An outstanding sophomore novel from author Jessi Kirby (Moonglass), In Honor combines a road trip with a personal journey.
A letter that Honor's brother, Finn, sent from overseas is long delayed, arriving just days after the military announces his death. Honor opens it hours after his funeral to find tickets to a concert, and a request from Finn to attend. Swallowed by grief, Honor immediately decides to fulfill his wish, even though the concert is only days away and she should be arriving at college instead. Finn's estranged best friend, Rusty, appears just as Honor is leaving, and after a brief conflict, they find themselves on their way to California together. "Yep. Finn wouldn'ta wanted you going off by yourself like this," Rusty says.
Kirby does an excellent job of developing Rusty and Honor, through both personal reflection and the interactions they have with each other. Their individual connections to Finn intertwine as they find a way to deal with their grief. References to Honor's home state invoke a Texas Forever feeling, and Rusty's attitude will charm most readers. What sets this book apart from other road trip stories are the descriptions Kirby uses in each of the places they visit: "Stars twinkled in the paling sky, sending light from the past all the way down to us." Honor paints a vivid picture in each scene, making it easy for readers to immerse themselves and connect with her as she tries to deal with her brother's death. --Shanyn Day, blogger at Chick Loves Lit