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3.2 AVERAGE
3.2 AVERAGE
Finally finished this book. It took me around 3 weeks. It's not even the fact that I didn't like it, I just couldn't get through for some reason. It was a very surprising book. A nice, fluffy summer read.
Violet's decision was really stupid, but I can kind of see how she'd get caught up in the moment with her new friend's bad influence. Sisterly solidarity always gets me in the best way! Calla's Duncan was my favorite of the boys; I really wish they could have ended up together.
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Sexual content
Honestly a fun, summertime read. Not exactly my favorite book, but I still enjoyed reading . about the sister dynamic, in the fun camp setting. Sadly, I think I'm going through a reading slump, and this book didn't really help, so that could be affecting my rating, but I still stand by what I say.
I really wasn't feeling this book.
While the setting was fine, I believe that it was the characters that really dragged this book down for me. It's difficult for me to choose between giving it two or three stars. The whole book just left me feeling nothing at all, especially towards the characters. They were whiny, and I honestly had no care in the world what happened to them, when I could actually tell them apart.
"Three sisters. One life-changing summer."
Camp for these three sisters is no small thing. For years they've been going to Camp Callanwolde, and while activities-wise they know what to expect, it's the people that throw them off. These three distinct sisters all share in three different experiences, as they struggle to hold onto their bond as sisters. Calla has been in love with Duncan for as many summers as she can remember, and feels that this summer is her last to tell him her true feelings. Violet has her eye on James, a boy whom she's known for a few summers as well, and has now become a camp counselor. However, seeing him in a way that she'd like to is more difficult then it seems, and requires a few camp rules to be broken. Finally, Daisy has eyes for Joel, but doesn't know how exactly to act on her feelings. Is this going to be a summer of heartbreak?
Hm. So, if it weren't obvious by the rating I really didn't care for this book. The characters annoyed me and there just seemed to be no pizzazz at all. I felt more like I was reading the diaries of three very dramatic girls, only with a swell narrative. Therefore being, I have no issues or complaints with Terra Elan McVoy's writing. The story just fell flat with me, and I kind of struggled to keep reading.
Annoyances, take one.
The characters. Calla, the oldest of the sisters, was the easiest one to recognize. From her seemingly never-ending whining about Duncan and not getting to spend near enough time with him and her sisters, I'm only left shaking my head at her. You wanted to work behind the scenes at camp, you deal with the consequences, please. This was really the only reason that I could tell her apart from her sisters because I saw the name Duncan printed in nearly every other sentence of her chapters.
Though, despite, she is responsible and does take care of her sisters in the best way that she knows how to. So, I applaud her for that.
Next, the other two sisters were the ones that I kept getting confused. I knew that Daisy was the runner and Violet was the writer, but as far as which boy each other wanted, I was lost throughout the entire thing. Well, maybe just up until the end. I think that Daisy was the youngest sister, but I'm not willing to place money on that.
As far as Violet goes, she just seemed very bi-polar and hasty and just kind of irritating. She's a smart-alec, who manages to befriend the camp basketcase, and sets off on a sort of rule breaking mission. Whatever, you can pick your friends, that's no big deal. However, I felt that Brynn was a bit right there in the end when she talked about friendship. Even though Brynn did kind of push Violet and James together, I agree that friendship is supposed to be more important.
Then, with Daisy, I almost pitied her when those girls in her cabin and running class did those mean things to her. But, she didn't do anything about it, and I just ended up shaking my head more for no resolution of this in the end. -sigh-
While their individual characters didn't strike me as extraordinary, I do feel that their bond as sisters was pretty cool. Myself being pretty close to my family can really appreciate when I see or read about it. This was one of the aspects that I did like about the book, and I only wish that we'd seen more of this.
Also, I really wish that we'd seen more of the camp aspect. Sure, we read about certain activities, and a few actually get fleshed out, but there were just other parts that I'd have liked to read about. Like smores or something. I dunno.
As far as the life-changing summer bit, what exactly occurred that was so life-altering? Major spoilers ahead! -> Sure, Calla's feelings were outed to Duncan and he didn't reciprocate them. Life-altering?
Violet ends up being kicked out (taking Calla with her) for sneaking out with Brynn, after managing to score with James. Life-altering?
Daisy figures out that there aren't any sparks between her and Joel and is bullied by her cabinmates. Then, she ends up leaving with her sisters at the end without resolving anything. Life-altering?
Nothing that occurred seemed to be very life-changing to me. When I think of that I think of something huge and monumental occurring, like a death or some epic self discovery, none of which I thought really happened in this book. But hey, maybe that's just me?
Overall, this book was decent. I found the characters to be overly whiny for my taste, which ended up deterring me from any other good quality that existed in this book. I really hate when that happens. However, maybe you'll end up enjoying it more than I did.
Other thoughts:
* The cover, I liked it. Three different scoops of ice cream to represent three very different girls. I can dig it.
☆☆/5
Recommend?: If you want a summer read for when it's snowing and cold outside.
Or, if you just want another summer read for any time of year.
While the setting was fine, I believe that it was the characters that really dragged this book down for me. It's difficult for me to choose between giving it two or three stars. The whole book just left me feeling nothing at all, especially towards the characters. They were whiny, and I honestly had no care in the world what happened to them, when I could actually tell them apart.
"Three sisters. One life-changing summer."
Camp for these three sisters is no small thing. For years they've been going to Camp Callanwolde, and while activities-wise they know what to expect, it's the people that throw them off. These three distinct sisters all share in three different experiences, as they struggle to hold onto their bond as sisters. Calla has been in love with Duncan for as many summers as she can remember, and feels that this summer is her last to tell him her true feelings. Violet has her eye on James, a boy whom she's known for a few summers as well, and has now become a camp counselor. However, seeing him in a way that she'd like to is more difficult then it seems, and requires a few camp rules to be broken. Finally, Daisy has eyes for Joel, but doesn't know how exactly to act on her feelings. Is this going to be a summer of heartbreak?
Hm. So, if it weren't obvious by the rating I really didn't care for this book. The characters annoyed me and there just seemed to be no pizzazz at all. I felt more like I was reading the diaries of three very dramatic girls, only with a swell narrative. Therefore being, I have no issues or complaints with Terra Elan McVoy's writing. The story just fell flat with me, and I kind of struggled to keep reading.
Annoyances, take one.
The characters. Calla, the oldest of the sisters, was the easiest one to recognize. From her seemingly never-ending whining about Duncan and not getting to spend near enough time with him and her sisters, I'm only left shaking my head at her. You wanted to work behind the scenes at camp, you deal with the consequences, please. This was really the only reason that I could tell her apart from her sisters because I saw the name Duncan printed in nearly every other sentence of her chapters.
Though, despite, she is responsible and does take care of her sisters in the best way that she knows how to. So, I applaud her for that.
Next, the other two sisters were the ones that I kept getting confused. I knew that Daisy was the runner and Violet was the writer, but as far as which boy each other wanted, I was lost throughout the entire thing. Well, maybe just up until the end. I think that Daisy was the youngest sister, but I'm not willing to place money on that.
As far as Violet goes, she just seemed very bi-polar and hasty and just kind of irritating. She's a smart-alec, who manages to befriend the camp basketcase, and sets off on a sort of rule breaking mission. Whatever, you can pick your friends, that's no big deal. However, I felt that Brynn was a bit right there in the end when she talked about friendship. Even though Brynn did kind of push Violet and James together, I agree that friendship is supposed to be more important.
Then, with Daisy, I almost pitied her when those girls in her cabin and running class did those mean things to her. But, she didn't do anything about it, and I just ended up shaking my head more for no resolution of this in the end. -sigh-
While their individual characters didn't strike me as extraordinary, I do feel that their bond as sisters was pretty cool. Myself being pretty close to my family can really appreciate when I see or read about it. This was one of the aspects that I did like about the book, and I only wish that we'd seen more of this.
Also, I really wish that we'd seen more of the camp aspect. Sure, we read about certain activities, and a few actually get fleshed out, but there were just other parts that I'd have liked to read about. Like smores or something. I dunno.
As far as the life-changing summer bit, what exactly occurred that was so life-altering? Major spoilers ahead! ->
Violet ends up being kicked out (taking Calla with her) for sneaking out with Brynn, after managing to score with James. Life-altering?
Daisy figures out that there aren't any sparks between her and Joel and is bullied by her cabinmates. Then, she ends up leaving with her sisters at the end without resolving anything. Life-altering?
Nothing that occurred seemed to be very life-changing to me. When I think of that I think of something huge and monumental occurring, like a death or some epic self discovery, none of which I thought really happened in this book. But hey, maybe that's just me?
Overall, this book was decent. I found the characters to be overly whiny for my taste, which ended up deterring me from any other good quality that existed in this book. I really hate when that happens. However, maybe you'll end up enjoying it more than I did.
Other thoughts:
* The cover, I liked it. Three different scoops of ice cream to represent three very different girls. I can dig it.
☆☆/5
Recommend?: If you want a summer read for when it's snowing and cold outside.
Or, if you just want another summer read for any time of year.
I quite enjoyed this book. It was a good break from my ongoing Sarah Dessen quest. I am determined to read all the Sarah Dessen books and I have about 2 left but every now and then I need a break and usually my books that I chose for a break just aren't so good. But The Summer of Firsts and Lasts was surprisingly a really good book. I actually was rushed in chapters by my brother when I bought this book so it was kind of a grab and go and I never actually read the back or anything. So I was pleasantly surprised when I started reading and it was about summer camp. It brought back a bunch of memories from camp and actually made me want to become a counselor this summer. One thing in this book that I really disliked thought was all the names! I know it's summer camp and all and there is a lot of people, I get that. But seriously there is probably close to 30 names in this book and it gets really confusing. Not to mention all the nicknames that the sisters have too its crazy! I liked that the ending was kinda bitter sweet but the one thing that I felt was left hanging was the relationship between Calla and Duncan. I feel as tough they needed one last conversation and then I would have been satisfied with the ending. This book thought sometimes is, and dare I say it, a bit too descriptive, like I really don't care what this person and this person and this person are doing while you do this. It was way to structured and scheduled all the time. The voices of the the three sisters were a bit too similar they all sounded the exact same! I liked the whole feel of the book thought and it was a good idea. In the back of my mind though I wish they would of finished the 3 weeks and not gone home so soon cause I feel like there was so much more that could of happened, so much potential! I did love all the characters thought they were so well thought out and made perfect sense in the book if only we could of seen them in more depth. All in all this book was a good intriguing read that I enjoyed a lot but needed a bit of work. I would totally recommend this book to lots of my friends.
I loved this book so much, i got attached to it like no other book. I didn't want it to come to and end, but that ending made me cry so it was worth it. I'm not super close to my sister so I pictured me and my 2 best friends as Calla, Violet and Daisy. Maybe that's one of the reasons why I cried. I will forever cherish this book and I recomend it to everyone!
Find out what I thought of The Summer of Firsts and Lasts here.
I really enjoyed it, but I'm not sure how I felt about the ending...