Reviews

Watch Us Shine by Marisa de los Santos

mollycarter7's review

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.25

heatherd's review

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.25

I always love returning to the world of these novels and these characters, and particularly love the character of Cornelia, who was only a side character in the previous novel, but featured prominently in the first two in the series. I have to admit that I'm not sure how many more (if any?) novels de los Santos could/should write about this same family and set of characters, but as soon as I settled into this book, I was just happy she kept writing about them. I loved that this story was a dual time line plot and the way that the information was revealed was perfect for me. I enjoyed getting to know Cornelia's mom, Eleanor, and the trauma in her childhood added a seriousness to the story that was balanced out by the lightness of the writing style and the arc of the overall story. I really loved this and while I'm not sure there's more to mine from this family, if de los Santos finds a reason to do so and write another book about them, I will happily read it.

diana_nagorcka's review

emotional mysterious reflective sad

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

timna_wyckoff's review

3.0

A delight, as usual!

kllyfst's review against another edition

emotional mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

libbyhenderson's review

3.0

I was excited reading the descriptions of this book and the first few chapters didn’t disappoint. Descriptions of the northern lights were spot on, and the premise of the story was fascinating. However it dragged a bit and ended up being a bit slow.

mschrock8's review

5.0

Beautiful.

"Like most of my weirdness, I can't help it." Cornelia.

Martha - Eleanor's sister. Two books ago, there was a Marta.
" . . . her name is Martha." "Well, that's a nice name."
Professor Pulliam!
Peg's printing blocks at Bright Wind Farm.

"Whatever normal mothers mailed off to their children at college." Good thing my daughter's college mail wasn't normal.

"The card catalog alone made her heart happy - "

"They'd stopped at the post office on the way out of town."

"If I ruled the world, people who love each other would always keep each other." Cornelia

elliehash's review

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

juleswells's review

emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

Heart-rending but oh so good! I love Marisa's writing so much! I loved the characters, especially the familiar ones from her other books!

geisttull's review

3.0

Interesting story. Likeable characters. First time I've read this local author!