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80th out of 1,427 books
—
3,847 voters
The Understorey (The Leaving #1)
by
Fisher Amelie (Goodreads Author)
“Let’s start this place on nonexistent fire.”
“Promise.” She sucked in an excited breath.
We closed our eyes and I placed my feverish mouth to hers. Immediately, violent, zealous flashes of shimmering flames climbed to the furthest point, trailed like rain down the pitched ceiling and spilled down the walls, gathering at their feet, pools of fervent, bubbling, silvery liqu...more
“Promise.” She sucked in an excited breath.
We closed our eyes and I placed my feverish mouth to hers. Immediately, violent, zealous flashes of shimmering flames climbed to the furthest point, trailed like rain down the pitched ceiling and spilled down the walls, gathering at their feet, pools of fervent, bubbling, silvery liqu...more
Kindle Edition, 336 pages
Published
April 17th 2011
(first published April 15th 2011)
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This book was delightful. I've been trying to find a word for it and that's what I've come up with
Jules and Elliott are just gorgeous and this book left me seriously feeling all warm and fuzzy.
At times I had to keep reminding myself that they were only 18 because their endearments made them seem like an old married couple but they were just wonderful in their interactions.
I absolutely reccommend this book to anyone who loves a great romance.
The prologue will pull you in and there are definitely...more
Jules and Elliott are just gorgeous and this book left me seriously feeling all warm and fuzzy.
At times I had to keep reminding myself that they were only 18 because their endearments made them seem like an old married couple but they were just wonderful in their interactions.
I absolutely reccommend this book to anyone who loves a great romance.
The prologue will pull you in and there are definitely...more
This book was fabulously refreshing. I loved the fact that it was not about vampires, or werwolves, or any other infectious supernatural creatures. It was about unrequited love. The love shared between the two main characters is what many would kill to have. I don't want to give anything away for those that have not read this book yet, but let me just say it is a book that I would highly recommend to friends. This book is one of a kind! I can't wait for the next one...
These characters are so likeable, by the end of the book, you feel as if they are the kids you went to school with and saw only yesterday. The love between Elliott and Julia is so extraordinary, it's as unique and electric as the gift that they share. And then there's the climax of the book. I don't want to write any spoilers, but let's just say it's quite the page-turner. I can't wait for the next book. Great job, Fisher!
The Understorey is a sweet YA novel about love, friends and soul mates. Fisher Amelie does a wonderful job by going into great detail with her characters and the setting/events within the novel. The prologue quickly engages the reader and gives you the notion that things will not end so well in this story. I must say I enjoyed Amelie's writing style and her attention to detail is what really saved this book for me. I did not like the slow build up of the story, it felt way too slow. I found myse...more
I don't even know why I picked this up? I was in the mood for some paranormal, and although it wasn't exactly that, it was still amazing. WHAT DID I JUST READ? Brilliant. I can't really form thoughts that make much sense right now.
I loved Elliott so much! I loved the fact that most of the book is from his POV, too, because I can tell Fisher enjoyed writing his character, and I always appreciate when writers love writing their male characters.
And Julia. I actually have a girl-crush on her.
Their...more
I loved Elliott so much! I loved the fact that most of the book is from his POV, too, because I can tell Fisher enjoyed writing his character, and I always appreciate when writers love writing their male characters.
And Julia. I actually have a girl-crush on her.
Their...more
review to come soon on my blog tessmw.blogspot.com...i kind of have to wrap my head around the book first cause its a little whelming :) 8/10/11
Alrighty now I think I have wrapped my head around it...since it has been 5 months since I read the book the first time. I think it just took me the second time through.
Okay so The Understorey was totally my favorite book of 2011...then Callum & Harper came out, and now it is my favorite, but I guess what I can say by that is Fisher is Awesome!!!!
Fo...more
Alrighty now I think I have wrapped my head around it...since it has been 5 months since I read the book the first time. I think it just took me the second time through.
Okay so The Understorey was totally my favorite book of 2011...then Callum & Harper came out, and now it is my favorite, but I guess what I can say by that is Fisher is Awesome!!!!
Fo...more
Firstly I want to mention The Understoreys cover. I love the wispy smoky colours on the black background – they really stand out and it looks so pretty! Before I read the book I had no idea what it was meant to be, now I realise that it symbolises the supernatural element of The Understorey, but without giving away some of the plot, I can’t tell you more.
I had a few mixed feelings over this book. Some aspects I adored, others I didn’t, but the ending really blew me away! The descriptive passage...more
I had a few mixed feelings over this book. Some aspects I adored, others I didn’t, but the ending really blew me away! The descriptive passage...more
(2:00am at night) Well Im freaked the eff out..
Update: After some nightmares and sleep I liked this book, the ending was full on and the "present" she got from Jessie freaked me out (Im a woos, my bedroom is described exactly like Jules' and it was late at night ok.)
Was definetly worth the read. Loved the begining of the book especially. "Delightful" huh Jen!
Update: After some nightmares and sleep I liked this book, the ending was full on and the "present" she got from Jessie freaked me out (Im a woos, my bedroom is described exactly like Jules' and it was late at night ok.)
Was definetly worth the read. Loved the begining of the book especially. "Delightful" huh Jen!
Wow what can i say about this book. Let me say that i love Fisher Amelie and anything she writes i love, and this was just as expected a master piece. I finished this book in one sitting that is how much i loved it.
Jules and Elliott were best friends when they were little until the 7th grade when suddenly Eliott stopped talking to Jules and broke Jules's heart. Then on the first day of their senior year every thing changes, and suddenly Elliott wants every thing to do with Jules and he will do a...more
This was such an incredible love story! The paranormal part of it is unlike anything I've read so far. Very different than the typical vampire, angel, immortal, etc. The love between the 2 main characters was breathtaking and passionate...it was dripping off the pages. I loved it! And the story takes such a terrifying turn! So gripping and suspenseful! Overall, the characters were so well written that you literally felt all of their emotions with them. The pacing was terrific, very exciting. Suc...more
I'm sorry I really did want to enjoy this book. I tried. What is their spark? The references to their "electricity" started to mean nothing because that wasn't going anywhere. Basically when their parents say "it's hormones!" it's the best explanation the author gives.. So that's what I went with. The problem I had with that though is Elliot is too perfect and too pure to ever have a single hormone ever! He hangs out with cripples and feeds poor women and children! Oh and helps pregnant teens.....more
OH MY GOODNESS!! This book was such a delight to read. OMGILOVETHISBOOKOMGOMGOMG!!!! Take a deep breath (haha) anyways, I love Jules and Elliott, they are so cute, adorable and a beautiful couple. They cracked me up so much. "Their thing" is an amazing connection, its such a mystery but has such potential of being so powerful that I can't to see as it happens. The way the book has ended as me squirming in my seat (LOL, I just can't wait the next book) ****Spoiler Alert**** I just know that Jesse...more
Rating: 4.5ish :)
my prelude
Have you seen Big Fish or Moulon Rouge, or any other Tim Burton or Baz Luhrmann films? How they make you feel a strange out of body experience, or like you’re watching life unfold while you are in a tank of water like Houdini? And a pull tugs at your clothes, your hair, your limbs, and you’re not sure why, but this strange feeling makes the sight irresistible.
This was my Big Fish. I loved it so much. And throughout the first hundred pages, I kept thinking to myself “T...more
my prelude
Have you seen Big Fish or Moulon Rouge, or any other Tim Burton or Baz Luhrmann films? How they make you feel a strange out of body experience, or like you’re watching life unfold while you are in a tank of water like Houdini? And a pull tugs at your clothes, your hair, your limbs, and you’re not sure why, but this strange feeling makes the sight irresistible.
This was my Big Fish. I loved it so much. And throughout the first hundred pages, I kept thinking to myself “T...more
Finished this book last night. It was good and there will definetly be a second. The lead characters, Elliot and Jules, were so gooey,I thought it was hysterical. Like another reviewer had mentioned, they did speak very properly and some of their endearments were a little old fashioned for such young adults to use. I wish Jules would have given Elliot a bit of a harder time since she claimed that he broke her heart so many years ago. But they were so sweet together I smiled the whole time. Anoth...more
It took me a while to read this as I felt myself a bit bored. I have no clue why Jules and Elliot share some kind of mystical thingy, or what the point or purpose there is for it. It seemed like just some random addition to make this qualify as a paranormal story without there ever being a reveal of any information on the thing. Basically, it just is, and the reader is to go along with it and just accept it without questions.
I read in the Glassheart Chronicles that another couple ends up with th...more
I read in the Glassheart Chronicles that another couple ends up with th...more
See my Full review at The Fairytale Nerd.
LOCATION/SETTING:
Modern day setting. The story is set in Bramwell, a small town in West Virginia.
MAIN CHARACTERS:
The main characters are Elliott Gray and Julia Jacobs. Elliott is tall and handsome. Not a typical jock - he's the quarterback and a science geek. He's the boyfriend any father would almost wish for his daughter. Julia is tall and slender. Long, black hair with large curls. Beautiful without even trying. And Jules is not the Bella type. (Thank...more
LOCATION/SETTING:
Modern day setting. The story is set in Bramwell, a small town in West Virginia.
MAIN CHARACTERS:
The main characters are Elliott Gray and Julia Jacobs. Elliott is tall and handsome. Not a typical jock - he's the quarterback and a science geek. He's the boyfriend any father would almost wish for his daughter. Julia is tall and slender. Long, black hair with large curls. Beautiful without even trying. And Jules is not the Bella type. (Thank...more
For those hindered by the first few pages trying to decide if you want to continue...please do. I really wanted to like LIKE this book and feel bad for 3 stars, but I just couldn't muster up 4. What makes it worse is seeing how everybody has really liked this one so far. I really LOVED the characters, their interaction as well as the writing style. Sharp witty comments and reference to pop culture were great. AND, it was super cool to see nearly the entire book from the male perspective. I think...more
This story definitely had a new perspective of 'soul mates'. I didn't quite understand why Elliott and Jules had a supernatural connection but it did help when it came to getting out of dangerous situations.
There was a lot of pointless conversation in the story. It seemed to have scenes that made no difference to the story at all. I mean that Jesse was a big problem but he really wasn't until like the 2nd half of the book. I thought there would be problems with Sawyer Tuttle but he was a pointle...more
There was a lot of pointless conversation in the story. It seemed to have scenes that made no difference to the story at all. I mean that Jesse was a big problem but he really wasn't until like the 2nd half of the book. I thought there would be problems with Sawyer Tuttle but he was a pointle...more
Very enjoyable. Looking forward to the sequel.
Perhaps I have read too many stories about love this summer. Or maybe I was just feeling a rare burst of bitterness, but for some reason the relationship between Elliot and Julia in this book bothered me constantly. I felt suffocated in their gooey romance and overwhelmed by the immature adoration and obsession they had for each other. Granted, they are teenagers, and as teenagers that is how you typically express love. I get it. But I kept thinking how awful it would be to have young readers fi...more
I read The Glassheart Chronicles and was instantly drawn in to the story presented by Fisher Amelie (it's a sequel of sorts, and I'm really interested if there is a special Gray family trait?). I am not a love story person because usually written relationships drive me bonkers. That being said, wow. I absolutely loved this book. I mean it! It has stuck with me and towards the end it caused some emotional turmoil, mainly because I was truly scared for the characters. Funny and lovely but also hau...more
I am all about the love!
The story is told from the boy's POV which was very intriguing. I've only read a few books like that. The build up and story between the two main characters was just beautiful. I loved them completely. The whole 'we don't know what going on here but we're gonna gow with it' approach made me love it even more. I am so happy that Fisher didn't dwell and debate forever on how they didn't understand what was happening between them. They just went with it and enjoyed being to...more
The story is told from the boy's POV which was very intriguing. I've only read a few books like that. The build up and story between the two main characters was just beautiful. I loved them completely. The whole 'we don't know what going on here but we're gonna gow with it' approach made me love it even more. I am so happy that Fisher didn't dwell and debate forever on how they didn't understand what was happening between them. They just went with it and enjoyed being to...more
I can't believe it took me so long to read this book! I really loved the story. I enjoyed getting the story mostly from Elliott's POV, although, having the same events retold from Julia's POV at key moments was a very nice touch.
I liked both Elliott and Julia very much. Just when I thought that they might be a little too perfect (both individually and together), Elliott would throw a punch, or Julia would attack a football player and it would tarnish their halos just enough to make them interes...more
I liked both Elliott and Julia very much. Just when I thought that they might be a little too perfect (both individually and together), Elliott would throw a punch, or Julia would attack a football player and it would tarnish their halos just enough to make them interes...more
Honestly, I couldn't help but to enjoy this book; however, I found the morals presented in a very obvious (and occasionally stifling) manner. The messages are sound: don't have sex before marriage; respect women; don't undervalue a good education; and, of course, respect your elders, etc.--but sometimes the messages were delivered through intensely formal and stiff-sounding dialogue (whether internal or external). The tone, language and syntax seemed out of place for a group of eighteen-year old...more
I made the mistake of expecting greatness after choosing to read this book based on my satisfaction from Callum and Harper. What a disappointed. It was like a lame soap. Very slow. And, well, lame. I skimmed through it only because I had to at least know a bit of what the hec was going on. And what was going on? Nothing.
I have to admit that Jesse was freaky as hec and reminded me a lot of John from Callum and Harper. That was a very strong and intense scene in the book (and a bit predicatble in...more
I have to admit that Jesse was freaky as hec and reminded me a lot of John from Callum and Harper. That was a very strong and intense scene in the book (and a bit predicatble in...more
“I can say without absolute certainty that you are the only person in this world that deserves the moon, the ocean, and the stars. You are the only exception. You deserve them and if it takes me our entire lives to give them to you I won't settle until they are yours."
I don't normally find it difficult to write reviews, my feelings and thoughts are usually quite coherent. But this book is difficult to write about. Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it, but, (sighs) Let's just see how this goes.
What's...more
Beautiful, intense, but pure love story. I so enjoyed reading about Julie and Elliot. The way that they cared and protected each other was really sweet and refreshing. The supernatural element to the story was an interesting twist. It was a gorgeous illustration of new and lasting love, one that truly highlighted and strengthened their bond. However, besides being a lovely visual description of Jules’ and Elliot’s feelings for each other, I’m not sure the purpose of the element. It didn’t’ seem...more
Great characters, wonderful love story and a bad guy you would like to strangle :o)
Umm....
Not sure how i feel about this.
Its something i maybe would have enjoyed in high school but it was a little too immature for me.
I do like the fact that it was in a male perspective but to be honest i think it was so unrealistic.
The fact that there was some paranormal drive for their relationship let it slide but still, i was skeptical of all of the naivety which goes back to the immaturity aspect.
I also found it to be quite anticlamatic. I mean i love the cozy-ness of everything being grea...more
Not sure how i feel about this.
Its something i maybe would have enjoyed in high school but it was a little too immature for me.
I do like the fact that it was in a male perspective but to be honest i think it was so unrealistic.
The fact that there was some paranormal drive for their relationship let it slide but still, i was skeptical of all of the naivety which goes back to the immaturity aspect.
I also found it to be quite anticlamatic. I mean i love the cozy-ness of everything being grea...more
Review of The Understorey by Fisher Amelie
Reviewed by Kimberly Schaaf (member of the YATR Review Panel)
So - I read this book ages ago it seems. But I am bound and determined to get Fisher Amelie to write the sequel - so I figured I gotta review and promote as much as I can!!
Soulmates...the idea has always intrigued me. Fisher has put this amazing twist to the idea. That literally - the sparks FLY when you find them...and that just going through every day if you can't be with them once you've fo...more
Reviewed by Kimberly Schaaf (member of the YATR Review Panel)
So - I read this book ages ago it seems. But I am bound and determined to get Fisher Amelie to write the sequel - so I figured I gotta review and promote as much as I can!!
Soulmates...the idea has always intrigued me. Fisher has put this amazing twist to the idea. That literally - the sparks FLY when you find them...and that just going through every day if you can't be with them once you've fo...more
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Fisher Amelie resides in the South with her kick ace husband slash soul mate. She earned her first 'mama' patch in 2009. She also lives with her Weim, 'Jonah', and her Beta, 'Whale'. All these living creatures keep the belly of her life full, sometimes to the point of gluttony, but she doesn't mind all that much because life isn't worth living if it isn't entertaining, right?
Fisher grew up writing...more
More about Fisher Amelie...
Fisher grew up writing...more
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“You know, I've never understood the phrase, 'I'm a lover, not a fighter.' If you're passionate in love why would you not equally be as passionate enough to fight for it?”
—
15 people liked it
“When i was nervous, I resorted to inadvertent insults.”
—
3 people liked it
More quotes…
Aug 15, 2011 09:06pm