I have never read a book I felt like this about before. I legitimately felt bad for EVERY single character in the book. There was really nowhere to take out your anger about how sad all their situations were. You couldn't hate anyone. It was also a very intense look at what children mean to a mother and how she would go for them. I think the character I had the most trouble relating to was Isabel...I had the hardest time "justifying" her actions, but I think what she felt is something that many people cannot understand if they have not been in her shoes. I guess you could say the same about the other characters as well, so I don't know. Maybe she just seemed to be going farther than anyone else to make herself feel better and she disregarded other people's feelings much more than anyone else in the process. She was too tunnel-visioned to her own plight. No matter, it was just that every time I opened the book to read more, I just felt so full of dread. I've never felt so much dread in reading a book and really knowing that there is NO good outcome for anyone...that everyone loses something. What a superb look at the effects decisions have and moral ambiguity. I really feel the author did a wonderful job with characters though...they were all very thoroughly explored. And I loved the way she wrote in such choppy sections. jumping around from character to character and sometimes just setting scenes: talking about the spider weaving a web in the jail cell, the clothes hanging in a closet, the way the waves slid over the rocks on Janus. I enjoyed the style quite a lot.

I thought this was a pretty great look into old age, the ups and downs and the secrets. I mean I don't know a lot about old age, so maybe it was a bit dark, but I'm betting that part of things exists. I think the author did a really good job exploring it. The mixed stories kept things interesting and consistent at the same time and I enjoyed reading it.

I read this book in one day. It was amazing. Intense. I feel...shaky...now that I'm done. I feel like this is one of those books that really makes you question things, everything. One secret (albeit a big one), and one night (one betrayal) plunged him into more problems in one year of his short life than almost anyone I know has had to face in their WHOLE lives. I just...cannot imagine. I have never read a coming of age book quite like this before. Eye-opening, real, heartbreaking. It make my heart ache and swell all at the same time. I read the author's note and she mentioned wanting to write a book about everyday heroes and man did she succeed. Every character in the book faced so much and did everything they could for the people around them. I think Sylvie especially was very impressive to me. I have been wondering since I finished how I would have reacted in her shoes and I can only say that I hope I could have been like her. There is so much sadness, hopelessness, here, and yet the end holds so much promise for the future, such compassion. This was just an overwhelmingly emotional book. Wow.

I have no idea why I decided to read this book, but let me say that my teenage fantasy loving self is super happy that I did! I'm a bit embarrassed about it, but I really enjoyed this book. Angels and devils and artists and a crazy original resurrection idea and a love story that makes you want it so bad! :-)