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rebeccasreadingrambles 's review for:
Stepsister
by Jennifer Donnelly
4.5 stars
Jennifer Donnelly blew me away with this book. She has always written such strong female characters and this book is certainly no exception. Even though it is pretty different form others books of hers that I've read (and adored), it still has similar themes of strength and beauty from within. She did such an amazing job taking a well known and well despised character and twisting her around so that we could see deep into her heart.
It is amazing how many times the men in this book underestimate or make assumptions about Isabelle and Tavi. The author did such a wonderful job breaking down Isabelle's progression from happy, adventurous child to hateful and jealous stepsister. It's a dangerous mix of other's looking down on her for her lack of beauty and her gender, but also her letting people tell her what to think of herself. If she had someone to nurture and encourage her to be herself, well she and everyone else would have turned out so differently.
i absolutely loved the writing style of this book. It was so lyrics, similar to the writing of grim fairy tales, but with a unique twist. There were so many powerful quotes about strength that I just want to plaster my walls with. It was dark and had times of desperation that made you unsure how this could ever have a happy ending. The story telling didn't pull any punches or sugarcoat anything. We weren't assured that people were being untruthful with their words, however cruel. Instead, we are show that Isabelle needed to rise above what others thought and be true to herself to find any happiness.
Isabelle (and Tavi, Ella, and even Hugo) changed and grew so much during this novel. I love how much introspection was needed for each to rise above their pain, but also see others without bias or hateful thoughts. I loved the ending so much and was physically sitting on the edge of my seat and shouted out loud for Isabelle at one point.
Finally, I loved loved the interactions between Fate and Chance. This was such an exciting and creative addition to this already magical story and I was completely absorbed by both of them. I can honestly wish that Jennifer Donnelly would write more grim fairy tale reimaginings that involved Fate and Chance at the core because it was so well done. Not only were they fantastic characters, but they added so much to the character development and life lessons learned in this story.
Go out, be you! Beauty is not what is important - strength, consciousness and the courage to be your true self!
Jennifer Donnelly blew me away with this book. She has always written such strong female characters and this book is certainly no exception. Even though it is pretty different form others books of hers that I've read (and adored), it still has similar themes of strength and beauty from within. She did such an amazing job taking a well known and well despised character and twisting her around so that we could see deep into her heart.
It is amazing how many times the men in this book underestimate or make assumptions about Isabelle and Tavi. The author did such a wonderful job breaking down Isabelle's progression from happy, adventurous child to hateful and jealous stepsister. It's a dangerous mix of other's looking down on her for her lack of beauty and her gender, but also her letting people tell her what to think of herself. If she had someone to nurture and encourage her to be herself, well she and everyone else would have turned out so differently.
i absolutely loved the writing style of this book. It was so lyrics, similar to the writing of grim fairy tales, but with a unique twist. There were so many powerful quotes about strength that I just want to plaster my walls with. It was dark and had times of desperation that made you unsure how this could ever have a happy ending. The story telling didn't pull any punches or sugarcoat anything. We weren't assured that people were being untruthful with their words, however cruel. Instead, we are show that Isabelle needed to rise above what others thought and be true to herself to find any happiness.
Isabelle (and Tavi, Ella, and even Hugo) changed and grew so much during this novel. I love how much introspection was needed for each to rise above their pain, but also see others without bias or hateful thoughts. I loved the ending so much and was physically sitting on the edge of my seat and shouted out loud for Isabelle at one point.
Finally, I loved loved the interactions between Fate and Chance. This was such an exciting and creative addition to this already magical story and I was completely absorbed by both of them. I can honestly wish that Jennifer Donnelly would write more grim fairy tale reimaginings that involved Fate and Chance at the core because it was so well done. Not only were they fantastic characters, but they added so much to the character development and life lessons learned in this story.
Go out, be you! Beauty is not what is important - strength, consciousness and the courage to be your true self!