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3.88 AVERAGE
3.88 AVERAGE
I swore I wouldn't read another Jodi book, but she sucks me in. A really engrossing read and I actually liked the end of this one (no spoilers).
I think I spent too much time in the beginning of this book thinking it was a mystery to figure out. I finally figured out that is was actually about the characters and not the mystery. I enjoyed the story and the characters, but something at the end of the story bothered me a bit.....no spoilers, but the lawyer/main character misunderstands something that she really shouldn't have based on the story and then figures out things a bit later. That just didn't ring true for me, but other readers probably didn't even notice or wouldn't agree. Good, but not great.
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
Good mystery, and I really liked the accurate information about the Amish culture - very interesting
emotional
hopeful
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
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
There are some SPOILERS in this review:
So, this is one of Jodi's earlier books and I think one of the dangers that comes with this is that we compare her earlier books with the ones that have come later. Of course, every author develops further the more that they write and I think Jodi is a clear example of this. Therefore, I don't think this book is as good as some of her later work - but I think it's important to look beyond that and see what a fantastic book this is on it's own terms. Of course, it has it faults and that's why it's not 5 stars from me, but I very much enjoyed this book. It hooked me from the very beginning and I had to keep reading because I so badly wanted to know what was going to happen to Katie. I didn't like Ellie so much at first but I grew to really care for her character too - almost at the same time as the character herself realised the faults in herself and learned from the Amish community surrounding her. My issues are the ending (would a mother, even an Amish one, allow her child to go to trail and possibly prison for something that they had done? I don't know, not being a mother, but I would imagine a mother would much rather she was punished than her child?), and also the fact that the jury did not actually come to a decision. After all the trial that happened, it would have been nice for them to have made a choice rather than George and Ellie just agreeing to the sentence Katie would receive. But I found this book highly gripping, with those sentences of pure brilliance that I've grown to love in Jodi's writing and that is why she will always be my favourite author. Only four more of her books to read now until I've read them all - and not having another one backed up to read will be a first for me! Best spread them out... :D
So, this is one of Jodi's earlier books and I think one of the dangers that comes with this is that we compare her earlier books with the ones that have come later. Of course, every author develops further the more that they write and I think Jodi is a clear example of this. Therefore, I don't think this book is as good as some of her later work - but I think it's important to look beyond that and see what a fantastic book this is on it's own terms. Of course, it has it faults and that's why it's not 5 stars from me, but I very much enjoyed this book. It hooked me from the very beginning and I had to keep reading because I so badly wanted to know what was going to happen to Katie. I didn't like Ellie so much at first but I grew to really care for her character too - almost at the same time as the character herself realised the faults in herself and learned from the Amish community surrounding her. My issues are the ending (would a mother, even an Amish one, allow her child to go to trail and possibly prison for something that they had done? I don't know, not being a mother, but I would imagine a mother would much rather she was punished than her child?), and also the fact that the jury did not actually come to a decision. After all the trial that happened, it would have been nice for them to have made a choice rather than George and Ellie just agreeing to the sentence Katie would receive. But I found this book highly gripping, with those sentences of pure brilliance that I've grown to love in Jodi's writing and that is why she will always be my favourite author. Only four more of her books to read now until I've read them all - and not having another one backed up to read will be a first for me! Best spread them out... :D
2.5 omg this was a rollercoaster but like the kind of rollercoaster where you’re excited when it starts, it goes really fast in the first half, lots of loops and turns.. and then all of the sudden it starts going 5 miles an hour and you’re looking around as your mind wanders while the car just goes in the same circle until it finally slows to a stop. Overall it wasn’t a bad story but eek some parts were super dated and made me cringe a little. Jodi!! We have a very love-hate relationship right now! I think we might have to take a little break from each other briefly.
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated