You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
3.49 AVERAGE
3.49 AVERAGE
Originally published on www.serendipityreviews.co.uk
This book knocks you sideways, while at the same time challenging the way you think and view the world around you. I sat on the train to London to read it and by the time I finished my return journey, I’d finished. I nearly missed my stop as I was so engrossed in this book. A week after reading it, I’m still analysing the world around me and looking for clues.
This book looks at the whole concept of coincidence. It looks at the way we analyse events that occur as coincidences. The more extraordinary a coincidence is, the more preposterous and unbelievable other people will think it is. I’m a great believer in thinking that everything happens for a reason and I’m convinced coincidences don’t just occur because statistical laws mean they will eventually happen, so I found this book fascinating to read. In fact, I had my very own coincidence while reading it.
Now this picture might leave you befuddled but anyone that has read the book will realise very early on that Laureth is blind. I was gobsmacked to be reading about coincidences and blindness, and then to see this sign!!
Laureth is a strong female character who doesn’t let her disability define her. She can never change or improve her sight but she has learnt how to live with it. She has tactics in place to stop people feeling sorry for her; she even goes to great lengths to hide her blindness in order for people to see her for who she really is, to step past her disability and see her abilities. I don’t know any blind people personally, but I felt this book gave an accurate portrayal of what life must be like if you were blind.
The book crosses from London to New York as Laureth goes in search of her father, who has disappeared. She is frantic and worried that something seriously bad has happened to him. In her quest to find him, she hits upon coincidences in rapid succession, which should make the plot unbelievable. However the author has worked these coincidences in such a way that you believe everything that happens.
This is a different direction from the author’s previous novels. Gone is the Gothic tone and feel, that normally sends shivers up my spine. If I were to describe this book in relation to others I would describe it as a mixture of Maggot Moon, and The DaVinci Code. If you ever saw the film, Serendipity, it has elements of that in it too.
The author hasn’t just provided you with a fast paced thriller, but he has also left you with ideas and puzzles to decipher. I challenge you not to come away from this book searching out the coincidences that occur in your life. I will definitely be recommending this book highly in the future as it stands out from the other YA books around at the mome
This book knocks you sideways, while at the same time challenging the way you think and view the world around you. I sat on the train to London to read it and by the time I finished my return journey, I’d finished. I nearly missed my stop as I was so engrossed in this book. A week after reading it, I’m still analysing the world around me and looking for clues.
This book looks at the whole concept of coincidence. It looks at the way we analyse events that occur as coincidences. The more extraordinary a coincidence is, the more preposterous and unbelievable other people will think it is. I’m a great believer in thinking that everything happens for a reason and I’m convinced coincidences don’t just occur because statistical laws mean they will eventually happen, so I found this book fascinating to read. In fact, I had my very own coincidence while reading it.
Now this picture might leave you befuddled but anyone that has read the book will realise very early on that Laureth is blind. I was gobsmacked to be reading about coincidences and blindness, and then to see this sign!!
Laureth is a strong female character who doesn’t let her disability define her. She can never change or improve her sight but she has learnt how to live with it. She has tactics in place to stop people feeling sorry for her; she even goes to great lengths to hide her blindness in order for people to see her for who she really is, to step past her disability and see her abilities. I don’t know any blind people personally, but I felt this book gave an accurate portrayal of what life must be like if you were blind.
The book crosses from London to New York as Laureth goes in search of her father, who has disappeared. She is frantic and worried that something seriously bad has happened to him. In her quest to find him, she hits upon coincidences in rapid succession, which should make the plot unbelievable. However the author has worked these coincidences in such a way that you believe everything that happens.
This is a different direction from the author’s previous novels. Gone is the Gothic tone and feel, that normally sends shivers up my spine. If I were to describe this book in relation to others I would describe it as a mixture of Maggot Moon, and The DaVinci Code. If you ever saw the film, Serendipity, it has elements of that in it too.
The author hasn’t just provided you with a fast paced thriller, but he has also left you with ideas and puzzles to decipher. I challenge you not to come away from this book searching out the coincidences that occur in your life. I will definitely be recommending this book highly in the future as it stands out from the other YA books around at the mome
Entertaining, and even at 354 pages it felt way too short! I was finally getting into it, all excited to see how the story would continue, when all of the sudden it was over. And the ending wrapped up a bit too nicely for my tastes..
This book was a great fun read. Loved the main characters and I loved how the story unfolded.
Hmmm.... I can't say that I hated it (1 star) because there were a few times when I really cared what was going to happen next, and at one point I really wanted to know what happened to Laureth's father, BUT. But. My internal arguments were difficult to quell throughout. I kept yelling, in my head, "That's not possible. That would never happen like that. That's completely ridiculous. Whatever!!!" Almost every plot event was implausible in this realistic fiction book. Characters were quirky caricatures (Michael Walker, Sam, Benjamin, villains). Not sure about Laureth. Even the parents, who seemed to be the most reasonable (possibly human) characters, changed rapidly at the end, miraculously, so even they were not relatable as people.
Some of the information about coincidences and Laureth's experiences as a blind person was interesting, although I'm not sure how realistic it is that she'd be completely and totally dependent on her kid brother rather than assitive technology, Braille, a cane, etc. Really, this was just kind of a mildly amusing read, I guess. I won't be recommending it to anyone at all.
Some of the information about coincidences and Laureth's experiences as a blind person was interesting, although I'm not sure how realistic it is that she'd be completely and totally dependent on her kid brother rather than assitive technology, Braille, a cane, etc. Really, this was just kind of a mildly amusing read, I guess. I won't be recommending it to anyone at all.
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I got given this book for Christmas and it interested me-it was a very quick read however I felt there was no real point to the story it just felt like it was too short and explained to quickly! The story is about a teenage girl who has a hard relationship with her mother. When her father goes away for business and doesn't answer her calls or e-mails she begins to worry. Filled with worry for her father who she worships she decides to go off to america to find him... Also I did not work out that the main character was blind until one chapter in-which was an interesting part of the story!
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book was fantastic, it kept me engaged with its many layers and themes. I also thought that the hidden message at the end was a great ending.
I finished this book in a couple of days. Really easy read if you want to read something fast. It was an interesting book and I liked the hidden message of each word at the beginning of every chapter, apart from that it wasn't the best book I've ever read and I wouldn't hurry to read it again.