Rachel

logical ending? yes. the ending I wanted? no. it wasn't a bad book, but not what I wanted. it felt detached from the rest of the series. I hate to say it, but I wish I stopped reading after book two.

Update: 5 days later.
I wasn't happy with the end. I know I wasn't the only one. I thought somewhere Veronica Roth would explain WHY she gave it that ending. I wasn't happy with her response either. She said she always intended for Tris to die. Maybe that was true, but I think there is another more important reason she never addressed. Readers loved Four. I loved him too. I found myself unattached to Tris and instead eagerly awaiting the next time she saw Four. The third book felt less about Tris and more about Tobias. The last few chapters and an entire book dedicated to Four solidify my theory that Roth changed mid stream. It became more about overcoming the trauma of childhood, than Tris' need to save the world.

I read this book in two days. I lost sleep over this book. It's been a LONG time since I've let that happen. Parts of it really frustrated me, but I couldn't put it down. There were many times I didn't agree with Tris, but that's why I'm not her. I loved the action. As the second novel, I thought it held up really well to the first. Waiting to get the third book is driving me crazy.

Hate is a strong word, but I really really really didn't like you.....

My friend bought this book for me last year telling me I'd love it. I tried to read it before the movie came out last year, but after reading The Maze Runner, Hunger Games and Legend I was burnt out on the future world scenario.

Fast forward to December 2014. The movie is now being played on HBO. As one of the only channels we get, I knew I'd end up watching it. I felt bad leaving the book to just sit there watching the abridged version. An hour into the movie, I realize I have somewhere to be. No!! I was really getting into it! It wasn't on when I got home, but I couldn't wait. I picked up the book and began my journey.

The first day I read 100 pages. It was mostly recap of what I had already seen. It was so far really good, even though I couldn't keep the factions straight. I kept going. The action scenes were intense. The ferris wheel, the Hancock, the simulations, the moment with Peter and Al. I'm not sure if it was the author's writing or my familiarity with Chicago, but I felt like I was there. The moments with Four had me hooked. I figured out his story early but I still wanted to know more.

The ending took me by surprise and seemed rushed to me. I'd have liked to see it carry over into the next book. I was also I little disappointed at the lack of characterization with her parents. There was so much potential there. A few extra pages with them would have been nice, but dystopia novels are a lot like Disney. They hate parents.

I also have to say that the last scene between Tris and Four felt like I was back reading Twilight. Yes, I had to say that. It sticks in my head and left a bad taste in my mouth. Aside from that and a little extra character development, I really really liked this. I flew through it and have already started the second book. I hope to catch the rest of the first movie between chapters.

I loved this book. It's exactly the type of story I enjoy. Beautifully written with flawed characters, mystery, fantasy. I was beginning to doubt I would ever find a book like this. I can't wait for the rest of the series to be released. If there was a way to speed up time to get them, I would.

Really I give this 2.5 stars. It had potential, but to me it was not anything special.

What can I say about this book that hasn't already been said?

This book is just what you need when you're burnt out on reading. It's quick, lighthearted, and charming. The Waverly's are odd. They have a magical tree that shows you the best or worst moment of your life. If you've ever seen “How to Train Your Dragon” the tree is like Toothless. Full of sass and heart. It was my second favorite character.

The story centers around two sisters.

At 34, Claire is still living in her grandmothers house. She lives alone, but spends her time baking items from her garden for her catering business.

Her younger sister Sydney is running away from an abusive relationship with her young daughter in tow. They seek refuge with Claire, keeping their past hidden.

The book centers mostly around the two sisters as they work to overcome their fears and learn what it really means to be family. Including the two sisters and their daughter are

- Fred, the local grocery store owner who is struggling with the end of a relationship with his partner of 30 years.

- Evanelle, a widowed relative who gives people things that they will need. (She was my favorite).

- Emma/Hunter John, old friends of Sydney's who are married. Hunter John and Sydney were High school sweethearts.

- Bay, Sydeny's 5/6 year old daughter.

- Tyler, the cute guy next door

- Henry, a childhood friend of Sydney

This book is fiction mixed with magic realism. If you don't like magic then you wont appreciate this book. The recipes make your mouth water and you the author has you glued to the pages.

This is a really charming read that was worth the afternoon that took to read it. Yes, I read this whole book in a day.

I heard that if I loved Wildwood Dancing (also by Marillier) I would love this one. that set some pretty unrealistic expectations. One is a YA novel and the other is adult fantasy. I didn't mind the adult topics, nor the story, but I was a little disappointed. The novel started of so slowly. It took me until I was around 100 pages in to really get into it. I just felt it dragged.

After that I couldn't put it down. I might continue with the others in the sevenwaters series, but I'm more intrigued with her newest novel.

I think I hoped for more of the other world she included in Wildwood. Really, this was a well written novel, but just didn't live up to my expectations.

I'm not the ideal audience for this book, but I love fairy tale retellings. Really I'd give this a 2.5. The story is entertaining but incredibly predictable. I read Thorn awhile back and thought it was a much better retelling. This was just too far fetched for me. I know it's a retelling of the Goose Girl tale but there are ways to improve upon a story and ways to just rewrite it.

If you love books with cheesy plotlines, and predictable endings this book is for you. I consider myself a realist (then why do I read fairy tales? I love the deeper message behind them). I didn't take away much of anything from this except the whole story is impossible. Thorn was about learning to trust people, and overcoming violence. I felt like it was a book about a girl finding herself, standing up for herself, learning to love and live. The Goose Girl just felt like it was fluffed with all too familiar plots. I can't say i took anything away from it. Parts of it were entertaining, but it just felt wrong. Everything seemed too forced, and the ending made me wish I spent my time reading something else.

I've heard about Neil Gaiman for years. my one friend is always trying to get me to read his books. I read Coraline last year and found it just as creepy as the movie. I enjoyed that but found myself referencing what i saw in the movie instead of using my imagination.

The graveyard book isn't a movie yet so I can say I've finally read Neil Gaiman. i CHOOSE to read his book, not just because I wanted the relive time in a world from a movie but because it caught my interest.

What a great find. I liked Bod and Silas, and the book was written with such a quirky voice. I see now why everyone loves the author.

I also loved the authors subtle handling of death. He doesn't scare you with the families murders. There are so many ways to write that scene and I thought he handled it so well.


POSSIBLE SPOILERS
I was disappointed by the end. I feel like I didn't get closure. Maybe there is a plan for a sequel? Also, what was the purpose of Scarlett? Where is he expected to go at 15? Alone? I understand that he can't stay there forever, but how about guidance? how does he know what to do with the money? I'm left with all these burning questions.

With this book done, it's off to the next adventure.

I loved this. I've been in a funk for a few weeks where I couldn't get into any books. I saw this come up on book bub, and even though I prefer to just go for the free books this one sounded worth the $0.99.

I'm glad I bought it. I'm not too familiar with the story of the goose girl but this story warmed my height. It was more about Alyrra finding herself than about a romance with Kestrin. I was honestly worried it would end like most retellings with a rushed romance. Instead this was one I could believe. the characters also had more depth in them than i expected. I felt love and pity for all of them. I want to read more of them, but I feel sequels never do a book justice. If a sequel is made I'd love to see more of Red Hawk, so long as the characters stay true to themselves.

I didn't know about Stubby before reading this. I don't usually read nonfiction but picked it up on a whim.

While I felt some of the chapters were a little heavy with facts, I overall enjoyed this. I actually shed a tear in the last chapter about his death. I already miss Stubby and wish I could have met him.

I read this back in grade/middle school. The title sort of ruins the suspense at the end.

I got this book free via book bub. I saw the reviews on here that said to just keep reading. “It's worth it!” I was having a hard time getting into it. Since it was an ebook I would read it in spurts during my lunch break or waiting for an appointment.

I found the whole first half to be incredibly slow. I had a hard time keeping track of who was who. I just found I didn't care, and reading it in spurts over a long time didn't help.

When I got to the second half it was like a 180. I loved it! I can't wait read more.

I think I'd enjoy the second half much more on the second reading of this. I think there were many subtle things I missed. I'm glad I listened to the readers on here and kept going

Beautifully written. I'm glad I found this and had a chance to read it. I didn't know the original tale, but this book was a gem.

I was not very interested in the POV from Gavin, but I'm glad I stuck it out to read the rest. Even though at times I hated Thomas, he and the other characters are human. I think that's what I enjoyed most along with her beautiful writing.

I picked this up after reading many positive goodreads reviews on it.

I wasn't expecting anything special, even though I was already in love with the cover art.

This novel reminded me of old school horror. I enjoyed the pacing and the author narrating through journal entries, video recording, sound recording and notes from a mute girl.

It was a quick read. multiple pages are only a few sentences long. I wish I had read this a little slower to fully appreciate it. the ending i was reading with a lot of people around. I think I missed some key scenes here while I tried to block out their noise. overall I found it unique and witty. I look forward to reading more by this author.

oh and “Help!”

No review I write can do this justice. I graduated a few years ago and it felt like I was reading the journey of two of my friends. They were personable and honest. I would highly recommend this especially for young 20 some things trying to find their way after graduation. Thank you Jess and Rachel for taking us all on the journey with you.

I really enjoyed this book. it's a bit outdated by today's standards (he references the recent moon landing), but deals with topics so ancient that it didn't really matter.

Neverland is not the infamous land of Peter Pan. It is a land that has grown from something that may have been real into a legend. This book focuses prominently on the ancient Greeks. Atlantis, the Odyssey, fauns, cyclops, centaurs.... they along with other members of the ancient world had a major impact on the myths and fairy tale creatures of today.

Frimmer not only sums up the legends, but also notes where we first learned of them, and what else may have been going on during those times that could have influenced the legends. Are sea monsters real or were they created by the Phonecians to keep others out of their waters? The land of fire? Most likely they found and active volcano. While not always accurate this book gave me a new perspective on the world. it was a quick, fascinating read into the minds of people who lived thousands of years ago.

I would recommend this book to anyone interested in ancient mythology, fairy tales, or ancient culture.

I wanted to like this but I felt like half this story was a cheap knockoff of A Little Princess. Girl losses a parent, has to leave India to go to a strict boarding school. The other girls don't like her, she befriends a girl who is unpopular or a “charity case”. I liked the beginning, but once they went back to England I lost all interest. I Googled the ending and I'm glad I didn't waste anymore time on this book. Huge let down

I'm a fan of Jennifer Donnelly's other books and was really looking forward to this. I felt like it couldn't decide if it wanted to be j fiction or ya. I've seen libraries list it as both. Some of the terms seemed a little too big for junior fiction. I loved many of the puns. especially currensea! I known it's part of a series but I would have liked a little closure on some characters, mainly blu. Some parts seemed to drag but I felt like overall she built up the characters well and made a charming underwater world. Looking forward to the rest of the series.

Jennifer if you see this, please no more aconyms! Seeing “fomo” in a mermaid world? I understand it's modern terminology but no.... please no.

I didn't think I would like this but I was pleasantly surprised. It's a fun modern retelling of beauty and the beast.

Really enjoyed the story, but I wasn't a big fan of the style of writing. I started skipping entire paragraphs because some didn't seem relevant. A few more rounds through the editing ring and this could have been great.

I found this book via Pinterest. I didn't have high expectations for it because it was the first Pinterest recommendation I had taken. The summary sounded interesting and it sounded like a nice stand alone novel. I was coming off a series burnout.

I really enjoyed this book. I hadn't expected much so I found this to be a nice surprise. It's not a major romance book like many of the other readers seemed to have been expecting. It was more about survival. I would recommend this book, but don't place it on such a high pedestal before you begin.

What a heartwarming book. Written from the POV of an imaginary friend, it brought me back to my childhood. It's an excellent book, and a great choice if you're looking for something “different”.

I loved Wildwood Dancing and was thrilled to see there was a sequel. While this book stands alone as a great story, I didn't feel as involved in this one as the first one. It's a lot better than many other “fairy tale” style books and was a very enjoyable read, but I was expecting more.