When the Beat Drops by Anna Hecker is a book that is all about DJing and music, which I have never read before. The main character is clever and the writing is so descriptive, which added to my enjoyment. After reading this story, I would love to see more of its kind.
Title: When the Beat DropsAuthor: Anna Hecker
Publisher: Sky Pony Press/Thomas Allen & Son (Canada)
Genres: Contemporary, Young Adult Fiction
Publication Date: May 15, 2018
Rating:
Seventeen-year-old Mira has always danced to her own beat. A music prodigy in a family of athletes, she'd rather play trumpet than party -- and with her audition to a prestigious jazz conservatory just around the corner (and her two best friends at music camp without her), she plans to spend the summer focused on jazz and nothing else.
She only goes to the warehouse party in a last-ditch effort to bond with her older sister. Instead, she falls in love with dance music, DJing... and Derek, a gorgeous promoter who thinks he can make her a star. Suddenly trumpet practice and old friendships are taking a backseat to the packed dance floors, sun-soaked music festivals, outsized personalities, and endless beats of the EDM scene.
But when a devastating tragedy plunges her golden summer into darkness, Mira discovers just how little she knows about her new boyfriend, her old friends, and even her own sister. Music is what brought them together... but will it also tear them apart?
❃ I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. ❃
Book Review: WHen the Beat Drops by Anna Hecker
This book tells the story of a girl who goes from trumpeter to DJ and is swept up in a whole new world of music. It is definitely a more serious read, since it deals with topics like drugs and death, but there are some light moments. I really enjoyed the unique combination of jazz and EDM in the story, as I have never seen this before. DJing is also a topic that really interests me. As well, there is a prominent theme of family in the novel, which I always like to see. When the Beat Drops is a heartfelt story that is perfect for music lovers.
❀ Talented Main Character
Mira is such an amazing main character. She is so talented and is able to catch on to DJing quickly. She struggles a lot throughout the story with not being able to go to camp and reconnecting with her sister, but she doesn’t complain. Mira must choose whether or not she wants to continue as a jazz player or launch a career as a DJ, and she handles this perfectly. What I especially enjoyed about her character is the fact that she stays true to herself and keeps her values despite peer pressure. Mira is smart, and she is the ideal voice for a story like this one.
❀ Lots of Suspense
I really enjoyed the writing in When the Beat Drops. There is a fair amount of suspense as the reader tries to guess what the tragedy is, among other aspects that I won’t spoil. The various descriptions of music and what Mira feels when she DJs are breathtaking, and they really immersed me in the story. As well, just enough is explained about DJing for the reader to understand what is going on, but not to the point where it becomes frustrating. This is something that is especially important for books about music, and Anna Hecker executes it perfectly.
❀ About Music and Loss
When the Beat Drops by Anna Hecker is a heavy story about music and loss. I loved the DJing aspects and the talented main character. The way the story is written is beautiful, and I would definitely recommend this one for an older YA audience.
About Anna Hecker
Anna Hecker grew up at the dead end of a dirt road in Vermont. She holds an MFA from The New School and spent a decade writing ad copy and chasing beats before returning to fiction, her first love. She lives in Brooklyn with her husband, son, and fluffy bundle of glamor, Cat Benatar.
About The Candid Cover
Olivia ❀ YA book blogger, Starbucks lover, novice New Yorker, & professional bibliophile.
Ooo! I really want to read this one now. I love the whole idea of the music, dancing, etc. And you said it’s good, so it has to be. 😉 Nice review!
It is a really wonderful story. I hope that you enjoy it. 🙂
I haven’t read a book that featured DJing either. Only country or rock. But I am intrigued for sure!
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This was such a fun concept to the book, for sure. 🙂
As of this minute in time, I am not looking for the deeper stories, with themes of loss. I do however, enjoy the dj’ing aspects of the story
I respect that! 😉
This one sounds really good. I am glad you enjoyed it. I have to add this one to my TRB list!
Mary
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Wow, this sounds amazing! I am a sucker for anything with music as a theme. Wonderful review!
Family centric and deals with loss. I know I am interested. I like that we have to wait to get the full story too, and that the build up is good.
Sam@WLABB recently posted…Blog Tour: Love & Luck – Jenna Evans Welch
It is a book that I think you will enjoy, Sam! 🙂
Great review! This sounds pretty good and I’m glad you loved it! Adding it to my TBR! 🙂
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