Chuyển đến nội dung chính

Leaving Paradise & Return to Paradise





Leaving Paradise
written by Simone Elkeles

Easily one of the best books I've read this year, this original story is an instant YA classic about the transcending power of forgiveness.  It is the ultimate exercise in imagining complexly, but also so much just an amazing story.  Good writing is important, and Elkeles is capable of it, but having that unique, compelling concept to propel the storytelling is critical, and at that, Elkeles' book is perfection.  What a powerful book.  I feel that the main story was slightly cheapened by the last minute plot-twist, which is never explored as much as it could have been, but the underlying message of our shared humanity is still an important one.

Return to Paradise
written by Simone Elkeles

What a shame that a great book like Leaving Paradise got such a lackluster sequel.  If a follow-up story had to happen, which I don't feel it did, it should have at least focused on Leah's role in everything.  It is one of the most contrived, pointless books I've read in a while, which is a shame considering how powerful its predecessor is.  Forgiveness is a powerful central theme, and without Leah around to propel that same original story forward, this book falls flat on its face, and I almost wish it had been Caleb, so the story contained genuinely deep discussions on redemption.  I have trouble believing it's even the same author writing these two books, this was just so bad compared to Leaving Paradise.  I came for the deep, original, beautiful story, and ended up leaving with a pathetic romance novel.  I'm not impressed.  I'd like to pretend a sequel never happened.

Nhận xét

Đăng nhận xét

Bài đăng phổ biến từ blog này

James Dashner

The Death Cure written by James Dashner No, really, what did I read and why ?  James Dashner, what, what, what are you doing?  There are a few cool reveals along the way, but as far as books go, this was not a satisfying conclusion to a trilogy.  We get answers, but the one thing I wanted to know most of all (Thomas' past) remains a mystery.  It felt like most of this book was pointless action that dragged on for no reason, so even though there were things happening, it felt like nothing was happening at all.  The plot was not advanced.  It was violence for the sake of violence.  Theresa and Thomas were, at this point, the only two characters I cared about, and Teresa barely showed up at all in the entirety of the story.  The ending was rushed, and yes, I enjoyed the few twists we got at the very  end (the last page ), but come on.  This was a story that needed answers and plot twists and instead, we got epic battle scenes that I didn't ...
Đăng nhận xét
Đọc thêm

The Prophet of Yonwood

The Prophet of Yonwood written by Jeanne DuPrau First of all, I still don't understand why this is called "the third book of Ember" when it is clearly not the third. I was so confused about what was happening, where Lina and Doon were, until I read the back cover and found out it was a prequel. That is not the sort of information I should be getting off the back cover, that is something that should be made evident upon starting the book. For a children's book, there is an overload of social commentary, and I'm pretty sure the entire ideas would just fly over their heads, and I thought People of Sparks was bad in that regard! Hah! Regardless of whether or not I agree with her views, this is entirely too preachy. It proved very difficult to get into the plot, the characters were not well-developed, it was very slow paced, with not much action at all. I think I may possibly have only liked one page of this entire novel--the last one. How ridiculous. Don...
Đăng nhận xét
Đọc thêm

Waiting on Wednesday ( 2 )

Waiting on Wednesday is a weekly event that is hosted by Jill at  Breaking the Spine and spotlights upcoming releases that we’re eagerly anticipating Michelle's W.O.W Pick The Twice lost ( Lost Voices #3 )  By Sarah Porter * No description due to spoilers for books #1 and #2! Release date: September 1st 2013 To read my review for Lost Voices #1 go HERE What happens to the girls nobody sees—the ones who are ignored, mistreated, hidden away? The girls nobody hears when they cry for help? Brittany's W.O.W Pick The Liberator ( Dante Walker #2 )  By Victoria Scott * No description due to spoilers for books #1! Release date: August 27th, 2013 Dante Walker: He makes good girls go BAD!                                                  
Đăng nhận xét
Đọc thêm