Rating: 
Summary: Intense and powerful!
Review: Basically, if you like tightly written, intelligent, character driven books, you'll like this novel. It's the best book I've read since Wade Bradford's "Enjoy your Show."
Rating: 
Summary: Touching but slow.......
Review: It was a slow read, but the moral of the story was worth it
Rating:
Summary: It Crept Up On Me . . .
Review: This started off as just an o.k. read. I thought the story line, a coming of age account of a girl with Tourette syndrome, offered great potential. I was excited to start the novel, but I couldn't seem to get immersed in the story. The writing is quite clear, with excellent dialogue and memorable characters. However, I didn't feel that I was learning anything more about the specifics of Tourettes. Icy's trials seemed no greater than anyone who doesn't fit within the confines of what our culture deems normal. Then came the light bulb moment. Perhaps that's exactly the point Rubio is trying to make, that it matters not what our differences are, we deserve to be accepted for them, included with them. Rubio further demonstrates that with the love of family, friends and God - from whatever pulpit you choose to worship him - it is possible to embrace one's own differences and thrive with them. I guess on some level I've always known this and I'm grateful to Icy Sparks for providing a gentle reminder. So what started off as an o.k. read, turned into a quiet gem of a novel that requires a reading with an open heart and a compassion for otherness. A very worthwhile novel . . . enjoy it.
Rating: 
Summary: A delightful debut
Review: Though time is said to heal all wounds, the stigmatic effects of Tourette's syndrome last a lifetime. Gwyn Hyman Rubio's debut is an exciting work with strong characterizations, and a powerful plot. The lead characters are filled with depth so they seem real and their relationships genuine, and their interrelationships are often amusing and competitive yet supportive when needed. The struggles of the eponymous heroine intermingle love and an investigation into a strong relationship that readers will adore even as they enjoy the clever story line.ICY SPARKS is a well-written relationship drama that teeters on the brink of melodramatic soap opera, but never falls into that crack. Rubio has written a stalwart novel that will please readers. She has written a complex, exciting tale that will bring her much acclaim as one of the sub-genre's most enjoyable novelists. The key to the success of this deep drama is the cast, all of whom seem genuine whether they display sadness, grief, or love. This excellent tale showcases the abilities of the author to take her audience on an emotional ride. Rubio is a newcomer, but shows she has a gift as a storyteller by keeping the reader actively involved throughout. Lurdane Blurber
Rating:
Summary: Fantastic Novel, Oprah Winfrey was right!
Review: I loved the fact that this novel touches on a very touchy, politically incorect subject with such vigor and passion.
Rating:
Summary: Icy has a secret and it¿s getting harder to hide.
Review: It is the 1950's and Tourette's syndrome is not a well know and treatable disorder. Ten year-old Icy, finds herself out of control physically with body twitches, tics, and inappropriate language. Going to school has become a daily problem and not everyone is kind to her in the face of her adversity. The bright young girl whose wit and intelligence sparkles among her friends and family, is lost when she is teased or placed in an uncontrollable situation. As her fears grow and it becomes impossible to hide, she is taken from her home and placed in an institution for a disorder that is puzzling even to her doctor. I enjoyed this book because it was the story of a survivor, a little girl who just wanted to fit in and be "normal". Strongly developed characters give the book a sense of companionship that is distinctive. Icy is brought up in a loving home by her grandparents. Emily a sensitive and kind woman, is the town misfit who has taken Icy on as her personal project. I think the development of these relationships is what saved this book and gave it an uplifting feeling rather than one of hopelessness. What can I say, I love a happy ending. Kelsana 4/05/01
Rating: 
Summary: Misplaced therapy
Review: "Icy Sparks" begins with the peculiar story of the birth of the main character (Icy Sparks, herself) and the death of her parents. Told through the eyes of a child, it is quite difficult to determine exactly what was going on. Actually, most of the book was this way - confusing. Once Icy starts "pitching fits" (due to her undiagnosed Tourette Syndrome) most of the writing becomes focused on explaining every movement that jerks through her body and every sound that comes from her mouth. Icy's signature tic is "CROAK"ing, but no matter how detailed Gwyn Hyman Rubio made each jerk and croak, I could never quite see the scene she was describing. The supporting characters of this book are the only thing that kept me reading. Miss Emily, an intelligent but overweight friend that seems to substitute for Icy's mother. Mrs. Stilton, a spiteful and mean fourth grade teacher. They seemed to come alive, among many others. But the rest of this book seems to be a inside joke. In the way that unless you are from Kentucky you won't understand what kind of food they are eating or some of the words they are using. In the way that unless you are knowledgeable about Tourette Syndrome you'll feel like you are watching from the outside wondering what is going on. The end was sudden and abrupt. A new storyline is started with less than twenty pages to go and it seems most of the pages are filled with hymn lines. And the epilogue just made everything worse by trying to wrap up Icy's whole life in under one page. This book just seems to be a form of misplaced therapy and once the author was done with all the subjects that were giving her psychological trouble, she gave up. The reason for writing a fictional book should not be to teach a lesson on how to treat people or force religion down throats (out of place and at the last minute). It should simply be to entertain and unfortunately, this book did not accomplish that.
Rating:
Summary: Icy Sparks lacks Sparky Ending
Review: I loved the book until the end. No details on how she was diagnosed with Tourettes - just that it was diagnosed. So much wonderful detail in the beginning and middle...so flat at the end. I don't recommend this book.
Rating:
Summary: This book deserves all of the praise it receives...
Review: There aren't many novels out there that openly address characters with Tourette's Syndrome. In fact, you don't hear much about it these days except the occasional news article or talk show. But in this well written book, you learn more about children with Tourette's than you ever dreamed. Icy Sparks is a beautiful, precocious young girl living with her grandparents in rural Kentucky when we first meet her. She seems to be just like the other kids in her class, but inside she knows she's different. She has urges; urges to move in certain ways, say certain things and make certain faces. She has no control over these urges, so she holds them in until she's certain nobody's watching. Then, she lets loose. These urges eventually become uncontrollable and they lead to rages and outbursts: at her teacher, her principal and even her grandparents. She is taken to an institution where she is observed by psychiatrists and the faculty there. When she comes back home, she is afraid to even go into town, for fear her urges will reappear. Icy finds the love she needs in her grandparents and her home school teacher, Miss Emily. But she still longs to be a normal girl, with a normal education and a normal boyfriend. She finds her voice, literally, at a town revival and her life changes. Rubio does a wonderful job of giving a voice to this discouraging illness. Icy said herself that she would not be the wonderful person she is without Tourette's, that it wasn't easy but worth it. This book is great for bookgroup discussion and also for teachers, who may see the signs but aren't sure how to react to them.
Rating:
Summary: It ran out of gas at the end
Review: I won't rehash the plot of this novel. I enjoyed the book immensely in the beginning, but my enthusiasm faded as I read on. The book's ending was tremendously disappointing. It was almost as though the author didn't know what to do with Icy and simply decided to stop writing. The epilogue explaining Icy's understanding of her disorder and how she came to terms with it did not befit the rest of the book; it was too simple, too easy.
| 
