Sunday, November 23

Book Review: I Stand Corrected by Patricia Asedegbega

Author: Patricia Asedegbega
Title: I Stand Corrected (Rosario & Balou)
Genre: Contemporary, Drama, and fiction
Pages: ebook
First Published: August 2014
Where I Got It: My shelf (given to me for an honest and unbiased opinion by the publisher/author)

"Balou is taken away from his mother at a very tender age and sold to a pet shop where he waits impatiently for someone to pay for his freedom and take him home, just when he is about to give up all hope of it ever happening, he meets young and troubled Rosario who is really not looking for a pet. A strange and endearing alliance is forged between them but he soon discovers that something is horribly wrong in her household. Will he be able to save her?"


There is so much more to the story then the summary gives credit for. There is some funny bits, but the story centers around abuse. However, the story is told in two different POVs: Balou the cat and Rosario the rich heiress. I am honestly glad that they made the main character a rich heiress, because it shows that abuse happens to not only the poor, but the rich as well. Yes, the rich have more options getting out, but it still is hard.

I will admit...I did grow frustrated with Rosario, because she would not leave him, even when the secret of the abuse was out and the whole staff found out. I wanted to shake her and then save her from Javier. Goodness, I loathed him. >_____> I wish that Balou did more damage then he did. No...I will not say more. That scene was an amazing scene. Yes, it was bad and a tough scene, but Balou is amazing and I want a cat like him.

Honestly, I loved the fact that Balou got to have his say and his opinions/views were expressed through his side of the story. When I told a friend about this book and how the cat gets his own POV, she laughed and thought it was silly. No. It really worked and I liked it; it added a new view on situations like these. 

There were a couple spots where it was hard to get through, because it is a tough issue, but it is worth the read. The ending is totally worth it! It was a long road, but I finally got what I wanted to happen to happen. I shall say no more...


My only other complaint is that is was a wee bit choppy in some spots. I hated the random time jumps between paragraphs; there was a lack of transitions mainly in Rosario's POV. Other then that, I did like this book a lot. There characters were great, the two POVs were great, and even though the issue the story revolves around is tough, it was a different and good way to talk about the issue. I recommend this to those that need a change up in their readings and/or who want a serious book with a little comic relief (aka the cat who is adorable). I shall stamp this with 4 stars; more like 3.5, but I don't give decimals. 

Favorite Character(s): Balou, Rosario (even though she frustrated me a few times), the staff, and Javier (I hated him, but he was a good baddie).
Not-so Favorite Character(s): Javier (he deserved to be pushed off the cliff) and Javier's mother (that lady....grrrr)

PS - Random last thought that I had as I returned to this review later - I don't quite understand the title. Does it have to do with Rosario's final thoughts at the end? IDK. Any ideas, thoughts?