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sarahsd's review
emotional
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? No
3.5
herbookish_obsession's review
4.0
The book is poetic from beginning to end. In essence, this is an exploration of the true meaning of family. Characters can be one-dimensional and the plot may not exist, but I still think I would like this because the most powerful part is the information. In suburban Pennsylvania, a girl fell in love with the boy next door (literally), but on her 18th birthday, she decided to find out who her sperm donor father was and found out that he was the father of her new boyfriend. If it is. I like the family that Calliope found.
They have their problems, but they perfectly contain the spirit of the family. I struggled with the relationship between Max and Calliope, but I think the author did it on purpose. This is not an easy book to read, there are too many crazy emotions. On the other hand, the relationship between Marlowe and Calliope is perfect, which is probably my favorite part of this book. I also like the complexity of each character. Even Elliott, who is the “villain” for Max, and the many problems in the story, are meaningful to me. I don’t like him as a person, but he is a great character.I love Calliope’s found family. They had their issues, but they encompassed the spirit of families perfectly.
I did struggle with the relationship between Max and Calliope, but I think the author did it intentionally. It wasn’t meant to be an easy read, there were too many emotions running wild. The relationship between Marlowe and Calliope on the other hand was done perfectly, it may have been my favorite part of the book.I also really loved how complex every character was. Even Elliot, the person who’s part “villain” to Max, and behind many of the problems of the story made sense to me. I didn’t like him as a person, but he was a great character.
They have their problems, but they perfectly contain the spirit of the family. I struggled with the relationship between Max and Calliope, but I think the author did it on purpose. This is not an easy book to read, there are too many crazy emotions. On the other hand, the relationship between Marlowe and Calliope is perfect, which is probably my favorite part of this book. I also like the complexity of each character. Even Elliott, who is the “villain” for Max, and the many problems in the story, are meaningful to me. I don’t like him as a person, but he is a great character.I love Calliope’s found family. They had their issues, but they encompassed the spirit of families perfectly.
I did struggle with the relationship between Max and Calliope, but I think the author did it intentionally. It wasn’t meant to be an easy read, there were too many emotions running wild. The relationship between Marlowe and Calliope on the other hand was done perfectly, it may have been my favorite part of the book.I also really loved how complex every character was. Even Elliot, the person who’s part “villain” to Max, and behind many of the problems of the story made sense to me. I didn’t like him as a person, but he was a great character.
taleenah's review
5.0
This book has a fascinating premise. In rural-suburban Pennsylvania, a girl falls for the boy next door (literally), but on her 18th birthday, she chooses to find out who her sperm donor father is, and discovers it's her new boyfriend's dad. YEP.
The idea, brilliant, but the writing? Even more so. From the first page I could see I was in for something stunning. Katelyn Detweiler makes such good use of the lush, forested setting of Green Woods, that it almost feels like another character. The pages were a refuge, a beautiful gentle place where even when everything was falling apart, it felt safe. Calliope's moms, Mama & Mimmy, shower her in a type of unconditional love that casts a metaphorical protective spell over their daughter.
Readers will enjoy the exploration of all manner of tangled relationships, from the friendships (such good friend dynamics) to the romantic ones and of course the family ones. They're all fleshed out and given the perfect amount of space to bend and become something bigger.
FIVE VERY ENTHUSIASTIC STARS!
The idea, brilliant, but the writing? Even more so. From the first page I could see I was in for something stunning. Katelyn Detweiler makes such good use of the lush, forested setting of Green Woods, that it almost feels like another character. The pages were a refuge, a beautiful gentle place where even when everything was falling apart, it felt safe. Calliope's moms, Mama & Mimmy, shower her in a type of unconditional love that casts a metaphorical protective spell over their daughter.
Readers will enjoy the exploration of all manner of tangled relationships, from the friendships (such good friend dynamics) to the romantic ones and of course the family ones. They're all fleshed out and given the perfect amount of space to bend and become something bigger.
FIVE VERY ENTHUSIASTIC STARS!
brinley's review
4.0
This book was truly poetic from start to finish. At its heart, it was an exploration of what family truly means. The characters could've been one-dimensional, and the plot could've been nonexistent, but I still think I would've loved this, because the strongest part was the message.
I have to say, I love Calliope's found family. They had their issues, but they encompassed the spirit of families perfectly. I did struggle with the relationship between Max and Calliope, but I think the author did it intentionally. It wasn't meant to be an easy read, there were too many emotions running wild. The relationship between Marlowe and Calliope on the other hand was done perfectly, it may have been my favorite part of the book.
I also really loved how complex every character was. Even Elliot, the person who's part "villain" to Max, and behind many of the problems of the story made sense to me. I didn't like him as a person, but he was a great character.
Although this is a shorter book, it doesn't pull any punches. I really enjoyed it, and I may end up rereading it
Thanks to Turn the Page Tours for providing a free copy !
I have to say, I love Calliope's found family. They had their issues, but they encompassed the spirit of families perfectly. I did struggle with the relationship between Max and Calliope, but I think the author did it intentionally. It wasn't meant to be an easy read, there were too many emotions running wild. The relationship between Marlowe and Calliope on the other hand was done perfectly, it may have been my favorite part of the book.
I also really loved how complex every character was. Even Elliot, the person who's part "villain" to Max, and behind many of the problems of the story made sense to me. I didn't like him as a person, but he was a great character.
Although this is a shorter book, it doesn't pull any punches. I really enjoyed it, and I may end up rereading it
Thanks to Turn the Page Tours for providing a free copy !
sheafandink's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? No
3.0
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