I might change it to 4 stars later, but as the story is spinning in my brain, it's getting 5.
Simply a remarkable story, both in plot and its extraordiI might change it to 4 stars later, but as the story is spinning in my brain, it's getting 5.
Simply a remarkable story, both in plot and its extraordinary characters. I was shocked multiple times as pieces fell together and new facts were revealed. It's a beautiful novel of friendship and the brutalities of war, of survival, hope, and so much more. It kind of made me cry. Just a wee bit. So, so good. ...more
she's done it again (how does she do it?) flawless writing. gut-wrenching characters, real characters. angst. sadness. so much pain.
I'm totally drained she's done it again (how does she do it?) flawless writing. gut-wrenching characters, real characters. angst. sadness. so much pain.
I'm totally drained from reading this, but it was brilliant. ...more
My most anticipated read of the year (or the last few months) and it is so good. I'll completely admit I may be wearing rose-colHOLY HELL WHAT A BOOK.
My most anticipated read of the year (or the last few months) and it is so good. I'll completely admit I may be wearing rose-coloured glasses because I've been pining for this book for so long and to finally read it was like... just amazing. But that aside... no spoilers for this mini-thoughts-reviews.
Those characters. like 100 shades of freaking grey, I had a love/hate relationship with pretty much all of them-- that's how three-dimensional they are.
Plot twists you will NOT see coming. holy hell Moira Young, you know how to throw a curveball.
Might I add that she's fearless with her characters as well. Prepare yourself with tissues.
There is a fabulous villain. The best villains are those who think they are doing the right thing.
A slight bit sequel-syndrome-y, but not enough to make me not love this book.
Dammit, I can NOT wait another year for book 3.
Yes there are a few faults with Rebel Heart but I am refusing to hear them right now. Just let me bathe in the awesomeness of this book, thanks.
(order from The Book Depository, the UK version has been released!)...more
"Sometimes, you read a book and it fills you with this weird evangelical zeal, and you become convinced that the shattered world will never be put bac"Sometimes, you read a book and it fills you with this weird evangelical zeal, and you become convinced that the shattered world will never be put back together unless and until all living humans read the book." - John Green (The Fault in Our Stars)
That quote kind of describes my feelings for Quintana of Charyn. For any Melina Marchetta book, really.
I would talk about the plot, the vast, sweeping, intricate plot that was weaved through the trilogy and came to a completely satisfying conclusion, but this book is not about the plot. It really isn't, it's about the characters.
These characters I hold so dear to my heart. And a part of me hates the way Marchetta has put them through so much hell and heartbreak, so much pain.
Lucian. The Tom Mackee that became more and more apparent, who's surrounded by so many strong women, who keeps trying to do the right thing yet keeps screwing up. Who's too proud and too stubborn but loves so fiercely without abandon.
Phaedra of Alonso. You wonderful, brave, capable, compassionate woman. I don't know how I didn't notice you before, but that Lucian sure is an idiot sometimes, isn't he?
Isaboe and Finn. I don't know how to describe it. There's so much I could say about them, about their relationship. I love them both so dearly; I love Isaboe's strength and her ties to her kingdom, her adoration for her husband and child, and I love the flaws of Finnikin. It's hard to comprehend Marchetta's ability to weave so much soul into these two characters.
Gargarin. Arjuro. Lirah. My heart aches so hard for these three, whose lives have been shattered and dragged through pain and suffering and imprisonment. To have lost so much and been hurt so deeply by circumstances and forces outside their control, it's unfathomable and so heartbreaking. And they are complicated and messy and stubborn and loving. I hope that their side of wonder will forever shine brighter than the side of disaster.
"Gargarin shoved him and although Froi wanted to beat De Lancey black and blue, he knew the Provincaro had spoken the words out of hurt. Froi didn't know how he came to that realisation. All he knew was that pain placed the wrong words into their mouths. All of them. Forces outside their control had destroyed the lives and friendships and loves of De Lancey and Lirah and Arjuro and Gargarin long ago, and now even the future would keep them apart."
And Quintana of Charyn. Quintana the Brave. "Greedy with hope." When she has sacrificed herself and her body to protect the lastborn girls, a reader grows to understand her savage need for survival. Her small, crooked teeth. Her immense strength and courage and bravery to live through all the tragedy and horror of her life and of the brutal, brutal men she has known.
"There it was. Suddenly the strangeness of Quintana of Charyn's face made sense. Because it was a face meant for laughing, but it had never been given a chance."
And finally, Froi. Froi of the Exiles, Froi of Lumatere, Froi of Charyn. The boy from the streets of Sarnak without a history, who did awful things and had awful things done to him. The boy who grew up into a man who belonged to many, who belonged to Lord Augie and Perri and Trevanion and Isaboe. Who was a brother to Finn and Lucian. Who was a son to Gargarin and Lirah. Who had a list of thirty people he would trust with his life. Who is bound to the women in his life, and loves fiercely and leans on the side of wonder. Froi is simply a magnificent character. .
Ms Marchetta, I don't know how you do it. Thank you for writing a book filled with brave, strong women. For a book about men who would be nowhere without these women. There was a lot of fist-pumping. Thank you for a book that has characters that are flawed so deeply yet love so strongly. And yes, you may have pulled some of these beloved characters into crevices so dark and painful but thank you for pulling them out. Thank you for creating characters that are going to be etched into my heart forever.
It's so much more than a book about cancer kids. It's about more than love and death and the Something that awaits, it's more than Amsterdam and An ImIt's so much more than a book about cancer kids. It's about more than love and death and the Something that awaits, it's more than Amsterdam and An Imperial Affliction and the idea of sacrifice and nobility, the idea of heroism and the universe, the smallest quirk and the grandest, most metaphorical gesture. You've really outdone yourself here, John Green....more
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