And it’s hereeee! ❤️
My happy “thing” would be my dog Jeb. I love him with all my heart and he gives me great comfort when I am sad. Awe he is so cute and lovable!!!!
This is the second rave review now that I’ve read and I am so intrigued! This still seems to be very under the radar though, so it’s great to see your review and that you’ve kindly offered a giveaway, too! Definitely must check this out! As for my “thing”, I am a massive Buffy buff. Ha, get it? ;) So much so that I’m currently re-watching as I type this comment!
Aside from books ;) my family is what makes me the happiest.
that thing to me is my family. i want my family to be happy:)
This books sounds so good. Aside from books, one of the things that makes me happy is watching sports, I’m not even remotely athletic, but I admire those that are.
The characters sounds like they are right up my alley. I love quirky characters with awesome personalities. My thing would be positivity. I’m that girl who always seem to be TOO happy or TOO hopeful. Regardless if the my current situation is anything but.
When I read your question I thought “Easy, books”, but then, as you said, it’s the obvious answer! My Thing is hope, I think. I went through a lot of bad things, but I’m lucky because I was always hopeful that things would get better, and they did eventually. So, I’d say that hope is what makes me happy. Hope that things will get better, hope that there are still beautiful things in the world even if it doesn’t seem so!
Gosh I have everything crossed for this as it sounds absolutely perfect. I love a good cry with a book. Like everyone else, books and family are the things that make me happy, but (and it’s happening as I write) so too doesthe scent of fresh rain on the pavement. I don’t know why but it makes me feel excited!
Best of luck, lovely! I adore your answer. <3
Great review, Hazel! This looks like a very funny and raging-your-feelsss book to add on the list! The ‘thing’ that makes me happy (beside from books ofc) is attending concerts of your favorite bands. It’s just so happy to hear them live and rocking with your friends and all of the fans. (But I just attended only one concert. The Vamps last February 2015) It’s totally entertaining!! Love it!
Thank you, Francis! :’) That’s exactly what it is actually! Band concerts are great, aren’t they? I wish I could’ve been there for The Vamps’ show as well!
The blurb seems interesting and I really hope I could read this one soon! :)
I think you’ll really like this one, JM! Hope you could read it soon as well!
My “thing” is, I loooove animals so much. Maybe, way more than I like people. :)
Well, I like books more than people so.. ;)
WOW….these comments.
YOU GUYS. <3
Love this review, love these Things, love Hazel.
Thank you all!
xox
My THING is cats. I love, love, love cats! *purrs* I love talking to my cats rather than people. Most people I know either can’t relate to what I’m saying or probably they are just meh. Anyway, I’m really looking forward to read The One Thing! Thanks for the chance, H. <3
This book is beautiful! one of my favourite books of 2015 for sure. Awesome review and giveaway! :)
Well, my thing is music. I love music, I do have favourites of course. If I’m going trough some kind of faze or I’m struggling with emotions, listening to the music comforts me and gives me ‘that’ something. Thank you for this wonderful chance <3
Well, the “THING” that make me happiest the most is my family and friends. When my family is happy, I’m happy. When I’m down and not feeling well, my ‘kalog’ friends are there to cause unstoppable laughter and make me sick all over again, oh, I mean to make me well,hehehe
You can never go wrong with family and friends by your side.
Hello Hazel, I love your review, I can’t wait to read this book and it sounds really awesome and it’s a YA contemporary which is my favorite genre. <3<3 Super excited! ^^, One of my favorite "thing" lately is catching up on tv series and just having my "ME" time and enjoying it with my favorite snacks. I know its lame but I loved it, with everything hectic and work stuff (traffic!!) that's the only thing I enjoy so much these days. :) Thank you for the giveaway! :)
My Thing is learning. I honestly love learning and being organized. Thanks for the giveaway!
Amazing review Hazel! :)
The Thing that makes happiest aside from reading books and blogging is watching movies. Like books, movies transport me to one’s world, another exciting place I want to see and events/happenings that I can relate to. :)