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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
fast-paced
Really liked this book, never knew where it was going. As a debut novel this is a great one for this author. The wrap up wasn't as quick to me as everyone makes it seem to be, they spent a couple chapters getting there. I was disappointed about the take on mental illness, wish it was better. But overall I feel the book was a good read.
4.5 stars
Contemporary fiction isn't what I typically reach for, and Where the Forest Meets the Stars sat untouched on my Kindle for several months (I think it was a First Reads pick?) before I finally opened it, but when I did, it melted my heart. I imagine that this is probably what it feels like to stumble across a Hallmark or Lifetime movie on television and end up enjoying it much more than you thought possible. I'm not even sure exactly what it was that I liked about this book, but I adored it.
Of course, there are also some flaws that can be picked apart, and maybe the characters are a bit of a stretch at times (Joanna and Gabe also seem to read much older than the mid-to-late 20's that they're supposed to be), but still, they totally stole my heart. Ursa, in particular, was such an endearing character that I couldn't help but want to know what would happen next in her story.
I probably would have given this book a solid five stars if I had enjoyed the ending as much as the first 2/3 of the book, but I loved the first two thirds so much that I only knocked off a half star for the somewhat disjointed conclusion.
Contemporary fiction isn't what I typically reach for, and Where the Forest Meets the Stars sat untouched on my Kindle for several months (I think it was a First Reads pick?) before I finally opened it, but when I did, it melted my heart. I imagine that this is probably what it feels like to stumble across a Hallmark or Lifetime movie on television and end up enjoying it much more than you thought possible. I'm not even sure exactly what it was that I liked about this book, but I adored it.
Of course, there are also some flaws that can be picked apart, and maybe the characters are a bit of a stretch at times (Joanna and Gabe also seem to read much older than the mid-to-late 20's that they're supposed to be), but still, they totally stole my heart. Ursa, in particular, was such an endearing character that I couldn't help but want to know what would happen next in her story.
I probably would have given this book a solid five stars if I had enjoyed the ending as much as the first 2/3 of the book, but I loved the first two thirds so much that I only knocked off a half star for the somewhat disjointed conclusion.
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I've had this book on my kindle for years. It seemed right up my alley, but I had never sat down to read it. Then I picked it up this month and it was the perfect time. There's a bit of mystery, a bit of relationship building, and a whole lot of being outside. I was once a biological technician doing this kind of work, so it was fun to see that on the page, too. There were some plot points that were a little odd, like the relationships with the university students and faculy. It wasn't bad, but I'm not sure it was needed.
Questions I would like to talk to someone about are:
1. The author treats one of the characters mental illness in a way that makes it appear relatively easy to overcome. Do you think that is realistic?
2. What would you do if you were in the same situation with a small child claiming to be an alien and who obviously is afraid to go home?
Questions I would like to talk to someone about are:
1. The author treats one of the characters mental illness in a way that makes it appear relatively easy to overcome. Do you think that is realistic?
2. What would you do if you were in the same situation with a small child claiming to be an alien and who obviously is afraid to go home?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Cancer, Child abuse
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Grief, Death of parent
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Gun violence, Mental illness, Violence, Injury/Injury detail
There are a lot of bad things that come up later in the book, but you know it's coming. That's the mystery. Why is this girl here? The story is not sci fi.
emotional
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
slow-paced
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Cancer, Child abuse, Death, Gun violence, Rape, Terminal illness, Blood, Murder
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug abuse, Mental illness