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__ceecee__'s Reviews (414)


It's almost always easy to read an Agatha Christie in one sitting. (So far, the only mysteries of AC's that took me a long time to read are the Jane Marple mysteries). Hercule Poirot is always engaging (so far).

Death in the Clouds tackles the usual elements of AC's, psychology, the multiple suspects, the red herrings, etc. And the romance sub-plot is always welcome. The plot twist was good, but since I read Cards on the Table, it doesn't compare to that.

It was a pleasant interlude after reading "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" which was more of a heavy - but pleasant - reading.

[Edit: I previously gave this 2.5 stars, but, remembering Delirium, which I gave 2 stars, I now rate this book 1.5 stars]. Because I didn't really hate it like I should have. I'm just one big contradictory person, because whenever I've set out to love or hate a book, I usually end up feeling the opposite. I knew from the start of reading this book that I wasn't going to love it, but in the middle of it, I was just laughing at the ridiculous-ness of it all. And since I got a kick out of reading this, I may just have to attach that 0.5 star in there.

I've come to expect that this was a YA Paranormal book. It does feature a fallen angel. But three quarters of the book, it mainly felt like a teen psychological thriller. If that even exists. I guess, because I read The Mortal Instruments series, that I expected a lot of kick-ass fight scenes. There was, however, the slightly intriguing mystery (which I like) of who could want Nora dead. Apparently, almost all of the characters wanted her dead
Spoiler including her soon-to-be-boyfriend Patch. yeah!
.

So it's not really more of a paranormal book, I guess, but a YA romance with paranormal elements. The romance, though, is the one that gave me the most kicks. Here's a straight A student, who has a dangerous attraction to a guy who could possibly be her stalker
Spoiler which, it turns out, he was
. Nora knows absolutely zilch about this person, except that he's hot. So it's okay that he's a possible stalker and that he may have assaulted your best friend, because you have 'gut instincts' into the goodness of his heart, and besides, he's hot. Is it okay that in the middle of arguing about his dubious identity, you suddenly have the overwhelming urge to kiss him? Wtf? (I actually enjoyed hating this scene, though). It's just a story of pure, basic lust, passing off as romance . Blrugh. But what the heck, at least I got a kick out of it.

I could write a lot of paragraphs describing the mind-fuckeries in this book and waste another hour, or I could just end this review with a not-so-short message:

Would I recommend you to buy this? No. (So really, Borj, god why'd you have to buy this?!) Instead do what I did, and borrow from a friend. *Cackles*

Don't let mediocre authors get so much profit from a not-well written story. It was obviously written in such a way, that you need a sequel, to get the cash flowin, so.... Shame on authors and publishers who milk it.


It's an endearing novel, which manages to be clever, and the thing that struck me the most: really understand how most ten and eight-year-olds think and feel: how they perceive, imagine and exaggerate certain situations. I swear I could relate to some of the things Rachel and Jerry experienced. I think it would be a book a child would enjoy reading.

What can I say, I'm into Hindu/Buddhist/New Age-y concepts and that kind of stuff. Granted, Sati doesn't really tell us anything new, but the things she does tell us, are worth retelling.


"Why be optimistic about the future? Why be pessimistic? Why not see things as they are? The present is always filled with joy, and love...If you were to live fully in the moment for only a moment, the stress and strain of your entire life would be washed away."

“Enjoy your life. No curse hangs over you, nor did it ever. No devil chases after your soul."

“Don't simply knock and wait for the door to be opened. Go look for the keys. Some fit the lock better than others.”

“There comes a time for everybody when words and reasons can become such a great weariness.”

“A true teacher would never tell you what to do. But he would give you the knowledge with which you could decide what would be best for you to do.”


Yes, I practically copy-pasted the already existing quotes under Sati in GR. Sorry about that.

At times, this style of writing reminded me of Paulo Coelho, but that may just be a coincidence. I read that Christopher Pike is somehow popular the way R.L. Stine is popular, and that he doesn't really have a great writing style, he just makes good stories, which is good enough for me. I've only read one other book of his, something about a teenage time traveller, and it was pretty interesting. I wouldn't mind picking up another book of his to pass the time.

Anyway, I rate this 4.5 stars, because reading it raised the hairs on my arms, and I liked it, and I felt immense peace, which is something very important to me.

[Edit: I couldn't seem to explain everything I wanted to say about this novel with my previous review, so I'm starting again. But then again, I don't think I can ever fully articulate what I feel.]

I read this book because I thought it would understand how a person can just off and kill herself. I know how it is to be depressed, though I've never seriously contemplated killing myself. But I know there are people out there who feel so down, there is no looking up, and sometimes, all we need is to feel like we're not alone.

This book did not sit well with me. I kept reading this book through the end, hoping to find out the real reason Hannah committed suicide. When I came to the end, I was all "That's it?" And I had to internalize what good this novel could possibly do for mankind.

Okay, I get it. "Even our smallest actions can make a big impact on other people."
"Sometimes, it's what you haven't done that's wrong, not what you've done".
The thing is, the novel just didn't impact me, the way it impacted the people who rated this 3 stars or more.

Maybe my problem is Hannah. I cannot imagine doing the things she did and then taking my own life afterwards. No hate note to her parents? Investing all that time making 13 tapes putting blame on other people for why she wants to kill herself? What intense and profound hate she must have for herself to have done these things. But then again, I guess that's what suicide is supposed to be like. Hating yourself so much, you no longer want to live.

The thing is, I am not that kind of girl. I may get sad some times, but a part of me will never give up without a fight. The thought of giving up and leaving behind such grief for the people I love is too much to bear. But, yeah, that's just me. And we're supposed to be talking about Hannah.

So. Hannah. She was whiny and petty. I pretty much agree with Beth here. And Nina.

I do not get it. That pretty much sums up my reactions after reading this book. You just cannot blame other people for their actions, when you didn't even do anything to change yourself or the situations you hate either.

But maybe I'm not the girl to talk about depression or suicide. I'm still baffled over the high ratings most people gave this. All I know is, I wouldn't recommend this book, and I probably won't watch the movie version of this either.

An incompetent review from a reader plagued by so many feels:

Spoiler OMFG YOU CANNOT WRITE 400 PAGES OF A NOVEL ABOUT ANNA AND HER WANTING TO LIVE AND GROW UP AND THEN KILL HER OFF IN A TWISTED TURN OF EVENT, OKAY? AND IT'S SO NOT OKAY! WHAT WERE YOU THINKING, JODI?? YOU KEPT MY HOPES UP, HINTING ANNA WOULD GROW UP TO BE AN AMAZING PERSON, AND THEN KILL HER MINUTES AFTERWARDS. I THREW THAT BOOK ACROSS THE ROOM FIGURATIVELY AND I LITERALLY WRESTLED WITH THE BOOK AFTER READING IT. IT'S JUST SO NOT OKAY. YOU'D THINK IT WOULD BE FAIR TO GIVE THE CHARACTERS THEIR HAPPY ENDING AFTER SUCH STRESS AND CONFLICT, BUT NO. YOU HAD TO TAKE THAT AWAY FROM US. I WANT MY HAPPY ENDING. I WANT MY HAPPY ENDING!

A review from a reader after finishing a much needed tantrum, no longer clouded by so many feels:

Spoiler So I guess Kate got her happy ending. Okay. Nobody ever said life was gonna be fair. Okay. It doesn't mean I'm going to like it. You know, I relate a lot with Anna. Anna is such an engaging character, and primarily the reason I got sucked into this story. So, doing that to her. Ugh. Just, no.

So then, on to the much more serious review:


I'm not really into family drama, or courtroom drama. But I am really into brilliant characterization, and remarkable handling of words. And that's how I got sucked into this book I would never have otherwise picked up. I first read Anna's POV and she just drew me in. "In my first memory, I am three years old and I am trying to kill my sister." And then, "When I was little, the great mystery to me wasn't how babies were made, but why." I mean, how can I not continue reading after that? It was just so plain and honest. It was like a breath of fresh air. Also, I think the interchanging POVs were handled very well.
SpoilerBut the ending was overkill.


This book was really well-written and I wouldn't mind reading another Jodi Picoult book in the future.