Book Review: Wicked Good by Joanne Lewis and Amy Lewis Faircloth

Wicked Good by Joanne Lewis and Amy Lewis Faircloth

Publisher: Telemachus Press, LLC

Publish Date: August 10, 2011

Paperback, 262 pages 
Fiction
 ISBN: 978-1935670988

My Review:
To use the terminology of the authors, this book moves "wicked" fast. :)

I was excited and scared to read this book. Excited because it sounded interesting and scared because it deals with mothering a special needs child.  I'm a mother and while I don't have a special needs child I sometimes find books like this hard to read because I feel such pain for the mother and the child both.  This isn't that kind of book.  Sure you sympathize for both Rory and Archer, but this is so much more.  This isn't a feel sorry for them book.  This explores Rory and Archer in a different way, at least I thought so.


From the first page I was sucked right into this story.  The story is about Archer, who is the mom of Rory, the son who is 15 with Aspergers Syndrome and Bipolar Disorder.  The book explores the roller coaster ride that is Archer and Rory's life as Rory starts a new school year with a bang (getting suspended) and starts hanging out with someone who his mom wishes he wouldn't hang out with.  From there, it goes up and down and you never know where the book will take you next.  Around the corner, to Gloucester, MA, to Salem, and back to Bangor, you just never know where Rory will be.  As I read into the late evening hours, I kept telling myself, one more chapter, until it got later and later.  I was hooked.  I had to know what would happen next.

I felt very connected with Archer.  She is very human and never sure she is doing the right thing with Rory and often wonders if she should just give up so she can have her own life because she definitely does not parenting Rory.  I love how as the story progressed, layer upon layer of Archer was unveiled and more was learned about her and Rory both.  At times I felt for Rory.  At times I wanted to hug him, at times I wanted to shake him.  It was interesting to see him through the book since I have never had any exposure to a child with Aspergers.  I also found Trish, Rory's friend, an interesting addition.

The story flowed well and had me invested by the first page.  This book is different, this book is great.  I loved it and just cannot say enough great things about the story of Archer and Rory.  It's well-plotted, the characters are real and well-done and the book comes to life as you read it.

You can buy the PDF through their website for $0.79 or an ebook through Amazon or B&N for $2.00.  The paperback is $9.95.  I would say this book is well worth the money.

My Rating: 5.0/5.0


About the Book:
Wicked Good is a different kind of love story. Rory is not defined by his diagnoses of Aspergers Syndrome and Bipolar Disorder and lives life to the fullest. Archer, his mother, is Rory’s biggest fan. We get a peek at the challenges they face as they are on their journey. Experience the unconditional love of a mother for her child and the many different ways Rory shows his love to those around him.

About the Author: 
It was a chilly day in Maine when Amy received the call from her sister, Joanne, “Wanna write a book together?” Amy said yes and the journey began.

Amy is the older sister who loves her 2 sons and nephew, dogs, volunteering at the Bangor Humane Society, running, hiking, snowshoeing, surfing the web, her brown poodle Teddy, Lola, writing, reading, cycling, going to bed early, spending time with her friends and family, being outdoors when it’s nice outside and indoors when it’s not, and editing Joanne’s writing. She is a pescatarian and a lawyer in Maine.

Joanne is the younger sister who loves her 3 nephews, her grey poodle Frisco, writing, hiking, snowshoeing, kayaking, cooking, traveling, Florence, Italy, anything to do with the Italian Renaissance, Michelangelo, spending time with her friends and family, and being edited by Amy. She a vegetarian and a lawyer in Florida.

Two sisters, both attorneys; as sisters, Amy and Joanne have learned to play to each others strengths—an important lesson for any co-authors.

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FTC Information: I received this book WOW Tours for an honest review.