rebeccasreadingrambles's Reviews (3.06k)

I was a little disappointed with this novel. I think Adriana Trigiani is an amazing writing and can really tell a story beautifully, which she does in this novel. However, the plot line is a little slow and could have used a bit more excitement to keep my attention. Also, some characters were described well, while others were easily forgettable. I wanted to know more about the main character and her childhood, but we only got bits and pieces. Also

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her love affair/marriage with Jack came out of no-where as she went from mad at him to in love too quickly.

But a nicely written story and some really good descriptions.

Hmm. This book was just too "meh" for me. Kind of bland, unlikable characters. I really enjoyed the beginning with the stories of Kath at school and trying to figure out what was going on. But as it moved on, I just disliked the characters and story more and more.

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I think I am just a little creeped out by the children who are not treated like humans. I understand the concept and think it's interesting and futuristic, but I wish there was more to it. It's hard to explain what it was missing other than a more exciting story line. I just felt let down by most of it.

I really enjoyed this book. It was fun to read about life at the boarding school and meeting all the interesting people. The pranks were so smart and fun to read about. Though there are some serious subjects in this book, its pretty light and enjoyable. A quick read.

I didn't read the description of this book before reading (or the intro) because I wanted to be surprised. Well I was definitely surprised but a little disappointed. The plot was interesting from the point of view of Mary Katherine and I think the writing was really good. You could really feel her emotions and especially her panic and need to protect her sister. However, I was hoping for more of a plot / explanations. The ending was strange, but fitting in the circumstances.

I went back and forth during this book. Some parts seemed to drag on and some I couldn't put down. Overall I liked it (I think, still so unsure). It was definitely a very interesting and unique book. I love how everything centered

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around this painting and how it really seems to shape his decisions and his moods. That and his mother's death are the main driving factors for Theo and unfortunately they do not have good effects. It was hard to read many of the scenes where Theo is heavily drugged and making crazy decisions because you can tell he would be happy to let himself die. There is some hope for a while when he works at the shop and stops taking drugs, but then when Boris comes back it all down the hole. It was interesting because everything Theo does is not centered around money, like it is for Boris, but more by his past and the painting. The ending was a little confusing, but I was left with some hope that maybe he found the will to live after it all and maybe could one day find something/someone to make him happy.

The characters were really alive and well described. The writing was fantastic, though sometimes very heavy or scattered (on purpose) to depict Theos thoughts/mood. I would definitely recommend it to others, even though my feels are so back and forth.

This was a fast-paced book with a lot of action. I am intrigued and definitely want to finish the series as I was left with so many questions. What happened to the United States between the present and this future. What do the colonies want and why did they separate from the Republic? What former states are included in each region. Will this war end and who will win?

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The scene when Day's father found a US quarter and said it was proof that it DID exist. What happened?!

I wish we got more background on this dystopian/futuristic setting because that's what really fascinated me. I do like the characters of June and Day and I would like to see where they go from here. They are both ridiculously athletic and very smart, so there is a lot of potential. I hope we get the answers to some of these questions in the next 2 books.

I am not enjoying this series nearly as much as the Percy Jackson series. It seems much darker with more sacrifices and a much more gloomy tone. Things are so desperate for the demi-gods that even the funny bits have died away. By the end it looks so bleak and even Leo loses his comic relief. I feel like very little was accomplished in this long story and I was hoping for a little more light at the end of the tunnel. Hopefully the next and final book with have more funny parts along with the certain-death type of scenes.

I was looking for a short, lighter book and this was on hand. It was fun to read about what happens at the pet boarding when the humans go on vacation. I must say this was a very dramatic stay, but Harold and Chester seem to be surrounded by it. I had a feeling

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that Harrison was stealing the dogs for some reason, but I wasn't sure why. Also the puppies sounded so cute.

Again I loved reading about the stereotypical animals and this time there was a quirky mix of cats and dogs.

I'm so glad I finally picked this one up!

"Heathcliff. What a grump! He seems to rather be with his dogs than with other humans. And his daughter in law seems just as grumpy! And where is his son? And who the heck is Mr. Earnshaw? What is going on with these people?"

Those were my thought at the beginning of this book. As I read on I learned the complicated and heart-breaking story of Heathcliff and Catherine and the lives of all those around them. It's all an inter-woven very dramatic saga for all those involved.

After losing his love, Heathcliff becomes angry and at the same time obsessed with his family members. Basically he tries to make everyone around him as miserable as he is. He connives to have his son to marry Catherine's daughter. Even when Linton is apparently dying. Is it again because he is trying to get back at Edgar and Hindley? Or is just because he is still obsessed with Catherine. It's hard to tell and is probably a bit of both. Either way the whole scheme is desperate and crazy!


The characters in this book are really what makes it so wonderful. Emily Bronte wrote such a captivating story with such strange and crazy characters. I can see why people keep reading this book and definitely recommend it to everyone. Even if the beginning is slow, if you keep with it the story gets so interesting.