deepat's Reviews (252)

A very slow-paced thriller indeed. But the twist in the tale, when it came, was excellent. The ending was certainly satisfying, if nothing else. But…. But…. There were so many loose ends… What was the mystery about Caitlin’s family members? Why, oh why, if Meghan was so paranoid, did she not repair the lock of her apartment? And what’s with Ben, the divorced husband looking for a way back? Many things did not make sense, but there were many good parts in the story. In a nutshell, I’m not sure how in feel about this book. It is good enough for a one-time read. 

I started off thinking that this was another of those books that I couldn’t possibly read in a cafe, crowded train etc… thanks to a lot of explicit scene descriptions. But then the actual story started and I must admit it was riveting. It was quite unputdownable. At some point, I had begun to suspect and yet, I found the ending upsetting. It was a pity. But the story is good, very good.

Awesome awesome book. This book has so much depth to it - and still children could relate to it so well. There is “zero” vulgarity, no stretching the chapters, no idealisation of perfection, no preaching, no glorification of self-pity, no sympathy for the morally and mentally weak and most importantly, no justification of evil. The messages are of love, kindness, goodness, courage, grit, care, sincerity, friendship - all that’s good in the world. The King’s Cross chapter is pure gold. And so is the climax fight scene at Hogwarts. Love how everything ties in so well together. 

 

A most wonderful ending to a most wonderful story. 

So I read up other people’s reviews to make sure I was not insane. Nope, not me! The book is insane. This book is such a classic - I had heard of it for so long and was thrilled to start reading it. But a few pages in, the confusion started mounting. I will admit, there were some really good quotable life-quotes and there was some strange humour throughout. But I rank this just slightly above the One Hundred Years of Solitude book. Both books are totally barmy! Both feel like they were written by authors who couldn’t fully make up their minds. This one at least has some humour to it and the writing is, in parts, definitely superior; and that’s the only reason it ranks above OHYS. 

A great book, I had forgotten really. This one’s right up there with Emma of A Woman of Substance. Another strong lady, without the bitterness of Emma - strong, feminine, graceful - a lady of class and culture. The fate of the Romanovs was so sad and terrible; this book inspired me to read up on them too. No doubt, they had their short comings, but who murdered the entire family were horrifyingly cruel too. It was very saddening to read about Zoya - She was living an unimaginable dream in Russia and then she is reduced to unimaginable poverty, rises in society but is again plunged into despair. Nonetheless, she prevails, through sheer grit and courage, and by the end of the book, we find her again respected and loved and admired as the Countess. 

Another great book from J K Rowling. This year is even more darker than the last. Harry is the typical angry teenager - brooding, snapping, bottling up his thoughts and then screaming out at everyone. Definitely was shocked by this character change the first time I read the book (now I’m more sympathetic). Sirius’s death was a horrible chapter. And from this book onwards, Dumbledore’s weaknesses and frailties begin to surface increasingly.