Early on in this novel I realized that Sing Me to Sleep was going to be a novel unlike any I had read before. This realization is based primarily on the novel's heavy emphasis on singing. To be honest, I believe that reading a novel such as this one is definitely going to vary from reader to reader. While for some novels this may not work, Sing Me to Sleep is different. This uniqueness allows for each reader to walk away from the novel with their own personal experience.To be honest, I did not know what to expect from this novel. Thought it was going to be a transformation story with a few nice little messages here and there. That is not what I got. In my opinion, the novel is primarily divided into three sections: the Beast, the Transformation, and after the competition. The first section was basically what I assumed it might be: a teen who is viewed by her peers to be hideous; therefore, many of the students believe they have a right to tease and bully her. This section of the novel was heartbreaking to read. Right away, I felt a connection with Beth and it upset me to see these teens treat her in such a manner.The transformation section for me was a bit of a hit and a miss. I was glad that Beth was able to find some happiness in her life with singing, and Meadow's beautifying antics were quite humorous at times. But I am not sure of the message. It reads like a fairy tale, but the magical feeling is missing. All that is left is the superficial reasoning and the idea that being pretty is of the utmost importance. However, it was nice to see Beth grow in confidence and find happiness.Like the transformation, I found Beth's relationship with Derek to be a hit and miss. During the competition, I loved reading about their relationship grow. It was sweet and passionate. Everything that a budding relationship should be. Yet once they returned to their "normal" lives, I found the relationship to be troubling. Beth was beyond obsessed with Derek and Derek was at times over-controlling. There were many passages that left me questioning what the author was doing. To be honest, there were many times that I felt like this relationship was just unhealthy. It was too over the top.However, the true magic of this novel lies with the unveiling of Derek's secret. It completely took me by surprise. It was something that I should have seen coming, but did not. While the secret does not justify Derek's over-controlling ways, in my opinion, it does make it easier to stomach. The reader cannot help but sympathy with why he believes that his actions where needed.In the end, Sing Me to Sleep is a poignant and often heartbreaking look at love and its transformative powers. This is a novel that is sure to please fairy tale lovers as well as those who believe in the power of love. Readers beware: kleenexes are a must for this novel.
