Harmonic Feedback

by Tara Kelly

Sixteen-year-old, music- and sound design-obsessed Drea doesn't have friends. She has, as she's often reminded, issues. Drea's mom and a rotating band of psychiatrists have settled on "a touch of Asperger's."

Having just moved to the latest in a string of new towns, Drea meets two other outsiders. And Naomi and Justin seem to actually like Drea. The three of them form a band after an impromptu, Portishead-comparison-worthy jam after school. Justin swiftly challenges not only Drea's preference for Poe over Black Lab but also her perceived inability to connect with another person. Justin, against all odds, may even like like Drea.

It's obvious that Drea can't hide behind her sound equipment anymore. But just when she's found not one but two true friends, can she stand to lose one of them?

Genres: Young Adult, Music, Contemporary, Romance, Realistic Fiction, Fiction, Teen

278 pages, Hardcover

First published May 19, 2010

About the author

Tara Kelly adores variety in her life. She’s an author and one-girl-band by night, and a graphic designer, video producer, and photographer by day. She lives in Sin City with her beloved guitars, sound design master husband, and a fluffy cat named Maestro.

Ratings: I give honest ratings, even if I like you. I'm extremely picky with quirky tastes and many books (even well written books) don't connect with me. Anything 3 stars and above means I LIKED it, and it's a compliment. If a book ends up on my 'mythang' shelf, it means I found it especially memorable for one reason or another.

Reviews

[Emily May · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5
I honestly think I damaged a few brain cells trying to decide how to rate this book, and I'm still not sure my choice is correct. But whatever, I can't waste any more time wondering what to do about these books that are really really good for the first three quarters and then just lose it towards the end. It seems like every book I've read is like that lately, some were good enough to keep a high rating regardless (The House of the Scorpion), and others weren't quite as successful (Slated).

I've had Harmonic Feedback on my bookshelf for over a year and I kept putting if off because I'm not a big fan of books about music - I only like music when I can actually hear it. However, the story has very little to do with music beyond being about a girl who wants a career in sound design. So I'd say that if the music theme is putting you off, you have nothing to worry about.

I remember in my review of Holier Than Thou saying that the characters lacked charisma and I think this novel is a perfect example of characters which just ooze that charismatic factor. I don't mean they're super-good and always likeable, but I really cared about what happened to them, they were important to me with funny and different personalities that had me charmed from the very beginning. Ms Kelly doesn't use your standard array of characters, everyone has their faults but everyone is given a chance to act like a person rather than a mere stereotype - even the girl who at first seems like the typical pretty but mean high schooler.

Though I know living with autism is a day-to-day struggle, I also have to admit that I was originally put off by this aspect of the story too. I expected something that tried to be deeply meaningful and touching that would just make me want to barf, I expected the author to attempt to manipulate my emotions so I pitied Drea. I was completely wrong. As someone with first-hand experience of ADHD and Asperger's syndrome, Ms Kelly skillfully showed the awkwardness, the misunderstandings and the frustration which comes with such conditions, but she does so in a very funny way. From Drea's cringy moments in school to her outrageously inappropriate grandmother, this story is full of laughs.

One of my favourite things about the characters is that the author does something not too typical of YA - unless you're Sara Zarr or Siobhan Vivian - and turns slut-shaming on its head by having Drea's best friend be the "school slut". Naomi is reckless and totally horny, a lot of the other girls at school don't like her because of her reputation - and yet, the reader does. I did. I'm really glad the author didn't feel the need to draw that invisible but damaging line between the "good girls" and the "sluts".

Another thing I really enjoyed about this view of the world through the eyes of someone with Asperger's is the way it allows us to see the ridiculousness of humanity at times. Drea can't understand why people don't just say what they mean, why the words coming out of their mouths aren't always what they're thinking. It's a rather interesting look at human behaviour and how we believe the normal people are those who know how to lie and interpret one thing from something entirely different. Drea's perspective was very refreshing to me and something I've never got from other books about people with autism (etc.).

All these positives prompted me to round this book up to four stars, and because I also want people to read this. However, the ending really let this book down... so so much, I can't even begin to express how disappointed I was with it. It was like all of a sudden the melodrama switch had been flicked and the novel exploded into a frenzy of tragedy. Some people won't care and may even cry at the ending, but I was too shocked at how quickly the story changed to be upset at what actually happened.

So I've warned you. How much this will affect your ability to enjoy the novel will obviously depend on your tolerance for melodrama. If you're unsure, please just try and grab this book from a library instead of spending any money on it. I want you to get acquainted with the brilliant characters and humour before the story falls to pieces, I really think a lot of people will be surprised by how good the first three quarters if this are, I'm just surprised Harmonic Feedback hasn't been more widely read by now.

[Arlene · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating Clarification: 4.5 Stars

Harmonic Feedback by Tara Kelly falls in that coveted category of hard to put down. This story captured my attention almost immediately and despite a hectic couple of days, I kept running back to this book at every free moment to read more about Drea and her life. Harmonic Feedback really did move me and kept me glued to the pages from beginning to end.

I was pleasantly surprised by the content of the book. It wasn’t until I was about to start reading it did I discover it involved themes such as Asperger’s Syndrome (AS) and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD). I initially thought it was about the well played out concepts of teenage angst, coming of age, first love sprinkled with the added element of music. Not the case at all!

In Harmonic Feedback we meet Drea, a sixteen year old, musically obsessed teenager that’s had all sorts of labels thrown at her, such as teachers calling her socially immature, to kids calling her a freak, and doctors checking off symptoms so they can make random diagnosis on her. Her whole life she’s struggled to make friends and simply fit in, all because she doesn’t understand that invisible set of social rules. All that changes when she moves to a new town and meets Justin and Naomi, the first people to treat her like nothing was wrong with her, and for the first time she wants to be good at the role she is suppose to play; in the hopes that if she plays her part right, they will see her as normal.

Overall, I feel this book is so much more than about defining AS and ADHD. At the core, this novel is about a girl’s experience with just trying to fit in. In today’s day and age, we like to believe we’ve come a long way in accepting differences and bringing down social barriers, but when you think about it people are just as quickly to judge others today as we were yesterday.

I really came to feel compassion for Drea because through her eyes, we can see how at the most basic level, everyone simply just wants to be accepted. Heck, this concept is even backed up by theories such as Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs stating that social acceptance comes in at #3 in our list of human needs where we simply want to experience belonging, love, affection and acceptance. Throughout the entire novel, it always felt that this was just beyond Drea’s grasp and at any moment she would do or say the wrong thing and everything would just fall apart.

The characters in this novel all played well defined roles. Her mother was always that protective person that sometimes passed the boundaries of confidence IMO by telling people about Drea’s condition before she even had a chance to define herself. Naomi came in to Drea’s life and offered her friendship with no questions asked, but it still felt like it came with a price that challenged Drea’s beliefs of right and wrong. Justin was the first person to know Drea’s true self and give her the love she deserved and the protection she required in a socially confusing environment. All great secondary characters that played integral roles in Drea’s life.

Overall, this novel was filled with powerful and raw emotions. I loved the music element that was infused in the storyline. I adored the characters and my heart broke for Drea time and time again throughout this book. Truly a story that’s well worth the time and investment. Great read!

[~Tina~ · Rating 5 out of 5]

TBR Reduce Challenge #6- 2011 (Alexa)

To be honest I don't like books set to music, which I'm ashamed to admit I thought this was one of them. Hence why it took me so long to read this. Still a couple of friends recommended this to me, so thanks to Nic and Alexa (also for picking it for my challenge).
This book was really something!

Harmonic Feedback is a great story about three friends, self discovery, understanding who you are, who others want to be and what you can do to change your past. It's about moving on, letting go and looking forward.

Drea is a complex character with real issues, and while I don't have her exact issues, I could still easily relate to her. I like how blunt and honest she is. She doesn't hold anything back but at the same time she's crawling out of her own skin, wanting to belong but not knowing who she can count on or who to trust. It must be very hard to live the kind of life she has and I'm glad that her choice of drug is music instead of madness.

Naomi character hit a little to close to home for me and I related with her the most.
Apart of me wanted to dislike her but in the end I just couldn't. She's wild and free spirited character and says and does stuff to seek attention, but really all she wants is to be loved, it really breaks your heart when you think about it.

Justin is the kind of guy that got a second chance at life and wants to share it with someone that he can understand and excepts him in return. He's compassionate and sweet and simply amazing. He makes me smile!

Basically, I just loved this book. The ending made me cry, but when ever I look at the cover I kinda smile, it makes me feel better and I guess for those of you have read this might know what I mean. It's such a real solid story and told in a way that you can see each character and really relate to each and everyone one of them. I'm floored this is a debut novel, it's remarkably well written and I look forward to reading anything by Tara Kelly!

An Amazing story!

[Janina · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really had trouble rating this book. I did enjoy it, the ending even made me cry and I finished it in a few hours last night. I couldn’t stop reading and was totally caught up in the story, but now, after sleeping on it, I don’t feel quite so strongly about it anymore. Yesterday, I would have rated Harmonic Feedback four stars. But when I think about it now, I don’t really see myself going back to re-read it. While the story was well done and the ending touched me, it obviously didn’t leave a huge impact on me.

What bothered me: Drea loves music, and her greatest talent lies in producing and mixing sounds together. Okay, I don’t know anything about producing and the author lost me quickly when Drea was talking about it with her friends. They used so many terms I had never heard of before, referring to programs I didn’t even know existed … and I believe that probably about 80% (very random guess here) of the people who read this book don’t really know that much about producing either. Well, I found myself skimming paragraphs (it weren’t that many, though) because I wasn’t in the mood to look anything up. I found it a bit sad that this important aspect of Drea’s life, her favourite thing to do, wasn’t explained more in depth. I felt like missing out on a huge part of her life.
And, I couldn’t relate to Naomi at all. She infuriated me with her carelessness and way of dealing with her problems. I know that she didn’t have an easy life and was just looking for someone who loved her, but maintaining a relationship with a cheating, violent drug dealer and popping pills is just not something I can understand.

On the other hand, I found it very easy to relate to Drea. She is diagnosed with a mild form of Asperger’s and ADHD. She has diffuclties understanding why people don't always say or do what they mean, because she wants to be honest with others, speaks her mind freely and doesn’t feel like pretending just because it is more polite. Her struggles to fit in, to not be labelled and judged were portrayed realistically.
Also, thumbs up for the first love interest named Justin that actually was any good! (Memories of other good Justins from books read before 2010 might have been wiped out by not so fond memories of Justin Enos from Infinite Days who had as much personality as a blank sheet of paper and my special friend Justin forgot-his-last-name from Awaken who was majorly annoying with his preachy ways.) He might have been almost a little too perfect, but who cares, it’s fiction – and he had nice tattoos and piercings. The development of the relationship between him and Drea was really well done and they had a great chemistry.

In the end, I think I’m settling for three stars here.
Recommended if you are into contemporary novels that are a bit more on the edgier and darker side but feature a level-headed and strong protagonist. The book reminded me a little of Freefall, so if you liked that I think you might like this one, too.

[Alexa · Rating 5 out of 5]

My review can also be found on my blog Collections.

Sometimes there are books that end up being very different than what I first imagined from reading the book's summary. This book is definitely one of them. I love when that happens because usually it ends up being even better than I imagined. :)

I loved Drea, Justin, and Naomi. They were awesome and good people. I may not have exactly their problems, but I do have my own, and I could easily relate to their characters. When I read the book's summary and looked at the cover (which fit perfectly, btw), I thought the entire book would be dark and serious. But it wasn't. On almost every page there was something that cracked me up! Not that I'm saying there aren't any dark and serious moments because there definitely is. And I definitely cried. I still feel like crying. :'(

Music is a part of this book, but if you're worried you won't recognize the musicians, it's okay. It doesn't take over, which I liked. Although, honestly, I wouldn't have minded knowing more about the music Drea and Justin listened to because I seem to have a similar taste in music. I want Justin's Björk shirt (heck, just give me Justin! heh), and I have the urge to listen to Snow Patrol's "Somewhere a Clock is Ticking."

So I'll just end by saying that if you're looking for a book with great characters and a book that will most likely make you laugh and cry, then I recommend this book to you.

[Ash · Rating 3 out of 5]

With only 3 stars it may seem like I didn't like it very much, but that's not really the case. There were things that I just really didn't like. Or maybe the better word is that I didn't get.

Quick Overview: Drea and her mom have just moved from San Francisco to Bellingham, Washington to move in with her hard to please grandmother. Their first day there, a purple haired girl named Naomi from across the street talks to Drea and surprisingly seems to like her, despite the way she acts and her obsession with music and sound design. Drea has mild Apserger's and ADHD and because of that she doesn't have any friends. This is uncharted territory, as is the new guy Justin who thinks she's "interesting", and whom she does not understand. Drea is surprised to find that she not only has a friend, but two. But both Justin and Naomi aren't all that they seem.

Like I said there were certain aspects of the books that I liked. Like the music, but I guess I was expecting something different from this. The band doesn't play as big a role as I'd thought and neither does the Asperger's. Sometimes I didn't even remember that Drea had anything because she acts and thinks so normal. Just blunt and rude, and really who hasn't met someone like that? Justin is really sweet, although maybe a bit too good to be true, even with the "secret". Hopefully this isn't spoiling anything, but the relationship was a bit weird. It doesn't make sense that Drea has never even been kissed then all of a sudden she is in a serious relationship. Just too big of a jump. Plus, because of the way she acts sometimes I imagine her being younger, which makes it even stranger. Naomi was nice and funny (sometimes) but she still made me want to pound her head in. First off she's always doing things and saying pervy jokes to try and embarrass Drea. Maybe I'm being a prude but I got enough of the sex jokes riding the bus all through middle school AND high school. I've paid my dues. It could also be the fact that Naomi reminded me of someone I used to know, and just like then I'm totally frustrated, angry, and confused by her decisions.

Despite all that though I thought the writing was done well. Drea's voice was authentic and easy to read. Even though she has Asperger's you can really relate to a lot of the things that confuse her about how people act. I also thought it was pretty cool that I actually knew what a didgeridoo was and that I knew some of the bands she mentioned. Although I'm not sure how much credit I should give myself since I'm pretty sure everyone and their dog knows Snow Patrol and Bjork, but moving on. Although the characters are admittedly a bit stereotyped, they are given good dimension throughout most of the book. The grandmother although having a huge stick up her butt, was also funny and strangely lovable.

So like I said, I thought the writing was done well although I think the description of the book is a bit misleading since the band isn't given much attention and the Asperger's sometimes gets lost in the story. It seems more a story about friendship and acceptance than anything else. Okay, I'm going to be motherly for just a second here, but I should warn unsuspecting readers that there is sexual content, drug use, and some cussing. If that doesn't bother you and it still sounds interesting than I think it's definitely worth giving a shot. This just isn’t what I typically read.

[Sesana · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wasn't sure what to expect out of this book when I started reading it. I had heard great things about the protagonist, Drea, and that Kelly had done a really good job at writing the thought processes of a character on the autism spectrum. That's what interested me, and that's why I read the book. As for plot specifics, I kind of didn't care. I was far more interested in the characters. I think that was the right way to go into this book.

The characters are, far and away, the best part. Drea's thoughts are easy to follow, and her perspective is always completely understandable, even when as the reader, I could see where her perceptions and the perceptions of people around her were clashing. And she's just a vibrant, memorable character all-around. I couldn't follow all her music-related geekery, but it felt credible, and it felt like the sort of conversations I would expect real music geeks to really have. I was impressed with the other characters, too. I especially appreciate how the designated "mean girl" was allowed to be more than the cliche.

But the last fifty pages or so of the book take a turn toward the melodramatic. I really wish Kelly hadn't gone this direction. Most of the book is built around the concept of Drea slowly opening herself to social interactions without putting up a false front, and I wish Kelly had stuck with that. The book didn't need that shot of drama, because it was moving enough on its own. And absorbing. I read this book in record time, because I couldn't put it down.

Where this book will probably succeed or fail with most readers is Naomi. She's a classic Manic Pixie Dream Girl, with a self-destructive streak. I found her to be very likeable, but she could also irritate me, and I don't doubt that many readers will find themselves unable to connect with her at all. But while I was disappointed with her story arc, I liked her more than enough to stay connected with the book to the end.

I would definitely recommend Harmonic Feedback, especially to anyone interested in reading characters on the spectrum. But be aware that it will take a sudden turn for the dramatic at the end.

[Nic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. What an amazing debut novel about friendship, love and music. It is a beautifully written story filled with characters that capture your heart. I could have easily devour it in one sitting, it was an effortless read.

While the plot is good (the ending took me by suprise), it is the characters that shine. I adore Drea, she is such a unique, straight forward, honest character that inspires you to be a better person. Justin is sweet, gorgeous (@ Kim tattoos and piercings, yummy) and a caring friend. I liked Drea and Justin romance how it developed from friendship to romance never feeling rushed or fake. Naomi is funny and wild and I loved how she instantly accepted Drea. I think everybody will be able to find a character that they can relate to, as most of us would have struggled one way or another as a teenager, whether like Drea you are trying find your place in this world, or Justin trying to move forward from your past, or like Naomi just wanting somebody to love you. I also loved the music content in this book. It wasn't the main focus of the story but something that connected the characters together.

Overall, one of the top debuts of 2010. So if you are thinking about reading a great realistic teen fiction, I say move Harmonic Feedback to the top of your to-read-pile.

[Noelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Tara Kelly has a knack for writing engaging stories. In fact, this is the second book by her that I have read in nearly one sitting. But while her writing can certainly grab a hold of me, it doesn't have a particularly strong grip. I was engaged while I was reading but didn't spend much time thinking about it when I put it down. Still, Harmonic Feedback is an interesting novel with a unique voice.

Said unique voice is a result of heroine Drea's "touch of Asperger's". In this case, "touch of Asperger's" means the inability to recognize social cues or sarcasm and difficulty censoring her spoken thoughts. She also dresses like Courtney Love back when she was the girl with the most cake. As you can imagine Drea is a real hit on the first day at a new school.

Despite her social awkwardness, Drea attracts the attention of wild child, vivacious Naomi who appreciates her blunt honesty and seemingly good little rich boy Justin who turns out to understand both Drea and Naomi a lot better than they think. The trio connect through their love of music and the story grows from there, primarily focusing on Drea's evolving relationship with the world around her.

I am a music lover and although I have my favorites, my love isn't restricted by genre. Yet, when I think soul-gripping, speak-directly-to-my-heart music, "let me adjust the stabilizers on the distortion" doesn't come to mind. So while it was intriguing to think of how someone like Drea might react to music in different ways than I do, Drea's passion for producing music didn't sweep me off my feet, you know what I mean? When I think of the power of music, I expect something more like this.

Let's just say one of these things had me sniffling in my cubicle and Harmonic Feedback wasn't it. The book is about a lot more than music of course--would it be hypocritical of me to say I kind of wish it had focused more on music?--and while the middle of the story grew a little repetitive, I remained invested in Drea, Naomi and Justin's story the entire way through. In the end it just didn't resonate with me as deeply as I had hoped.

This review originally appeared on Young Adult Anonymous

[Nomes · Rating 3 out of 5]

What an amazing book.

It's refreshing and honest and not at all awkward (which I was initially apprehensive about).

At its heart, it's a love story, and a story of friendship and mothers and daughters.

Despite Drea's Aspergers, she's incredibly easy to relate to, to love and to cheer on. It's funny and precious and inspiring.

It's a little heartbreaking, a whole lot eye-opening and completely captivating. Also, Justin, swoon :)

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I picked up HARMONIC FEEDBACK based on the strength of Trisha's review over at The YA YA YAs. This is not an unusual thing for me to do, as you probably know. Trisha has impeccable taste and a knack for tempting me with her reviews in such a way that what was non-committal longing suddenly turns into I must have it now! Trisha asked why more people aren't talking about this book and called it "a noteworthy debut." After reading it, I frankly have to agree with her. It was hard to track down in the first place, which was frustrating, and I haven't talked to all that many people who've read it. Yet it's a lovely story of growth and grief and what it means to exist outside the box. I think it possesses wide appeal for young adult readers who appreciate sensitive and thoughtful characters engaged in the search for connection and meaning in their lives.

Drea and her mom are on their own and they have been for as long as Drea can remember. Her first sixteen years have been one long string of moves and men. Her mother can never seem to keep a job long enough for Drea to finish that year of school. And she goes through men like they're a dime a dozen. Eternally nonplussed, Drea really does have enough on her plate without having to deal with her mother's fickle behavior. Diagnosed with ADHD and a mild form of Asperger's syndrome, it's hard for Drea to relate to her peers. They continually act irrationally, in ways that make no sense to practical, methodical Drea. Her mother is forever explaining "normal" people's behavior to her in the hopes that she will catch on and not stick out like a sore thumb. But Drea's not interested in changing herself to fit an inexplicable mold and, when they're forced to move in with her rigid and disapproving grandmother, it becomes even more difficult to get through each day. Then next door neighbor Naomi barges in, with her purple hair and her lust for life, and a nice boy named Justin starts talking to her at school, and Drea begins to wonder if some of that "normal" life she's observed for so long might just be a little more interesting than she thought.

HARMONIC FEEDBACK was a pleasure from start to finish. I've been in a somewhat odd reading place lately, bouncing back and forth between new books I've been wanting to read and old favorites I seem to need to reread. But this one had me from page one. And most of that was Drea herself and her unvarnished way of looking at the world and at herself. She was so uncompromisingly herself and I just felt for her as she wound her way through the twisty maze that is high school and teenage friendships and relationships to someone whose brain works a little differently. She certainly made mistakes along the way, but none of them were due to a lack of intelligence or conscience. I always admired her. And like Naomi and Justin, I was drawn to her because she spoke her mind, she lived for music, and she was just plain good people. Her relationship with her mother is also sympathetic and compelling as they seem to butt heads so often, yet they clearly love each other very much. Drea tries for her mother, when she doesn't for anyone else. And her mother just wants her to be happy, even when she sometimes overprotects her in the wrong ways. I will also just go ahead and say that I loved everything that went down between Drea and Justin. Justin has got to be one of my favorite nice guys in YA fiction--and how often do I say that? I was caught up in the depth and texture of the two of them, in that wonderful tug and pull between two smart individuals who are very different, who have issues, but who are nevertheless drawn to each other. I did feel as if the end of the book trod a bit too far into the melodramatic, as though it was working a little too hard to make me as the reader really feel what happened, when I was doing just fine on my own. But that quibble aside, I thoroughly enjoyed HARMONIC FEEDBACK and look forward to Tara Kelly's next offering with much anticipation.

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

We all move with a rhythm layered with our own unique traits, quirks, and personality. Somehow we all have to find a way to connect and form relationships in this world though. Life really cannot be done alone. So…how do we find friends and loved ones who can move with us and still hold on to our own rhythm?

Tara Kelly’s Harmonic Feedback tells the story and struggles of Drea, Justin, and Naomi with raw, straight forward, sparse, no bullshit language and attitude. All three are searching for fresh starts, friends and support in their lives. Trying to build relationships is hard enough, but then throw in society’s social rules and sometimes it feels impossible. Be polite, but don’t say too much. Smile, but don’t smile too often. This book holds some of the most honest and intense dialogues and exchanges, but yet each one of them was also holding a piece of themselves back or inside. I want to say more about their stories, but they should be the ones to tell you. :)

I also appreciated the parents’ struggles in this story. Their paths through life showed how the search to find someone to share a life with can continue at any age or stage of life. Parents need friends and support too. They can’t do it alone either. I am not excusing their behavior, but their stories touched my heart as well. Everyone just has to keep looking!

I originally gave this book 4 stars, but to be honest, I have no idea why. These voices and hopes are still in my head and that alone earns my whole hearted 5 stars! Drea and Justin’s relationship especially was laid out with a straight forward, straight from the heart tempo that has remained with me days after closing the book.

And I tried, but I could not make it through this review without shouting out some love for Justin! He is absolutely my type of guy! He is full of surprises and will just steal your heart! HELLO! The boy has… & He can…well you’ll see! :)

My heart definitely connected with this story.

See if it speaks to you.

I recommend this book for anyone with a soul!

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are so many things I loved about this book that it's hard to know where to start. The main character, Drea, is a teenager who's tired of being defined by her acronyms... ADHD and Asperger's Syndrome. I've read a few YA novels with main characters on the autism spectrum, but this is the first one that explores that voice from a female point of view, and it does so beautifully. If you enjoyed Marcelo in MARCELO IN THE REAL WORLD, I think you'll also fall in love with Drea because both characters are so three-dimensional and defined by a whole host of characteristics and gifts, rather than just by their labels. Like MARCELO, HARMONIC FEEDBACK is a coming of age story with a beautifully drawn, unique protagonist.

The secondary characters are pitch-perfect, too. There's Drea's loving but imperfect mother. There's Justin, the cute-but-keeping-secrets boy who falls for Drea. And there's Naomi, Drea's first friend in years, who is so full of energy and spirit and so painfully flawed that my heart absolutely ached for her from the minute I met her. The characters in this book feel real through and through, and their journeys are believable and compelling. Teens who love music, especially, will be drawn into Drea's world.

I can't share much about the ending without running the risk of spoilers, but let's just say that I cried. And then I cried again. And it was just perfect.

Coming in June from Henry Holt...I have a feeling we'll be hearing a lot about this debut novel.

[Laura Manivong · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok, admittedly, I've gotten a little burnt out on realistic teen fiction lately, but Tara Kelly hit it outta the park with this one. Such amazing characters, fantastic dialogue, and passion on every page. Love, love, love Harmonic Feedback!

[Edna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harmonic Feedback easily became one of the best YAs I've ever read. It's a beautifully written and heartfelt story of a girl dealing with those social and self-perception issues that comes with the territory of being a teenager. How to act? What to say? We get to see Drea, who happens to have ADHD and a touch of Asperger's, go through the trials of having friends which she's never really had before and the struggles to fit in socially.

The greatest thing about this book: the characters and their relationships with each other. I know it was a somewhat short time period in this story but there's no denying how much the protagonist and her friends connected. They just fit and I thought it was executed wonderfully. Their personalities made it so easy to fall in love with EVERY character. They were vibrant, likeable, and in my opinion very relatable. The protagonist stood out to me a lot though. She's blunt, honest, unique, and endearing. Her voice, her thoughts were excellent and very well written. The only other YA protagonist who has stood out to me as much as Drea was Parker from Courtney Summer's Cracked Up to Be.

There isn't a single thing I'd change about Harmonic Feedback. It's poignant and perfect as is and that's pretty damn rare in my book.

[Ah mine'l-aŞk · Rating 5 out of 5]

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bide yanlış anlamayın..bu yorumları üye arkadaşlara sitem şeklinde başlayarak yapmıştım::)

öncelikle beni uyarmadınızya size fena halde küstüm
tamam hepinize olmasada okuyupta beni uyarmayanlara küstüm...
insan uyarmaz mı mendili yanından eksik etme...onu geçtim toplu
taşıma araçlarında bu kitap okunmaz diye...
hayır hadi arabada ağladım..en azından yanımdaki koltuk boş olsaydı da
yaşlı teyzeden yarım saat boyunca "bi erkek için değmez ağlama"
nasihatini dinlemeseydim...önce göz yaşlarımı silmekten
sonrada saygımdan sustum..aslında ağlama konum çok farklıydı..naomi ah..ahh..
bu tür kitapları daha doğrusu anlatımı bu şekilde olanları hiç okumamıştım...
yaptım..gittim..diyen.kahraman anlatıcı olan kitapları..
ama bu güzeldi..beni yormadı..sıkılmadım....kitaptan gerçektende etkilendim....çevremizde o kadar farklı hayatlar yaşayan insanlar varmış ki...
bu kitabı okurken hiç kimse göründüğü gibi değildir sözü geldi aklıma...
ben beğendim..tavsiye ederim=)

[Kristy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I very much so enjoyed reading this one. It was fast and quirky. I just expected more info or "inside the mind" of a person with Ausbergers.... There was some insight to her thought process, I guess I just wanted more. It was Young Adult, but the actual story was a pretty adult concept. It has a realness about it. It is akward at moments, but they are sooo life-like.

Naomi's character almost took over Drea at some points... I wanted more Drea and less Naomi. N's story was sad and good, but I felt like it took away from Drea.

Off topic-ish: Anybody else watch Parenthood on NBC? Everytime I hear anything Ausbergers I automatically think of Max....
If you don't watch that show, may I just say it is awesome!!!???!?!?!

anywho, 3 stars. Liked it, not screaming over it.

[Jaclyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy serious (but not overly heavy) realistic teen fiction, you should definitely pick up this book, which is an absolutely shining example of its genre. Drea has Asperger's, but if you've ever had trouble making friends or felt like an odd one out, you should ABSOLUTELY definitely pick this up. I identify with Drea now, and man, at 17 I would have identified even more. A lot of teens who are feeling outsiderish will find a little comfort here. All the characters are relatable and the writing is great...heartfelt, cool, and it zips right along. Also a good read for girl musicians!

[Renna Mira (AKA Enna Isilee)]

Unfortunately, this book fell victim to what happens to EVERY contemporary book I read: I just don't care. If you've got to go save the world or slay a dragon, THAT I care about. If you've got to overcome a rough home life, self-esteem issues, or a loser boyfriend and there are no unicorns involved, chances are I'm not gonna care enough to finish.

That makes me sound horribly callous... but perhaps the reason I don't care about these fictional people's real-life problems is because I spend a lot of time dealing with REAL people's real-life problems. So I'm still a good person. ;)

[Lauren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every once in a while there comes a YA debut novel that fits in with adjectives such as fantastic, wonderful, and amazing leaving me to be absolutely grateful that YA is the genre I read. Oh, and if you haven't guessed it so far, Harmonic Feedback is the book I'm talking about.

Within Drea, Tara has created an inspirational and real girl that's unique voice is one that I adored reading. I loved that even though Drea has Asperger's syndrome she was still someone that I, someone who doesn’t have this condition, could relate to. How you may ask? Well, deep down Drea was simply a girl trying to find herself in this complicated world while being someone she was proud to be; a desire that many teens including myself have. Plus, the supporting characters varying from Naomi, a funny and fascinating girl whose wanting of love simply got in the way of living, to Justin, a boy who was also trying to find a place in this world far from were the one he landed himself in the last few years, were ones that I loved just as much as Drea and would have made Harmonic Feedback incomplete without.

Harmonic Feedback’s backbone, or plot, along with it's writing also fit in to making this novel a great deal of fun to read. I loved the fact music was a big part. Also, as mentioned before, Ms. Kelly's writing was awesome leaving to have the desire to savor it bit at a time, but at the same time have the feeling to rush through it because I was dying to find out what happened next.

Part of the ending was something I wasn't expecting at all; and while it made me a wee bit angry, it was something that just worked and made this book to be a A+ times a gazillion in my mind.

In all, I urge you to run to the bookstore when Harmonic Feedback because it's just THAT good! I'm truly looking forward to reading more by Tara because I have a feeling she'll be a big star in the YA world in a few years.

Grade: A+

[Isamlq · Rating 3 out of 5]

The acknowledgement starts with a disclaimer that it doesn't offer a definiton of Asperger's syndrome. Rather it's a story of one girl and her experience. OK I'll bite. I just kept wondering what it would be like to see the world as she does. Fascinating would be too strong a word. I'd be confused. Interacting with others and while having a hard time deciphering social cues must have made interacting with her an interesting thing. I did appreciate Drea's stratightforward manner. I found her go to response, of "I don't see the point in~" very close to the robotic one of "It does not compute." I don't think I was meant to be able to relate to her, but I did understand why she acted the way she did.

All that said, there really nothing "new" here and I found myself rolling my eyes once too many: I found her friendship with Naomi very kindergarten-sandboxish: impromptu (?) sudden (?) I don't know. but I liked how they clicked even if such a connection is unlikely to happen outside the pages of this book. Justin's from from bad boy to good boy background made him all the more interesting.

Should I take Harmonic Feedback as a simple story of a girl with her friends, a girl with her mother, and a girl with a boy or should I take it as a story of a girl with Asperger's syndrome and how that girl sees the world? A little bt of both, I suppose, because it is the last that affected the first.

Then add some music, a little (a lot of) after school specials and tada: not a bad read.

3/5

[Sab H. (YA Bliss) · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a pleasant surprise was this book. I'm entrapped and mesmerized at how basic and yet surprising was the psychological part of the book. As you know the female lead character, Drea, has been diagnosed with certain mental disadvantages that make her, in some ways, socially awkward. Except I ended up feeling more awkward than her. This book will make you evaluate and analyze your daily social interactions. The questions and difficulties that Drea faces that are simply everyday things to most of us. Wouldn't we all love such an honest world? I now wish everyone was real and sincere like Drea is.


What an amazing premise! A plot that with slight changes might be even boring and predictable, Kelly's writing and concepts about society make it utterly unforgettable. Plus, the characters might step out of the book while you're reading, so be careful. That's how real they are. Of course, I fell in love with Naomi like we all will, but Drea and Justin and all secondary characters were just as amazing. I can surely say that this book changed me, and my mental scheme of implied society rules. I don't think I will ever prejudge anyone by their appearance again, ever. I hope I don't at least. I apologize if I wrote "amazing" too many times but that happens when you really like a book! Oh, and it's probably my favorite book title ever!

[Princess Bookie · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Thoughts: A great debut novel from Tara Kelly! We meet Drea who is just a girl who longs to be normal, she dispises seeing shrinks, she just wants to be who she is without the constant reminder that she has Asperger's. Drea moves to a new town and she meets her neighbor Naomi who is best described in my mind as creative. She than starts school and meets Justin who she is instantly drawn too. He really likes Drea, you can tell from the get go. The 3 of them start to form a band and you can see how their relationship matures between the 3 of them. I really felt like I knew all the characters. Drea and Justin just had this bond that was amazing and he understood her even when she was tough to be around. This was such an interesting read, I won't say much or else I will give away the whole book but this is an emotional captivating book that will you remember. There were parts that had me smiling and others that had me crying.

Overall: Loved it. Such an amazing story from a debut author. I will read anything else she writes!

Cover: The cover is neat. Its a lot prettier in person than the pictures I find online.

[Joy (joyous reads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well, it's three in the morning. I started reading this around eleven? I've got work tomorrow. FML.

It kept me awake because my heart wouldn't stop beating out of my chest the entire time I was reading. I know that's a big cheeseball but that's how I felt. It wasn't because the book was suspenseful or a thriller or scary. I think it was more of anticipation. I kept trying to read faster just to find out what happens next.

I loved this book.

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wish I liked it more, I went in to it thinking I'd love it but I was disappointed. I had a hard time connecting with the story, and at times, I felt I was missing the... honesty of it all. I dunno, it just never worked for me.

[Scarlet · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book. It made me laugh and cry. I adored the characters, especially Drea, Justin and grandma. They were realistic and lovable. The writing is witty and easy to read. This is another must-read!

[K. Lincoln · Rating 5 out of 5]

A love and friendship story from a slightly Autistic female character's POV, coupled with indie music sensibilities and high school politics, along with added rumination about how unique people fare in a world of conformists.

Awesome.

Drea is starting over (yet again) at a new high school. Only this time her ne'er do well and overprotective Mother is moving them into the basement of her no-nonsense, critical Grandmother with whom Drea does not get along.

Her music will become a bridge between Drea and two other students, Justin, who isn't as square as he first seems, and Naomi, a wild, purple-haired neighbor who isn't turned off by Drea's bluntness.

These are three souls who feel very, very alone, all for their own reasons. All three don't quite experience life the same way as many others at high school, and while together they can make beautiful music, one of them will end up not being saved by it.

Fascinating, convincing, inner details of the way Drea experiences NT's (nuerotypicals) as well as her struggle between "wanting to be normal" and feeling her way of experiencing the world isn't abnormal or wrong.

Pathos and drama galore in the tentative ways Justin and Drea get together, the way they interact with self-destructive Naomi, the way Drea's Mother has to deal both with letting go of her overprotective ways of trying to take care of Drea and never providing a stable environment.

Some things I liked especially about this book was the edge of danger, Drea's frustration with reading people and situations does lead her into situations where you aren't quite sure if she'll emerge unscathed. Also, the character of her Grandma rocked. Grandma is blunt in a way that probably shows she had some level of Asperger's herself, but blends in more with society, making one question along with Drea whether her own characteristics should be damped down. And of course, the music talk. Not only indie music references, but the gorgeous writing of Drea's synesthestic experience of music and color.

Love, love, love this book.

This Book's Food Designation Rating: a chocolate cupcake with pudding filling for smooth prose, addictive characters, and details about Autism spectrum, with the bitter-chocolate buttercream frosting of the dark aspects of addiction and high school depression, with a chocolate covered espresso bean on top for crowning the whole book with a satisfying romance.

[Ginger at GReadsBooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally posted at GReads: http://www.greadsbooks.com/2012/09/ha...

Every once in awhile I'll come across a book that takes me by total surprise. The kind of surprise that reminds me why I love to read so much. Harmonic Feedback did just that. This particular story is written in a voice that is so easy to follow and identify with. I felt myself connecting with Drea from the first few pages and could not walk away until I heard her entire story.

This was my first book to read which touched upon Asperger's syndrome. I am familiar with the disease, and it's array of symptoms - ranging from extreme to very mild. In Drea's case, she falls on the mild scale. However, there were many moments in this book where AS presented itself, but Drea faught hard against the syndrome and attempted to be heard by her own voice. I think that's one of the most beautiful aspects of this story.

Drea has just moved to a new town with her mom, never knowing if and when they'll be on the move again. But something feels right about this place, and maybe, just maybe Drea can finally settle down and place some roots somewhere. She is still hesitant on making friends because of her past. Growing up with AS has not been easy; the constant picking on and labeling has plagued Drea and made her very hesitant on opening up to people. The changes begin to occur when she meets Naomi and Justin. Finally Drea has found others who accept her. Even though it isn't always easy, she's learning how to make and keep relationships with people.

Tara Kelly has the ability to write with such engaging words that you don't feel as though you're forcing a story to be connected with. It just happens, so easily and naturally. I literally could not put this one down. It's the most amazing and wonderful feeling when you come across a contemporary author who speaks right to you. I feel as though Tara Kelly knew the type of book which I would adore and wrote every word, each chapter just for my eyes only. From the captivating music that's littered through out the story, to the raw emotional characters, I have deemed this book as one of my favorites read this year.

Do yourself a favor and grab a copy of Harmonic Feedback. Though this book's greatness has seemed to be whispered, I feel the need to shout it's grandeur to every reader I know.

[Allison · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all: this cover. I absolutely love it. And once I finished the book, I loved it even more, I think it represents both the characters and what the book stands for. So awesome.

I really loved reading this, I couldn't put it down. I don't even think I changed positions once I sat down and started it. I checked it out from the library but I definitely plan to buy my own copy at some point now. This is a book I'll be reading again (and again...and again...).

Drea has ADHD and Asperger's Syndrome. When the book starts, it showcases Drea and how she is different - but also how she is the same. If the book had just stopped there - just showing how Drea deals with being different and constantly self-concious - it would have been brilliant enough, but instead the book takes things much further. It becomes a testament to how everyone feels different than the "mainstream" at some point. You don't have to be diagnosed with a syndrome or disorder to feel like you're freakish and weird. Tara Kelly gives all her characters a voice, and they all had something to say.

I absolutely loved the relationship between Drea and Justin. There was so much power and meaning in their growing friendship, because Kelly showcased how Drea's mental processes made her second guess everything he said and did...so once she started trusting him it really meant something.

The friendship between Drea and Naomi was so multi-faceted and complicated. In some ways, Naomi was a great friend for Drea, and in other ways it broke my heart to see some of the situations Drea was dragged into and didn't know how to get out of.

I absolutely loved this book and I think everyone should read it!

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Aw, this is a sweet book. The cover summary made me curious enough to pick it up, but I was never really up to reading it. However, Drea's narration captured me instantly.

She has a form of Asperger's that makes her a little bit confused on society norms. Sarcasm, white lies and innuendos often escape her and she is honest, occasionally brutally so. However, she isn't difficult to relate to. Anyone who has ever felt a little bit out of the loop, or akward or lonely can relate to her and her clever voice.

The only downsides for me were A) Justin was a little bit too nice. I get that he had a past (blah, blah) but after one initial fight (that barely counted as a fight in my opinion) he was kind of Prince Charming-esqe. However, most people like this in a love interest in fiction, so I let it slide. And, B) predictable ending, much? I won't spoil, but to anyone who has read books of the similar genre, I found the ending easy to guess (I saw it coming from about the third chapter in)

None the less, this book made me laugh a lot, cry at the end and hooked me all the way. So if I could give .5's, this would be four point five. But alas, as I can not, I shall round up like the generous person I am. 5 stars for you Harmonic Feedback, 5 stars for you.