Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.22 AVERAGE
4.22 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
challenging
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-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
too obvious
★★★★ // i am no stranger to a Melina Marchetta novel, having read Saving Francesca a few years back. but this one feels a different kind of heavy to a point when things finally fell into place, there’s just this hovering emptiness and hollowness in your chest. it was not an easy read, especially because i found the origin story of the core five slightly tedious and muddled. i couldn’t find the time to deeply care for them as they simply felt like people in the past—even as certain revelations were reached. despite this, i couldn’t help but be drawn to this story. maybe because its themes of overcoming self-loathing is something i can identify with, not to mention its extremely romantic take of Taylor and Griggs’ past and present connection. going back, it provokes a good question of how far we are willing to forgive other people and ourselves. there are things in life that are surely out of our control, but our reaction to it is placed on our hands. after all, we create our own fate.
”But grief makes a monster out of us sometimes, Taylor, and sometimes you say and do things to the people you love that you can’t forgive yourself for.”
The thing is, I saw this reviewed again and again by bloggers I followed, and I kept putting off reading it. On the one hand, I'm glad I did, because I've had an awful week and it was a brilliant book that made my day a little better. On the other hand, I had missed out on something amazing for this long. Really.
I was absolutely enthralled. I couldn't put it down for more than a minute or two, and most of those brief breaks only lasted long enough to wipe the tears from my eyes, because it was fairly touching.
There are two stories which are intertwined; Taylor's story, and Hannah's manuscript. They counterbalance each other perfectly.
And Jonah. Good lord. I loved him. He was amazing.
On the Jellicoe Road is amazing and wonderful and leaves you hanging onto every word and waiting for truths to be revealed, because while you think you know it, you aren't quite sure and you're missing enough puzzle pieces that you can't quite see the whole picture yet.
But then it comes together and you're left staring at something masterful.
Can you tell I loved it? Because I did. I just don't know if I can say enough nice things about it.
For a full review, check out AeliaReads.
I was absolutely enthralled. I couldn't put it down for more than a minute or two, and most of those brief breaks only lasted long enough to wipe the tears from my eyes, because it was fairly touching.
There are two stories which are intertwined; Taylor's story, and Hannah's manuscript. They counterbalance each other perfectly.
And Jonah. Good lord. I loved him. He was amazing.
On the Jellicoe Road is amazing and wonderful and leaves you hanging onto every word and waiting for truths to be revealed, because while you think you know it, you aren't quite sure and you're missing enough puzzle pieces that you can't quite see the whole picture yet.
But then it comes together and you're left staring at something masterful.
Can you tell I loved it? Because I did. I just don't know if I can say enough nice things about it.
For a full review, check out AeliaReads.
This is a wow book for sure. It starts off intriguing but confusing. The parts slowly fall into place as you journey, so don't give up. I loved how every detail the author gives you figures prominently into the two stories, and how the pieces come together all the way to the last page. The intricate weaving of the "fictional" story by Hannah and the protagonist's real life is reflective and seamless. Love, love, love and would highly recommend!
I'm an emotional mess after reading this, but it was so wonderful. the plot is so intricate and so skillfully woven. the characters are deep and real and I felt like I could reach out and touch them. the writing is beautiful. I was so confused when I started because it just... starts. there's no slow introduction or time to get to know anyone. you're thrust into this world that doesn't make any sense. but then all of a sudden it starts to take shape, and every new detail brings it into sharper focus. and then it's just like Taylor and her journey, and you're on it with her. and Griggs... I cannot do him justice. it's been a long time since a book affected me as much as this one has. All the tears. this one will be on my short list for re-reads for a very long time.
I really could not get into this book. The main character seemed to dwell on the fact that everyone left her and she doesn't know why or where they are. I don't understand the significance of the whole dorm territory thing.
Quite confusing at first, with the different set of characters and plot placed at the beginning which was explained later in a few chapters. It took me awhile to understand the territory wars, the five characters at the beginning. It just seemed like a lot was happening. But it was a good read. It had me crying at some parts.
So here we are children, this is the book that started my love for Marchetta. It started out a bit slow for my interest but by the end of it I was rooting for all the characters to get their happy ending. There was a bit of a grungy appeal to the main character and her friends, but my heart was won over in the perfect synchronization of flashbacks and current events.
I've seen that several people would agree with me about the first 100-ish pages being hard to understand or get through...but read closely when i say that it is COMPLETELY AND UTTERLY WORTH IT! This book is so hard to put into words that would do it justice without spoilers. I cried more than I expected to and I cursed myself for falling in love with Jonah Griggs.
Definitely pick this book up and embrace the world Marchetta so easily creates. Just be sure you have tissues nearby and give yourself some time to mull over the layers of the novel.
I've seen that several people would agree with me about the first 100-ish pages being hard to understand or get through...but read closely when i say that it is COMPLETELY AND UTTERLY WORTH IT! This book is so hard to put into words that would do it justice without spoilers. I cried more than I expected to and I cursed myself for falling in love with Jonah Griggs.
Definitely pick this book up and embrace the world Marchetta so easily creates. Just be sure you have tissues nearby and give yourself some time to mull over the layers of the novel.