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Seeing Through Stones

Rajdeep Paulus (Goodreads Author)

4.39 · Rating details · 94 ratings · 27 reviews

From Award-Winning, Young Adult author Rajdeep Paulus comes the sequel to Swimming Through Clouds, a powerful reminder that life is a battle you don't fight alone.

"I live in the in between. Between yesterday and forever. The way forward haunts me. The gap I must cover daunts me. And hope beckons, 'Run to me,' but I just learned to walk."

After a lifetime of abuse, the Van ...more

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Paperback, 276 pages

Published February 1st 2014 by Createspace Independent Publishing Platform

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· 94 ratings · 27 reviews

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Mar 06, 2015 C.P. Cabaniss rated it it was amazing

Shelves: young-adult, contemporary, reviewed

*I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.*

This novel picks up right where the first one left us. Talia and Jesse have fled home and are now separated for the first time. Each of them is fighting their own internal battles as they try to come to terms with what happened to them growing up and how they will ever face their father again.

In the first novel the story was told entirely in first person from Talia's perspective. Here we get a dual perspective narrative with chap *I received a copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.*

This novel picks up right where the first one left us. Talia and Jesse have fled home and are now separated for the first time. Each of them is fighting their own internal battles as they try to come to terms with what happened to them growing up and how they will ever face their father again.

In the first novel the story was told entirely in first person from Talia's perspective. Here we get a dual perspective narrative with chapters narrated by Jesse and others by Talia. I love dual perspective stories, so this was an added bonus for me.

For Jesse's portions of the novel we follow him as he learns to make his own way in the world and fights his demons, trying to decide what to do about the hatred he carries for his abusive father. Through all of his struggles Jesse meets Summer, a girl with a bright personality and a love for churros. The two begin a friendship that will either make or break Jesse as he runs from the father that has always seemed two steps ahead.

Talia is dealing with her own demons as she adjusts to life in a women's shelter. Through group sessions, art therapy, and the other women, Talia begins to open up to the possibility of breaking free once and for all. She feels isolated since she is unable to see the two people that matter most in her world-Jesse and Lagan. But she has high hopes that she and Jesse can find a life together and Lagan sends her post-it not messages every chance he gets.

Jesse and Talia are beautifully written characters. I love that they each have their own distinct voices. There are similarities between the two (obviously, they are siblings after all), but they are most definitely their own characters. Their fear of their father is heart wrenching, but exactly what I would expect. They are such courageous characters.

The relationship between Lagan and Talia was just so sweet. This novel is so beautiful and Paulus's writing of this relationship is perfection. One thing that people who suffer this kind of abuse need to understand is that there really are people out there who will love you for you, no matter what you've been through. It just made me so happy.

Jesse and Talia are one of the best sibling pairings I've ever read. When you grow up like they did you're either driven apart or driven together and it's inspiring to see them cling to each other and want to protect each other from everything, even when it's out of their control. It's just a gorgeous story.

I highly recommend this to everyone who wants to read a story about the hope that you can find even through heartbreak. We're never truly alone.

You can read this and other reviews on my blog: www.courtneysreads.blogspot.com ...more

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May 10, 2014 Saloni rated it it was amazing

Seeing Through Stones is the sequel to Swimming Through Clouds, covering Talia's journey right where we leave off from the first book. In contrast to the first book, in Seeing Through Stones we get two different points of view, Jesse's and Talia's. I loved being able to see the difference in their thought process towards how to deal with their father. If you haven't read the first book, I completely recommend you check it out! Here's my review. Once you finish these books, come back and the spoi ...more

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Feb 27, 2014 Laura Kurk rated it it was amazing

In this follow-up to her debut, Rajdeep Paulus quickly pulls her readers back into a heartfelt story that challenges our notions of family loyalty. Seeing Through Stones continues Talia’s healing journey, but, even better, it gives readers the long-awaited story of her heroic brother, Jesse. There’s something here for everyone, and perhaps the best part is Paulus’s weaving of multicultural characters and traditions into a rhythm as unique as it is refreshing.

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Feb 28, 2014 Amy rated it really liked it

Shelves: 2014, kindle, i-might-have-cried, made-my-life, love-love-love, reviewed, ya, highly-recommended

Paulus has – once again – astounded me with a beautifully tragic novel. Her sequel to Swimming Through Clouds follows the healing process of the Vanderbilt siblings as they struggle to flee their history of domestic violence. Talia’s much-awaited story continues as she hides in a safe house for survivors of domestic violence, and Paulus contrasts this with the excitement of the story of heroic Jesse, who searches for his father in the streets of Chicago, thirsty for revenge.

Paulus’ slow, steady Paulus has – once again – astounded me with a beautifully tragic novel. Her sequel to Swimming Through Clouds follows the healing process of the Vanderbilt siblings as they struggle to flee their history of domestic violence. Talia’s much-awaited story continues as she hides in a safe house for survivors of domestic violence, and Paulus contrasts this with the excitement of the story of heroic Jesse, who searches for his father in the streets of Chicago, thirsty for revenge.

Paulus’ slow, steady and intricate development of characters is going to be the reason I need emotional counseling. Thinking back to the first novel, where Talia was too afraid of her father to even talk to a single other person outside of her house, and comparing it to the way Talia grows throughout the second novel until she is finally presented as a strong, healed, independent woman brings tears to my eyes. And don’t even get me started on Jesse…

I’m not going to lie, when Paulus started the story with a chapter in Jesse’s point of view, I was more than a little cynical, and immediately felt a strong dislike towards his determination to get revenge on his father. However, about two-thirds of the way into the novel, I suddenly realized exactly how connected I felt to Jesse, and how I was empathizing with him even though I have never experienced anything remotely close to what he went through. Somehow, Paulus had managed to subconsciously attach me to Jesse as the story progressed. That is good writing at its finest.

Another thing that makes me go a little gooey inside is Talia and Lagan’s relationship. Usually, I despise perfect, overly cute and fluffy love stories, and yet somehow Paulus managed to make me fall in love with the way Talia and Lagan are in love. Despite the numerous times I had to groan at Lagan’s cheesy pick up lines, I had to smile just as often at the way their love story was beautifully unconventional. And I think Rajdeep Paulus should get a prize for inventing the most adorable relationship that manages to avoid the clichés constantly presented in romantic comedies that our society has grown to love.

Paulus’ seemingly effortless knack for comparisons made a serious impression on me as well. There were times when I had to pause for a moment so that I could think about their sheer genius before I carried on reading. Not only does each and every metaphor make complete logical sense, but they are also impressively unique and poetic.

I’ll admit, there were times where I started to find the story a little dull and repetitive, but as soon as I started to get bored, suddenly another climax would jerk me out of my daydreams and I would be caught up in a whirlwind of emotions once again. Let me also just point out that it is not a good idea to read the last few chapters of Seeing Through Stones in public, because the amount of times I gasped, squealed, bolted upright, and protested loudly against some of the events that occurred was enough to make my family later admit they didn’t want to be seen with me in public any more (let it also be known that I was inside my house at this point – so ensure you are in a soundproofed room as well).

Overall, this was another stunning and breathtaking novel from Rajdeep Paulus, and one that I highly recommend reading. ...more

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Apr 30, 2014 Kathryn Svendsen rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: contemporary, ya

Seeing Through Stones is the sequel to Swimming Through the Clouds. I would recommend reading the books in order. In Seeing Through Stones, we find Jesse and Talia escaping their father's clutches. But he's a high profile lawyer with a lot of resources, so how safe are they?

The story moves back and forth in viewpoint between the two of them because they are now separated. Talia's at a women's Center for Domestic Violence and Jesse has chosen to go on his own.

We learn more about both characters t Seeing Through Stones is the sequel to Swimming Through the Clouds. I would recommend reading the books in order. In Seeing Through Stones, we find Jesse and Talia escaping their father's clutches. But he's a high profile lawyer with a lot of resources, so how safe are they?

The story moves back and forth in viewpoint between the two of them because they are now separated. Talia's at a women's Center for Domestic Violence and Jesse has chosen to go on his own.

We learn more about both characters through flashbacks to earlier times with their father and our hearts are broken that a father could do such things to the ones he is supposed to love and protect. I could understand why Jesse felt the way he did, but I was relieved he changed his mind about carrying through with his plan.

Seeing Through Stones is an emotional wringer as the author takes you on a journey that survivors of abuse travel. It's a difficult road that leads to being strong enough to face the abuser, stand up to them and say "No, enough is enough! I will not take this any more!", and lay charges of abuse against them with the police.

There's more to this story than abuse however, because this is also a love story between Lagan and Talia. I am reminded of my own spouse when I see Lagan do everything he can to help both Talia and Jesse in each of their situations. Reading about Lagan helps me appreciate the man I married even more.

I liked that Seeing Through Stones didn't just look at women suffering abuse, but also looked at men who suffer abuse also. I think very little attention is paid to this subset of society. I know that there are shelters for women, but I wouldn't know where to send a young man for help.

The pace of this book was good. I liked the level of tension the author raised as Talia and Jesse's father was searching for them. The plot changes due to their decisions and actions kept the story fresh and interesting.

This book deserves all the praise that it was given above. The author truly brings the characters and their situations alive, making them real to the reader and a very gentle hand on such sensitive material.

I would highly recommend Seeing Through Stones for teens to 99. You won't be sorry you picked it up. I gave it 5 stars out of 5.

Thank you to the author for providing a copy of this book in exchange for a fair and honest review. A positive opinion was not required. All thoughts are my own.
...more

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Feb 27, 2014 Amber Stokes rated it it was amazing

Seeing Through Stones is a powerful sequel to Swimming Through Clouds. A hard but hopeful follow-up that separately follows Talia and her younger brother Jesse as they face their own demons and struggle to embrace an uncertain future.

Just because Talia is now in a safe house doesn't mean things are settled for her. Doubts and dangers won't leave her alone, and she faces some very difficult decisions. And meanwhile, Jesse is out on the streets, alternately chasing independence and revenge. Both m ...more

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Mar 25, 2014 Lisa Godfrees rated it it was amazing

Shelves: christian-fiction, ya-fiction

I picked this book up after reading the first in the series. It picked up right where Swimming Through Clouds left off and took the story through its completion.

In many ways, I liked Seeing Through Stones better than STC. Partly, because I already knew the characters and was invested in them but also because the beginning of STC was difficult to read due to the subject matter (necessary, not gratuitous).

I also enjoyed Stones because we learned more about Talia's brother, Jesse. His story was dif ...more

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Mar 03, 2014 Adriana Gabrielle rated it it was amazing

Shelves: wishlist

5 star rating! Overall I LOVED this book. Finished it in a day, people. (Well if you want to get technical it was in a few hours but spread out throughout the day) It was such a beautiful and well written story and I loved it so much. So yeah, Overall? LOVED IT SO MUCH!

Also, I love all the characters in this story. (Except for those characters you are supposed to absolutely hate... *cough* I won't say any names in case you haven't read this or the first book but if you have then you know who I'm ...more

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Apr 09, 2015 Gretchen rated it it was amazing

A few months ago I read Swimming Through Clouds. I love gritty stories with a steady stream of hope to pull me through. It was one of those books that stayed with me. However, I ALMOST deducted a star from my 5-star review. Why? Because it left dangling threads. It was like an unhemmed pair of perfect jeans.
And then Rajdeep Paulus gave us Seeing Through Stones. With the skill of a master seamstress, Rajdeep finished Talia, Lagan, and Jesse's story with perfect stitching. I loved Seeing Through S ...more

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Mar 08, 2015 Natalie rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: teen-ya-fiction, christian-fiction, 5-star-favorites

Seeing Through Stones is a solid sequel to Swimming Through Clouds. We get to know Jesse, Talia's brother, more in this part of the story as Talia and Jesse's POVs alternate throughout the book. Usually I find flipping POVs annoying, but amazingly it didn't bother me at all in Seeing Through Stones. I give credit to the author who has got my attention with this Swimming Through series. Well done again! It seems like I read somewhere that there is going to be a third book in the series??? That wo ...more

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Mar 21, 2014 Fay rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: review-copies-from-authors

Seeing Through Stones is a book of hope, and I would recommend it to everyone who has been hurt, to everyone who had enough.

Full review on my book blog: https://bibliophilesoprano.wordpress....

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Jan 17, 2018 Christine rated it it was amazing

Shelves: best-books-for-teens

Amazing!!

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May 08, 2014 Jazmen rated it liked it · review of another edition

Imagine living your life wondering when and if your next breath will be your last. Will those shadows come out and press up against you with fingers you can't pry away? That is the way Talia Vanderbilt, and her brother Justice "Jesse" Vanderbilt live--constantly hiding, running and ducking the father that helped bear them.

The past is haunting them and it is threatening to take them down--the only difference is this time, this time they might be ready to fight back.

In this sequel, the story conti Imagine living your life wondering when and if your next breath will be your last. Will those shadows come out and press up against you with fingers you can't pry away? That is the way Talia Vanderbilt, and her brother Justice "Jesse" Vanderbilt live--constantly hiding, running and ducking the father that helped bear them.

The past is haunting them and it is threatening to take them down--the only difference is this time, this time they might be ready to fight back.

In this sequel, the story continues right where book one left off. Talia is on her own, no Lagan and no Jesse. She's in a domestic violence shelter wondering just what it means to truly be free--if she's free at all. Jesse, who has also fled their "home" is out for blood--his fathers's, and despite Talia's warning for him to remain sage. He's out on the streets, with just what's left in his pockets, his plans for revenge, and hopes for a new life.

The one thing I truly liked about this book was the encompassing and lingering feeling of hope that was weaved throughout the pages. If it were by Talia's new found family at the shelter, or through Jesse's chance encounter with a girl named after a season, or just the general idea that there is more to life--there's was always this feeling of hope despite the sadness and fear.

That's what kept the characters going, and it kept me going, rooting for the characters. I want that HEA for them so bad. HEA aren't always cookie cutter, but if the character can find some semblance of happiness in some way--that's what I want for the Vanderbilt siblings.

This book unlike the first spends a lot of time focusing on Jesse's battles, and struggles. It was nice to see. Of course, you get Talia's side of everything but it was nice to learn more about Jesse. It was doubly nice to see him meet someone.

Lagan, sweet Lagan, is just as sweet as ever. He's written to melt the hearts of girls all over the world. I adore his character, and I love his title, "The post-it prince." I can't look at a post-it note without smiling.

I enjoyed the story and the direction the characters are taking. I'm very excited to see how it all concludes because if I don't want anything else from this series--I want these characters to be free--in whatever way free means to them.
...more

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Mar 07, 2014 Crystal rated it it was amazing

I received an e-copy of Seeing Through Stones in exchange for my honest review:

The sequel to Swimming Through Clouds, Seeing Through Stones is told by both points of views of Talia and Jesse, giving us more insight into Jesse’s world.

Jesse is also a loveable character that has had more than his share of heartbreak and pain. His failed suicide attempt as a young teen left him unable to walk or talk for several years. Unbeknownst to his abusive father, and eventually with the help of his sister, ...more

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Sep 20, 2016 Nicole (Read Eat Sleep Repeat) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, genre-contemporary, 2016, genre-young-adult, genre-christian

The second book in this trilogy, Seeing Through Stones picks up right where Swimming Through Clouds left us. If you haven't read that yet, just go ahead and do that now. Seriously.

While Swimming Through Clouds focuses on Talia's perspective, this book introduces her brother, Jesse's, point of view. After being entrenched in Talia's story, it was interesting to watch how events unfolded through Jesse's eyes. While I absolutely do not mind books that switch perspectives every chapter, there are t ...more

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Aug 07, 2014 Glenn Haggerty rated it really liked it

Teenage siblings Talia and Jesse escape from their sadistic father, Talia to a shelter and Jesse to the streets. But how long can they run from their relentless abuser and the sinister organization he represents? Talia must overcome her terror, face her demons and stand. Jesse, consumed with revenge, plots his father’s destruction, but what would revenge cost him?
Sequel to Swimming through Clouds, Seeing Through Stones resumes Talia’s story of physical escape and emotional healing from a night ...more

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Sep 19, 2014 Nomadic Reader rated it it was amazing

Seeing Through Stones, the sequel of Swimming Through Clouds, rewards the reader with more Talia and Lagan, but even better, gives a surprising and exciting look into Jesse, Talia’s brother. Paulus does a wonderful job narrating Jesse’s story, and keeps the reader glued to the pages. Jesse, with his newly gained mobility, leaves home with one agenda: kill the one responsible for his family’s suffering. While Jesse crafts his revenge, Talia navigates the new world of hidden shelters for victims o ...more

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Aug 19, 2014 Mary Kate rated it really liked it

This novel was much, much better than the first. The first was full of very sappy romance that just really wasn't my thing, and was really hard to read due to scenes of abuse. However, this novel had plotlines I liked much better.

I thought Talia's experiences at the women's shelters was extremely interesting, and am curious as to what happens to her friend Jaya. Jesse too was a likeable and interesting narrator. And actually, it was very easy for me to tell the two narrative voices apart. That i ...more

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Nov 07, 2015 Ocelot rated it it was amazing

This is a wonderful novel to read.

Talia and Jesse (Justice) Vanderbilt decide to run away after a childhood of abuse from their father. With the help of Lagan, Talia's boyfriend, she finds a place to stay. A safe house for domestic violence survivors for women. The location can't be given out to anyone, so the residents' safety can be upheld. Meanwhile, Jesse Vanderbilt tries to find a decent place to stay using a couple hundred dollars, plus some money that he gets from helping someone else wo ...more

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Mar 03, 2014 Nandanie Spahr rated it it was amazing

I patiently waited for this sequel, and when it was released, I simply could not put it down. I enjoyed reading about Jesse; reading about the man he's grown up to be, and how the need for seeking justice for what's been done to him, his sister, and his mother is so essential to his well being.

Lagan and Talia, the hero and the heroine of this story make it all the more enjoyable to read amidst the horror that Talia and Jesse are running away from. Watching Talia grow into this courageous free-s ...more

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Sep 16, 2014 Beth Steury rated it it was amazing

In this captivating sequel to Swimming through Clouds,Talia, Jesse and Lagan continue the battle to find freedom from Talia and Jesse's abusive father, refusing to bow to fear or defeat. I loved getting to know Jesse on a deeper level, watching Lagan's commitment, devotion and love for Talia grow, and cheering for Talia's strength to endure in the face of extreme circumstances. Paulus explores this tough subject with hope and dignity.

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Jun 28, 2014 Eric Waage rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Amazing follow-up.

Rajdeep, you did it again. Loved the sequel as much as the first book. Once again I felt like I was right there with Talia, Jesse and Lagan, cheering them on. I have but one question - when can we expect another book? Please keep writing!

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Nov 22, 2014 Kimmi Bailey rated it it was amazing

Shelves: teen

Have'nt read a good book lately.. This two book series stopped all that. wonderful story.

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Nov 18, 2014 Trish Evans rated it liked it

3.5 almost 4

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Nov 23, 2014 Traci Magee rated it really liked it

Beautiful sequel!!!

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Feb 15, 2016 Jessa rated it really liked it

Good middle book, definitely leaves you wanting to read the last one.

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About Rajdeep Paulus

Rajdeep Paulus

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Rajdeep decided to be a writer during her junior year in high school after her English teacher gave her an “F” but told her she had potential. She studied English Literature at Northwestern University, and she writes masala-marinated, Young Adult Fiction, blogging weekly at InSearchofWaterfalls dot com.

When Paulus is not tapping on her Mac, you can find her dancing with her four princesses, kayaki ...more