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katykelly's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
A perfect read for the perfect-aged reader... There will be a precise market for this and it's not Picoult's usual one. I've never read Picoult's before, but I have to admit to being intrigued by the idea of both the writer collaborating with her daughter on this, and the notion of a fairytale character trying to escape the confines of his story.
Oliver knows nothing of the world outside of his fairy tale, but longs for something more than the happily ever after with Seraphima, his fairytale princess (who is actually rather vapid). He can see the readers of his book, he and his friends live when the pages are closed but he wants to leave.
Delilah is the book's latest reader, drawn to the book time and again by the handsome and enigmatic prince she somehow feels a connection to. And one day - he talks to her.
It could have been a mess, it could have been simply little-girl-wish-fulfilment. But it's actually a cleverly thought-through plot, where characters have their own lives and hobbies when the reader shuts the book, where the consequences of trying to change a book are acted out.
Delilah is a teenager who doesn't really fit in, her mother worries about her obsession with a children's story, and I found her very easy to identify with. It's not that Delilah wants to be a fairytale princess - she simply feels an attraction to someone who happens to be both a prince and a character in a book.
I might have felt it myself as a teenager, now I simply see Oliver as a young man trying to break free of the confines of his life and choose one for himself.
The story ends on a note that could be considered an end, but leaves room for more tale to tell, and indeed, as I write, the sequel/companion piece is being published (Spring 2016), which I plan on sampling.
It's a world I want to know more about, the inclusion of snippets of the fairy tale make it almost two stories in one, but makes the world of Oliver's kingdom and his longtime friends and (so called) family (who are almost actors in roles) just as appealing as the 'real' world of Delilah.
Will Oliver make it out of the fairy story? And will he and Delilah manage to maintain their connection?
Impressive idea, well executed, and begging for a screen treatment.
A perfect read for the perfect-aged reader... There will be a precise market for this and it's not Picoult's usual one. I've never read Picoult's before, but I have to admit to being intrigued by the idea of both the writer collaborating with her daughter on this, and the notion of a fairytale character trying to escape the confines of his story.
Oliver knows nothing of the world outside of his fairy tale, but longs for something more than the happily ever after with Seraphima, his fairytale princess (who is actually rather vapid). He can see the readers of his book, he and his friends live when the pages are closed but he wants to leave.
Delilah is the book's latest reader, drawn to the book time and again by the handsome and enigmatic prince she somehow feels a connection to. And one day - he talks to her.
It could have been a mess, it could have been simply little-girl-wish-fulfilment. But it's actually a cleverly thought-through plot, where characters have their own lives and hobbies when the reader shuts the book, where the consequences of trying to change a book are acted out.
Delilah is a teenager who doesn't really fit in, her mother worries about her obsession with a children's story, and I found her very easy to identify with. It's not that Delilah wants to be a fairytale princess - she simply feels an attraction to someone who happens to be both a prince and a character in a book.
I might have felt it myself as a teenager, now I simply see Oliver as a young man trying to break free of the confines of his life and choose one for himself.
The story ends on a note that could be considered an end, but leaves room for more tale to tell, and indeed, as I write, the sequel/companion piece is being published (Spring 2016), which I plan on sampling.
It's a world I want to know more about, the inclusion of snippets of the fairy tale make it almost two stories in one, but makes the world of Oliver's kingdom and his longtime friends and (so called) family (who are almost actors in roles) just as appealing as the 'real' world of Delilah.
Will Oliver make it out of the fairy story? And will he and Delilah manage to maintain their connection?
Impressive idea, well executed, and begging for a screen treatment.
geenag90's review against another edition
3.0
Clever and original idea, the ending felt a little rushed though.
maureencloonan's review against another edition
3.0
Cute. Definitely more of a YA novel than a regular Jodi Picoult. I did appreciate a character sharing my name, not very common!
nordicreads's review against another edition
4.0
Well-written story with an interesting premise. Very much a Toy Story-esque setting but with book characters.
I felt the text came close to becoming stale a few times but never quite did. Kept me going and the twist ending I liked. My only grip is that all the characters aside from the leads, don't get enough attention. There were several who I'd have liked to get to know better. They're not quite "just furniture" but it does feel like they're often just there to make the world feel not quite as empty.
Hoping the side characters get more love in the sequel.
I felt the text came close to becoming stale a few times but never quite did. Kept me going and the twist ending I liked. My only grip is that all the characters aside from the leads, don't get enough attention. There were several who I'd have liked to get to know better. They're not quite "just furniture" but it does feel like they're often just there to make the world feel not quite as empty.
Hoping the side characters get more love in the sequel.
sarahs_bookdragon's review against another edition
4.0
Really liked this book! The fictional world was amazing and this is every reader's fantasy. A lovely tale that can be associated with a PG fanfiction of the book-obsessed. (Plus, this REALLY helped me get over my reading slump!)
[A little more spoiler-y here):
My only issue with the book is one of the main characters. Delilah just felt too cliche and fairytale to be relatable. Her high school life alone doesn't make sense. I seriously doubt that the ENTIRE school is going to hate you for breaking a popular girl's nose. Many people probably don't even know who you are, Delilah. Chill.
She was just unrelatable and unlikeable, despite the fact that I am probably supposed to identify with her. I found it hardest to get through her chapters, (which is why I still haven't finished the next book: Off the Page).
BUT, overall, I really enjoyed this read.
[A little more spoiler-y here):
My only issue with the book is one of the main characters. Delilah just felt too cliche and fairytale to be relatable. Her high school life alone doesn't make sense. I seriously doubt that the ENTIRE school is going to hate you for breaking a popular girl's nose. Many people probably don't even know who you are, Delilah. Chill.
She was just unrelatable and unlikeable, despite the fact that I am probably supposed to identify with her. I found it hardest to get through her chapters, (which is why I still haven't finished the next book: Off the Page).
BUT, overall, I really enjoyed this read.
keilabutler's review against another edition
1.0
I started reading this book before reading any of the reviews. I LOVE Jodi Picoult books. After reading the reviews I decided that I would give the book a chance. But nope, I am quitting before I even get to page 100. I have too many books in my TBR pile to waste time on a mediocre book that does not catch and keep my attention.
marieintheraw's review against another edition
4.0
There's a reason Jodi Picoult was top writer back then.
sarahstarkey's review against another edition
adventurous
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
isabella1018's review against another edition
4.0
Wow! I didn't expect to love this book as much as I did!
I loved the character and how this one book comes alive.
I ship Oliver and Deliah!
Overall this was a very enjoyable book.
I loved the character and how this one book comes alive.
I ship Oliver and Deliah!
Overall this was a very enjoyable book.
sksrenninger's review against another edition
3.0
Definitely an intriguing and captivating read, and an exciting premise. I felt like interspersing the fairy tale with the contemporary story left each branch a little under-developed, though - while I liked the characters, I didn't feel like we got to know any of them very well. I also found the ending a little jarring and somewhat dissatisfying.