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4.08 AVERAGE
4.08 AVERAGE
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I wanted to love this story. I read the description and it sounded like a cute, online friends to lovers type of story. What I got instead was a story that hurt my heart. Maybe it's just the mood I was in today but this book did not work for me at all for the following reasons: So, basically, after reading this book, I feel sad and depressed, not at all how I want to feel after reading a book. Maybe it's just me and my personal preferences that I didn't enjoy this one. I wouldn't want to discourage someone else from reading this because a lot of people loved this book and based on all the positive reviews I am in the minority with my opinion but it just was not the right book for me.
Spoiler
#1. The only character I liked in the whole book besides Ella was Rob and he was a super minor character. #2. I hated Ella's dad. There is no way I could ever forgive him for walking out on Ella and raising some other guys daughters (of the same age) as his own never even telling them that he had a daughter. Ella having to hear those girls call her father dad and living in that house was torture. He didn't even keep a picture of Ella or respond to any of her letters over the years yet he was super-dad to Jennifer's daughters while completely ignoring the fact he had a biological daughter he helped raise until she was 8 years old. He couldn't even be bothered to send birthday cards. I absolutely despised Ella's dad and he basically ruined the whole book. I can't remember reading a book where I hated a character more. #3. Brian. I hated the introduction to Brian and hearing about the women he's been with and blah, blah, blah. He was just a self-centered asshole. Later in the book, he does redeem himself somewhat but he never really grew on me. #4. Ella. Poor Ella. She's been through so much and this author just kept piling more and more on her. Then, she has to be institutionalized? Holy shit, this girl has had the worst life. The bullying, her depression, the loss of her mom, having to live with her dad and his "daughters" and new wife who all treat her pretty badly, her injuries and burns. She just has it awful and the ending of the book didn't make up for any of what she had to go through. I mean, this poor girl was completely beaten down and hurt by almost every single person in this book (besides Rob and Vivian.) #5. The stepsisters and stepmom. They had no compassion for Ella for most of the book but then we are left with them kind of making up in the end and whatever. Nope. Did not work for me.
emotional
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I picked this book because I was in the mood for something sweet and, lets face it, a little dorky. That is not the way I would describe this book. It is definitely an example of why you do not judge a book by its cover.
Main Characters
Ellamara Rodriguez (Ella): Bright blue eyes, naturally tanned skin. Badly scarred over 70% of her body from a car accident. Walks slowly with a heavy limp. Very intelligent, kind and with an amazingly strong spirit.
Brian Oliver (Cinder): Hollywood heart-throb. Playboy. He was a bit stunted, growing up in Hollywood the way he did.
Book Info
Setting: California
Point of View: Alternating first person between Ella and Brian (clearly marked)
Length: 269 pages
Price: $4.99 on Amazon (as of 2/4/15)
Review
I picked this book because I was in the mood for something sweet and, lets face it, a little dorky. That is not the way I would describe this book. It is definitely an example of why you do not judge a book by its cover.
-Kelly Oram, Cinder and Ella"
Ella and Brian (Cinder) share a love for a series of fantasy novels that are currently being made into a movie. Little does she know, her online BFF Cinder is really Brian Oliver. I didn't really like that he was such a playboy. I don't usually mind the whole playboy angle, but for some reason it bothered me in this book. I think it is because he talked to her about women even when he claimed he was in love with her.
It is not all sadness and trauma, though. There is some very swoon worthy romantic moments and they show themselves in unsuspecting ways.
“Say car for me”This was a clever adaptation of Cinderella, very very loosely based. There was a step-family who was basically just stupid, not evil. Ella's rehabilitation team served as her little mice.
“A real man would have fought to be with the woman he loved—social class be damned.”Ella is strong. If most people went through even a portion of what Ella survived, they would be mentally broken beyond repair. Ella's mind is certainly a bit bruised around the edges, but she is a fighter and she didn't lose her spark.
“The Easter Bunny could have come down the chimney armed with machine guns and opened fire on the house, and everyone would have been less surprised.”I did find the extreme reactions to Ella a bit unrealistic, but I was able to overlook that and get sucked into a surprisingly moving story that featured depth, unique character voices and an overall well put together plot that is sure to hold your interest.
emotional
inspiring
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Bullying, Car accident, Death of parent
Moderate: Medical content, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Sometimes you just have to read someting that allows you to escape a harsh reality and the looming end of the world. This is it, this is waht you read then.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Voordat ik in dit boek begon, twijfelde ik of ik het wel leuk zou vinden. Aangezien er veel werd aangegeven dat dit boek voor 13 jaar en ouder was, wist ik niet zeker of de romance en het verhaal mij wel zou aantrekken... Nou ik had het verkeerd. Dit verhaal is ge-wel-dig! De situatie van Ella is niet best.. Zonder teveel te spoileren: het ongeluk, het verlies van haar moeder, haar nieuwe familie, het pesten, haar littekens.. Zo ontzettend heftig! Ik kan me niet inbeelden hoe erg dit voor haar is. Maar gelukkig is Cinder er, aka Brian. Wat is hij een geweldige man! Ik heb me geen moment aan hem gestoord. De keuzes die hij maakt zijn logisch en vooral aan het einde heel erg romantisch. De heftige situaties en de geweldige romance maken dit boek één van de beste YA die ik ooit heb gelezen. Ik kan echt niet wachten om deel 2 te lezen!
Before I started this book, I wasn't sure if I would like it. Since it was widely stated that this book was for ages 13 and up, I wasn't sure if the romance and story would appeal to me... Well, I was wrong. This story is amazing! Ella's situation is not good.. Without spoilering too much: the accident, the loss of her mother, her new family, the bullying, her scars.. So incredibly intense! I can't imagine how bad this is for her. But thankfully Cinder is here, aka Brian. What a wonderful man he is! I didn't mind him for a moment. The choices he makes are logical and especially at the end very romantic. The intense situations and the great romance make this book one of the best YA I've ever read. I really can't wait to read the second part!
Before I started this book, I wasn't sure if I would like it. Since it was widely stated that this book was for ages 13 and up, I wasn't sure if the romance and story would appeal to me... Well, I was wrong. This story is amazing! Ella's situation is not good.. Without spoilering too much: the accident, the loss of her mother, her new family, the bullying, her scars.. So incredibly intense! I can't imagine how bad this is for her. But thankfully Cinder is here, aka Brian. What a wonderful man he is! I didn't mind him for a moment. The choices he makes are logical and especially at the end very romantic. The intense situations and the great romance make this book one of the best YA I've ever read. I really can't wait to read the second part!