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ellemnope's Reviews (2.4k)
If you're looking for a book filled with ten-dollar words, this is it. The writing in this book is thick and very descriptive, but you may need a dictionary nearby.
This family drama story is a complex one, weaving several separate narratives together. The pace of the book is slower, which does help to make things easier to follow. The characters develop independently and become easy to identify. Character confusion was not a problem though the point of view switched frequently.
The plot is well constructed and does follow a forward timeline. There is some moving around in memories, but it primarily stays focused on movement within the story. However, if you're looking for likable characters, you won't find many here. Everyone is terribly flawed and I found them either petulant, annoying, entitled, or just plain awful. Very few had redeeming characteristics.
Overall, it was an okay read. I didn't particularly enjoy the ending, but I respect it as a good style choice by the author.
This family drama story is a complex one, weaving several separate narratives together. The pace of the book is slower, which does help to make things easier to follow. The characters develop independently and become easy to identify. Character confusion was not a problem though the point of view switched frequently.
The plot is well constructed and does follow a forward timeline. There is some moving around in memories, but it primarily stays focused on movement within the story. However, if you're looking for likable characters, you won't find many here. Everyone is terribly flawed and I found them either petulant, annoying, entitled, or just plain awful. Very few had redeeming characteristics.
Overall, it was an okay read. I didn't particularly enjoy the ending, but I respect it as a good style choice by the author.
This was not my typical reading fare, but I very much enjoyed it. It is fantastical and entertaining, with bits of fable, myth, fairy tale, and nursery rhyme. Gaiman's writing is lighthearted and easy to follow. This feels a bit like YA fiction, but has a couple of elements within it that make it lean more toward being adult. The ending wasn't as hard hitting as I would have liked, but seems befitting of its retelling style.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
I really wanted to like this one. I tried to give it a pretty fair shake. Ultimately though, it felt like too much being crammed into too short of a story, there were too many things that were just left at a drop off and not explored fully. While I enjoyed bits and pieces, as a whole I didn't feel very moved.
There were quite a few characters, all of whom were interlaced in ways that got a little muddy due to the fast push of the plot. Had things been slowed down and really dug into, I think they would have felt more dynamic and less confusing. As it was, I had a hard time really liking any of the characters, which made things a bit worse for me. They all seemed horribly self-centered, childish, and disastrous. There wasn't anyone for me to root for.
The narrative itself got hung up for me far too often in the interjections of German words I don't understand. This was just the addition of a bit of extra frustration and something that stalled an already challenged plot. Just as I was starting to become interested in things that were going on and feeling that I could overlook those foreign language moments, the book took a turn and abruptly ended. That ending took a wide arc to the side and nearly started a new story while leaving so much unraveled behind it. I didn't like how disjointed things ultimately felt.
While there were some good things in the bones of this story and the writing was decent, I just couldn't get behind the characters or the plot. I was just left feeling terribly underwhelmed.
I really wanted to like this one. I tried to give it a pretty fair shake. Ultimately though, it felt like too much being crammed into too short of a story, there were too many things that were just left at a drop off and not explored fully. While I enjoyed bits and pieces, as a whole I didn't feel very moved.
There were quite a few characters, all of whom were interlaced in ways that got a little muddy due to the fast push of the plot. Had things been slowed down and really dug into, I think they would have felt more dynamic and less confusing. As it was, I had a hard time really liking any of the characters, which made things a bit worse for me. They all seemed horribly self-centered, childish, and disastrous. There wasn't anyone for me to root for.
The narrative itself got hung up for me far too often in the interjections of German words I don't understand. This was just the addition of a bit of extra frustration and something that stalled an already challenged plot. Just as I was starting to become interested in things that were going on and feeling that I could overlook those foreign language moments, the book took a turn and abruptly ended. That ending took a wide arc to the side and nearly started a new story while leaving so much unraveled behind it. I didn't like how disjointed things ultimately felt.
While there were some good things in the bones of this story and the writing was decent, I just couldn't get behind the characters or the plot. I was just left feeling terribly underwhelmed.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
3 1/2 stars.
This entire story is written in a prose style via a series of poems. All of the poems are written in first person from the point of view of Charlotte (Lottie), the preteen narrator. It's a rather imaginative way to write a book and I have to say that it actually works pretty well. I enjoyed the style and the writing. It felt comfortable and appropriate for the character.
There was a keen sense of mystery surrounding some of the bits and pieces of the story, which came to light through the pages a little bit at a time. It is rather cleverly done and I enjoyed the movement of the story.
My only issue with this one (as tends to be my downfall on many an occasion) was the ending. I left the story feeling unfulfilled. This isn't to say that the ending is a bad one. It wraps up in a way that makes sense given the previous pieces of narrative. I just couldn't get myself settled with it. Perhaps that is some of the intention, but I didn't like the uncomfortable way leaving it made me feel.
3 1/2 stars.
This entire story is written in a prose style via a series of poems. All of the poems are written in first person from the point of view of Charlotte (Lottie), the preteen narrator. It's a rather imaginative way to write a book and I have to say that it actually works pretty well. I enjoyed the style and the writing. It felt comfortable and appropriate for the character.
There was a keen sense of mystery surrounding some of the bits and pieces of the story, which came to light through the pages a little bit at a time. It is rather cleverly done and I enjoyed the movement of the story.
My only issue with this one (as tends to be my downfall on many an occasion) was the ending. I left the story feeling unfulfilled. This isn't to say that the ending is a bad one. It wraps up in a way that makes sense given the previous pieces of narrative. I just couldn't get myself settled with it. Perhaps that is some of the intention, but I didn't like the uncomfortable way leaving it made me feel.
I love Nina George's writing. It's always so heartfelt and beautiful. She creates wonderful scenes and her narratives are rich with descriptive text. The characters are full and dynamic, interacting in a realistic way and having their own flaws. In this case, all of that stayed true. I really enjoyed this story and connected with it. I appreciated the little bit of magical realism. I struggled with the ending. In fact, it's one of those cases where a throw against the wall was likely. I've contemplated the ending since I finished and I'm a bit more at peace with it now. However, it is not what I was wanting. It's also true to Nina George's writing and this phase of her literature (as explained in the letter to the reader at the conclusion of the book). I'm still emotionally torn on this book, but know that it was well worth the read and it was very well written.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
4.5 stars. I am SUCH a sucker for magical realism. I love living vicariously through books, I tell you. This is a cute story with a few quirky characters. The plot was a little different than I expected, with less focus on Sarah that I really wanted based on the title, but it worked all the same. Charming, cozy, and cute read. I loved the characters and...noting that there are some unfinished stories and that the author does have a prequel of sorts for this book already...I will be hoping for a sequel.
*Full review to come.*
4.5 stars. I am SUCH a sucker for magical realism. I love living vicariously through books, I tell you. This is a cute story with a few quirky characters. The plot was a little different than I expected, with less focus on Sarah that I really wanted based on the title, but it worked all the same. Charming, cozy, and cute read. I loved the characters and...noting that there are some unfinished stories and that the author does have a prequel of sorts for this book already...I will be hoping for a sequel.
*Full review to come.*
At first I found myself quite lost in the sea of undeveloped characters. I couldn't keep anyone straight and everything just swirled around me. Luckily, the writing is solid and I was able to gain my bearings better as things went on. I still lost a couple of the minor supporting characters now and then, but was able to keep the three running narratives straight. I did enjoy that Moriarty creates characters who become distinctly voiced. They have personality and clear individuality as the story progresses.
As for the story itself, I wasn't sure how it all made sense in the beginning and I will admit that I was occasionally thrown by some little details that were Australian in nature (some terms, for example and the fact that their Easter is in the autumn...that really messed with me for a bit), but as with the characters it all slowly and steadily came into focus. The actual content of the husband's secret itself was a bit disturbing, but could be seen coming...what followed though became a bit of a gut punch. I was simultaneously impressed and disturbed by the ending. It was well done and I didn't see it coming until it was careening down the pages.
A good and solid read...I'd say this one is a good travel read. Entertaining and enthralling enough, but reads fairly smoothly and quickly.
As for the story itself, I wasn't sure how it all made sense in the beginning and I will admit that I was occasionally thrown by some little details that were Australian in nature (some terms, for example and the fact that their Easter is in the autumn...that really messed with me for a bit), but as with the characters it all slowly and steadily came into focus. The actual content of the husband's secret itself was a bit disturbing, but could be seen coming...what followed though became a bit of a gut punch. I was simultaneously impressed and disturbed by the ending. It was well done and I didn't see it coming until it was careening down the pages.
A good and solid read...I'd say this one is a good travel read. Entertaining and enthralling enough, but reads fairly smoothly and quickly.
Meh. I enjoy Alice retellings more than the retellings of most fairy tale stories, but this one felt a little lackluster for me. It was just okay. The writing felt overly pretentious -- which was in keeping with the Victorian era setting, but simply rubbed me the wrong way. I enjoyed the different take on the story and thought it was mildly clever, but there wasn't enough originality for me. Not a waste of time, but not a "wow" moment either.
* Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. *
This is an adorable YA contemporary with a very smooth moving narrative. Crane's writing is genuine and flows easily, making the read seem to just fly by. The characters are medium in depth, still lacking a little definition at the edges without seeming overly thin. This does detract from the impact of the narrative, but does not make the story overly flawed.
I read this one in a day's time. It was just that easy to fall into. I didn't want to put it down, but it wasn't because it was overly gripping...it was because I enjoyed Crane's writing style and I liked the development of Wren's character. I could have done with more of the Wilder story line, but overall this was a good comfortable read and I enjoyed it.
This is an adorable YA contemporary with a very smooth moving narrative. Crane's writing is genuine and flows easily, making the read seem to just fly by. The characters are medium in depth, still lacking a little definition at the edges without seeming overly thin. This does detract from the impact of the narrative, but does not make the story overly flawed.
I read this one in a day's time. It was just that easy to fall into. I didn't want to put it down, but it wasn't because it was overly gripping...it was because I enjoyed Crane's writing style and I liked the development of Wren's character. I could have done with more of the Wilder story line, but overall this was a good comfortable read and I enjoyed it.