Take a photo of a barcode or cover
2.96 AVERAGE
2.96 AVERAGE
Want to see more bookish things from me? Check out my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCferU-BCL2dlFjWdD0rS75Q/videos
3.5 Stars
Jane Williams was orphaned at the age of six and has been jumping from foster home to foster home ever since. When she is provided the opportunity to attend Birch Grove Academy, an elite all girl's school, on full scholarship, it is an offer she can't refuse. Upon arriving, she receives everything she has ever dreamed of. A roof over her head, a brand new wardrobe, living expenses and a chance at an amazing education. Jane soon discovers that things may not be as perfect at Birch Grove as she once assumed and that something sinister may be going on.
I enjoyed Jane as a main character for the most part, although I think she is a very wishy-washy character. I liked how she wasn't afraid to speak her mind and always stood up for herself.... for about half the book. Then when a boy shows 'interest' in her she takes a complete turn and turns to mush because someone said they 'need' and 'want' her. I wish she had stayed feisty the whole book and didn't pine over a stupid boy who was so obviously using her. It bothered me how judgemental Jane was to her friend Wilde though and I found her to be somewhat hypocritical in some of the things she said to her...but I liked how she was trying to help her get better. Mary Violet was BY FAR my favourite character and any scene she was in had me smiling like an idiot. She is so goofy, fun-loving and melodramatic and I absolutely loved her sarcasm and poems. I also really loved Jack, I thought he was so cute and I loved how he kept calling Jane 'pixie' and 'halfling'. Lucky irritated me right from the very beginning and I couldn't understand why Jane wanted to please him so badly since he always treated her so poorly. I found him to be extremely childish and annoyingly self-centred.
I was able to call the big 'Birch Grove Secret' pretty early on in the book, but there were multiple plot twists later on in the book that I did not see coming at all. I don't understand how Jane didn't freak out when she discovered the big secret though because honestly, if I did I would be SO OUT OF THERE and NEVER RETURNING. I liked the prologue a lot and it definitely made me curious about what was to come in the story.
3.5 Stars
Jane Williams was orphaned at the age of six and has been jumping from foster home to foster home ever since. When she is provided the opportunity to attend Birch Grove Academy, an elite all girl's school, on full scholarship, it is an offer she can't refuse. Upon arriving, she receives everything she has ever dreamed of. A roof over her head, a brand new wardrobe, living expenses and a chance at an amazing education. Jane soon discovers that things may not be as perfect at Birch Grove as she once assumed and that something sinister may be going on.
I enjoyed Jane as a main character for the most part, although I think she is a very wishy-washy character. I liked how she wasn't afraid to speak her mind and always stood up for herself.... for about half the book. Then when a boy shows 'interest' in her she takes a complete turn and turns to mush because someone said they 'need' and 'want' her. I wish she had stayed feisty the whole book and didn't pine over a stupid boy who was so obviously using her. It bothered me how judgemental Jane was to her friend Wilde though and I found her to be somewhat hypocritical in some of the things she said to her...but I liked how she was trying to help her get better. Mary Violet was BY FAR my favourite character and any scene she was in had me smiling like an idiot. She is so goofy, fun-loving and melodramatic and I absolutely loved her sarcasm and poems. I also really loved Jack, I thought he was so cute and I loved how he kept calling Jane 'pixie' and 'halfling'. Lucky irritated me right from the very beginning and I couldn't understand why Jane wanted to please him so badly since he always treated her so poorly. I found him to be extremely childish and annoyingly self-centred.
I was able to call the big 'Birch Grove Secret' pretty early on in the book, but there were multiple plot twists later on in the book that I did not see coming at all. I don't understand how Jane didn't freak out when she discovered the big secret though because honestly, if I did I would be SO OUT OF THERE and NEVER RETURNING. I liked the prologue a lot and it definitely made me curious about what was to come in the story.
what did i just read??????????? my eyes are bleeding!!!!!!!!!!!!! if you ever think of reading this book, please doon't
Loveable characters:
No
So wonderfully intricate and twisted. It was mortifying and beyond creepy, but Acosta spun an incredible story with fabulous characters. Very well done. I would LOVE to see this adapted into a film.
I'd say probably 1 1/2 stars. There were things I liked (Jack, MV), but far more that I didn't. It was well-written, but really just not for me. I may or may not do a full review on it. I don't know if I can adequately explain my feelings.
Full Review:
Here's one that drew me in with the very creepy cover (which, sadly, I will not be posting because I had an e-book copy of it instead of a hard copy that I could take a picture of) and the premise. I'm sad that it didn't live up to the expectations that I had.
Here's why:
First of all, I couldn't stand Jane. I felt like she was flat for most of the book. I was bugged by her constant defensiveness, though I could forgive her that based on her upbringing. It wasn't what killed her for me. No, it was the fact that the boy she wanted put her in danger and SHE LET HIM DO IT. Over and over and over. She sort of tried to stand up for herself at times, but she was so wishy-washy that it didn't really take. Honestly, she was Bella all over for me, and you know how much I despise Bella.
Here's another thing about Jane - her inferiority complex AND superiority complex. How is it possible to feel inferior to someone and superior at the same time? Ask Jane, because she does it through the whole book.
Second, I felt like it took almost 3/4 of the book for anything to actually happen. There was so much buildup and introduction and what color bras are we buying for Jane that I got bored. This is a seriously creepy book and I GOT BORED. Not supposed to happen.
Third, the BIG THING that was supposed to completely blow me out of the water...didn't. Sure, it was creepy and on the disturbing side, but it was mostly cheesy. I was more interested in what Mary Violet was going to come up with next than I was about what would happen to Jane now that the BIG THING was out.
Here's what I DID like:
Jack. He was great. He was arrogant and kind of absurd, but in such a way that made me want to hang out with him. He was funny and a much-needed breath of fresh air.
Mary Violet. In a word? Hilarious. Her poetry alone makes the time I spent with this book worth it. Also, she makes up words that had me laughing out loud. And her French? Waaaaaaahahahahahahahaha!! Yes, she and I would be friends.
So, there you have it. I tried to like this book, and I did finish it. I'm glad there were two characters that I liked, because they really did save this for me. I still don't like it, but I have at least those fond memories and won't leave it with a completely poor opinion.
Because of MV and Jack, this gets 1.5 Eiffel Towers.
Full Review:
Here's one that drew me in with the very creepy cover (which, sadly, I will not be posting because I had an e-book copy of it instead of a hard copy that I could take a picture of) and the premise. I'm sad that it didn't live up to the expectations that I had.
Here's why:
First of all, I couldn't stand Jane. I felt like she was flat for most of the book. I was bugged by her constant defensiveness, though I could forgive her that based on her upbringing. It wasn't what killed her for me. No, it was the fact that the boy she wanted put her in danger and SHE LET HIM DO IT. Over and over and over. She sort of tried to stand up for herself at times, but she was so wishy-washy that it didn't really take. Honestly, she was Bella all over for me, and you know how much I despise Bella.
Here's another thing about Jane - her inferiority complex AND superiority complex. How is it possible to feel inferior to someone and superior at the same time? Ask Jane, because she does it through the whole book.
Second, I felt like it took almost 3/4 of the book for anything to actually happen. There was so much buildup and introduction and what color bras are we buying for Jane that I got bored. This is a seriously creepy book and I GOT BORED. Not supposed to happen.
Third, the BIG THING that was supposed to completely blow me out of the water...didn't. Sure, it was creepy and on the disturbing side, but it was mostly cheesy. I was more interested in what Mary Violet was going to come up with next than I was about what would happen to Jane now that the BIG THING was out.
Here's what I DID like:
Jack. He was great. He was arrogant and kind of absurd, but in such a way that made me want to hang out with him. He was funny and a much-needed breath of fresh air.
Mary Violet. In a word? Hilarious. Her poetry alone makes the time I spent with this book worth it. Also, she makes up words that had me laughing out loud. And her French? Waaaaaaahahahahahahahaha!! Yes, she and I would be friends.
So, there you have it. I tried to like this book, and I did finish it. I'm glad there were two characters that I liked, because they really did save this for me. I still don't like it, but I have at least those fond memories and won't leave it with a completely poor opinion.
Because of MV and Jack, this gets 1.5 Eiffel Towers.
I've just finished this book in a matter of two days. Books this size usually take me 12 hours at most and that's just the beginning of my woes.
I can usually suspend belief and look the other way in terms of reality when it comes to a book. I've always viewed it as entering the author's world for a little bit and I'm a guest. Stuff won't make sense but I'm here for a visit and then I can go home.
But this book. This book just kept throwing me into a fountain and I just can't let it go on any longer. There was so much going on. Literally, the only thing that kept me going was the need for an explanation from a flashback that happened earlier in the book and let me tell you the regrets that I have for wanting to read the solution to that mystery.
There was no foreshadowing in this novel, just the obvious punching you in the face screaming the resolution to chapter 25 at you during chapter 5.
I mean come on we go from having a feeling that there are going to be faeries to nope there are vampires to hold on a second, they're not actually vampires but really are but not. At least Twilight made jokes about being vegetarian vampires. No instead we enter the realms of sci-fi by calling it some genetic mutation that's based in some sort of DNA malfunction that happened a millennia ago but somehow everyone with this mutation is a vampire that's not a vampire. With vampire symptoms.
If that wasn't enough, boom, random faerie.
This book wasn't all bad, the interactions between the teenagers was believable to me. The parties, the need to succeed, being an insecure foster child. It was all decent. It was when the vampire and random faerie came into play that everything kinda went to hell in a handbasket.
Overall, I'd read other stuff by this author since this was her first foray into YA. But I'll never read this book again. Never. The cover is misleading. I still don't know what Birch trees have to do with anything and I want to know what the Faerie woman had to do with things.
Also, where does the Pimp/Gang Lord come in to play? Was he her real dad and he just protected her? Like c'mon. There was something there that should have been explored more.
I can usually suspend belief and look the other way in terms of reality when it comes to a book. I've always viewed it as entering the author's world for a little bit and I'm a guest. Stuff won't make sense but I'm here for a visit and then I can go home.
But this book. This book just kept throwing me into a fountain and I just can't let it go on any longer. There was so much going on. Literally, the only thing that kept me going was the need for an explanation from a flashback that happened earlier in the book and let me tell you the regrets that I have for wanting to read the solution to that mystery.
There was no foreshadowing in this novel, just the obvious punching you in the face screaming the resolution to chapter 25 at you during chapter 5.
I mean come on we go from having a feeling that there are going to be faeries to nope there are vampires to hold on a second, they're not actually vampires but really are but not. At least Twilight made jokes about being vegetarian vampires. No instead we enter the realms of sci-fi by calling it some genetic mutation that's based in some sort of DNA malfunction that happened a millennia ago but somehow everyone with this mutation is a vampire that's not a vampire. With vampire symptoms.
If that wasn't enough, boom, random faerie.
This book wasn't all bad, the interactions between the teenagers was believable to me. The parties, the need to succeed, being an insecure foster child. It was all decent. It was when the vampire and random faerie came into play that everything kinda went to hell in a handbasket.
Overall, I'd read other stuff by this author since this was her first foray into YA. But I'll never read this book again. Never. The cover is misleading. I still don't know what Birch trees have to do with anything and I want to know what the Faerie woman had to do with things.
Also, where does the Pimp/Gang Lord come in to play? Was he her real dad and he just protected her? Like c'mon. There was something there that should have been explored more.
This review appears on my blog, Starting the Next Chapter.
It's obvious from looking around my blog that I enjoy YA literature. However, my first literary loves both contain the name “Jane.” If you get me started about Jane Austen's books or Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, you will find that I can't shut up about them. Jane Eyre is a particular favorite, so when I learned that Dark Companion contained parallels with one of my favorite works of literature, I took notice. When I heard that it had a Gothic tone, I knew that I absolutely, without any shadow of doubt, had to read this book. I am happy to say that Marta Acosta met my expectations and then proceeded to surpass them. I warn you now: this review is about to become one of the longest I have ever written. I have so many thoughts to share that writing a shorter review just won't cut it.
Jane is a more contemporary version of her counterpart, Jane Eyre, in every way. As a street-wise, intelligent, hard-working orphan, Jane seeks to change her fate and propel herself toward a better education and a life free of abusive foster parents. She is such a complicated character that, just when you think you have her figured out, she throws you for a loop. I didn't always agree with her choices, but in this case, the story just wouldn't have been the same had she not made the decisions she did. That does not mean that Jane is without a little humor in her life. Jane's best friend at Birch Grove Academy, Mary Violet, very nearly stole the show at times. Her bubbly personality and all around hilarity did a great job at providing a bit of a break from the intensity of Dark Companion's plot. I adored her as a character and thought she was a great foil for Jane. Jane's friends aren't the only interesting secondary characters, however. The sons of Birch Grove's headmistress, Lucian and Jack, were so completely different from each other. Lucian, the suave, handsome brother, is a temptation for Jane. Her interactions with him are thought-provoking and make you think about the greater picture and the workings of the plot not yet at the forefront. Jack, however, does a fantastic job at poking at Jane with jibes and jokes until she begins to emerge from her shell. He's a fantastic modern version of Mr. Rochester. Overall, the characters were very engaging and intriguing.
While Birch Grove Academy is no Lowood Institute, there is something inherently mysterious about it. It's more like the woodland and creek-side areas that surround Lowood that you will find in Jane Eyre. The setting for Dark Companion was absolutely perfect. If you take Stepford and combine it with one of Ann Radcliff's imposing chateaus, you will get an idea as to what I'm talking about. It made for the perfect backdrop for the events that take place. As Gothic literature places great emphasis on setting, I payed particular attention too all of the places Jane visits. The thing I liked most that, while Birch Grove isn't the hulking, dark castles you often find in Gothic fiction, it does have a certain sinister undertone that becomes more and more apparent. I found Jane's evenings in her little cottage downright spooky to read about, at times. I could not get enough of the settings and moods that are found within this novel.
I'll admit that I am an enthusiastic fan of books and usually find the ones that I know I will enjoy the most. Dark Companion, however, goes beyond everything that I usually experience while reading a book I enjoy. Though I was taken by surprise by some of the occurrences, I was able to adjust my thinking and understood the hows and whys of them. With its fantastic cast of characters and, at times, menacing undertones, it was a great, spooky read that would make for a great read on a foggy autumn evening. You name it, this book has it: atmosphere; vibrant characters; humor; romance; suspense; and chills galore. Dark Companion is definitely this Jane Eyre fan's cup of tea. I hope it will be yours, as well.
Obligatory legal statement: This finished copy was provided to me free of charge by the publisher. No monetary compensation was received in exchange for this fair and unbiased review.
It's obvious from looking around my blog that I enjoy YA literature. However, my first literary loves both contain the name “Jane.” If you get me started about Jane Austen's books or Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte, you will find that I can't shut up about them. Jane Eyre is a particular favorite, so when I learned that Dark Companion contained parallels with one of my favorite works of literature, I took notice. When I heard that it had a Gothic tone, I knew that I absolutely, without any shadow of doubt, had to read this book. I am happy to say that Marta Acosta met my expectations and then proceeded to surpass them. I warn you now: this review is about to become one of the longest I have ever written. I have so many thoughts to share that writing a shorter review just won't cut it.
Jane is a more contemporary version of her counterpart, Jane Eyre, in every way. As a street-wise, intelligent, hard-working orphan, Jane seeks to change her fate and propel herself toward a better education and a life free of abusive foster parents. She is such a complicated character that, just when you think you have her figured out, she throws you for a loop. I didn't always agree with her choices, but in this case, the story just wouldn't have been the same had she not made the decisions she did. That does not mean that Jane is without a little humor in her life. Jane's best friend at Birch Grove Academy, Mary Violet, very nearly stole the show at times. Her bubbly personality and all around hilarity did a great job at providing a bit of a break from the intensity of Dark Companion's plot. I adored her as a character and thought she was a great foil for Jane. Jane's friends aren't the only interesting secondary characters, however. The sons of Birch Grove's headmistress, Lucian and Jack, were so completely different from each other. Lucian, the suave, handsome brother, is a temptation for Jane. Her interactions with him are thought-provoking and make you think about the greater picture and the workings of the plot not yet at the forefront. Jack, however, does a fantastic job at poking at Jane with jibes and jokes until she begins to emerge from her shell. He's a fantastic modern version of Mr. Rochester. Overall, the characters were very engaging and intriguing.
While Birch Grove Academy is no Lowood Institute, there is something inherently mysterious about it. It's more like the woodland and creek-side areas that surround Lowood that you will find in Jane Eyre. The setting for Dark Companion was absolutely perfect. If you take Stepford and combine it with one of Ann Radcliff's imposing chateaus, you will get an idea as to what I'm talking about. It made for the perfect backdrop for the events that take place. As Gothic literature places great emphasis on setting, I payed particular attention too all of the places Jane visits. The thing I liked most that, while Birch Grove isn't the hulking, dark castles you often find in Gothic fiction, it does have a certain sinister undertone that becomes more and more apparent. I found Jane's evenings in her little cottage downright spooky to read about, at times. I could not get enough of the settings and moods that are found within this novel.
I'll admit that I am an enthusiastic fan of books and usually find the ones that I know I will enjoy the most. Dark Companion, however, goes beyond everything that I usually experience while reading a book I enjoy. Though I was taken by surprise by some of the occurrences, I was able to adjust my thinking and understood the hows and whys of them. With its fantastic cast of characters and, at times, menacing undertones, it was a great, spooky read that would make for a great read on a foggy autumn evening. You name it, this book has it: atmosphere; vibrant characters; humor; romance; suspense; and chills galore. Dark Companion is definitely this Jane Eyre fan's cup of tea. I hope it will be yours, as well.
Obligatory legal statement: This finished copy was provided to me free of charge by the publisher. No monetary compensation was received in exchange for this fair and unbiased review.
5 stars
I really liked this book. It had great characters (some of my favorites were MV and Jack), and a very interesting twist. This book was a little creepy/spooky, and I couldn't put it down (well, after I had gotten through the beginning)! I would recommend this book to anyone who likes young adult or new twists on the classics (this story was sort of a modernized Jane Eyre story).
I really liked this book. It had great characters (some of my favorites were MV and Jack), and a very interesting twist. This book was a little creepy/spooky, and I couldn't put it down (well, after I had gotten through the beginning)! I would recommend this book to anyone who likes young adult or new twists on the classics (this story was sort of a modernized Jane Eyre story).
This book. Well, let's see...
Basically.
I was so all over the place while reading this book, making it hard to boil it down to neat, general observances. Let me quickly take you through the story, with some light spoilers.
Dark Companion tells the story of Jane Williams who survived a traumatic experience in her childhood, only to lose all those memories and then be placed into foster care. When we pick up her story, she's been offered a full scholarship to Birch Grove, a fancy fancy school for girls. Things seem to be a little too good to be true, and Jane starts slowly discovering and piecing together why.
- The prologue was beautiful. It was dark and set the way for this mystery shrouded story. I really enjoyed the surreal setting it created and had high hopes for this book after reading it.
- The first few chapters consisted of me shouting two things: MOST CLICHE "HOOD" EVAR. and THIS IS A WHOLE LOT LIKE JANE EYRE. I was annoyed by the first and very confused by the second. Orphan girl named Jane? Check. Leaving her foster home and going to school? Check. Yelling at her care taker before she leaves and saying all she wanted was kindness? Check.
It was so blatant that I had to Google if Jane Eyre is mentioned/credited at all in the story summaries. It isn't, directly, but a few reviews I found say things like "anyone who loves Jane Eyre will love Dark Companion!" Hahahaha. Hmmm.
As the story goes on, it gets less and less like JE, but there are a few in your face moments scattered through out, like when Jack crashes into Jane and hurts himself. HE ASKS HER TO FETCH HIS BIKE GUYS. There is even a version of the "do you think, because I am poor, obscure, plain, and little" speech!
I'm not against this in and of itself, but I would've liked to have known about it beforehand so it didn't sneak up behind me and slap me in the face.
-
Spoiler
The vampire bit also slapped me in the face. Seriously, I should either pay more attention or that back of the book blurb sucked. (Haha. Sucked.)- The supporting characters and the dialogue were hit or miss. Examples:
"His name must come from the Latin lucianus, meaning light, and that's what he was, golden and bright. -- Bad. We get it. You're smart and studying Latin. In that case tell me, how do you say, "ewww, clunky!" in Latin?
"I know what my mom's groceries are like. Full of antioxidants, roughage, and upright moral character." -- Good! Funny and witty. This is something I can imagine a smart teen saying.
"Hey Jane. I'm Orneta, but you can call me Ornery, 'cause I'm kinda cranky." -- Uuuugh, really? -_-
"You're such a friendship slut and I find that deeply disturbing. Jane, I hope you aren't as wildly promiscuous with your friendship." Better.
Etc.
- Excuse my language, but mother fuck another unhealthy guy/girl relationship in a YA novel. Jane meets the two sons of the headmistress, Jack and Lucky. Jack is a little sure of himself, and he likes to joke around with Jane. He didn't offend me, even when Jane thought he was being cruel, because as the reader you understand more than Jane and you can see the truth behind Jack's actions.
Lucky and Jane's relationship, though? Irritated my liver. He's an outright flippant jerk. It's a secret, abusive relationship and I hated every second of it because it really didn't need to be in this story in that way. He's using her, but I could deal with that part. Jane reasons that she's being used, but she's also being paid which is important to her. BUT THEN SHE STARTS GETTING GOOGLY EYED.
I cannot buy that and I hate that Jane's character is cheapened for the middle portion of the book as we have to suffer through her falling for a guy who treats her like crap. Which leads me to
- Jane's characterization was a little off. There were times where I believed in her as a street smart, raised in foster care, seen things kind of girl. These times were a little few and far between. I wish we would've seen a little bit more of that life style influencing Jane. Like, for instance, how some one who's been abused that way and fought a way out of it, probably wouldn't fall for the jerk boy, ahemahemahem.
- By the end I was very interested in finding out WTF was going on. Again, the explanations had it's interesting moments and it's "no, stop it." moments. The point here is that at least I was interested. I found the build-up a little slow and all said and down, the resolutions a little too easy and anti-climatic.
- Is this a series? Because it sets up that way. We get a nice tied up ending to this book, but there are some other open ended things, and amongst them is the mysterious disappearance of a villain. It's a nice set-up for a series, so if it is, well done. If it isn't, um, whoops.
Overall, confusing. Jane could've been an amazing, tough protagonist, but instead she's somehow naive and allows herself to be used and abused.
The tone of the story is great, perfectly dark and Gothic, but the plot twists are convoluted and borderline on trite. The supporting characters can be great, including MV, but there are others that are simply caricatures, like the headmistress and Lucky.
I'm stuck between, "I wouldn't recommend this to anyone" and "if there's another part, I'd probably read it."
Do with this information as you please. :)