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aprilpoole's review
3.0
This bittersweet tale of family reunion and new experiences continues as a strong continuation of Battle's story. I appreciated the lack of sugar coating, the effort to show real family dynamics and real relationships. Ryan pulls it off well and I enjoyed thus even more than its predecessor.
xtinaaws's review
3.0
SOME SPOILERS:
One thing I like about Ryan in both this the previous book is that Ryan hands sexuality as a very un-crazy thing. It's nice to have it be a factor within a YA book but not the defining factor. However, in Rules for Hearts, I actually thought there were some aspects of sexuality that should have been addressed because, sure, it may not be defining, but we can still have conversations about it. I'm referring specifically to the brother's storyline for this book.
I was also thrown a little bit by everyone's ages and what they were doing at their respective points in life. Ryan's characters are a bit too mature, I think, for their ages, which makes the ultimate resolution with the brother a bit... uncharacteristic of the rest of the novel. She crafts these characters as so mature but if the end solution is something that living with parents can fix then... it seems like the problem and maturity levels, etc. have all been improperly portrayed. I was left a little unsatisfied.
One thing I like about Ryan in both this the previous book is that Ryan hands sexuality as a very un-crazy thing. It's nice to have it be a factor within a YA book but not the defining factor. However, in Rules for Hearts, I actually thought there were some aspects of sexuality that should have been addressed because, sure, it may not be defining, but we can still have conversations about it. I'm referring specifically to the brother's storyline for this book.
I was also thrown a little bit by everyone's ages and what they were doing at their respective points in life. Ryan's characters are a bit too mature, I think, for their ages, which makes the ultimate resolution with the brother a bit... uncharacteristic of the rest of the novel. She crafts these characters as so mature but if the end solution is something that living with parents can fix then... it seems like the problem and maturity levels, etc. have all been improperly portrayed. I was left a little unsatisfied.
satyridae's review
3.0
Nicely plotted, however I found it a little tough to keep the multitudinous cast of secondary characters straight in my head without flipping back. There are some interesting things missing from this book, and their absence makes the whole stronger, I think. Explores relationships and trust in looping, meandering curves. Set in Portland, so it was also fun to try to pick out places I knew.
aje9065a's review
3.0
I liked Empress better. Give Ryan credit though--she gives her characters unique voices and methods. Her teenagers are startling aware in their world views.
But I liked Empress better, largely I think, because I like Nic better. I can follow her thinking better, understand her better. I don't enjoy being in Battle's head. I'd rather be looking at her, than through her eyes.
But I liked Empress better, largely I think, because I like Nic better. I can follow her thinking better, understand her better. I don't enjoy being in Battle's head. I'd rather be looking at her, than through her eyes.
sophie's review
2.0
Essentially an average teen drama. Not bad, but nothing brilliant either. The only thing to set it apart is that the main character is gay.
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