You are more than you think you are.
THAT IS THE ANONYMOUS MESSAGE that Beth Michaels receives right before she starts seeing things. Not...
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Nov 28, 2010
Morgan
rated it: 
I stumbled across a free copy of this book online, and with the gorgeous cover and intriguing premise, I dove into it right away. Oh, how I wish I looked at the Goodreads ratings first.
I should give anyone reading this a warning. I will be ranting. A lot.
Firts off, this was the weirdest, most ridiculous, juvenile, annoying book I've read in a long time. And the most painful thing is that it could have been great. It really could have. Underneath the mess of a plot More...
I should give anyone reading this a warning. I will be ranting. A lot.
Firts off, this was the weirdest, most ridiculous, juvenile, annoying book I've read in a long time. And the most painful thing is that it could have been great. It really could have. Underneath the mess of a plot More...
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(8 people liked it)
Sep 24, 2011
Ryan
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Every so often, a piece of young adult literature is published that turns out to be spectacular. It has well developed characters, a cohesive plot, and makes you stop and think about your own personal teen experience. It's a book you can't wait to finish, a book that you can barely put down.
The Seven Rays by Jessica Bendinger is not that book. Not even a little bit.
In a word, it sucks. I know that's a harsh word, but it fits. Beth, the novel's protaganist, is actually kind of More...
The Seven Rays by Jessica Bendinger is not that book. Not even a little bit.
In a word, it sucks. I know that's a harsh word, but it fits. Beth, the novel's protaganist, is actually kind of More...
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(5 people liked it)
Feb 12, 2010
Hannah
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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2 comments
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(7 people liked it)
Apr 09, 2011
This book is weird, as in: was I on something when I read this? An hallucinogen maybe. And a lot of WTF? moments riddled throughout the story. But I think...I kinda...sort of...liked it and all of it's strangeness.
What is the story about? Well, to be honest, I have no clue. Still, after I have read it, I'm confused and unclear of the story. But it was compelling (somehow). It got me to keep reading with this question repeating in my head of what the heck is going on? Unfortunately, t More...
What is the story about? Well, to be honest, I have no clue. Still, after I have read it, I'm confused and unclear of the story. But it was compelling (somehow). It got me to keep reading with this question repeating in my head of what the heck is going on? Unfortunately, t More...
Sep 12, 2010
Heather
rated it:
I was drawn to this book by its cover and book trailer and I was excited to read it. About ten pages in I got skeptical. The jacket said it is written for 14 years or older. Already within the first chapter we were talking about things that are not at all okay for 14 year olds. I kept reading because the plot was interesting, but it just got worse. By page 200 I had to put the book down and stop reading. It made me, a 34 year old married woman with children feel dirty. In my opinion the book has
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Dec 14, 2011
Liyana
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Aug 01, 2011
Mlle.
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The Seven Rays is basically a self-help book disguised as a novel. I think it would be pretty difficult to read The Seven Rays *just* as a novel, or a fantasy. Bendinger constantly sacrifices storytelling to her lessons. The lessons, by the way, are good and healthy ones - but I was annoyed to see them kinda ruin the story.
So the story is basically that Elizabeth is a smart, pretty normal high school girl who receives a card reading "You Are More Than You Think You Are" in g More...
So the story is basically that Elizabeth is a smart, pretty normal high school girl who receives a card reading "You Are More Than You Think You Are" in g More...
Jan 11, 2011
Ithlilian
rated it: 
I'm a fan of books where people learn to deal with their abilities, and for the most part The Seven Rays is just that. I like that the ability in this book is not just hearing thoughts or seeing into the future. The main character Beth see dots, tubes, knots, and other such things on people and thinks she is going crazy. She gets cryptic gold envelopes from some place she has never heard of and doesn't figure too much out about her powers until the end. It's a touching story and I feel bad about
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Sep 15, 2010
Rebecca
rated it: 
I enjoyed reading this book but I was kind of disappointed with it too. The explanation for what's going on (and it's never crystal clear just what IS going on) seemed to change on an as needed basis.
This isn't a self contained book. Bendinger seems to be planning a series which is fine, but that should have been made clear on the cover. There are too many unanswered questions at the end.
Where is Beth going? Just what is she supposed to do with her power? Who is the n More...
This isn't a self contained book. Bendinger seems to be planning a series which is fine, but that should have been made clear on the cover. There are too many unanswered questions at the end.
Where is Beth going? Just what is she supposed to do with her power? Who is the n More...
Jun 09, 2010
Denise
rated it:
3.0 out of 5 stars Mystical, spiritual -- confusing..., December 15, 2009
This review is from: The Seven Rays (Hardcover)
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
I am not quite sure how to review this book as it started out well but then got bogged down by some excess detail that didn't add anything to the story, poems that were enigmatic, and a character - Beth -- who really ended up being irritating rather than engaging.
Her fixation on her sme More...
This review is from: The Seven Rays (Hardcover)
Customer review from the Amazon Vine™ Program (What's this?)
I am not quite sure how to review this book as it started out well but then got bogged down by some excess detail that didn't add anything to the story, poems that were enigmatic, and a character - Beth -- who really ended up being irritating rather than engaging.
Her fixation on her sme More...
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Feb 27, 2010
Rachael
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Beth Michaels might be going crazy. One day she’s perfectly normal, and the next, she starts seeing these strange pink dots everywhere. Unfortunately, it doesn’t even stop there. Ropes, chains, and disgusting black gunk show up on virtually every person she sees, as well as glimpses into a people’s minds, memories, secrets, and fears if she looks at someone for too long. But even though other people think Beth is crazy too, the thing is, she might not be. Because along with this strange new visi
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Feb 26, 2010
Sue
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Jan 17, 2010
Holly
rated it:
I almost put this book down, 80 pages from the ending. I was so put off by the developments in the plot, that it was almost unbearable to continue. I hardly ever fail to complete a novel, and thus I pushed forward hoping for the upswing that never came.
What kills me is that this could have been a great book. The premise is very interesting and original. I was intrigued to see where the plot could go and how the story would unfold. Unfortunately I was very disappointed. It almost seemed More...
What kills me is that this could have been a great book. The premise is very interesting and original. I was intrigued to see where the plot could go and how the story would unfold. Unfortunately I was very disappointed. It almost seemed More...
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(3 people liked it)
Dec 18, 2009
I wanted a unique romantic fantasy and I chose this book because it seemed mysterious and original. It only took about 50-75 pages for me to realize this wasn't the book for me.
The book started out great. I loved Beth's voice and the writing style but that quickly deteriorated. First, the repetition. Believe me, I know Beth and her friend Shirl are virgins. I got it the first time. Maybe this is a super important fact as the book progresses so Bendinger wanted to make sure the re More...
The book started out great. I loved Beth's voice and the writing style but that quickly deteriorated. First, the repetition. Believe me, I know Beth and her friend Shirl are virgins. I got it the first time. Maybe this is a super important fact as the book progresses so Bendinger wanted to make sure the re More...
Nov 14, 2011
Sinai
rated it:
Wow, people here really dislike this book don't they. I just have to say--it wasn't THAT bad. I see where you're coming from, I felt the same way too at sometimes with the language and Beth and Richie's relationship, so this brushed the 4 star mark for me, didn't really fully deserve it. I also had problems reading it since I'm Catholic and the things they get into make me uncomfortable--like Tarot cards and such. But other than that, I think this book was something new. I loved reading it--it w
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Jul 21, 2010
Nafiza
rated it:
Some books suck you in from the very first sentence you read. This was one of them. Beth Michaels is an average teenager (apart from being abnormally smart but that's neither here nor there) and when her vision is enhanced by ropey knots and helices, her average life gets strange fast. Bendinger's wit takes a regular narrative about some not so regular happenings and turns it into a wildly entertaining joy ride. I like Beth Michaels, in fact, I wouldn't mind if she was one of my friends - that's
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Nov 25, 2009
Claire
rated it:
Beth Michaels is really smart, she has skipped through high school and is spending her senior year at the local community college gathering units to save money when she goes away to Columbia- early acceptance.
Just before her 18th birthday things start to go sideways... she sees dots streaming and floating about people. This progresses to ropes and bands. When she meets up with Richie Mac suddenly she sees so much more- life stories,a barrage of stunning information. Suddenly she is not on More...
Just before her 18th birthday things start to go sideways... she sees dots streaming and floating about people. This progresses to ropes and bands. When she meets up with Richie Mac suddenly she sees so much more- life stories,a barrage of stunning information. Suddenly she is not on More...
Dec 13, 2009
Lillian
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This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers.
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Aug 06, 2011
Alexis
rated it:
I agree with many of the other reviewers: this book had potential. The premise was intriguing. One day Beth Ray gets a letter that says You are More than You Think Are. And then the weird stuff starts happening. She starts having visions, really weird things. She suddenly knows things she shouldn't about people. One of the hottest guys in town is hot for her. And her mother is not really her mother.
Then the book gets weird. Occassionally a chapter about another girl is stuck in, and More...
Then the book gets weird. Occassionally a chapter about another girl is stuck in, and More...
Oct 20, 2011
Alexa Loves Books
rated it:
I picked this book up for two reasons - the intriguing yet simple title and the shiny, eye-catching cover. It looked interesting enough and when I read the synopsis, I was pretty much sold on the book.
Tarot cards play a large role in this novel; as someone who doesn't really know much about them, I did appreciate getting to see the illustrations and trying to understand/distinguish between one card and the next. However, the connection between the cards the rest of the magical stuff More...
Tarot cards play a large role in this novel; as someone who doesn't really know much about them, I did appreciate getting to see the illustrations and trying to understand/distinguish between one card and the next. However, the connection between the cards the rest of the magical stuff More...
Aug 21, 2011
Hannah-Linn
rated it:
Ok, so I just finished this book and I noticed before that this book got some pretty bad reviews. Well, I'm going to just go ahead and brhonest. I actually liked this book a lot.
The plot was really unique and interesting. The characters were enjoyable enough (Beth could be annoying, but the other characters made it bearable) I liked Richie. I think the writing was great and really pretty.
I did have some problems however. One, I was confused for approximately 85% of this More...
The plot was really unique and interesting. The characters were enjoyable enough (Beth could be annoying, but the other characters made it bearable) I liked Richie. I think the writing was great and really pretty.
I did have some problems however. One, I was confused for approximately 85% of this More...
May 18, 2011
Cheyenne
rated it:
I thought that overall this book was good, but not too great. I think that this book was really funny and I enjoyed the dialouge between Richie Mac and Beth. I didn't like the fact that the author had Beth stay in that naive state about her true powers, untill the very end. I liked how this book had snippets of the other 6 rays and didn't just clearly focus on Beth and only Beth. I think that Beth, as a character, could use some work. She was funny and smart that much you could tell
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Jan 06, 2010
Brooke
rated it:
Beth is your normal teenager—smart, boy crazy, and looking forward to college. That all changes when she starts seeing things she shouldn’t. People are suddenly connected by stings of light, some coiling around, some sucking energy from others, some covered with knots. Then, out of the blue, notes in gold envelopes begin being sent to her under a name she doesn’t know, but seems somewhat familiar. Crazy, she thinks so, that is until she uncovers things her mother had tried to keep secret Bet
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Feb 10, 2010
Susan
rated it:
An over achieving high school senior begins seeing spots, knots, braids and strings around people. Her mother is keeping secrets from her too, including several mysterious gold enveloped letters post marked New York City. The first letter that she receives reads "You are more than you think you are." Beth's mother puts her in a mental hospital to try to find a sollution to her vision problems. When Beth is able to meat and kiss a College student friend of hers, their first kiss becomes
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Jan 15, 2010
Kelly
rated it:
Beth Ray is beginning to realize she's not just your average teenage girl. She's seeing strange visions, and then there are the letters: shiny gold envelopes containing hints of a great destiny. Her mother tries to keep them from her, but the envelopes manage to find Beth wherever she goes.
And then a big hairy bloke shows up on a flying motorbike and takes her to a wizard school in Scotland... wait, wrong book.
What happens to Beth, instead, is that she undergoes laser eye More...
And then a big hairy bloke shows up on a flying motorbike and takes her to a wizard school in Scotland... wait, wrong book.
What happens to Beth, instead, is that she undergoes laser eye More...
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(3 people liked it)
Feb 12, 2010
Jennifer
rated it:
The premise and the backbone of the story was interesting, but I thought the details weren't necessarily good. The main character's voice was off. She was supposed to be nerdy or unpopular, but she used a lot of "hollywood" slang and her humor was off. I also thought the special powers that each of the girls were a little shallow - would they really be able to save the world (I assume that's sort of where we're going). And I felt like she was trying to impart her own spiritual agen
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Mar 28, 2011
Dannielle
rated it:
I was super disappointed with this book. It seems really awesome and cool and looks amazing. Well, it's not. It's annoying, jumpy, and it's like Bendinger couldn't make up her mind about what she was writing.
Her characters are described in one sense, then act completely opposite. So many things were trashy and fairly sex obsessed as well. The supernatural aspect to the plot was never explained fully and things just got all jumbled up and it was if the author expected you to know what More...
Her characters are described in one sense, then act completely opposite. So many things were trashy and fairly sex obsessed as well. The supernatural aspect to the plot was never explained fully and things just got all jumbled up and it was if the author expected you to know what More...
Oct 24, 2011
Julia
rated it:
The Seven Rays is about a girl who sees weird lines and dots when she looks at people. She also has a great friend, who is boy crazy. This book reminds me of a corny love story. The dots she sees are sometimes red or pink. They surrond her vision and make it blurry. It happens when she has weird thoughts. I think that the girl and her friend will be together forever, all though i will never know because i am abandoning the book. I would recommend it to someone older than me because some concepts
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Dec 03, 2010
Cheese
rated it:
Ok, so first I'd like to say that because of the many not-so-stellar reviews, I was very wary of this book starting out. I will concede the point that much of the humor is very juvenile and some of the book is bizarre, but for me, it worked. Once it got rolling, I had to force myself to put it down to go to bed. I love the message this book sends and I love how it kept me on my toes, wondering what was next. There were many unanswered questions, but according to the author, she's outlined 7 sequ
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Dec 16, 2009
Princess Bookie
rated it:
My Thoughts: I want a sequel!!! We meet Beth who is a normal teenager who has hopes and dreams. She has a crush on Richie, one of the two brothers every girl wants. She lives her life like any other teenager and than that changes in an instant when she starts seeing people's past, secrets, anything that rotates off them. All of a sudden these gold envelopes start appearing with mysterious keys and tarot cards. Beth's mom is not on her side during all this, she puts her into an psychiatric ward a
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