"Wonderful, as always"
You can always count on Sacher for the best and most imaginative childrens books. This sequel to Holes (though maybe just a smidgen less wonderful) does not disappoint.
"Tragic but worth it."
This story starts out with a terrible tragedy. Spencer must have lost someone she was close to in order to have described great mourning in such detail. In a paper book, you can skim over parts that are hard to handle, but in audio, you are stuck with every grueling and painful detail. However it's a beautiful book, a great romance, and an interesting description of life within the religious order. In my opinion, it's better than books with the tragedy at the end.
"OK the first few times"
This was useful but very boring after the first two or three times. More so than other meditation audio.
"Compelling teen reading"
This was my daughter`s favorite book when she was 13. I enjoyed listening to it - the actors are talented and the story moves quickly, if occasionally predictably. Some of the themes are more suited for older teens, but my kids were fine with them. I recommend this for kids 12-15.
"Great characters, addictive reading"
I have read this book three times and listened to it once. Like most of her novels, it's as satisfying a romance as anything can get. This isn't a simplistic, formula type of story. I always refer to Spencer's books as "brain candy for the intelligent reader." Even my husband, who usually reads philosophy and history for fun, enjoyed listening in.
"Breathtaking"
This has to be one of the most beautiful, touching, inspiring books that has ever been written. It's hard to find books that make you think and feel without manipulating you or dragging you through somebody's terrible, painful tragedy. This is one of the rare few. Kingsolver is idealistic and yet clearheaded. The first half hour or so is a bit slow as you acclimate to the storylines, but then it's impossible to turn off. I loved these characters so much, and grew so attached to them (even the difficult ones), that I listened to the last few words with tears in my eyes. Kingsolver narrates earnestly, endearingly, doing justice to the local dialect.
"Fun book for the whole family"
This book is in the same genre as Louis Sachar's books - complex plots with twists and turns, and challenges that keep you rooting for the main character. It's not as imaginative as Sacher's books, unfortunately, but close enough that you won't feel too disappointed. It's got a good pace that is interesting right from the beginning and keeps up throughout the story. Definitely something that parents and kids can share on a long car trip.
"Not my style"
I'm sure this book would appeal to people who enjoy reading about fabulously beautiful rich and famous people with expensive clothes and sharp, witty, shallow dialogue. If you like realistic likeable people in realistic settings, you might not enjoy this. I didn't.
"An insult to Austen"
Jane Austen's books are not for everyone, but for those who love them, they are incomparable. This book, while written in the style of the period, and even perhaps in Austen's style, was a huge, huge, huge bore. It was such a complete waste of my time, that I felt compelled to write this review to spare other Austen-lovers the same fate. After six hours of waiting for a likeable character to show up, or even some evidence of a PLOT instead of just a setting, I gave up and deleted the file from my library.
"Satisfying romance"
This book begins with the tragic death of a well-loved young man, so it starts as a real tearjerker. I think that those who have lost a loved one will get a lot of comfort in their recognition of the grief that Spencer describes so well. But after that painful beginning, it's a very satisfying book with likeable characters and a believeable romance.