Something Rising, by Haven Kimmel, crackles like the sound of a pool shark breaking to start the game, quickly grabbing your attention. Kimmel, who rose to fame with her first novel A Girl Named Zippy, has once again brought readers a unique story that sucks you in and won't let go until you've reached the end.
Despite her troubled family, Cassie is a strong girl -- she knows who she is, and she isn't afraid to show her strength in the male-dominated world of pool halls. With a father as unreliable as Cassie's it's no wonder she begins hussling in pool halls to support her family.
Eventually, though, Cassie is able to get her own sort of vengeance on the father who taught her all she knows about pool -- a vengeance on his own territory, the green felt of the billiard table.
Kimmel's dialogue and descriptions drive the story along at a fast pace; this is a story filled with action. Unfortunately, things happen a bit too fast at the end, and I wonder about Cassie's actions that seem out-of-character. It's almost as if Kimmel wanted to wrap things up quickly with a happy ending.
On the other hand, with the life that Cassie has led, it's reassuring to see things turn around for her, and that she has a promising future ahead.
