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3.12 AVERAGE
3.12 AVERAGE
I really enjoyed this book--the language and characters drew me in from the beginning and I couldn't put it down. I loved Phoebe and Mallory's friendship, loved the conversations with the faerie queen, loved the descriptions of all the faeries. Even though it was subtle, I appreciated the relationship between Phoebe and her mother. I loved Benjamin--even though he didn't have much screen time he was super cool--I loved his and Phoebe's friendship. Ryland creeped me out!! Phoebe's inward struggle between being ordinary or extraordinary, wanting to be loved, and just plain old having to grow up--it really resonated. Her realizations and observations about love and friendship and family were astute and special.
Lovely book!!
Lovely book!!
Extraordinary by Nancy Werlin proposes that the Rothschild dynasty was granted its success through a faerie pact. Years down the line, the Queen of the Faeries has decided it's time to end the alliance and take back the gift. To do that, Phoebe Rothschild (of a fictional branch of the Rothschilds) must be sacrificed.
Although the book is told mostly from Pheobe's point of view, there are chapters interspersed from the point of view of Mallory and her ersatz brother Ryland. While Werlin is up front about the Queen's plans, how and when they will be executed, though she leaves a mystery. Unraveling that timeline and the reasons behind the sudden urgency are what make Extraordinary such a compelling read.
There's one more unusual aspect to this human / faerie book, namely Pheobe's Jewishness. How that comes into play, though, is rather central to the book's climax and denouement, so I can't say much without flooding this post with spoilers. The added tough questions raised by Pheobe's faith and culture, though, bumped the book up from a well deserving four stars, to a full fledged five star read.
Although the book is told mostly from Pheobe's point of view, there are chapters interspersed from the point of view of Mallory and her ersatz brother Ryland. While Werlin is up front about the Queen's plans, how and when they will be executed, though she leaves a mystery. Unraveling that timeline and the reasons behind the sudden urgency are what make Extraordinary such a compelling read.
There's one more unusual aspect to this human / faerie book, namely Pheobe's Jewishness. How that comes into play, though, is rather central to the book's climax and denouement, so I can't say much without flooding this post with spoilers. The added tough questions raised by Pheobe's faith and culture, though, bumped the book up from a well deserving four stars, to a full fledged five star read.
Impossible is probably one of my favorite books, so of course I had high expectations for Extraordinary. But it didn't quite meet them. I should have known better. Whenever I have super-high expectations, I'm usually let down. Even though it didn't meet my expectations, I still enjoyed it.
I didn't realy connect to the main character, Phoebe. I found that she was very naive. For instance, she fell in love with Ryland even though he never treated her well. She acted very childish at times.
I felt that the writing was very detached from the story. I loved Werlin's writing in Impossible, but she just didn't do it for me in this one. I also found the story very predictable. Not in a sense where I knew exactly what was going to happen; it was more that I knew the big picture. Between some chapters, there was Conversations with the Faerie Queen; I thought this gave too much away. I would have liked to figure out things with Phoebe instead.
Overall, I did enjoy Extraordinary, but it's definitely not one of my favorites. If you're a big fairy fanatic, then I would check this one out.
I didn't realy connect to the main character, Phoebe. I found that she was very naive. For instance, she fell in love with Ryland even though he never treated her well. She acted very childish at times.
I felt that the writing was very detached from the story. I loved Werlin's writing in Impossible, but she just didn't do it for me in this one. I also found the story very predictable. Not in a sense where I knew exactly what was going to happen; it was more that I knew the big picture. Between some chapters, there was Conversations with the Faerie Queen; I thought this gave too much away. I would have liked to figure out things with Phoebe instead.
Overall, I did enjoy Extraordinary, but it's definitely not one of my favorites. If you're a big fairy fanatic, then I would check this one out.
This YA paranormal romance was pretty disappointing. A good setup totally lost the plot, the climax, the point and any interest by Act III. Though despite the story disappointments, the writing was much better than expected.
So, this is listed as the 2nd book in the Impossible series. The first thing I want to say is that the books do not connect in any way other than they are both about faeries. You could read either or both and in any order. I'm not sure about book three yet, but I would guess the same could be said for that one.
This story involves more of the fae than the first book did. You will get to see into their side of things a lot more. There is a whole world apart from ours that is in trouble and the fae have to make hard choices in order to save themselves. The main characters in this book are both human and fae and interact with each other quite regularly.
When we finally get to the end of the story, decisions must be made and a few of the characters have to be very brave. I feel like there is some redemption that goes on as well, and that was important for the people in the story. One thing I would like to have seen is what happens to the mothers in the story...both Mallory and Phoebe's mothers. They hint at what would happen, but we never get to see them and see how they react to everything that's happened. I would have liked to see that.
If you're a fan of faeries and fantasy books, you will enjoy this one. I found I liked it a bit better than book one of this series.
This story involves more of the fae than the first book did. You will get to see into their side of things a lot more. There is a whole world apart from ours that is in trouble and the fae have to make hard choices in order to save themselves. The main characters in this book are both human and fae and interact with each other quite regularly.
When we finally get to the end of the story, decisions must be made and a few of the characters have to be very brave. I feel like there is some redemption that goes on as well, and that was important for the people in the story. One thing I would like to have seen is what happens to the mothers in the story...both Mallory and Phoebe's mothers. They hint at what would happen, but we never get to see them and see how they react to everything that's happened. I would have liked to see that.
If you're a fan of faeries and fantasy books, you will enjoy this one. I found I liked it a bit better than book one of this series.
Another novel with an amazing cover. I liked the feeling of flying that was shown on the cover. The message of this novel was a positive one - everyone is extraordinary.
The plot was kind of shakily done though. I wasn't convinced by Mallory and Phoebe's relationship, and her "romance" with Ryland made me feel kind of ill. I hated the way that he treated her, and I know that there were spells and such to make her feel that way about him but I still hated it.
The mythology that the story was based on was the biggest redeeming factor. I liked how it was woven into the story. It created a lot more history and gave it life.
My rating: 3 out of 5
The plot was kind of shakily done though. I wasn't convinced by Mallory and Phoebe's relationship, and her "romance" with Ryland made me feel kind of ill. I hated the way that he treated her, and I know that there were spells and such to make her feel that way about him but I still hated it.
The mythology that the story was based on was the biggest redeeming factor. I liked how it was woven into the story. It created a lot more history and gave it life.
My rating: 3 out of 5
I know Werlin can do better. I grabbed the book because i fell in love with Impossible ! The story was so bland and i wanted more of a bang from the faerie world.
Some of the story seemed a little forced, but the plot device was original and she pulled off the ending much more gracefully than I expected she'd be able to.
Great ideas about what it means to be ordinary or extraordinary. But it felt clunky, what with switching back between faerie queen conversations and the real world. I just wasn't drawn in.
Phoebe makes an unusual friend in Mallory. She soon learns that their friendship didn't happen by chance but instead was destined by an oath made by her ancestor. Her ability to uphold that oath will cost her everything, including her life. If she doesn't uphold the oath she could be responsible for the demise of the Faeries.
I enjoyed this unusual tale based loosely on the real Mayor Rothschild, however, the story crept along with elaborate details describing Phoebe's thoughts and feelings. I found it hard to create a strong connection to Phoebe...just when you've grown to root for her...her thoughts and insecurities try your patience. A worthwhile read, especially if you love details and enjoy a plot that takes the scenic route.
I enjoyed this unusual tale based loosely on the real Mayor Rothschild, however, the story crept along with elaborate details describing Phoebe's thoughts and feelings. I found it hard to create a strong connection to Phoebe...just when you've grown to root for her...her thoughts and insecurities try your patience. A worthwhile read, especially if you love details and enjoy a plot that takes the scenic route.