Blew through this one, after hearing great things about it. Yes, it is a very interesting concept of reality, angels, demons, and which one is really...moreBlew through this one, after hearing great things about it. Yes, it is a very interesting concept of reality, angels, demons, and which one is really bad...or good, depending who's side one is on.
the wording used to describe the deeply visceral mutual attraction between the two main characters is absolutely, stunningly amazing! but, the somewhat saccharine love story from the past is a bit too sweet.
4 stars instead of 6 because I don't really dig that kind of romance.(less)
meeehhhh. tragedy about something that happens to a poor rich kid, and its not too tragic, i think. but i like the literary connections made by one of...moremeeehhhh. tragedy about something that happens to a poor rich kid, and its not too tragic, i think. but i like the literary connections made by one of the main characters.(less)
well-written and well-narrated. this is the 2013 Fox Valley Reads title. in an area where there are many Latinos, I'm glad to see we're finally puttin...morewell-written and well-narrated. this is the 2013 Fox Valley Reads title. in an area where there are many Latinos, I'm glad to see we're finally putting a little ethnicity into our book choices!
a small town in Mexico has no men because they all went to the US to find work. Banditos come along and take over. Nallely and her friends decide to go on a quest to find seven ex-soldiers or former policemen from San Diego, like the Magnificent Seven. Nallely also wants to find her father, who went to Kankakee years ago, and never returned.
Before they even leave Mexico, the group of friends finds trouble. Somehow they manage to make it through each situation, sometimes a little battered and weary. America is amazing to them in its beauty, extravagance, and cleanliness. But, Mexico is beautiful to these people, and not everyone wants to leave it.
the perspective is one that would be familiar to many latinos, and refreshingly new for the rest of us. (less)
pretty good story. took me forever to read it, not for lack of action but life's other distractions. like another version of the mythological Pandora a...morepretty good story. took me forever to read it, not for lack of action but life's other distractions. like another version of the mythological Pandora and her box.(less)
the main character appears to have a mental condition, never fully diagnosed other than depression, and his characteristics, behavior, and quirks remi...morethe main character appears to have a mental condition, never fully diagnosed other than depression, and his characteristics, behavior, and quirks remind me of myself when I was younger. All those ridiculous thoughts I would have in response to a situation, sight, conversation, etc. He also seems a big Aspergian. Awesome story, though. And the whole friggin family are drama queens of the highest order.(less)
slave story about the changing values of one woman determined to be free despite her very small african heritage. what is she willing to sacrifice in...moreslave story about the changing values of one woman determined to be free despite her very small african heritage. what is she willing to sacrifice in order to be free? is that really the same as happy? (less)
fascinating story of a woman struggling with her very own existence, but also about the historical meaning of flowers, and the changes in those meanin...morefascinating story of a woman struggling with her very own existence, but also about the historical meaning of flowers, and the changes in those meanings over time, like any language. some parts of this book were too close to struggles I've been through, so I had to stop listening a few times until I was in a stronger frame of mind, but ultimately finished the book and was glad i did.(less)
two brothers go looking for the dad who used to beat on the younger one, to convince him to not move back home after a year's respite for the boys fro...moretwo brothers go looking for the dad who used to beat on the younger one, to convince him to not move back home after a year's respite for the boys from the abuse--one from getting beaten and the other from watching it happen and not doing anything to stop it. there are plenty of flashbacks to fill in the rest of the story.(less)
In a different world, I would have given this 15 stars--one for each of the great topics it STARTED to address, but never really took up. I had just p...moreIn a different world, I would have given this 15 stars--one for each of the great topics it STARTED to address, but never really took up. I had just picked up and dropped two other lousy reads before this, and it seemed to keep getting geared up for somethign fantabulous, but then just flopped. I kept on, and stayed up all night trying to find the true plot in it. Got to the end, and it just wasn't there.(less)