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3.5 AVERAGE
3.5 AVERAGE
This book had a sweet and exciting concept and story, but the twist was quite far-fetched the writing was extremely preachy at times.
I needed this book as much as I did the first time. It was definitely a comfort read I needed to bolster myself.
When I started this book, I was hooked instantly. The writing style is incredibly engrossing and just the experience of reading this book was magical.
I especially loved the idea of the future influencing the present. I started reading this book with no idea of what was going to be in it and the blurb didn't really help much. My lack of knowledge made the book hard to get into but I'm happy I stuck through because it was worth the extra effort. I did find Tamara unlikable and whiny at the start but this added to the experience as I could watch her character grow and change. I didn't like her much at the end but definitely improved from the start of the book.
I hate how it never explains the logic behind the diary. It does not even attempt to explain it. There is no half assed history, no far-fetched theories, nothing. And that bothers the hell out of me. Secondly, maybe I missed it or I'm just being thick but I had no idea where this book was set until I was halfway through and it mentioned Tamara living in Dublin. I started off imagining it in America (which is where most books are set), but then she mentioned day trips to London which would make no sense since it is a 7+ hour flight from the UK to the east coast of the USA. It made no sense. The world building was honestly really poor in this book and that also bothers the hell out of me. Finally, the pacing also bothers the hell out of me because it is really slow pace. Really. For the first half there is no action. She doesn't even find out about the powers of the diary until 1/3 of the way through.
Overall this book wasn't great, but it was alright.
I especially loved the idea of the future influencing the present. I started reading this book with no idea of what was going to be in it and the blurb didn't really help much. My lack of knowledge made the book hard to get into but I'm happy I stuck through because it was worth the extra effort. I did find Tamara unlikable and whiny at the start but this added to the experience as I could watch her character grow and change. I didn't like her much at the end but definitely improved from the start of the book.
I hate how it never explains the logic behind the diary. It does not even attempt to explain it. There is no half assed history, no far-fetched theories, nothing. And that bothers the hell out of me. Secondly, maybe I missed it or I'm just being thick but I had no idea where this book was set until I was halfway through and it mentioned Tamara living in Dublin. I started off imagining it in America (which is where most books are set), but then she mentioned day trips to London which would make no sense since it is a 7+ hour flight from the UK to the east coast of the USA. It made no sense. The world building was honestly really poor in this book and that also bothers the hell out of me. Finally, the pacing also bothers the hell out of me because it is really slow pace. Really. For the first half there is no action. She doesn't even find out about the powers of the diary until 1/3 of the way through.
Overall this book wasn't great, but it was alright.
Vaguely sci f/alternative realityi... Think YA time travelers wife, with a different story. Annoying teen who eventually starts to act more human. Nicely written, really enjoyable. I gather this is an author from across the pond who is well known there but less so here. Give her a go. Was a good summer read.
The Book of Tomorrow is a magical modern age tale for young adults. Tamara is a teenager from a rich family and she is used to her popularity and getting whatever it is she wants. Then her father dies and she finds out that her family has unknown debts causing her and her mother to take refuge with relatives in the country.
With her father’s death and the move to the country, Tamara’s world changes overnight. She is now surrounded by people she considers to be country bumpkins, relatives that are rather odd, and her mother seems to be taking permanent refuge in sleep. As she investigates her new environment she discovers a magical journal that reveals her diary entries the day before she writes them. As she reads the entries in the diary she becomes aware of a mystery surrounding her family, the nearby castle and a local nun.
Tamara also meets two handsome boys in the midst of her sleuthing, and doesn’t find the idea of sleeping with one of them all that unappealing. The story should appeal to the young adult crowd, not only with the romantic story line, but the inclusion of mystery and magical realism.
What I liked: The magical realism of the journal, the mystery, the castle backdrop, Tamara’s personal growth over the course of the book.
Things to be aware of: Teenage drinking, a sex scene (which is not very graphic).
With her father’s death and the move to the country, Tamara’s world changes overnight. She is now surrounded by people she considers to be country bumpkins, relatives that are rather odd, and her mother seems to be taking permanent refuge in sleep. As she investigates her new environment she discovers a magical journal that reveals her diary entries the day before she writes them. As she reads the entries in the diary she becomes aware of a mystery surrounding her family, the nearby castle and a local nun.
Tamara also meets two handsome boys in the midst of her sleuthing, and doesn’t find the idea of sleeping with one of them all that unappealing. The story should appeal to the young adult crowd, not only with the romantic story line, but the inclusion of mystery and magical realism.
What I liked: The magical realism of the journal, the mystery, the castle backdrop, Tamara’s personal growth over the course of the book.
Things to be aware of: Teenage drinking, a sex scene (which is not very graphic).
A magical story about a wonderful girl!
This book was so full of love, laughter and action, I even read during class.
It is so amazingly well written and the characrers are so beautiful made and cecelia did a great job!!
I really really love this book!
This book was so full of love, laughter and action, I even read during class.
It is so amazingly well written and the characrers are so beautiful made and cecelia did a great job!!
I really really love this book!
ok so I thought about it and here are my thoughts in video form https://youtu.be/LJDjp-hdyh8
It seemed slow at first, but I found myself wrapped up in Tamara's life, wanting to see how she would grow. It all came together pretty quickly in the end but by the last page I didn't want to leave the world of the Kilsaney grounds.
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
There is waaaaay too much going on in this story. Is is a city girl/country girl story? A romance with a librarian on wheels? A mystery about a burned castle? It goes on and on, but where it does not go is anyway interesting. The big reveal is a letdown, and with the magical element of the diary that predicts what will happen the next day, I expected so much more. The clues are so obvious they smack you in the face and then all of the parts are quickly explained in a chapter at the end.
As disappointed as I was, the voice is still familiar. I predict fans of Ahern will read it anyway and like it just because she stays true to her style. I just wish this story had had more meat and less filling.
BTW this is one of the PRETTIEST books I have seen in a long time. I loved the design. Why can't more books come with built in bookmarks?
As disappointed as I was, the voice is still familiar. I predict fans of Ahern will read it anyway and like it just because she stays true to her style. I just wish this story had had more meat and less filling.
BTW this is one of the PRETTIEST books I have seen in a long time. I loved the design. Why can't more books come with built in bookmarks?