kellysrambles's Reviews (619)

I had a feeling I would like this book but I didn't expect to love it as much as I do. What an amazing read! I've always been intrigued by cults and this novel very delicately allows us to see inside the cult as well as the devastating consequences it has for young Minnow. There's a fair amount of gory descriptions in this book which may not be for everyone, but for me it brought home the true horrors of what innocent people can be dragged through by others, purely for their beliefs. Life in the cult is contrasted with Minnow's life in juvenile detention and we see her coming to terms with her past, what she has done and more importantly what she knows. I can't express how much I love this book, I've added it straight to my favourites list! Full of mystery, emotion and carefully constructed relationships, this is a book I would recommend to everyone!

Full Review: https://kellysramblings.wordpress.com/2016/01/18/the-sacred-lies-of-minnow-bly-by-stephanie-oakes/

I love the Harry Potter series and have done ever since the first book was given to me as a gift for my birthday over 15 years ago. This series of short stories really keeps the magic of Harry Potter alive. After the Tale of the Three Brothers in the Deathly Hallows, I was always curious about the other stories young wizards would have been told by their parents and J.K.Rowling's imagination did not disappoint. I love that this is written as if you are reading Dumbledore's personal copy, with his commentary on each story and J.K.Rowling also adds in some of her own clarifications to help us Muggles. It also gave a further glimpse into the history of witches and wizards in Rowling's world. A really lovely read for any Harry Potter fan.

As somebody who has a very keen interest in feminism, I really enjoyed this short novel. I was hanging on Woolf's every word and the points she raised, particularly about women and literature, were particularly poignant and, as somebody reading this almost 100 years later, I am so appreciative of how far we have come. My only wish is that I could have heard Woolf deliver this lecture in person, it must have been such an inspirational moment for those young women.

Words don't do this beautiful little story justice. What a gorgeous yet sad read. Reading it as an adult, this book makes me pine for my childhood. This book really reflects that feeling when you realise your childhood has come to an end and that small part of you feels like it has died. It really makes you want to think differently about the world. I don't want to be one of the adults who seemed so strange to the Little Prince, but I think it's inevitable that in some way or another we all are.

Wow! I'd say that 3/4 of this book was worthy of 5*'s but the ending had me change my mind. This is a typical Flynn story. A manipulative woman, a selection of creepy characters and all the twists and turns we had with her previous novels. I liked the fact that just as I was coming to terms with this spooky story with the menacing stepson and the haunted house that all of a sudden I was being directed in the opposite direction. The ending was a bit too ambiguous for my liking but what Flynn managed to achieve with such a short story was excellent. Now I need another novel!

Wow! I always loved the film but reading this book was such an emotional experience. I can't remember the last time I got to the end of the book and just had to sit in silence whilst I processed my feelings. I felt so overwhelmingly sad when I first finished the book.

Full review here.

I just love the use of the vintage photography that brings these novels to life. The photos are so well embedded with the story that I almost forget this is fiction. Another great story with plenty going on. I particularly liked the ending which has left me wanting to pick up the next instalment immediately.