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4.03 AVERAGE
4.03 AVERAGE
This was so different from Sepetys's other work, but it retained the beauty of language and urgency of conflict. I am so enamored by her characters and always want them to win, and she does a commendable job of keeping that sense of victory in check.
Loved this! I have a soft spot for New Orleans so the setting was already a plus for me, add the time period, the cast of interesting characters, and the intrigue and you get an A+ book!
Incredible! 1950 New Orleans, a brothel and Jesse Thierry. Josie is a smart heroine who sometimes gets in over her own head and not always by her own doing. With a mother like hrs, who needs enemies. Loved this book! A definite read.
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It took me quite awhile to get even mildly hooked into this story (maybe about 1/3 of the way through), and even then it was underwhelming. The best way I've heard Ruta Sepetys' stories described is they're simply not enough, and I realize that is why I'm usually unsatisfied by the end of the book. Now, I realize a big portion of this might be because they're targeted to a younger audience, but not all of it can be so easily excused.
I find that her characters lack development, particularly side characters that play large and important roles in the protagonist's life. It's hard for me to feel a real connection to any of the characters simply because not enough information is provided to truly care.
In this book, I was disappointed that the New Orleans setting didn't play a bigger part, especially as it is mentioned in the notes at the end of the book how she fell in love with NOLA because of the music, food, atmosphere, etc. However, hardly any of that was present and it almost felt like this story could have taken place anywhere.
What first hooked me was a murder that takes place, but it ended up not really being resolved and also just not all that important to the story, a fact which sadly can be applied to many of the storylines in this book.
I find that her characters lack development, particularly side characters that play large and important roles in the protagonist's life. It's hard for me to feel a real connection to any of the characters simply because not enough information is provided to truly care.
In this book, I was disappointed that the New Orleans setting didn't play a bigger part, especially as it is mentioned in the notes at the end of the book how she fell in love with NOLA because of the music, food, atmosphere, etc. However, hardly any of that was present and it almost felt like this story could have taken place anywhere.
What first hooked me was a murder that takes place, but it ended up not really being resolved and also just not all that important to the story, a fact which sadly can be applied to many of the storylines in this book.
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No