LUZ, REBOUND is told in first person from the protagonist Kara’s perspective. This access to her inner world helps to establish an intimate and sympathetic relationship between character and reader. Kara is essentially an outsider, trying to reassert her personal and social identity in a very small school, and the reader is included in thoughts and memories that are not shared even with her closest friends. Although the integrity of some of Kara’s choices may come into question along the way, her voice is consistently strong and emotionally honest.
In addition to the struggles of identity mentioned above, several other tensions common to young adult fiction are also present, including feelings of uncertainty about the future, mistrust of adult authority figures, the desire to be autonomous, and learning to navigate relationships maturely. Romantic relationships in particular are given the most attention as Kara attempts to sort out her feelings for her ex-boyfriend Ryan and her maybe-long distance boyfriend Ben. Love is certainly an important part of Kara’s coming of age experience; however, with such a wealth of material it is a shame that more focus is not given to exploring other types of relationships and other sources of tension, such as how her long absence has changed Kara’s relationship with her two best friends.
Although set in the 1980s, LUZ, REBOUND does little to identify itself with this decade; the most immediate clue to the novel’s setting in the recent past is the notable absence of cell phones. Also notably absent is any discussion of safe sex practices, which is understandable (given that many adolescents find it an embarrassing or awkward subject) but surprising since Kara tends to consider herself as being more mature or “experienced” than most of her classmates.
LUZ, REBOUND effectively explores the psychology and love life of an American teen as she readjusts to home life after studying abroad.
~IndieReader.