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thebrainlair's review against another edition
4.0
Good but I really wanted a different ending. Possible pair with the first Ghost Girl book by Hurley or Once Dead Twice Shy by Harrison
shirleymak's review against another edition
3.0
This book was REALLY slow at the beginning and I couldn't get into it. It started getting somewhat interesting towards the middle-end. But I did cry! LOL. And it ended REALLY WELL. REALLY GOOD ENDING. Kind of weird for Heidi, but for Jerome, it was pretty good(;
squirrelsohno's review against another edition
5.0
DEVINE INTERVENTION had been a book on my wishlist for awhile. Specifically, since the first moment I heard about it. I knew without a doubt that I needed to read this book and that I would love it. See, I have a special place in my heart for afterlife fiction, particularly comedic afterlife fiction, and do you know what? My instincts did not fail me on this one. I am just going to come out and say it - this is a book that you should go out and buy right now because it is definitely going on my Top of 2012 list, I know it now.
Following Jerome, a 17 year old boy (for the past 16 years) shot by an arrow and relegated to soul rehabilitation, and his awkward, unpopular charge Heidi, DEVINE INTERVENTION is a story about one boy's attempts to convince the girl he protects that 1.) he is not schizophrenia and 2.) he can actually save her. When an unthinkable accident happens, splitting Heidi's soul from her body, Jerome only has little more than a day to make sure she gets to Heaven, because no matter what, the fact he got her killed means a one way trip to Hell for eternity.
This book brought the tears - the happy tears, the sad tears, the tears of laughter that roll down your face in happy globs. It's a hilarious book about a difficult subject - life and the choices we make in it. It's so imaginative and unique and fun that I fear that I cannot accurately convey how much I adored this book and the characters in it. Bravo, Martha Brockenbrough - your YA debut has made me almost speechless. But not quite, because I have so much to just babble off about this one.
The characters are atypical. Jerome is a black sheep in reform after killing a cat while participating in underage drinking. Heidi is a social outcast with an embarrassing track record behind her. The characters are all fun and fleshed out, from the main ones to the secondary cast to the canines and squirrels and angels. One thing I have to say I disliked, though, was the switch from first person (Jerome's POV) to third (Heidi's). I always found that I connected more with Jerome, which I suppose was the point. This really was Jerome's story as he fought for Heidi, but Heidi was still a girl you just had to root for in her quest to live despite all the hardship in her life.
Oh, and the ending. THE ENDING. So climactic, and although I predicted most of it (and wondered why that hadn't been step one on Jerome's to do list - although we are told early on that he doesn't really obey or read the rules), one part of the resolution just boggled my mind. Trust me, it's a you have to read it to believe it type deal. There are two villains in this story really - one is time, and the other is creepy and devious and amusing. I just wish we got to know more about why he was so... EW!
Let me just mention the romance very quickly. It wasn't the focus of the story, and in fact, it was pretty much left to one page of awkward awesomeness. Can I just say that I love books like this? It was realistic for a YA novel, and for me, that is worthy of special praise!
Signed, sealed, delivered, this book had me, from the canine ghostly possession to the pizza rolls to the talent show gone bad. Jerome and Heidi's story was compelling, fun, sad, and a must read for any fan of contemporary fantasy. And I found out yesterday that DEVINE INTERVENTION has been optioned for film by Jerry Zucker, the guy who brought us GHOST, AIRPLANE, and NAKED GUN. Um, yes please! Oh, and the screenwriter is none other than the person who wrote MRS. DOUBTFIRE! Nothing short of an epic combination right there.
Trust me. You need this book. Go and buy it now and thank me later.
VERDICT: One of my favorite books of 2012 so far, DEVINE INTERVENTION is laugh out loud funny and thought provoking in one little package. About the choices we make and the things we can do to make up for mistakes, it is a can't miss YA debut.
Following Jerome, a 17 year old boy (for the past 16 years) shot by an arrow and relegated to soul rehabilitation, and his awkward, unpopular charge Heidi, DEVINE INTERVENTION is a story about one boy's attempts to convince the girl he protects that 1.) he is not schizophrenia and 2.) he can actually save her. When an unthinkable accident happens, splitting Heidi's soul from her body, Jerome only has little more than a day to make sure she gets to Heaven, because no matter what, the fact he got her killed means a one way trip to Hell for eternity.
This book brought the tears - the happy tears, the sad tears, the tears of laughter that roll down your face in happy globs. It's a hilarious book about a difficult subject - life and the choices we make in it. It's so imaginative and unique and fun that I fear that I cannot accurately convey how much I adored this book and the characters in it. Bravo, Martha Brockenbrough - your YA debut has made me almost speechless. But not quite, because I have so much to just babble off about this one.
The characters are atypical. Jerome is a black sheep in reform after killing a cat while participating in underage drinking. Heidi is a social outcast with an embarrassing track record behind her. The characters are all fun and fleshed out, from the main ones to the secondary cast to the canines and squirrels and angels. One thing I have to say I disliked, though, was the switch from first person (Jerome's POV) to third (Heidi's). I always found that I connected more with Jerome, which I suppose was the point. This really was Jerome's story as he fought for Heidi, but Heidi was still a girl you just had to root for in her quest to live despite all the hardship in her life.
Oh, and the ending. THE ENDING. So climactic, and although I predicted most of it (and wondered why that hadn't been step one on Jerome's to do list - although we are told early on that he doesn't really obey or read the rules), one part of the resolution just boggled my mind. Trust me, it's a you have to read it to believe it type deal. There are two villains in this story really - one is time, and the other is creepy and devious and amusing. I just wish we got to know more about why he was so... EW!
Let me just mention the romance very quickly. It wasn't the focus of the story, and in fact, it was pretty much left to one page of awkward awesomeness. Can I just say that I love books like this? It was realistic for a YA novel, and for me, that is worthy of special praise!
Signed, sealed, delivered, this book had me, from the canine ghostly possession to the pizza rolls to the talent show gone bad. Jerome and Heidi's story was compelling, fun, sad, and a must read for any fan of contemporary fantasy. And I found out yesterday that DEVINE INTERVENTION has been optioned for film by Jerry Zucker, the guy who brought us GHOST, AIRPLANE, and NAKED GUN. Um, yes please! Oh, and the screenwriter is none other than the person who wrote MRS. DOUBTFIRE! Nothing short of an epic combination right there.
Trust me. You need this book. Go and buy it now and thank me later.
VERDICT: One of my favorite books of 2012 so far, DEVINE INTERVENTION is laugh out loud funny and thought provoking in one little package. About the choices we make and the things we can do to make up for mistakes, it is a can't miss YA debut.
alboyer6's review against another edition
3.0
I expected more out of this story. If I could I'd probably give it 2.5 stars. Jerome has been assigned as Heidi's guardian angle through a soul rehabilitation program after he died at the age of 17. He's not a very good guardian angel. The book is sprinkled throughout with pages from Guardian Angel's Handbook that Jerome failed to even open. It comes back to bite him on the butt at the end. Cute story but nothing that really stood out to me.
heyjudy's review against another edition
3.0
~3.5/5
[Read more at my blog, Geeky Reading!]
This book was definitely entertaining, and the serious moments weren’t downplayed, but I’m not sure about the ending.
I was expecting this book to be funny from what I’d heard, and it was. It was also more serious and thoughtful than I thought it would be, though, and I liked that. I also liked the writing, and the way that the characters would tell about a memory. I didn’t know it was in two points of view going in, and I liked that.
The story was a little slow paced, and it didn’t really get to one big climax. There were a few twists thrown in, and I really liked the Handbook guidelines between chapters. I’m not sure which character I preferred, because both of them were good characters, and very different from each other, with different voices.
Jerome is a bit of a mess-up, but he has a past, and he is actually a pretty sweet guy. Heidi feels a bit like a loser, and that sucks, but I think what happened let her get some perspective, and made her grow.
I was not expecting the ending. I mean, I thought of a couple outcomes (including, as I read closer to the end, what actually happened), but I didn’t know what did happen would actually be it. And I guess it fits. It makes sense, but I’m also not sure if I like it. Mostly, though, I think that’s because I wanted more of a happily ever after. This ending makes sense for the characters and the heaven thing, though.
Overall, this was a pretty enjoyable book. It was funny, and there were several stories and characteristics thrown in that I enjoyed.
[Read more at my blog, Geeky Reading!]
This book was definitely entertaining, and the serious moments weren’t downplayed, but I’m not sure about the ending.
I was expecting this book to be funny from what I’d heard, and it was. It was also more serious and thoughtful than I thought it would be, though, and I liked that. I also liked the writing, and the way that the characters would tell about a memory. I didn’t know it was in two points of view going in, and I liked that.
The story was a little slow paced, and it didn’t really get to one big climax. There were a few twists thrown in, and I really liked the Handbook guidelines between chapters. I’m not sure which character I preferred, because both of them were good characters, and very different from each other, with different voices.
Jerome is a bit of a mess-up, but he has a past, and he is actually a pretty sweet guy. Heidi feels a bit like a loser, and that sucks, but I think what happened let her get some perspective, and made her grow.
I was not expecting the ending. I mean, I thought of a couple outcomes (including, as I read closer to the end, what actually happened), but I didn’t know what did happen would actually be it. And I guess it fits. It makes sense, but I’m also not sure if I like it. Mostly, though, I think that’s because I wanted more of a happily ever after. This ending makes sense for the characters and the heaven thing, though.
Overall, this was a pretty enjoyable book. It was funny, and there were several stories and characteristics thrown in that I enjoyed.
papalbina's review against another edition
2.0
It was boring... It took forever to go somewhere the whole thing with the dog, the soul, the confession and so on. It was a bit tedious to read. Not the type of read I was hoping for >.<
aylea's review against another edition
3.0
Jerome messed up in his life, so when he dies he becomes an angel trainee in heaven’s soul-rehabilitation program for wayward teens. He’s Heidi’s guardian angel, and as long as she lives a good life, Jerome won’t have to go to Hell. When Heidi nearly dies and Jerome accidently pulls her soul out of her body trying to save her, Heidi realizes the voice in her head was Jerome all along. The two souls have to avoid another angel who has malicious plans for Heidi and work together to get Heidi’s soul back to her body before she disappears and Jerome has to spend the rest of eternity in Hell. When the time runs out, both of them are able to experience new beginnings for their souls.
Although this book talks a lot about dying, the afterlife, and other serious things, the tone is always lighthearted and comedic. It deals a lot with life and the choices we make in it, but the funny tone keeps it from getting boring or uncomfortable. The switch from first person to third person was a little strange, and the characters seem to lack some personality, but the book holds the reader in its grip wondering if these two characters are going to make it in the end. The villain isn’t explained well and is used as a plot device rather than an interesting character. Although the plot and characters have some weaknesses, readers will still enjoy reading about these two souls fighting for survival and to make things work in a difficult situation.
Although this book talks a lot about dying, the afterlife, and other serious things, the tone is always lighthearted and comedic. It deals a lot with life and the choices we make in it, but the funny tone keeps it from getting boring or uncomfortable. The switch from first person to third person was a little strange, and the characters seem to lack some personality, but the book holds the reader in its grip wondering if these two characters are going to make it in the end. The villain isn’t explained well and is used as a plot device rather than an interesting character. Although the plot and characters have some weaknesses, readers will still enjoy reading about these two souls fighting for survival and to make things work in a difficult situation.
cjyu's review against another edition
2.0
Let me just say: I totally got tricked with all those 4 or 5 star reviews for this book. I was super super excited for this story! The premise is so great- just the kind of story I would love. But maybe my expectations were built so high it totally didn't reach the standards.
I was really displeased with most of this book- the characters and the story was just flat. No depth, no dimension, shallow, and it felt disjointed. So much could've been expanded to make the story better- yes it's a light hearted read, but NOT THAT LIGHT. Seriously, if it had been longer, I still would've read it if it made the story better. Expand more on Jerome's past, Heidi's character, why Howard was a freaking psychopath, etc. I also wasn't a fan with Heidi and Jerome's characters to start with. They were.. Kind of annoying.
I'm really regretting the money I spent on buying this book now, and I really wish such a great premise wasn't ruined like this.
I was really displeased with most of this book- the characters and the story was just flat. No depth, no dimension, shallow, and it felt disjointed. So much could've been expanded to make the story better- yes it's a light hearted read, but NOT THAT LIGHT. Seriously, if it had been longer, I still would've read it if it made the story better. Expand more on Jerome's past, Heidi's character, why Howard was a freaking psychopath, etc. I also wasn't a fan with Heidi and Jerome's characters to start with. They were.. Kind of annoying.
I'm really regretting the money I spent on buying this book now, and I really wish such a great premise wasn't ruined like this.
lindacbugg's review against another edition
4.0
This was a solid 3.5 but a great ending pushed it up that extra 1/2 point. Cute and charming tween story.