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Five Fortunes
When five fourteen-year-old girls get their fortunes from an arcade machine just for kicks, it turns their world upside-down and their close-knit group of friends starts to fall apart.
Misunderstandings abound as allegiances shift and outsiders start to come between them. The fortunes seem to be self-fulfilling prophecies - whether the girls believe in them or not.
Do our beliefs color our perception of the world? Do we ever see ourselves the way others see us, and why is change so hard?
Budding romance, angry bees, teenage fashion influencers, and parents who just don't get it make Barbara Venkataraman's 'Five Fortunes' a fun story you won't soon forget.
Misunderstandings abound as allegiances shift and outsiders start to come between them. The fortunes seem to be self-fulfilling prophecies - whether the girls believe in them or not.
Do our beliefs color our perception of the world? Do we ever see ourselves the way others see us, and why is change so hard?
Budding romance, angry bees, teenage fashion influencers, and parents who just don't get it make Barbara Venkataraman's 'Five Fortunes' a fun story you won't soon forget.
76 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2023
4 people are currently reading
47 people want to read
About the author
Barbara Venkataraman
25 books434 followersAward-winning author Barbara Venkataraman is an attorney and mediator specializing in family law. Her works include: "The Fight for Magicallus", a children's fantasy; "If you'd Just Listened to Me in the First Place", a humorous short story; and three books of humorous essays: "I'm Not Talking about You, Of Course," "A Trip to the Hardware Store & Other Calamities," and "A Smidge of Crazy", from her series, "Quirky Essays for Quirky People."
Her Jamie Quinn cozy mystery series includes: "Death by Didgeridoo", "The Case of the Killer Divorce", "Peril in the Park", "Engaged in Danger" and "Jeopardy in July".
Her newest book has just been released: "Accidental Activist: Justice for the Groveland Four", a memoir she co-authored with her son about lessons he learned while working to exonerate four men falsely convicted of a terrible crime in the Jim Crow South. All of her books are available on Amazon Kindle.
Her Jamie Quinn cozy mystery series includes: "Death by Didgeridoo", "The Case of the Killer Divorce", "Peril in the Park", "Engaged in Danger" and "Jeopardy in July".
Her newest book has just been released: "Accidental Activist: Justice for the Groveland Four", a memoir she co-authored with her son about lessons he learned while working to exonerate four men falsely convicted of a terrible crime in the Jim Crow South. All of her books are available on Amazon Kindle.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 134 reviews
February 4, 2023
First, I was gifted a copy of this book by the author in exchange for a review. This doesn't sway my critiques of any writer's work.
This book is a short, quick read that I think should be added to middle school English curricula as it will give teachers and students a lot of prompts for discussion. This is a story about five fourteen year old girls all from different backgrounds who have different problems with which to contend. The issues aren't ones most adults would think twice about, but to adolescents these could be pretty major. As in most young adult novellas, everything gets tied up neatly in the end.
I do wonder which teen-aged girls the author hung out with while writing this tale in order to get all of the separate personalities involved so well defined. While each girl's fortune comes to pass, it isn't always in the way the reader would expect. I would have enjoyed a bit more insight in what happened after the girls realized the results of their fortunes coming true. I hope we haven't seen the last of these characters.
The two small criticisms that I have are that only thing that seems to me missing in these girls' vocabularies is the regular use of what adults used to call cuss words. I find that omission a bit refreshing, but as someone who has spent time around this age group, it just isn't normal for them to not ever use that type of language - especially when there are no adults present. The other thing was that I was really hoping that one of the characters would have ended up being asexual because representation of that group matters. It is wonderful to have a secret admirer, but finding out who it is doesn't have to change a character's attitude from not interested in anyone in that way to wanting to begin a relationship with the now known admirer.
Because of the first item and despite the second one, I still highly recommend this book to anyone who likes to read contemporary young adult literature.
This book is a short, quick read that I think should be added to middle school English curricula as it will give teachers and students a lot of prompts for discussion. This is a story about five fourteen year old girls all from different backgrounds who have different problems with which to contend. The issues aren't ones most adults would think twice about, but to adolescents these could be pretty major. As in most young adult novellas, everything gets tied up neatly in the end.
I do wonder which teen-aged girls the author hung out with while writing this tale in order to get all of the separate personalities involved so well defined. While each girl's fortune comes to pass, it isn't always in the way the reader would expect. I would have enjoyed a bit more insight in what happened after the girls realized the results of their fortunes coming true. I hope we haven't seen the last of these characters.
The two small criticisms that I have are that only thing that seems to me missing in these girls' vocabularies is the regular use of what adults used to call cuss words. I find that omission a bit refreshing, but as someone who has spent time around this age group, it just isn't normal for them to not ever use that type of language - especially when there are no adults present. The other thing was that I was really hoping that one of the characters would have ended up being asexual because representation of that group matters. It is wonderful to have a secret admirer, but finding out who it is doesn't have to change a character's attitude from not interested in anyone in that way to wanting to begin a relationship with the now known admirer.
Because of the first item and despite the second one, I still highly recommend this book to anyone who likes to read contemporary young adult literature.
May 9, 2023
My thanks to author Barbara Venkataraman for a review copy of this book.
Five Fortunes (2023) is a short, fast-paced, feel-good teen/young adult story about friendships and misunderstandings (also family) which left me with a smile on my face. Megan, Rihanna, Lory, and twins Alison and Abby are a close-knit group of friends, all students of fourteen. When Megan suggests a trip to the fortune arcade at the mall, just for some fun, little do the five realise that those single sentences each of them get will soon prove to turn out not only true, but also life changing (and in ways they wouldn’t at all have imagined).
Each of the five girls have different dilemmas that they are dealing with, involving either family, or their aspirations or just their friendships and position in the group. Most of these problems aren’t ‘big’ or too serious, but from a teen’s perspective, they do matter to them very much—so much so that they are reluctant to even share with their friends. Our story opens after the trip to the arcade so that part is just told to us as background, and as the chapters unfold, we find out slowly what each girl’s ‘fortune’ read while also learning about their families and the problems they are going through. Also, as these events play out, some misunderstandings also creep up between the five, putting what was a long-time friendship into jeopardy. We know of course that things will be resolved, but it is fun to see just how this will happen!
I liked that each of the girls have their individual personalities and interests which come through very well, despite the story being a short one. We have one interested in sport (Alison), a fashion blogger (Abby) who’s made quite a name for herself but isn’t all that interested in her school work; Megan who is the unspoken leader of the group, and whose father keeps bees; Rihanna who is Indian and whose interest lies in books (her father runs a book shop as well); and Lory who volunteers with her mother at the Puppy Palace (a shelter). Busy or single parents, troublesome siblings, money troubles, teen love, and even friendship itself are among the issues they deal with, and each turns out to have a simpler answer than they’d expected. There is also one thread with a bit of a mystery/secret element attached to it, which one was able to guess but still it was fun.
All of the characters are very likeable (as are their families); one wants things to turn out well for each of them, and it’s lovely when it does. It was also nice to have a teen story without the typical trouble-making (or nasty) characters; instead, we just have life unfolding in its normal course, with real life issues and misunderstandings. I especially loved that the ending of each thread is done in a nice and subtle way!
This is a quick and sweet read which the intended age group will of course enjoy, but also fun for adults like me when in need of a pleasant, feel-good read!
Five Fortunes (2023) is a short, fast-paced, feel-good teen/young adult story about friendships and misunderstandings (also family) which left me with a smile on my face. Megan, Rihanna, Lory, and twins Alison and Abby are a close-knit group of friends, all students of fourteen. When Megan suggests a trip to the fortune arcade at the mall, just for some fun, little do the five realise that those single sentences each of them get will soon prove to turn out not only true, but also life changing (and in ways they wouldn’t at all have imagined).
Each of the five girls have different dilemmas that they are dealing with, involving either family, or their aspirations or just their friendships and position in the group. Most of these problems aren’t ‘big’ or too serious, but from a teen’s perspective, they do matter to them very much—so much so that they are reluctant to even share with their friends. Our story opens after the trip to the arcade so that part is just told to us as background, and as the chapters unfold, we find out slowly what each girl’s ‘fortune’ read while also learning about their families and the problems they are going through. Also, as these events play out, some misunderstandings also creep up between the five, putting what was a long-time friendship into jeopardy. We know of course that things will be resolved, but it is fun to see just how this will happen!
I liked that each of the girls have their individual personalities and interests which come through very well, despite the story being a short one. We have one interested in sport (Alison), a fashion blogger (Abby) who’s made quite a name for herself but isn’t all that interested in her school work; Megan who is the unspoken leader of the group, and whose father keeps bees; Rihanna who is Indian and whose interest lies in books (her father runs a book shop as well); and Lory who volunteers with her mother at the Puppy Palace (a shelter). Busy or single parents, troublesome siblings, money troubles, teen love, and even friendship itself are among the issues they deal with, and each turns out to have a simpler answer than they’d expected. There is also one thread with a bit of a mystery/secret element attached to it, which one was able to guess but still it was fun.
All of the characters are very likeable (as are their families); one wants things to turn out well for each of them, and it’s lovely when it does. It was also nice to have a teen story without the typical trouble-making (or nasty) characters; instead, we just have life unfolding in its normal course, with real life issues and misunderstandings. I especially loved that the ending of each thread is done in a nice and subtle way!
This is a quick and sweet read which the intended age group will of course enjoy, but also fun for adults like me when in need of a pleasant, feel-good read!
April 10, 2024
I loved this book even though it took me a few times to read because I kept losing my page. It was quite.a fun read about 5 teenagers who lives were changed for the.worse but got so much better. Very teenagey book. Made up word just to let you know. I think there is more to this.story. It just doesn't seem to end for me. Seems like there is more. But I think the young adults would love this book. If a woman of 54 loves the book then the YAs would love it.
I.received a free copy of the book and is voluntarily writing a review
I.received a free copy of the book and is voluntarily writing a review
February 21, 2023
** This was gifted to me for an honest and fair review** This is a very short book. I first thought it was going to be like the Tom Hanks movie “Big”, but was nothing like it. Ahhhh school life. I think all young teenage girls can identify with at least one if the characters in this story. I really liked how it was formatted to each girl, telling us about their fortune and lives. In the end things seem to work out as they usually do. The stories to get there are life lessons. All in all very sweet book. I would recommend this to 4-8 graders. Happy Reading:)
February 21, 2023
It all began with a fortune telling machine at the arcade.
Five junior high friends end up learning more about themselves and others.
The publisher's blurb is a good start for this short but important story.
I won it in a giveaway. Yay, me!
Five junior high friends end up learning more about themselves and others.
The publisher's blurb is a good start for this short but important story.
I won it in a giveaway. Yay, me!
February 11, 2023
This was a quick and entertaining read. Five fourteen year old girls get their fortunes from a new arcade game at the mall. None of them are particularly impressed with their fortune, but from that moment on their friendships begin to erode after a series of misunderstandings between them. Which, as teenage girls are prone to, they each overreact to and read far too much into the actions, inactions, and believed slights of the others.
I don't read a lot of young adult fare, but I enjoyed the author's Jamie Quinn mystery series, so when she offered this to me I accepted. I found myself wishing my granddaughter was old enough to share this with to get the reaction of someone in the intended target's age, but at five, despite loving books, she's not quite ready for this story.
Oh, how I do not miss my own daughters being at the age of the girls in this book! Teen girls are just a bundle of emotions, and the author captured that perfectly in the five girls, as they moped and internalized and dealt with problems both real and perceived. And in the end everyone's storyline wrapped up quite satisfyingly, with me even starting to tear up just bit as one mom rushed to her daughter's side after an allergic reaction.
I would say if there is a fourteen year old in your life, this would be a nice book to recommend to them, but I know from experience that girls of that age don't always take kindly to any kind of recommendation from an adult. Especially a parent.
*received from the author and voluntarily reviewed*
I don't read a lot of young adult fare, but I enjoyed the author's Jamie Quinn mystery series, so when she offered this to me I accepted. I found myself wishing my granddaughter was old enough to share this with to get the reaction of someone in the intended target's age, but at five, despite loving books, she's not quite ready for this story.
Oh, how I do not miss my own daughters being at the age of the girls in this book! Teen girls are just a bundle of emotions, and the author captured that perfectly in the five girls, as they moped and internalized and dealt with problems both real and perceived. And in the end everyone's storyline wrapped up quite satisfyingly, with me even starting to tear up just bit as one mom rushed to her daughter's side after an allergic reaction.
I would say if there is a fourteen year old in your life, this would be a nice book to recommend to them, but I know from experience that girls of that age don't always take kindly to any kind of recommendation from an adult. Especially a parent.
*received from the author and voluntarily reviewed*
March 14, 2023
Excellent book! Great for young teens and preteens! Which, as we know, is a tough time for girls. Our hormones, bodies and brains are at war with each other, and our parents are clueless.
We have five friends that go to the mall never suspecting that something as innocent as a fortune would change them.
This is a couple of days in the life of these girls while their emotions swirl and their viewpoints begin to turn.
Wonderful book by a wonderful author!
We have five friends that go to the mall never suspecting that something as innocent as a fortune would change them.
This is a couple of days in the life of these girls while their emotions swirl and their viewpoints begin to turn.
Wonderful book by a wonderful author!
March 8, 2023
This reminded me of me and my friends as teens and my daughter and her friends as teens. Author Barbara Venkataraman perfectly captures the relationships between a group of teenage girls. How one little oversight or misunderstanding can cause a riff in the friendships. I would recommend this book to young teen girls.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, and I have not been by anyone.
All thoughts and opinions are my own, and I have not been by anyone.
February 21, 2023
This is a quick, entertaining read. Five teenage girls get a fortune from an arcade machine and this one event seems to cause unexpected and unfortunate consequences. The five friends are faced with misunderstandings, hurt feelings, insecurities and family drama. How could those silly, unbelievable fortunes have caused everything to change? This novella would provide a good basis for discussions on friendship, family, grief, communication and change.
January 27, 2024
I have not read anything by this author before (although she's on my TBR for several books) but decided to give this short story a try. At only 75 pages long, it's a quick read/listen and is well-narrated by Emily M. Wilson (I listened and read along to narration when I was able to sit down). The story focuses on 5 school friends who are hanging out at a mall and on the whim of one of the girls, ends up getting their fortunes told. As the story unfolds, we are introduced to each of the girls and the challenges they are facing in life, which to a teen girl, seems like a big deal. I am not at all downplaying the challenges, but to each of them, it seems like the others' lives are so much better than theirs. I love the way the author reveals each of their fortunes and how the fortunes are being perceived by each recipient. In the end, everything works out well for them, but in most cases, not in a way they would have planned. I like that even through misunderstandings, the girls don't ever really turn on each other, and that in the end, they are stronger friends for it all (with new friends too). Another fun things was that two of the girls are twin sisters, and I was also reading another book that involved twin sisters, although in a much different setting. After reading and listening to this, I plan on checking out more of the author's books! I'm not sure if I've listened to the narrator before, but I thought she did a fine job. I would recommend this story for middle school students, maybe 12-14 year olds.
February 24, 2023
Five fourteen-year-old girls (Megan, Rhianna, Lori, Abby and Alison) get their fortunes told by a machine in the arcade. Though none of them believe their fortunes, the fortunes seem to predict and influence their activities. Misunderstandings and angst fill the teenage girls' lives. The dynamics of the friendship shift and change. Outsiders infiltrate the group becoming new friends. All their problems are resolved in the resolution.
Megan is the character I identified with the most. She is the leader -- always planning the group activities and resolving conflicts. I found the personalities different among the teenagers. Some were stronger than others. Each girl growing from the experiences associated with their fortune. This novella is character driven. The descriptions are vibrant. The settings easy to follow with each character. There is a budding romance (f/f). No cursing or sexual content is found within the pages of this novella. I feel middle grade girls will relate to one or more of the protagonists in this book.
I received this e-book as a gift from the author. The review is my own and is not influenced by the gift.
Megan is the character I identified with the most. She is the leader -- always planning the group activities and resolving conflicts. I found the personalities different among the teenagers. Some were stronger than others. Each girl growing from the experiences associated with their fortune. This novella is character driven. The descriptions are vibrant. The settings easy to follow with each character. There is a budding romance (f/f). No cursing or sexual content is found within the pages of this novella. I feel middle grade girls will relate to one or more of the protagonists in this book.
I received this e-book as a gift from the author. The review is my own and is not influenced by the gift.
April 28, 2023
A great read for teens and even adults about perception and reality. It often seems like someone else has the better life, but you need to make sure you have the full story before you start judging their story through your lens or you'll most likely be wrong. The characters were very realistic and this author definitely has experience with teen girls and the way they think as she very aptly created a world of teen drama and friendship experiences in a real world way. I definitely have a few nieces that I'll be purchasing this short story for!
June 11, 2023
This was a fun, quick read about five teens who get a fortune that upends each of their lives. All five of them learn that change is inevitable and sometimes much better than you fear. They learn that you have to hold onto the people who are important to you no matter what happens. Very well-written and poignant story.
April 18, 2023
This was a fun book, especially since I could definitely see my own 14 year old going through some of these pains. I really enjoyed the girls and their own stories, both the characters and what they went through was unique and lovely. I wish there had been a bit more to the stories and a bit more to the fortunes, but that's just because I enjoyed it so much!
March 18, 2023
I received a review copy of Five Fortunes from the author. I have been a fan of Barbara Venkataraman’s books since I read Tea Time with Mrs Grammar Person. I am also an admirer of her quirky books (I love quirky people) and her pursuit for justice memoir Accidental Activist.
Therefore, even though I am not the target age for Five Fortunes, I enjoyed it because of the message in the story. Five young girls decide to get their fortunes from a machine just for fun. However, as it usually happens, even though they say they don’t believe in fortunes, they start looking at everything believing the worst is a result of the fortune.
Too often we are accepting of the first bad thing that happens as our fate. This story shows that our perceptions are not always accurate and sometimes what we think is bad will be one of the best things to happen to us.
Five Fortunes is a fun read, but it is also a good lesson for young people.
Therefore, even though I am not the target age for Five Fortunes, I enjoyed it because of the message in the story. Five young girls decide to get their fortunes from a machine just for fun. However, as it usually happens, even though they say they don’t believe in fortunes, they start looking at everything believing the worst is a result of the fortune.
Too often we are accepting of the first bad thing that happens as our fate. This story shows that our perceptions are not always accurate and sometimes what we think is bad will be one of the best things to happen to us.
Five Fortunes is a fun read, but it is also a good lesson for young people.
February 8, 2023
You know when you find an author whose style is easily recognizable and just as enjoyable and you want to read everything they write? Well, this author has become that person for me.
Though this book is a departure from her Jamie Quinn Mystery Series, it is still so much fun. It involves a group of teenage girls who receive their fortunes from an arcade game and how they are surprised to discover they all come true in one fashion or another. It is about discovering not only who you are but also who you can become.
Many thanks to Barbara for sending this to me!
Though this book is a departure from her Jamie Quinn Mystery Series, it is still so much fun. It involves a group of teenage girls who receive their fortunes from an arcade game and how they are surprised to discover they all come true in one fashion or another. It is about discovering not only who you are but also who you can become.
Many thanks to Barbara for sending this to me!
February 18, 2023
This book is about the friendships shared by five young teens and how they are tested when all agree to get fortunes from a machine. The girls are each experiencing stressful situations at home or school and things get especially difficult when there are missed communications regarding a planned event they were going to attend together. Because of their fortunes their sensitivities are heightened and the girls assume their fortunes are responsible. A classmate has some fun with one of the five because she uses an alias and a disguise to tease her. Their interaction is fun, while some of the other friends experience more sensitive family difficulties. Overall, the book is a good YA read. It is a quick and smart short story for a young teen audience.
I received a copy of the book from the author for my honest review. It is a good short story and I would choose it for a preteen or young teen to enjoy.
I received a copy of the book from the author for my honest review. It is a good short story and I would choose it for a preteen or young teen to enjoy.
March 4, 2023
I was provided a copy of Five Fortunes from Mrs. Venkatraman. It is a young adult story that is stand alone.
Despite having five main characters and side characters each girl is presented with a clear personality that makes it easy to tell them apart. One of the best parts is that each chapter has a title, it has become so rare for author's to include that but really adds a lot to the story for the reader in my opinion. One hundred percent the story was driven by teenage antics and not by romance which I strongly approve of. More stories need to show that it is okay to enjoy being a teen and hanging out with friends. At times the girls did feel a bit stereotypical but that is alright since it makes it easier for girls this age in ways, I know at that age I had a category I considered myself to be in.
The only moment where I struggled a little bit was the very start, is felt a bit like the first couple pages were a sample of the writing of what was going to happen. It was not until I finished a couple chapters I realized the story went from the girls about to get their fortunes to skipping over that part and the girls having their fortunes.
Consistent writing with a lovely flow and words that are appropriate for a young teen. At parts I laughed out loud at the story and other parts wondered how all the fortunes would play out for each girl. Another major bonus is the chapters were consistent in length so it does not mess with the pace of reading.
All in all a delightful read that I see young teens enjoying and not being overly intimated by since it is shorter in length but in no way lacking in a nicely well rounded story.
*being gifted the story in no way affects my review
Despite having five main characters and side characters each girl is presented with a clear personality that makes it easy to tell them apart. One of the best parts is that each chapter has a title, it has become so rare for author's to include that but really adds a lot to the story for the reader in my opinion. One hundred percent the story was driven by teenage antics and not by romance which I strongly approve of. More stories need to show that it is okay to enjoy being a teen and hanging out with friends. At times the girls did feel a bit stereotypical but that is alright since it makes it easier for girls this age in ways, I know at that age I had a category I considered myself to be in.
The only moment where I struggled a little bit was the very start, is felt a bit like the first couple pages were a sample of the writing of what was going to happen. It was not until I finished a couple chapters I realized the story went from the girls about to get their fortunes to skipping over that part and the girls having their fortunes.
Consistent writing with a lovely flow and words that are appropriate for a young teen. At parts I laughed out loud at the story and other parts wondered how all the fortunes would play out for each girl. Another major bonus is the chapters were consistent in length so it does not mess with the pace of reading.
All in all a delightful read that I see young teens enjoying and not being overly intimated by since it is shorter in length but in no way lacking in a nicely well rounded story.
*being gifted the story in no way affects my review
February 3, 2023
‘Don’t tell me you actually believe this crazy stuff?’ - one fine novella
Florida author Barbara Venkataraman, an attorney and mediator specializing in family law and debt collection, has another avocation - writing books directed more for children and young adults and humorous essays for those who enjoy parody mixed with social comment. She has enjoyed considerable success with her Jamie Quinn Mystery series, and now she adds a short novel, FIVE FORTUNES, and demonstrates that her imagination is rich!
As the brief synopsis outlines, ‘When five fourteen-year-old girls get their fortunes from an arcade machine just for kicks, it turns their world upside-down and their close-knit group of friends starts to fall apart. Misunderstandings abound as allegiances shift and outsiders start to come between them. The fortunes seem to be self-fulfilling prophecies - whether the girls believe in them or not .Do our beliefs color our perception of the world? Do we ever see ourselves the way others see us, and why is change so hard?’ The manner in which Barbara addresses these last two questions proves to be a portal to introspection for the reader. This is a wholly delightful novella to explore teenage antics that stir thoughtful reflections. Take a deep breath away from the madness of today and jump in for the fun of it!
Florida author Barbara Venkataraman, an attorney and mediator specializing in family law and debt collection, has another avocation - writing books directed more for children and young adults and humorous essays for those who enjoy parody mixed with social comment. She has enjoyed considerable success with her Jamie Quinn Mystery series, and now she adds a short novel, FIVE FORTUNES, and demonstrates that her imagination is rich!
As the brief synopsis outlines, ‘When five fourteen-year-old girls get their fortunes from an arcade machine just for kicks, it turns their world upside-down and their close-knit group of friends starts to fall apart. Misunderstandings abound as allegiances shift and outsiders start to come between them. The fortunes seem to be self-fulfilling prophecies - whether the girls believe in them or not .Do our beliefs color our perception of the world? Do we ever see ourselves the way others see us, and why is change so hard?’ The manner in which Barbara addresses these last two questions proves to be a portal to introspection for the reader. This is a wholly delightful novella to explore teenage antics that stir thoughtful reflections. Take a deep breath away from the madness of today and jump in for the fun of it!
February 12, 2023
Five friends get a fortune paper each and find that their lives change in strange ways. A little bit “Tales of the Unexpected” as this story is not going to end in the way you think. The girls begin to look at each other in a different way all because of their interpretation of what is written on a piece of paper. Great characters that will obviously be friends for life. This is a story that makes you think about what is important in life and how we treat each other. A great book for teenagers as well as adults. Thank you Ms. Venkataraman for my ARC. Whenever I read one of your books I have to look at life from a different angle. You must be one brilliant attorney seeing every facet of life and bringing fairness, sympathy and kindness into your books as well as a good story. I hope you will do a follow up to this book.
March 21, 2023
Five Fortunes is a quick read, under one hundred pages, but Barbara Venkataraman packs so much story into these pages. Four fourteen year old girls are persuaded by their friend to have their fortunes told from an arcade machine. The girls are close friends but misunderstandings, problems in the home and perceived sleights force the girls to take a look at their relationships, who they really are and what they are looking for in life. While no one took their fortunes seriously, Venkataraman places the girls in situations that reflect the fortunes that each received. Along the way there is laughter and tears and it gives a chance to reflect on our own experiences growing into adulthood. This is a young adult story that I would recommend not only to young teens, but also to readers to all ages.
March 29, 2023
Note: This book was given to me by the author in exchange for an honest review.
This is a super cute easy read and would do well 5th-9th graders IMO. Five long-time friends get fortunes at mall and chaos ensues shortly after as each of them starts seeing that fortune come true in their lives. I found all five characters to be really well-written and each has their own personality that is easy to keep well defined in your head as you’re reading. Teen girls only have so much depth but I felt like each had very clear traits and quirks that kept them each interesting in their own way. I felt like the drama of teenager-hood was well-played and remember well how things that may seem small now felt like the end of the world during those years. All in all, I would recommend this book. I think the entire flow of the book was very well-written.
This is a super cute easy read and would do well 5th-9th graders IMO. Five long-time friends get fortunes at mall and chaos ensues shortly after as each of them starts seeing that fortune come true in their lives. I found all five characters to be really well-written and each has their own personality that is easy to keep well defined in your head as you’re reading. Teen girls only have so much depth but I felt like each had very clear traits and quirks that kept them each interesting in their own way. I felt like the drama of teenager-hood was well-played and remember well how things that may seem small now felt like the end of the world during those years. All in all, I would recommend this book. I think the entire flow of the book was very well-written.
February 26, 2023
For a bit of fun, five friends decide to try out the new fortune-teller game; however, will the fortunes depict actual events, or do the friends make the scenario fit?
Megan doesn't believe in predictions, although it was her idea for her friends and her to get their fortunes told. Lori wasn't a fan of predictions either, but Alison & Abby are in for a couple of surprises. Rihanna's good fortune seems to have taken a wrong turn.
Each fortune seems geared towards a particular situation that each girl is experiencing. Will their fortunes be a help or a hindrance?
One upset starts the ball in motion leading each girl to consider their reading and how it will play out in their situation.
This was a quick read and the author has depicted teenage turmoil with relationships and the self-doubt that growing up brings from misunderstandings and emotions running amok. I enjoyed how each fortune played out with the five friends. This is a good book for teens.
I received a complimentary copy, and I have voluntarily reviewed this book.
Megan doesn't believe in predictions, although it was her idea for her friends and her to get their fortunes told. Lori wasn't a fan of predictions either, but Alison & Abby are in for a couple of surprises. Rihanna's good fortune seems to have taken a wrong turn.
Each fortune seems geared towards a particular situation that each girl is experiencing. Will their fortunes be a help or a hindrance?
One upset starts the ball in motion leading each girl to consider their reading and how it will play out in their situation.
This was a quick read and the author has depicted teenage turmoil with relationships and the self-doubt that growing up brings from misunderstandings and emotions running amok. I enjoyed how each fortune played out with the five friends. This is a good book for teens.
I received a complimentary copy, and I have voluntarily reviewed this book.
April 8, 2023
Five Fortunes is a cute novella about a group of five teenage girls. They each receive a fortune from an arcade machine and over the next day or so those fortunes come true one way or another. I liked the way the fortunes were a way to drive the girls' actions and led to them questioning parts of their lives and the way that they acted.
Although none of the fortunes causes the girls lives to fall apart, they do make them question things and possibly look at a different way of doing something. Leading to knew friendships, family and understanding along the way.
This is a short story, one that I read through in a morning sitting, but it's none the less enjoyable for that. I really enjoyed finding out how the fortunes were going to change things for the girls.
Although none of the fortunes causes the girls lives to fall apart, they do make them question things and possibly look at a different way of doing something. Leading to knew friendships, family and understanding along the way.
This is a short story, one that I read through in a morning sitting, but it's none the less enjoyable for that. I really enjoyed finding out how the fortunes were going to change things for the girls.
February 27, 2023
While geared towards pre-teens, I found this too be an enjoyable read. As in all her books, the author absolutely excels at capturing all the minute details about people, which just brings them to life on the page. Not only do you feel that you know the characters, but you feel that you know them so well that you are wholly engrossed and invested in them as characters.
This short book deals with a group of teenage girls, and fortunes that they all receive one night. We see how they set out to either disprove, or prove, their fortunes and what they learn along the way. The perspective is what I found to be relevant, and could be applied to any age.
It's a fast read but it's perfectly paced.
This short book deals with a group of teenage girls, and fortunes that they all receive one night. We see how they set out to either disprove, or prove, their fortunes and what they learn along the way. The perspective is what I found to be relevant, and could be applied to any age.
It's a fast read but it's perfectly paced.
March 12, 2023
This was a short story of 5 friends who get their fortunes told by a game. Each has her own experience. Megan feels she does have fake friends when none of them show up at the club. Rihanna feels she has no freedom and her strict father grounds her. He then has his sister to come and live with them . Rihanna dreaded her aunt coming but it turns out to be a blessing. The twins mother is in Dubai working when Abby gets a job offer in which she has to bring her grades up to keep the job. Alison is the smart and athletic twin that appears to have a love interest or possible new friend Summer. Lori is a glorified babysitter which she hates.
April 15, 2023
This is a great book for the YA set, it explains everything that will happen to them that seems traumatic at the time but is just normal. The close knit group of five girls get their fortunes from an arcade machine just for kicks which leads to all sorts of misunderstandings and bruised feelings.
Is what we think going to happen because we think it or is what going to happen, happen just because. How do missed texts, misunderstandings and small slights matter when it comes to our emotions. This is a good read and you can sit down and enjoy the entire book at once or you can enjoy it over several days.
Is what we think going to happen because we think it or is what going to happen, happen just because. How do missed texts, misunderstandings and small slights matter when it comes to our emotions. This is a good read and you can sit down and enjoy the entire book at once or you can enjoy it over several days.
February 13, 2023
Five teenage friends get their fortune told by an arcade machine (i got a bit of the movie big vibes from that one) only they seem to take their fortune way too literally and that in itself brought its own complications. Although the main characters were teenagers and might not be aimed at my age i found this book refreshingly witty and funny. Filled with teenage angst and misunderstandings. Five Fortunes was a quick, engaging read with characters that brought back all the fun and pitfalls of being a teenager for me
March 12, 2023
This is a cute short novel about 5 friends who get their fortunes from an arcade and what happens as a result. Each girl is grappling with personal problems that briefly derail their friendships, but by the end of the story they come to the realization that things may not be as bad as they seem.
With YA literature trending to delve into more serious topics, this light-hearted book might be better suited to a slightly younger audience. Older teens might find it a bit childish. But it’s fun, with a message about life that anyone can understand.
With YA literature trending to delve into more serious topics, this light-hearted book might be better suited to a slightly younger audience. Older teens might find it a bit childish. But it’s fun, with a message about life that anyone can understand.
February 10, 2023
I'm always thrilled when this author requests a review - she writes so well!
Five girls - mid teens - get their fortunes from an arcade machine; suddenly, the tight-knit bunch aren't are close as misunderstandings begin and allegiances shift. Can it all really be down to a few fortune cards?
I'm very fond of a short story and Barbara Venkataraman is excellent at writing them! Although this one is about YA, she doesn't 'talk down' as some do and it is just as enjoyable to a woman in her sixties as to a teenager. Mind you, it doesn't make me want to relive my own teenage years - all that angst and uncertainty! Beautifully written as always, - and with a gorgeous cover - some food for thought and very entertaining. A first class read from a first class writer and easily earning a full house of stars. *****
Five girls - mid teens - get their fortunes from an arcade machine; suddenly, the tight-knit bunch aren't are close as misunderstandings begin and allegiances shift. Can it all really be down to a few fortune cards?
I'm very fond of a short story and Barbara Venkataraman is excellent at writing them! Although this one is about YA, she doesn't 'talk down' as some do and it is just as enjoyable to a woman in her sixties as to a teenager. Mind you, it doesn't make me want to relive my own teenage years - all that angst and uncertainty! Beautifully written as always, - and with a gorgeous cover - some food for thought and very entertaining. A first class read from a first class writer and easily earning a full house of stars. *****
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