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3.52 AVERAGE
3.52 AVERAGE
Great book and not one that you can anticipate the ending. Loved it!
Was slow to start, but may have been because I was reading a couple other things and was in the midst of a reading slump. But my page 100 I was hooked. I sped through the last part of this book so quickly. This book grabbed onto me and hasn't yet let me go.
Cassella's Gemini was an interesting and thought-provoking read. I wish I had known about the extent of the ethical issues before reading the book (even if I had some idea reading the synopsis), but it did help create conversation, particularly as Cassella adds in an interview post-novel, which helps make the reader more pensive about the novel as a whole, especially how the book is more of a... book club novel, one created especially for discussion.
Ethical issues aside, Gemini did have two stories intertwined in it as well: a love story and an attempted-murder story. Another mystery would be the mystery of the Jane Doe Charlotte receives (and the main character as the book is centred around her, despite her being unconscious for most of the book); was easy enough to figure out. The love-story was sweet; and the attempted-murder leaves enough plotholes hanging that you, as the audience, can decide what you want to gather from the end of the remaining plotlines.
I dislike these kind of endings. Yes, I like a little open-ending, but I also like it more factual, which this book didn't have.
Ethical issues aside, Gemini did have two stories intertwined in it as well: a love story and an attempted-murder story. Another mystery would be the mystery of the Jane Doe Charlotte receives (and the main character as the book is centred around her, despite her being unconscious for most of the book); was easy enough to figure out. The love-story was sweet; and the attempted-murder leaves enough plotholes hanging that you, as the audience, can decide what you want to gather from the end of the remaining plotlines.
I dislike these kind of endings. Yes, I like a little open-ending, but I also like it more factual, which this book didn't have.
I received this book from Goodreads Giveaways.
Gemini was an incredible book. The author was able to weave what seemed like two unique stories into one beautiful story of life, love, and loss.
Gemini was an incredible book. The author was able to weave what seemed like two unique stories into one beautiful story of life, love, and loss.
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
**I received an advanced readers copy of this book from Simon & Schuster**
I was hooked within the first couple paragraphs as the pages were set aflame with poetic narrative and beautiful allusions. As the story moved, I was reminded of a lyrical dance. The plot flowed gracefully, there were enchanting movements up and down, the transitions were smooth, the characters were harmonious as their stories shadowed one another, the pacing was fluid and continued to build, and much was left to interpretation. The author allows the reader to figure things out by the way she layers the character moments. Enough is implied to put the pieces together, and the discoveries are that much more satisfying or shocking when the light bulb illuminates the full scope of events. I found myself constantly going back and re-reading paragraphs, entranced by their story implications or their beautiful observations.
The title of the book is genius when you catch the subtle reveals near the end. Gemini refers to the twin brothers Castor and Pollux. Pollux asked Zeus to let him share his own immortality with Castor when Castor was killed. To keep them together, they were transformed into the constellation Gemini. This symbolism of duality hits across so many levels within the book. Do we defer to scientific advances or to moral wisdom? What is the fine line between life and death? When does life become not worth living? Where do truth and emotions intersect? When do we function as humans with limited knowledge and when do we play God? The book blends scientific fact, philosophy, religious speculation, discussion of ethical issues, and an exploration of love in its many forms. I found this book bittersweet yet absolutely gorgeous.
The characters are all consistent and strong. While I did not see a lot of development (especially with regards to the many religious questions), I saw a lot of adaptation the unexpected and extreme circumstances. Characters were affected by their pasts. Choices affected lives. I cannot say I was a huge fan of Raney in the beginning (wasn’t sure about losing a boy in a cave when the tide is ready to come in), but she got better as she learned to listen with her heart than her head (i.e., financial difficulties directing choices).
Cassella is a true poet with her phrasing. She paints colorful, sometimes abstract, but always gorgeous word pictures with the setting, the characters, and their thought processes. There is so much emotion within the pages. By the way she draws out a metaphor or relates a character’s feeling or their setting, the author can relate these to you in a way that you find a part of yourself transformed. Her words resonate deep within you, and you personally feel what Cassella is saying – philosophically and soulfully.
The story is told in alternating story lines. One is about Charlotte, her relationship with boyfriend Eric, and her Jane Doe patient. The second story is from an earlier time and begins with two younger children named Raney and Bo. It’s not hard to figure out after a few chapters how these story lines are related, and the author respects this. She does not draw things out for too long (and that’s not to say this book lacks surprises). As the two story lines finally culminate together, your heartstrings are pulled and you cannot stop loving these characters and wishing you could experience more of them. I was sad the book was over! I wanted to celebrate what the characters had finally captured and feel that joy as life moved on. While you know how one of the story lines is going to end, the desire to find out how the situation came to pass and how it would pan out made me not want to put this down. Raney’s final chapter with her son was so amazing and lovely. Wow. My soul seemed to cry out, empathize, and accept the fate she was dealt. You see what makes life valuable and are satisfied with the choices made. There are no “right” answers, but there must eventually be resolution.
I was hooked within the first couple paragraphs as the pages were set aflame with poetic narrative and beautiful allusions. As the story moved, I was reminded of a lyrical dance. The plot flowed gracefully, there were enchanting movements up and down, the transitions were smooth, the characters were harmonious as their stories shadowed one another, the pacing was fluid and continued to build, and much was left to interpretation. The author allows the reader to figure things out by the way she layers the character moments. Enough is implied to put the pieces together, and the discoveries are that much more satisfying or shocking when the light bulb illuminates the full scope of events. I found myself constantly going back and re-reading paragraphs, entranced by their story implications or their beautiful observations.
The title of the book is genius when you catch the subtle reveals near the end. Gemini refers to the twin brothers Castor and Pollux. Pollux asked Zeus to let him share his own immortality with Castor when Castor was killed. To keep them together, they were transformed into the constellation Gemini. This symbolism of duality hits across so many levels within the book. Do we defer to scientific advances or to moral wisdom? What is the fine line between life and death? When does life become not worth living? Where do truth and emotions intersect? When do we function as humans with limited knowledge and when do we play God? The book blends scientific fact, philosophy, religious speculation, discussion of ethical issues, and an exploration of love in its many forms. I found this book bittersweet yet absolutely gorgeous.
The characters are all consistent and strong. While I did not see a lot of development (especially with regards to the many religious questions), I saw a lot of adaptation the unexpected and extreme circumstances. Characters were affected by their pasts. Choices affected lives. I cannot say I was a huge fan of Raney in the beginning (wasn’t sure about losing a boy in a cave when the tide is ready to come in), but she got better as she learned to listen with her heart than her head (i.e., financial difficulties directing choices).
Cassella is a true poet with her phrasing. She paints colorful, sometimes abstract, but always gorgeous word pictures with the setting, the characters, and their thought processes. There is so much emotion within the pages. By the way she draws out a metaphor or relates a character’s feeling or their setting, the author can relate these to you in a way that you find a part of yourself transformed. Her words resonate deep within you, and you personally feel what Cassella is saying – philosophically and soulfully.
The story is told in alternating story lines. One is about Charlotte, her relationship with boyfriend Eric, and her Jane Doe patient. The second story is from an earlier time and begins with two younger children named Raney and Bo. It’s not hard to figure out after a few chapters how these story lines are related, and the author respects this. She does not draw things out for too long (and that’s not to say this book lacks surprises). As the two story lines finally culminate together, your heartstrings are pulled and you cannot stop loving these characters and wishing you could experience more of them. I was sad the book was over! I wanted to celebrate what the characters had finally captured and feel that joy as life moved on. While you know how one of the story lines is going to end, the desire to find out how the situation came to pass and how it would pan out made me not want to put this down. Raney’s final chapter with her son was so amazing and lovely. Wow. My soul seemed to cry out, empathize, and accept the fate she was dealt. You see what makes life valuable and are satisfied with the choices made. There are no “right” answers, but there must eventually be resolution.
The plot seemed contrived and there was too much melodrama for me.
PopSugar Challenge 2019 - A Book with a Zodiac Sign or Astrology term in the Title
3.5 maybe.
I'm not sure about this one. It was for the challenge - it's hard to find non sci-fi books with astrological titles. Not a huge sci-fi fan.
It seemed like this could have been more. More what, I'm not sure. Just more.
3.5 maybe.
I'm not sure about this one. It was for the challenge - it's hard to find non sci-fi books with astrological titles. Not a huge sci-fi fan.
It seemed like this could have been more. More what, I'm not sure. Just more.
