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3.72 AVERAGE
3.72 AVERAGE
adventurous
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
fast-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
DNF
The premise is super engaging, but the execution? Lackluster at best. It’s hard to get attached to the characters and I found the writing style to be strange and monotonous.
The premise is super engaging, but the execution? Lackluster at best. It’s hard to get attached to the characters and I found the writing style to be strange and monotonous.
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
If you knew the day you would die, would you live differently? That is the question this book poses as four young siblings visit a psychic rumored to have a unique gift to know the exact date and time of your death. Each child sees the psychic alone, discovering the truth of their demise. Some will live long lives, while others will live short ones, but each child’s death prophecy will shape every choice they make.
It sounds like a lot of doom and gloom, and I will warn that this book is hard-hitting emotionally, as it hits on some fantastic thematic elements that emphasize how we make choices, what we waste, and what we take for granted. Structurally, after the prophecies, the book separates into four different sections to show each of the lives of the children. As they become adults, it becomes clear that some take excessively risky chances, knowing they don’t have long lives. Others go to the opposite extreme of trying to live sheltered lives with limited risk.
Initially, when I checked this book out, I expected it to be more urban fantasy or at least magical realism. Besides the psychic, there’s very little supernatural or otherworldly magic. One could even argue that the psychic’s gift isn’t real, but you make the events happen through the power of suggestion. That said, the self-fulfilling prophecy concept is a bit of a stretch.
As a story showcasing some unforgettable historical moments between the 1970s and today, it creates this elaborate tapestry of four lives connected by this prophecy and their family name. It’s highly character-driven and doesn’t have a traditional plot sequence, yet these people’s lives and decisions draw you into the drama. It’s a book that may not be for everyone, but it's an excellent read for those who enjoy realistic stories about beautiful and broken people.
It sounds like a lot of doom and gloom, and I will warn that this book is hard-hitting emotionally, as it hits on some fantastic thematic elements that emphasize how we make choices, what we waste, and what we take for granted. Structurally, after the prophecies, the book separates into four different sections to show each of the lives of the children. As they become adults, it becomes clear that some take excessively risky chances, knowing they don’t have long lives. Others go to the opposite extreme of trying to live sheltered lives with limited risk.
Initially, when I checked this book out, I expected it to be more urban fantasy or at least magical realism. Besides the psychic, there’s very little supernatural or otherworldly magic. One could even argue that the psychic’s gift isn’t real, but you make the events happen through the power of suggestion. That said, the self-fulfilling prophecy concept is a bit of a stretch.
As a story showcasing some unforgettable historical moments between the 1970s and today, it creates this elaborate tapestry of four lives connected by this prophecy and their family name. It’s highly character-driven and doesn’t have a traditional plot sequence, yet these people’s lives and decisions draw you into the drama. It’s a book that may not be for everyone, but it's an excellent read for those who enjoy realistic stories about beautiful and broken people.
4 Jewish siblings hear about a travelling fortune teller who can predict the exact date of anyone's death. They decided to get their fortune told and the novel takes us through how each sibling decides to lead their lives whether or not they believe the prediction to be true. It is an interesting premise that was unfortunately compromised by dull characters. I never cared about any of them. The younger 2 siblings at least had interesting lives (bit of historical fiction set during the AIDS outbreak), the older two were boring and one of them worked in an animal experimentation lab which was very distressing to read. Bit of a mixed bag. 3.5 stars rounded down.
emotional
reflective
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:
Complicated
Loved this book! Strangely enough, goes hand in hand with the other book I'm reading (non-fiction) that also touches on quality of life vs. quantity of life.
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes