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The Limbo Tree
An accident. A secret. The truth.
Something is wrong with Samantha McCallister. Her baby brother is dead, and she has only one memory of the accident: the canned version her parents impressed upon her. But piece by piece, Sam struggles to make sense of it.
Cast aside by her self-involved family, Sam seeks out a friendship with the next-door neighbor, Hazel, until Hazel inexplicably goes missing, leaving nothing but a note and a jar of jam.
Determined to uncover the truth about Hazel’s disappearance, Sam finds out more than she bargained for. Bizarre episodes and nightmares consume her, vicious and unstoppable.
Meanwhile, an adolescent muse moves into Hazel’s abandoned home. Sam is immediately drawn to him—discovering the beginnings of true love—when the unthinkable occurs. Sam is alienated to a world in which she no longer feels she belongs. Try as she might, Sam cannot escape these nightmares or the truth behind them—the truth that lies in the Limbo Tree.
Brilliantly crafted, shimmering with uncertainty, The Limbo Tree is as mystical as it is moving.
Something is wrong with Samantha McCallister. Her baby brother is dead, and she has only one memory of the accident: the canned version her parents impressed upon her. But piece by piece, Sam struggles to make sense of it.
Cast aside by her self-involved family, Sam seeks out a friendship with the next-door neighbor, Hazel, until Hazel inexplicably goes missing, leaving nothing but a note and a jar of jam.
Determined to uncover the truth about Hazel’s disappearance, Sam finds out more than she bargained for. Bizarre episodes and nightmares consume her, vicious and unstoppable.
Meanwhile, an adolescent muse moves into Hazel’s abandoned home. Sam is immediately drawn to him—discovering the beginnings of true love—when the unthinkable occurs. Sam is alienated to a world in which she no longer feels she belongs. Try as she might, Sam cannot escape these nightmares or the truth behind them—the truth that lies in the Limbo Tree.
Brilliantly crafted, shimmering with uncertainty, The Limbo Tree is as mystical as it is moving.
- GenresFantasy
382 pages, Hardcover
First published October 10, 2016
About the author
T.N. Suarez
1 book148 followersChicago-born author Tania Nicole Suarez, best known as T.N. Suarez, does her best writing on her backyard patio, as well as at the charming coffee shop around the corner with free refills. When she isn’t glued to her laptop, she spends time with her magical family, binge-watches Netflix, paints with acrylics, and tries very hard not being the worst tennis player in the burbs.
Tania began her writing career while working as an art director for an advertising agency. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Graphic Design and is an internationally published photographer. Her work has been featured in USA TODAY, Fox News, ABC News (Australia & New Zealand), New York Magazine, New York Post, Fuji Television Network (Tokyo, Japan), Asahi Television Network (Tokyo, Japan), EuroNews (Lyon, France), Huffington Post (Osaka, Japan), and Les Journal de Montréal (Montréal, Quebec, Canada).
Additionally, Tania is an active member of Chicago Writers Association (CWA), Poetry Society of America (PSA), Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), and the Women’s Fiction Writers Association (WFWA).
You can visit T.N. Suarez online at taniansuarez.com or follow her on Twitter @taniansuarez.
Tania began her writing career while working as an art director for an advertising agency. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Graphic Design and is an internationally published photographer. Her work has been featured in USA TODAY, Fox News, ABC News (Australia & New Zealand), New York Magazine, New York Post, Fuji Television Network (Tokyo, Japan), Asahi Television Network (Tokyo, Japan), EuroNews (Lyon, France), Huffington Post (Osaka, Japan), and Les Journal de Montréal (Montréal, Quebec, Canada).
Additionally, Tania is an active member of Chicago Writers Association (CWA), Poetry Society of America (PSA), Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators (SCBWI), and the Women’s Fiction Writers Association (WFWA).
You can visit T.N. Suarez online at taniansuarez.com or follow her on Twitter @taniansuarez.
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Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
November 27, 2016
Have you ever had a book stay with you? One that after you have finished devouring it cannot seem to leave you? Where it lingers in the back of your mind and haunts your waking moments making you revisit its words over and over again?.....The Limbo Tree by T.N Suarez is that book.
As Samantha's story unfolded before my eyes I was taken on a journey that I could not seem to grasp hold of. Meaning that I initially perceived this novel to be a mystery of sorts with Samantha trying to find her dear friend Hazel and It turned into a mystery entirely of something else. And when I was convinced that I knew where Samantha was going her story, it took a turn that left me eager for clarity. To say that I was bewildered at times was an understatement but it only fueled to push me forward and each time I believed to have the answers I was rewarded with yet another twist.
The unexpected twist and turns that this story takes can seem a bit confusing to most but I was happily surprised by it's ending. I truly did not expect that outcome and what I perceived to be the finale became something else entirely. What a dup! As the true ending finally came to light all questions and confusion are explained and it was amazingly well done.
The only complaint that I have with this story is that it's confusing nature and sometimes slow narration can frustrate a reader that seeks a faster paced read and clear narration. I admit to feeling a bit more confusion than I normally prefer in a read but it's writing was so well crafted that I intuitively knew that my tenacity to reach the end would pay off.
I began reading The Limbo Tree with no preconceived notions and I was rewarded with a tale that took me on a experience that was mystifying and wholly intriguing. I could not seem to stop myself from pushing forward as this well crafted novel left me on tender hooks with its masterful writing. I was consumed with unraveling the they mystery that surrounded Samantha McCallister and I could not stop until I reached the very end.
The Limbo Tree is a book that I would recommend to both Teens and Adults alike. It is a story that will keep you mysteriously entertained until it's nail biting finale.
As Samantha's story unfolded before my eyes I was taken on a journey that I could not seem to grasp hold of. Meaning that I initially perceived this novel to be a mystery of sorts with Samantha trying to find her dear friend Hazel and It turned into a mystery entirely of something else. And when I was convinced that I knew where Samantha was going her story, it took a turn that left me eager for clarity. To say that I was bewildered at times was an understatement but it only fueled to push me forward and each time I believed to have the answers I was rewarded with yet another twist.
The unexpected twist and turns that this story takes can seem a bit confusing to most but I was happily surprised by it's ending. I truly did not expect that outcome and what I perceived to be the finale became something else entirely. What a dup! As the true ending finally came to light all questions and confusion are explained and it was amazingly well done.
The only complaint that I have with this story is that it's confusing nature and sometimes slow narration can frustrate a reader that seeks a faster paced read and clear narration. I admit to feeling a bit more confusion than I normally prefer in a read but it's writing was so well crafted that I intuitively knew that my tenacity to reach the end would pay off.
I began reading The Limbo Tree with no preconceived notions and I was rewarded with a tale that took me on a experience that was mystifying and wholly intriguing. I could not seem to stop myself from pushing forward as this well crafted novel left me on tender hooks with its masterful writing. I was consumed with unraveling the they mystery that surrounded Samantha McCallister and I could not stop until I reached the very end.
The Limbo Tree is a book that I would recommend to both Teens and Adults alike. It is a story that will keep you mysteriously entertained until it's nail biting finale.
December 26, 2016
(I received a free eBook from Xpresso Book Tours in exchange for an honest review.)
BLURB
An accident. A secret. The truth.
Something is wrong with Samantha McCallister. Her baby brother is dead, and she has only one memory of the accident: the canned version her parents impressed upon her. But piece by piece, Sam struggles to make sense of it.
Cast aside by her self-involved family, Sam seeks out a friendship with the next-door neighbor, Hazel, until Hazel inexplicably goes missing, leaving nothing but a note and a jar of jam.
Determined to uncover the truth about Hazel’s disappearance, Sam finds out more than she bargained for. Bizarre episodes and nightmares consume her, vicious and unstoppable.
Meanwhile, an adolescent muse moves into Hazel’s abandoned home. Sam is immediately drawn to him—discovering the beginnings of true love—when the unthinkable occurs. Sam is alienated to a world in which she no longer feels she belongs. Try as she might, Sam cannot escape these nightmares or the truth behind them—the truth that lies in the Limbo Tree.
Brilliantly crafted, shimmering with uncertainty, The Limbo Tree is as mystical as it is moving.
CHARACTERS
Sam is the protagonist of the book and while she is an interesting character, her narration at times frustrated me. She is a pretty much believable character and her anger and annoyance towards her parents is totally justified. I enjoyed reading about her antics but at the same time, I was disappointed/ annoyed by her decisions and reactions at times.
Elliott was a character I truly and wholeheartedly enjoyed reading about. I enjoyed having him tell stuff and liked his caring attitude. I liked how he was like Sam's partner in crime throughout the book.
PLOT
For more that half the book, I honestly couldn't figure out where the story was going. It was so confusing and it felt like the plot was all over the place. I would have given the book 3 stars had it not been for the ending. The ending had me like hjgfuydudsvdfusid... I know that's technically not a word but that's just how flabbergasted I was at the end of the book. The ending was definitely not something I was expecting and I'm glad the story ended the way it did.
I felt there were too many places in the middle of the book where nothing was happening. It was just Sam and Elliott hanging out or Sam telling us stories from the past. Had it not been for these parts, the story would have been quite perfect. Also at the end, I wished I could know more about what had happened. I'd be really happy if there is a short story sequel or something to The Limbo Tree.
WRITING
The book is well written but quite slow paced for the most part. I enjoyed the description of the old limbo tree and the vines. I liked how Sam's nightmares were written in a truly terrifying way. The imagery is spot on.
WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THE BOOK
- Elliott
- The overall plot
- The ENDING
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE ABOUT THE BOOK
- The slow pace
- How the plot was confusing for the most part
CONCLUSION
If you like books that don't give away the mystery until the very end, The Limbo Tree is for you!
BLURB
An accident. A secret. The truth.
Something is wrong with Samantha McCallister. Her baby brother is dead, and she has only one memory of the accident: the canned version her parents impressed upon her. But piece by piece, Sam struggles to make sense of it.
Cast aside by her self-involved family, Sam seeks out a friendship with the next-door neighbor, Hazel, until Hazel inexplicably goes missing, leaving nothing but a note and a jar of jam.
Determined to uncover the truth about Hazel’s disappearance, Sam finds out more than she bargained for. Bizarre episodes and nightmares consume her, vicious and unstoppable.
Meanwhile, an adolescent muse moves into Hazel’s abandoned home. Sam is immediately drawn to him—discovering the beginnings of true love—when the unthinkable occurs. Sam is alienated to a world in which she no longer feels she belongs. Try as she might, Sam cannot escape these nightmares or the truth behind them—the truth that lies in the Limbo Tree.
Brilliantly crafted, shimmering with uncertainty, The Limbo Tree is as mystical as it is moving.
CHARACTERS
Sam is the protagonist of the book and while she is an interesting character, her narration at times frustrated me. She is a pretty much believable character and her anger and annoyance towards her parents is totally justified. I enjoyed reading about her antics but at the same time, I was disappointed/ annoyed by her decisions and reactions at times.
Elliott was a character I truly and wholeheartedly enjoyed reading about. I enjoyed having him tell stuff and liked his caring attitude. I liked how he was like Sam's partner in crime throughout the book.
PLOT
For more that half the book, I honestly couldn't figure out where the story was going. It was so confusing and it felt like the plot was all over the place. I would have given the book 3 stars had it not been for the ending. The ending had me like hjgfuydudsvdfusid... I know that's technically not a word but that's just how flabbergasted I was at the end of the book. The ending was definitely not something I was expecting and I'm glad the story ended the way it did.
I felt there were too many places in the middle of the book where nothing was happening. It was just Sam and Elliott hanging out or Sam telling us stories from the past. Had it not been for these parts, the story would have been quite perfect. Also at the end, I wished I could know more about what had happened. I'd be really happy if there is a short story sequel or something to The Limbo Tree.
WRITING
The book is well written but quite slow paced for the most part. I enjoyed the description of the old limbo tree and the vines. I liked how Sam's nightmares were written in a truly terrifying way. The imagery is spot on.
WHAT I LIKED ABOUT THE BOOK
- Elliott
- The overall plot
- The ENDING
WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE ABOUT THE BOOK
- The slow pace
- How the plot was confusing for the most part
CONCLUSION
If you like books that don't give away the mystery until the very end, The Limbo Tree is for you!
October 12, 2016
The Limbo Tree is one of those magical, timeless stories, and is well worth reading. I enjoyed it reading it as an adult, and I know I'd also have loved it as a child.
The protagonist, Sam, is easy to empathize with, and many of her thoughts and feelings evoked memories of similar thoughts and feelings. The many characters she meets during her summer are all interesting and memorable as well. The character of Elliott felt to me like the boy we all wanted to meet at that age, and I felt Sam's yearning to be with him. I don't even like horseback riding, but the scenes where they ride together made me want to be there too.
While reading, I felt sort of enveloped in a golden childhood summer, but there was also this underlying sense of something wrong that piqued my interest. The mystery of Hazel and of Sam's dreams keeps you reading. Although the ending can be a bit confusing (my one criticism of the book), once you figure it out, it's very satisfying.
Overall, I'd definitely recommend this to anyone, young or old.
The protagonist, Sam, is easy to empathize with, and many of her thoughts and feelings evoked memories of similar thoughts and feelings. The many characters she meets during her summer are all interesting and memorable as well. The character of Elliott felt to me like the boy we all wanted to meet at that age, and I felt Sam's yearning to be with him. I don't even like horseback riding, but the scenes where they ride together made me want to be there too.
While reading, I felt sort of enveloped in a golden childhood summer, but there was also this underlying sense of something wrong that piqued my interest. The mystery of Hazel and of Sam's dreams keeps you reading. Although the ending can be a bit confusing (my one criticism of the book), once you figure it out, it's very satisfying.
Overall, I'd definitely recommend this to anyone, young or old.
October 29, 2016
If I could give this book 10 stars, I would. In THE LIMBO TREE, T.N. Suarez introduces readers to an intriguing cast of characters along with a masterful use of the unreliable narrator—and even a sprinkling of horror. When a young girl named Samantha McCallister tries to find her neighbor, who has suddenly and mysteriously—and creepily—gone missing, at first you think that’s what the book is about. But just when you’re sure you know what’s going on, bam, the story turns on a dime and you realize there’s more—much more—than what you see on the surface. And then when you think again, ah, so that’s it—no, it’s not, and you start to wonder if you’ve entered an alternate universe. And of course, you won’t be able to stop reading because you have to find out what’s really going on and you won’t rest until you do. THE LIMBO TREE is a story with so many layers you’ll feel dizzy by the time you reach a most satisfying and emotional ending. I highly, highly recommend this book.
February 7, 2017
Finally, a book without a predictable ending! Fabulous!
November 28, 2016
If you are looking for a book that you can't put down, this is it!!! It was so beautifully and well written and one of the few books that I have read where I couldn't figure out the ending until the very last page! Loved it ~ it's a must read!
(Also, it would be a great book to read for a book club ~ so, so many things to discuss..)
(Also, it would be a great book to read for a book club ~ so, so many things to discuss..)
November 26, 2016
I received this book from Xpresso Book Tours in exchanged for an honest review.
I also posted this review on my blog: https://bibliofagista.wordpress.com/
What a nice story. It's been a while since I've read a YA novel so full of surprises. Let's just say that the I expected something else from the blurb. I will try my best to review this book without giving anything away that might take away from the novel's twists and turns.
Plot
The Tree Limbo has a fast-medium pace - most of the chapters are really interesting, but there are some that are a little bit slower.
Based on the blurb, I expected this novel to be about Sam finding Hazel and discovering what happen to her brother. In other words, I expected Sam to play detective, and Elliot would help her.
Granted, the first chapters were about Hazel, but it expanded in more than that. Moreover, the plot is full of twists and turns; nothing is predictable, which is great! Also, certain scenes allude to some paranormal elements, and they made the novel even more intriguing.
Therefore, I was mostly confused. I didn't know where the story will go. When I thought I figured it out: bam, another twist. And of course, I needed to know what will happen next, and figure out the mystery!
The end was a huge surprise! I didn't see that coming. Actually, what I thought it was the end, turned out to be an impostor! Then the real end finally revealed itself, and it was really good! Everything wrapped up nicely, and all the ambiguity and confusion was explained.
One more thing about the ending - it's open. The ending is just the beginning, but that beginning will be based our own imagination (since the words 'open ending'). There is also the possibility of a sequel, which would be quite interesting. At the same time, I would like for it to stay open, thou. It would fit the novel perfectly.
The only con for me are the slower paced chapters - the ones where Sam and Eliot have fun and nothing else. The chapters are not bad, but my attention kind of dwindled while reading them. Anyway, this is a personal preference/opinion. Other people will not have a problem with this.
Characters
The main character is Sam. She is quite interesting, especially since she's an unreliable narrator. Which for me, made the story about Sam itself more interesting and a priority over Sam's characterization. Since Sam's point of view is not reliable, I had to pay attention to the clues and made up my own theories.
Sam is a nice, kind and smart young lady. She is a pleasant character. Since she's a teenager, she does have her moments of drama and stubbornness. Her relationship with her parents is quite typical for a teenager - she sneaks out of the house, she tells white lies, sometimes she argues with them.
As the blurb says, Sam has nightmares and sometimes is hard for her to realize what is real, and what is not. Thus, the reader does not know either - the author did a really good job writing those nightmares as reality. I cannot tell you how many times I was fooled by those bloody dreams! :D
And then there is Elliott, the boy who moves in Hazel's house. He turns out to be an interesting character, as well as a really good friend to Sam. Just like Sam, Elliott has his own secrets that may or may not be revealed.
Hazel appeared to be a nice, old lady - the grandma type. However, she is a mysterious character that will only be reveal towards the end of the novel. Same goes for other secondary characters.
In general, I liked all the characters. They're mysterious, well developed, intriguing. Also, each minor character has his/her own purpose - even the ones who appear only for a couple of pages, or here and there.
Romance
There is some romance in this book, but it's not the main focus. I mean, Sam and Elliott develop feelings for each other, but their friendship is the foundation if you will - no instant love. We're talking about that cute, innocent type of romance - that first time a teenager falls in love.
I liked it a lot. I also loved the fact that Sam had Elliott in either worlds.
Conclusion
What can I say? This novel surprised me - in a good way.
I think it's one of the best books I've read this year, especially in the Young Adult category. I'm really glad I got the chance to read it!
What I liked:
ツ The mystery of the plot.
ツ The twists and turns.
ツ The unpredictability of the story.
ツ I love unreliable narratives.
ツ Open ending.
ツThe characters - all of them.
ツThe writing.
ツBasically, almost everything.
What I didn't like:
☹ The slow paced chapters - very few, and this is a personal preference.
☹ I wished to know more about what happened to Sam's family at the end. This is not a dislike, more like a wish to know more.
Recommend?
Yes, yes, yes! You will love The Limbo Tree.
It's a great story for both adults and teenagers. It has a little bit of everything: mystery, romance, drama, problems in a marriage, animals, twists and turns, unpredictability, scenes that appear to be paranormal, teenagers, friendship, family.
I also posted this review on my blog: https://bibliofagista.wordpress.com/
What a nice story. It's been a while since I've read a YA novel so full of surprises. Let's just say that the I expected something else from the blurb. I will try my best to review this book without giving anything away that might take away from the novel's twists and turns.
Plot
The Tree Limbo has a fast-medium pace - most of the chapters are really interesting, but there are some that are a little bit slower.
Based on the blurb, I expected this novel to be about Sam finding Hazel and discovering what happen to her brother. In other words, I expected Sam to play detective, and Elliot would help her.
Granted, the first chapters were about Hazel, but it expanded in more than that. Moreover, the plot is full of twists and turns; nothing is predictable, which is great! Also, certain scenes allude to some paranormal elements, and they made the novel even more intriguing.
Therefore, I was mostly confused. I didn't know where the story will go. When I thought I figured it out: bam, another twist. And of course, I needed to know what will happen next, and figure out the mystery!
The end was a huge surprise! I didn't see that coming. Actually, what I thought it was the end, turned out to be an impostor! Then the real end finally revealed itself, and it was really good! Everything wrapped up nicely, and all the ambiguity and confusion was explained.
One more thing about the ending - it's open. The ending is just the beginning, but that beginning will be based our own imagination (since the words 'open ending'). There is also the possibility of a sequel, which would be quite interesting. At the same time, I would like for it to stay open, thou. It would fit the novel perfectly.
The only con for me are the slower paced chapters - the ones where Sam and Eliot have fun and nothing else. The chapters are not bad, but my attention kind of dwindled while reading them. Anyway, this is a personal preference/opinion. Other people will not have a problem with this.
Characters
The main character is Sam. She is quite interesting, especially since she's an unreliable narrator. Which for me, made the story about Sam itself more interesting and a priority over Sam's characterization. Since Sam's point of view is not reliable, I had to pay attention to the clues and made up my own theories.
Sam is a nice, kind and smart young lady. She is a pleasant character. Since she's a teenager, she does have her moments of drama and stubbornness. Her relationship with her parents is quite typical for a teenager - she sneaks out of the house, she tells white lies, sometimes she argues with them.
As the blurb says, Sam has nightmares and sometimes is hard for her to realize what is real, and what is not. Thus, the reader does not know either - the author did a really good job writing those nightmares as reality. I cannot tell you how many times I was fooled by those bloody dreams! :D
And then there is Elliott, the boy who moves in Hazel's house. He turns out to be an interesting character, as well as a really good friend to Sam. Just like Sam, Elliott has his own secrets that may or may not be revealed.
Hazel appeared to be a nice, old lady - the grandma type. However, she is a mysterious character that will only be reveal towards the end of the novel. Same goes for other secondary characters.
In general, I liked all the characters. They're mysterious, well developed, intriguing. Also, each minor character has his/her own purpose - even the ones who appear only for a couple of pages, or here and there.
Romance
There is some romance in this book, but it's not the main focus. I mean, Sam and Elliott develop feelings for each other, but their friendship is the foundation if you will - no instant love. We're talking about that cute, innocent type of romance - that first time a teenager falls in love.
I liked it a lot. I also loved the fact that Sam had Elliott in either worlds.
Conclusion
What can I say? This novel surprised me - in a good way.
I think it's one of the best books I've read this year, especially in the Young Adult category. I'm really glad I got the chance to read it!
What I liked:
ツ The mystery of the plot.
ツ The twists and turns.
ツ The unpredictability of the story.
ツ I love unreliable narratives.
ツ Open ending.
ツThe characters - all of them.
ツThe writing.
ツBasically, almost everything.
What I didn't like:
☹ The slow paced chapters - very few, and this is a personal preference.
☹ I wished to know more about what happened to Sam's family at the end. This is not a dislike, more like a wish to know more.
Recommend?
Yes, yes, yes! You will love The Limbo Tree.
It's a great story for both adults and teenagers. It has a little bit of everything: mystery, romance, drama, problems in a marriage, animals, twists and turns, unpredictability, scenes that appear to be paranormal, teenagers, friendship, family.
March 5, 2017
This book was nothing like I expected. It was spooky and made my skin crawl a little bit at times. If I had to sum the book up in one word I would say it was HAUNTING.
The first half of the book frustrated me. It all felt very creepy and I kept expecting something bad to happen. Early on I was confused as to whether Sam (Samantha, the fourteen-year-old main character) was dropping in and out of alternate realities or if she was hallucinating. The story irritated me and yet I couldn't stop reading. With so much confusion and many unanswered questions I had to keep reading. I felt compelled to find out the truth behind Sam’s life.
I assumed early on that the story was set in the 1980’s with all the references to Madonna headbands, The Lost Boy's, The Go-Go's, KISS and The Cure. Indiana Jones the Last Crusade playing at a movie theatre later in the story verified it. I was born in the late 80’s and understood all the references, but I do worry that today’s teenagers won’t.
Sam spends nearly the entirety of the book not being able to remember what happened to her baby brother, just that her parents said his death was a tragic accident. Early in the story on one page she says she misses him and then the next she calls him a little beast. I found it very confusing and rather disturbing. Later, Sam even starts to suspect her mother of murdering her baby brother! We do finally learn the truth and the detail in which T.N. Suarez goes into is heart wrenching. I was internally screaming at the characters for the whole last chapter. Once I finished reading I went in and checked on both my boys, making sure they were both sleeping safe and sound.
Sam is an unreliable narrator and even she can’t trust her own version of events. You think you may have figured out what is going on and then everything twists again and you’re flailing around confused right alongside Sam.
The truth of Sam’s life and the ending of the book are rather sad and I think will continue to frustrate and haunt me for quite some time.
The first half of the book frustrated me. It all felt very creepy and I kept expecting something bad to happen. Early on I was confused as to whether Sam (Samantha, the fourteen-year-old main character) was dropping in and out of alternate realities or if she was hallucinating. The story irritated me and yet I couldn't stop reading. With so much confusion and many unanswered questions I had to keep reading. I felt compelled to find out the truth behind Sam’s life.
I assumed early on that the story was set in the 1980’s with all the references to Madonna headbands, The Lost Boy's, The Go-Go's, KISS and The Cure. Indiana Jones the Last Crusade playing at a movie theatre later in the story verified it. I was born in the late 80’s and understood all the references, but I do worry that today’s teenagers won’t.
Sam spends nearly the entirety of the book not being able to remember what happened to her baby brother, just that her parents said his death was a tragic accident. Early in the story on one page she says she misses him and then the next she calls him a little beast. I found it very confusing and rather disturbing. Later, Sam even starts to suspect her mother of murdering her baby brother! We do finally learn the truth and the detail in which T.N. Suarez goes into is heart wrenching. I was internally screaming at the characters for the whole last chapter. Once I finished reading I went in and checked on both my boys, making sure they were both sleeping safe and sound.
Sam is an unreliable narrator and even she can’t trust her own version of events. You think you may have figured out what is going on and then everything twists again and you’re flailing around confused right alongside Sam.
The truth of Sam’s life and the ending of the book are rather sad and I think will continue to frustrate and haunt me for quite some time.
January 1, 2017
**** 3 Cranky Stars ****
14 yr old Samantha takes a tumble from the big old oak tree ( the Limbo tree) in her backyard. Elderly neighbour Hazel is on hand to help her up and revive her, this results in them becoming firm friends untill Hazel disappears without saying goodbye. Her house gets put up for sale and soulmate Elliot moves in with his family.
After the death of her baby brother, Sam is left pretty much to her own devices as her parents are locked up in their own private worlds. Sam's life is complicated by crippling nightmares which haunts even her waking hours. She gets to a point where she fears going to sleep.
I kept reading the book despite the dream scenes being repetitive and going on too long, hoping for a conclusion, instead there is an alternate reality and in my opinion an unfulfilling ending.
I was left with a feeling of incompleteness.
Sadly I feel that a rating of 3 is generous.
14 yr old Samantha takes a tumble from the big old oak tree ( the Limbo tree) in her backyard. Elderly neighbour Hazel is on hand to help her up and revive her, this results in them becoming firm friends untill Hazel disappears without saying goodbye. Her house gets put up for sale and soulmate Elliot moves in with his family.
After the death of her baby brother, Sam is left pretty much to her own devices as her parents are locked up in their own private worlds. Sam's life is complicated by crippling nightmares which haunts even her waking hours. She gets to a point where she fears going to sleep.
I kept reading the book despite the dream scenes being repetitive and going on too long, hoping for a conclusion, instead there is an alternate reality and in my opinion an unfulfilling ending.
I was left with a feeling of incompleteness.
Sadly I feel that a rating of 3 is generous.
January 9, 2017
This was a book I really enjoyed reading. It's so hard to find a unique, engaging story, but this book delivers. It became a movie in my mind with its many memorable characters, an 80s theme song, The Cure's "Just Like Heaven," a multi-leveled mysterious plot, and lots and lots of 80s memories...from Pound Puppies to Kojak to Belinda Carlisle. This is the kind of story you get wrapped up in and you don't want it to end. One or two swear words here and there, but otherwise a clean story. Recommend for middle school readers especially.
February 7, 2017
I had a hard time putting this book down and I believe that you will too. It consumes you and stays with you way after you have read it!!
August 2, 2017
I'm not exactly the target audience for this one, but really glad I picked it up. It has more twists than a bag of pretzels and I can promise you won't leave a page unturned!
September 8, 2018
"The Limbo Tree" by T.N. Suarez is a well-written YA novel. Not everything appears to be as it seems. Is her best friend really the boy next door Elliot?
Readers will relate to the conflicts with her parents and the steps parents take when dealing with teenagers.
Thank you GoodReads for the book.
Readers will relate to the conflicts with her parents and the steps parents take when dealing with teenagers.
Thank you GoodReads for the book.
January 30, 2017
What can I say about this book?
It was an adventure for sure, and at times a little bit sad.
Although I was confused almost halfway through this book.
It does make sense and it all comes together and you are left with your mouth open thinking to yourself wow.
Sam is 14 and we learn that she has suppressed memories from an accident that happened to her.
Sam becomes good friends with Hazel an older woman who lives next door to her. When one day Sam goes to visit she realizes Hazel is missing and can't find her. Another family moves into the house. Sam becomes friends friends with Elliot and that's when things become strange and great.
Can Sam figure out what is real and what isn't before it's to late?
It was an adventure for sure, and at times a little bit sad.
Although I was confused almost halfway through this book.
It does make sense and it all comes together and you are left with your mouth open thinking to yourself wow.
Sam is 14 and we learn that she has suppressed memories from an accident that happened to her.
Sam becomes good friends with Hazel an older woman who lives next door to her. When one day Sam goes to visit she realizes Hazel is missing and can't find her. Another family moves into the house. Sam becomes friends friends with Elliot and that's when things become strange and great.
Can Sam figure out what is real and what isn't before it's to late?
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