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laural444's review
1.0
I was really enjoying this one, despite the somewhat unlikely situations (Charlie lost both testicles and half of his penis, but he was otherwise able to romp around in the ocean?) and characters that were a little wooden. Anyway, I was plugging along, finding the book to be enjoyable, even if it wasn't that well-written, until I got to the part where Stephen stabs a baby in the stomach. Totally unnecessary, and it ruined the entire book for me. My son is a baby boy with blue eyes, too, who kicks and smiles big toothless grins when someone comes over to the crib to look at him. So reading the part about Stephen killing the little boy with a knife sickened me. I tossed the book away and spent the rest of the night watching my baby sleep.
ssulli's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
lzgravely's review
2.0
Of all the Gregory books I have read, this one is my least favorite. While interesting historically (Post WWI), the story just wasn't all that interesting. The conflicts were too internal to really move the plot. The problems were with the characters and their lack of communication, so there was a lot of omniscient narrator slowing moving the story along.
caresays's review
3.0
Like, wtf?! Everyone in this book pissed me off. Also, they're all crazy. And selfish. And it took me an absurdly long time to finish it.
chrisfitzner's review
2.0
By the time I realized there were no redeeming qualities in almost all of the main characters, I'd already read more than half of the book and felt obligated to finish it.
I never felt a real story push, or a point to the book at all. The driving action at the end wasn't really the same as the beginning unless you zero in on Stephens' problems. The ending was abrupt and if you're going to go through all that trouble, at least give me little fan service and happy ending.
I never felt a real story push, or a point to the book at all. The driving action at the end wasn't really the same as the beginning unless you zero in on Stephens' problems. The ending was abrupt and if you're going to go through all that trouble, at least give me little fan service and happy ending.
anamariab2389's review
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
eobehrens's review
3.0
I usually love Philippa Gregory's books and was excited to experience the 1920's through her writing. Unfortunately the antagonist was such a vile, loathsome man that it overtook the story and I found myself filled with hatred for a fictional character who is completely manipulative to everyone around him. Definitely worth a read, but that character left such a foul taste in my mouth that it's not one of my favorites of the author.
betweenmangoandbooks's review
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
danacordelia's review against another edition
5.0
I hadn't expected to enjoy Fallen Skies as much as I did. I still maintain that "The Other Boleyn Girl" is her best book, but this is way up there near the top of my list.
The vivid descriptions of the vaudeville theater, and the delicious glimpses of 1920s Portsmouth and Southampton, were so much fun. My heart thudded and ached in syncopation with Lily's. I was most definitely drawn into this book from the first few pages, and sad when it ended because I wanted there to be more of it to read!
This is an affective and beautiful story. Her Tudor novels aside, Gregory's created several of her best-written characters here. I really recommend it for theatre geeks, and histfic readers alike (though not for those seeking a bodice-ripper...this is more of a family drama than a gratuitous romance, however much it tugs at the heartstrings.) And there is some violence and gore, so don't choose it if you're after a light weekend read.
It was a fabulous way to spend my weekend, though. Excellent book!
The vivid descriptions of the vaudeville theater, and the delicious glimpses of 1920s Portsmouth and Southampton, were so much fun. My heart thudded and ached in syncopation with Lily's. I was most definitely drawn into this book from the first few pages, and sad when it ended because I wanted there to be more of it to read!
This is an affective and beautiful story. Her Tudor novels aside, Gregory's created several of her best-written characters here. I really recommend it for theatre geeks, and histfic readers alike (though not for those seeking a bodice-ripper...this is more of a family drama than a gratuitous romance, however much it tugs at the heartstrings.) And there is some violence and gore, so don't choose it if you're after a light weekend read.
It was a fabulous way to spend my weekend, though. Excellent book!