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3.28 AVERAGE
3.28 AVERAGE
This is a magical realism, a sort of horror book, set in a smallish town in New York about two sisters. There was a twilight zone episode back in time, which was also a short story, possibly by Robert Bloch or one of those guys (Ray bradbury? i just can't remember), about a boy who the family dotes on, but that's because he can control everyone, and everyone must please him. That is what this story reminded me of. The main girl's sister is so spooky... I can't talk too much about it because i don't want to give away the book, but it's overally creepy and spooky, with a twist ending. I really enjoyed it. If you're looking for a non-generic creepy thing to ready, or a story with lots of describing words, or just something magical, read this book.
I am so completely torn on this book. It's beautifully written with amazing imagery ... But I just couldn't get into the story, no matter how pretty it was. And it's odd to me that a book that seemingly so much happens in could feel, at the end, like nothing at al happened. I was okay with things left unanswered - that bothers me much less than it seems to other people - I just more felt like I read the entire lyrically beautiful novel, only to feel cheated in the end because I'd waited so long for SOMETHING, and nothing came.
I didn't realize that this book would have supernatural/paranormal themes in it- I do sometimes like that but the description of this book gave no indication so it was unexpected. That said- I really liked it. It felt like a nightmare. There were times where I was SO NERVOUS and at one point actually afraid and had to take a break from reading. But nothing "scary" was even happening- the nervous energy in the writing is so great. I would have given it a higher rating if I didn't feel so unsatisfied by the ending. It is kind of an elusive ending and that is ok with me, I like when the final scene is left for readers to interpret as they will. But the best way I can say this without spoilers is that I don't like how Ruby's actions are never explained. She is constantly doing things with no explanation of why she can do it.
Also. In reading other reviews I noticed that many people thought Ruby was a charismatic, likeable character with ultimately good intentions and I did not see it that way AT ALL. I found her final actions to be the most selfish of all- I didn't see it as selfless so much as leaving people in her debt.
Also. In reading other reviews I noticed that many people thought Ruby was a charismatic, likeable character with ultimately good intentions and I did not see it that way AT ALL. I found her final actions to be the most selfish of all- I didn't see it as selfless so much as leaving people in her debt.
Haunting, eerie, and beautifully written.
This was the sort of book I wasn't sure about even when I was halfway through with it. Things moved slow at the beginning, often leaving me wondering, "Okay, where is this *going*?" But all the loose strings were pulled together in the ending and made into a neat little bow.
Hard to classify this as 'paranormal.' Maybe 'contemporary with a supernatural bent.' In any case, if you're a fan of ghost stories, mysteries and lyrical prose, give this book a try.
This was the sort of book I wasn't sure about even when I was halfway through with it. Things moved slow at the beginning, often leaving me wondering, "Okay, where is this *going*?" But all the loose strings were pulled together in the ending and made into a neat little bow.
Hard to classify this as 'paranormal.' Maybe 'contemporary with a supernatural bent.' In any case, if you're a fan of ghost stories, mysteries and lyrical prose, give this book a try.
I finished this book out of obligation to the two dollars I spent on it. This book EXHAUSTED me. There's not a single likable character in the whole thing. Everyone is flat and static and it gets old really fast. Once you realize that nothing is going to progress, no one is going to change. There was a tempting scene... Beyond the boundary of town where Chloe's phone almost explodes with missed calls and texts that I found myself actually interested in... But then she crosses back into town and back to the stale plot. It's like she enjoys sleepwalking her way through life, one step behind her sister Ruby the whole time. Even the end failed miserably. I would have loved this book a little if the end had been different. (Spoilers from here on...)
If Owen has died at Ruby's will. If the people of Olive hadn't been tricked and instead Chloe's time had ended. But no... It was boring. And London constantly bouncing between gentle slave and hateful bitch. Ugh. Just let me forget I wasted my time on this book.
2 stars because it wasn't THAT awful.
If Owen has died at Ruby's will. If the people of Olive hadn't been tricked and instead Chloe's time had ended. But no... It was boring. And London constantly bouncing between gentle slave and hateful bitch. Ugh. Just let me forget I wasted my time on this book.
2 stars because it wasn't THAT awful.
Balance, she'd said, It's all about the balance.
This was so odd. I think my 2 star rating is only because my questions weren't answered. I was left with all these weird answers and descriptions of things I didn't really care about but none of the answers I'd really wanted.
I'm not much for magic realism, which is what I suppose this book is. I assume?
This was so odd. I think my 2 star rating is only because my questions weren't answered. I was left with all these weird answers and descriptions of things I didn't really care about but none of the answers I'd really wanted.
I'm not much for magic realism, which is what I suppose this book is. I assume?
What a good book! Running off the low that [b:Dare Me|12982393|Dare Me|Megan Abbott|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1342214694s/12982393.jpg|18141649] had left me in after I finished it almost a year ago, I was recommended Imaginary Girls as something from a similar genre. The motif of "Dangerous teenage girls and their boredom" easily make a book for me, since it's not something you see often.
Even less often do you see this trope played out without romantic context.
One of the best parts of this book is how immersed you became in Chloe's perspective. The fact that you genuinely don't know what's going to happen next, up to the last page, is something that I admire. In fact, the biggest spoiler in the book is that. Led to believe that Ruby's charisma is dangerous but harmless to Chloe, it's an even bigger shock when things .
Damn near everything in this book gets a callback from when it's passingly mentioned at the beginning of the book- from the red ribbons to the resemblance between the two sisters.
Honestly? If you're looking for something in the similar vein of Abbott's works, but with a little more painful sisterly love, this is the book for you.
Even less often do you see this trope played out without romantic context.
One of the best parts of this book is how immersed you became in Chloe's perspective. The fact that you genuinely don't know what's going to happen next, up to the last page, is something that I admire. In fact, the biggest spoiler in the book is that
Spoiler
this book is actually part of the paranormal genreSpoiler
start to fall apart with London and the townDamn near everything in this book gets a callback from when it's passingly mentioned at the beginning of the book- from the red ribbons to the resemblance between the two
Spoiler
halfHonestly? If you're looking for something in the similar vein of Abbott's works, but with a little more painful sisterly love, this is the book for you.
If I had another book to read after our state-mandated test, I would have. This was the just the only book I had.
It was confusing and the plot line felt scattered. Some things happened, without further explanation and were never resolved.
It was confusing and the plot line felt scattered. Some things happened, without further explanation and were never resolved.
In town, Chloe's sister Ruby is the the girl everyone wants to be and wants to be with, and for Chloe being just under her shadow gives her enough status around town too. Except one night party at the reservoir goes horribly wrong when Chloe finds a dead girl in a boat. Two years after the incident, Chloe is living a boring life-- until Ruby shows up to take her back home. And everything is as it should be; Ruby the queen of town, and Chloe the little sister basking in her brilliance. But Chloe can tell something is off. Something dangerous that Ruby is hiding, and could unravel their sisterly bonds in a way Chloe could never imagine.
I knew this was a contemporary read, but I didn't think it would be so dark. Imaginary Girls was written so beautifully and so vividly. To read the rest of this review, visit A Reading Kabocha @ http://areadingkabocha.blogspot.com
I knew this was a contemporary read, but I didn't think it would be so dark. Imaginary Girls was written so beautifully and so vividly. To read the rest of this review, visit A Reading Kabocha @ http://areadingkabocha.blogspot.com
3.5 but i rounded up bc it's a three star beginning but a four star ending.
like wow. I'll admit it was hard to get into. It was really confusing but once I got a basic idea of the wierdness happening it was just a really great @__@ book. Idk how to explain it it's just bizarre and asadfgjkll and creepy and eerie and the ending and unsettling.
like wow. I'll admit it was hard to get into. It was really confusing but once I got a basic idea of the wierdness happening it was just a really great @__@ book. Idk how to explain it it's just bizarre and asadfgjkll and creepy and eerie and the ending and unsettling.