The Jumbee

THE JUMBEE

By:  Pamela Keyes

Release Date Oct. 14, 2010

FIRST SENTENCE

“Paul is dead.”

SUMMARY
from goodreads

Seventeen-year-old Esti Legard spent her childhood in the Shakespearean world of her famous father, and when he died, she knew she could never give up acting.  After she and her mother move to a Caribbean island for her senior year, she realizes that nothing at her new school’s theater department is quite as it seems.  Stunned by the death of a fellow student on her first day of class, Esti is soon surrounded by legends of the wicked jumbees that haunt the West Indies. She finds herself snubbed by the school’s star actress and relegated to a minor part in Romeo and Juliet.

Only her intriguing new friend, the elusive Alan, shares her passion for Shakespeare.  Hiding in the dark recesses of the theater, he leads Esti deep into her own soul to explore the limits of her talent.  When Esti’s childhood best friend moves to the island and back into her life, however, Alan disappears.  Rocked by growing accusations of befriending a jumbee, Esti realizes she must find out who – or what – Alan really is.  She is soon forced to defy everyone and everything she’s ever believed in, as she plungers into the mysteries of Shakespeare and the legends of the West Indies, discovering shocking truths about her own past that will forever shape her future.

REVIEW

Picture a Caribbean high school version of Phantom of the Opera and you have The Jumbee.  This retelling has a love story, island mysteries about jumbees, childhood revelations, and a surprising finale.  Definitely a page-turner!

The characters were so well written.  Esti was trapped in her father’s shadow as the Great Legend’s daughter.  Alan was like a puzzle – mysterious, yet charming.  Rafe, Esti’s boyfriend from back home, was strongly committed and loyal.  Esti’s father always played a character and he rarely showed his true colors.

Even if you are not familiar with Phantom, the plot of The Jumbee is easy to follow.  And if you ARE familiar, you will like the special twists that Keyes has worked into her new version.  For sure, I loved the plot.  Keyes’ retelling is a fascinating read that I highly recommend. 

Thank you to Meryl L. Moss Media Relations for sending The Jumbee for me to review.

RATING

4        Plot

5        Characters

4        Attention Grabbing

5        Girlie Meter

4        Ending

22      TOTAL

5        STARS