Book Review: The Day I Died by C. M. Francis

 

Short Description

Catherine Morgan is on her way to the top. She's bested her previous track records, is doing amazingly in her studies, and has an evergreen, supportive group of friends she's known for years. However, before the dreams can become a reality, she experiences a brain aneurysm and collapses into a coma for a week. With her life in shambles when she awakens, Cat needs to muster her strength and prepare for what's to come. Not only does her previous ambition seem difficult now, but the people around her have changed in different ways, and only time can tell whether that is positive or not.

(Read the official synopsis on Amazon or Goodreads)

Review

Disclosure - I was given this book to review by the author, however, these are my honest thoughts and opinions, and I received no payment for this review.

First Thoughts

As a fantasy-mystery fanatic, I wasn't sure how I would feel about The Day I Died when I first began reading; but I was blown away by the rollercoaster of emotions that this story evoked in me. 

I love the cover and the bright colors. It really gives you the feel of the story as a whole and cements the importance of track and running in Cat's life.

Plot

A truly inspirational tale. We follow Cat, who is in her element. She is ready to become a champion in track, and she trains every day to make her dream a reality. In the blink of an eye, everything changes. The story makes you feel thankful for everything you never thought deeply about, like the ability to climb the stairs without assistance or the ability to read a line from a children's book.

Cat undergoes a brain aneurysm and is transported via ambulance to the hospital. How C.M. Francis describes her emotions and anxiety at this heart-stopping moment deserves admiration. I could feel my own heart pounding in tandem with Cat's. I could feel her confusion and despair. There were many moments where the author moved me to tears, and I found it hard to stop reading.

Cat's recovery was harrowing, and my heart broke every time she looked at herself in the mirror or realized that she couldn't do something she was previously able to do in seconds. However, how she was able to visualize being in a race and used that image to gain confidence in her recovery was a jaw-dropping moment for me. I will never forget when Cat used the term 'new element'. 

There was also an intriguing focus on the characters around Cat and how her experience changed everyone who heard about it. How C.M. Francis was able to weave all of their stories together was masterful. The characters were so realistically written that I found myself getting annoyed with them and elated for them in equal measure. 

The story conveys the complexities of human emotion and relationships wonderfully and makes you wonder how the characters will behave next. It's a must-read if you feel weighed down by the many challenges of human life. The book expounds on the importance of perseverance in the face of never-ending obstacles and serves as a reminder for everyone to be thankful for the little things in life that often get complained about or go unnoticed.

Characters

Cat - Catherine, or Cat as she prefers to be called, is my favorite character in this story. She is determined, brave, enduring, kind, and inspirational. The grace and hope with which she was able to overcome all the hardships life presented before her was unlike anything I've read about before. Yet despite her trials and tribulations, she remained kind, understanding, and willing to stand up for what she believed in. 

The consideration she has for her family is so heartwarming, and the way she's always been there for her sister makes her very relatable to an older sister like me. I also admire her passion for running, and her persistence in being the best she can be. She made me root for her in everything she was trying to do, and that is truly masterful.

Ellie- Possibly my favorite after Cat. Ellie felt the most real to me. She can be standoffish and rude at times, but beneath the walls she built around herself lies the sweetest soul in this story. Ellie and Cat were friends before they drifted apart, yet the yearning to reconstruct that friendship is conveyed beautifully.

Ellie is a sweet soul but also a tortured one. Misunderstood and ridiculed when she deserves nothing but the best. 

Rose - So, Rose is a very complicated character, there were times I loved her and others when I was fed up with her. I guess that's what makes a character more human.

Rose is a complex character with flaws and strengths. She often makes mistakes but tries her best to be a better version of herself. Her love for her sister, Cat, however, is never-ending. 

Tristan - I love Tristan so much. The sweetest and kindest friend you can ask for. He is a ray of light in this emotion-laden tale, always standing up for his friends even when no one else does, and making sure that Cat is comfortable and happy. He is understanding, funny, and makes unfunny dad jokes, what's not to love?

Mary and Raymond - They are the sweetest parents you could ask for. I could feel their grief and anxiety, but I could also feel their immense love for their children. I love the way the author was able to convey just how devastated they were when Cat was sent to the hospital. I also love how the story focuses on their troubles and also on their anxieties going forward. How they complemented each other and found solace in one another was heartwarming.

Things I Didn't Like

There isn't a lot I didn't like, but at times the way Cat's friends changed seemed pretty drastic to me, but then again, the event was so shocking that I can believe it. Also, I'm not American so the high school experience was a culture shock, but nothing that impacted my view of the story.

In Summation

I was blown away by how much this story motivated and inspired me. I found myself getting lost in the complexity of emotions revealed throughout the story. I recommend this book to anyone who feels that life is hopeless and who feels beaten down by unfortunate events. I would also recommend this book to any new young adult just beginning to navigate the world around them. If you're looking for a truly motivating coming-of-age story you've found your next read.

Rating: 5/5 ⭐

Emoji Depiction: 💪🩹💟

Thanks for reading, I'll see you on Tuesday for the next Top Ten Tuesday, Destination Titles.

If you haven't read my review of A Tempest of Tea yet, you can do so here :)

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