Oleander: A Great Expectations Retelling by Scarlett Drake

4.56 AVERAGE

orose8's review

4.5
emotional sad tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: N/A
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

clemence10's review

3.0
I shouldn't be surprised for not having enjoyed reading this book too much, because I've never been fond of this kind of book (two lovers who chase each other endlessly). The main problem here: Jude's obsession with Caspien (although I'm not against faithful love, I hate obsession) and the omnipresence of sex (and sexuality in general). I liked the end, though. Anyway, Caspien truly was poison, and Jude was stupid enough to drink it willingly again and again, before crying in front of the consequences.

ceystxl's review against another edition

5.0
emotional mysterious sad slow-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

maibebabe's review

5.0
dark emotional hopeful reflective sad 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: Complicated

mcarlton's review

4.75
emotional hopeful inspiring reflective tense slow-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
arthurblunck's profile picture

arthurblunck's review

5.0
emotional inspiring reflective sad 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

skath_23's review

4.0
Quiero tener a Cas y a Jude y abrazarlos

whitesj2's review

4.5
emotional tense medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Character
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
I was so engrossed in this story - it is one you will have a hard time putting down! Even though you know you are in for a world of pain (it IS a Great Expectations retelling after all...) it is done so well and so worth it. The writing was absolutely beautiful. I was listening to TTPD a lot while reading this and now I will never be able to hear "Down Bad" without thinking of Jude - that is his theme song for sure. The ending was perfection - the epilogue and post-script...loved it. 
henwin's profile picture

henwin's review

5.0
challenging dark emotional hopeful sad slow-paced
babybasil's profile picture

babybasil's review

5.0
medium-paced
I wanted to punch cas a little. Then Gideon very much. In the end, ended up making cilbir cause that’s what they had in London and it’s my fave meal. 

5 stars, made me cry.