Harp's Song (Harp's Song #1) by Cassie Shine ---> Starting on the 17th of May, 2014

[rachel, x]

Harp's Song by Cassie Shine

In just a few months Harp Evans will be officially coming of age and graduating from high school. She will be free from the mother that never wanted her, the house that never felt like home, and the disappointment of the last seventeen years. What she doesn’t know is that her mother has been holding onto a secret that has the potential to derail her dreams and destroy her already faulty sense of self.

A self-proclaimed recluse, Harp spends most of her time practicing the cello, in the hopes of earning a full scholarship that will grant her freedom, but will also send her away from her best friend Connor Williams, who is becoming more than just a friend.

As revelations are made, will Harp still feel the same way about leaving everyone that cares about her behind? Or will she continue to pursue the life she’s been dreaming of, for as long as she can remember?

Join Emily and I on the 17th for this. :)

[Abi]

I just got the approval email come back. I can't do the 17th, so i'll join a bit later and start on the 18th. :)

[Rachmi]

I just got the approval too! Will join you guys, though I think will be a little bit late :)

[Emily]

I'm running a little bit behind! Will hopefully start this Sunday!! I have a book I NEED to read by monday and I haven't started yet... Ooops.

[rachel, x]

Emily wrote: "I'm running a little bit behind! Will hopefully start this Sunday!! I have a book I NEED to read by monday and I haven't started yet... Ooops."

That's okay. Don't worry. I'll try and start today or tomorrow, whatever is easiest. :)

[Emily]

Okay well I'm starting Transformed today, should get it down by midday tomorrow! You can start if you want and I'll just comment back when I get to it :)

[Rachmi]

I think I'm going to start it on Sunday too since I haven't yet finished my currently reading now.

[rachel, x]

My copy doesn't have any chapters so I'll have post my updates in percentages. Oh, and I have to go out soonish so I don't know how much I'll get read.

19% - (view spoiler)[The writing is really annoying. Anyone else finding that!? I don't like it. Its very "dumpish", if that makes sense. Its more tell than show and its making it drag.

I'm a little bored at the moment. Connor's "I love you" was too sudden. The party incident was weird. (hide spoiler)]

[rachel, x]

Sorry, I' back and I snuck some more in between my studying.

28% - (view spoiler)[Bored. I can see that this is going to be dramatic with him moving now. What is going to happen at the rematch...? I just cannot get into this. It seems so long-winded. (hide spoiler)]

[rachel, x]

38% - (view spoiler)[It does feel a little sudden. (hide spoiler)]

[rachel, x]

42% - (view spoiler)[Awkward conversation!! (hide spoiler)]

[rachel, x]

63% - (view spoiler)[That was rather a long-winded discussion. Obviously that is completely horrible but does she seriously expect that her confession will make it all okay between Harp and her now? Why the sudden change - surely one thing that Harp said isn't going to change a lifetime of habits. I'm not sure I'm on board with this "twist", it seemed to be there simply for drama's sake. Bored. (hide spoiler)]

[Abi]

Starting now. :)

[Rachmi]

Rachel wrote: "My copy doesn't have any chapters so I'll have post my updates in percentages. Oh, and I have to go out soonish so I don't know how much I'll get read.

19% - The writing is really annoying. Anyone..."

(view spoiler)[Agree, Rachel. Although I can't point out what it is but I feel like there is missing something in the writing. And I also can't connect with both Connor and Harp. I'm on 22%, by the way.

And what's ding dong girls? can you explain to me? because I seriously don't have any idea what is it. or is it cheerleader? (hide spoiler)]

Mine doesn't have chapters too. I guess the title (....days) is the beginning of each chapter.

[Abi]

5% - (view spoiler)[ Her mother is horrible! (hide spoiler)]

[rachel, x]

Rachmi wrote: "Rachel wrote: "My copy doesn't have any chapters so I'll have post my updates in percentages. Oh, and I have to go out soonish so I don't know how much I'll get read.

19% - The writing is really a..."

(view spoiler)[I have to say that the writing doesn't get better (at 63%). You're right its just missing "something"!!

And I have no idea! I hate reading books set in American schools. Their education system seems so stupid. I also gets myself confused with the terms "jocks" and all this cheerleading nonsense and their proms and Queens/Kings. Oh, and how they use those weird names for year levels. I mean what even is a freshman or a sophomore? Year 8? Year 9? Year 10? Why cannot these just go in numbers? What do they call their primary grades then? I mean instead of Year 1, Year 2 etc.? Sigh. I really hope (for there sake) that real American schools aren't like this. So no, I don't know "ding dong" means. sorry! Rant over. :) (hide spoiler)]

[rachel, x]

Abbie wrote: "5% - [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[You have no idea!! :) (hide spoiler)]

[Rachmi]

Hahaha, you surely are ranting, Rachel (view spoiler)[but I get your point and I understand it. Here is also use class 1 to 12, so it's kinda confusing when I read about freshman, sophomore, junior and serior while at the sama time they use eighth grade and so on. I'm used to it, though. I guess it's because I read a lot of YA books that set in America :D And about jocks, nerd, and all I think it's more about social level at high school that they created. Most of the time it connects to bullying, well...at least that's what I often read. (hide spoiler)]

[rachel, x]

Rachmi wrote: "Hahaha, you surely are ranting, Rachel [spoilers removed]"

Sorry about that! I really get frustrated reading books with these settings - which I am finding out is most of YA fiction, unfortunately! (view spoiler)[Yes, here we use numbers for grades so I have no clue what a freshman is. Do you? :) (hide spoiler)]

[rachel, x]

71% - (view spoiler)[He was there!? That sooo unbelievable! And why did she run from Connor? And why did Ethan punch him? These guys have some serious anger management issues. (hide spoiler)]

[rachel, x]

81% - (view spoiler)[Wait, why the hell did she do that?? Now she's going to be under his thumb and won't be able to get away. Sigh. She's so stupid. (hide spoiler)]

[Abi]

Rachel wrote: "My copy doesn't have any chapters so I'll have post my updates in percentages. Oh, and I have to go out soonish so I don't know how much I'll get read.

19% - The writing is really annoying. Anyone..."

It can be quite jumpy too. (view spoiler)[She went to this party, then it said she went to florida, then it was the night / morning after of the party again. (hide spoiler)]

[Abi]

Rachel wrote: "Rachmi wrote: "Rachel wrote: "My copy doesn't have any chapters so I'll have post my updates in percentages. Oh, and I have to go out soonish so I don't know how much I'll get read.

19% - The writ..."

(view spoiler)[ I never understand the school years either. We have Nursery, Then years 1 - 6 in primary school, then have years 7-12 in senior school. Freshman / Sophomore ect really confuse me! (hide spoiler)]

[Emily]

Okay I'm starting now! Sorry I'm a little on the late side :)

[Rachmi]

Rachel wrote: "Rachmi wrote: "Hahaha, you surely are ranting, Rachel [spoilers removed]"

Sorry about that! I really get frustrated reading books with these settings - which I am finding out is most of YA fiction..."

Don't worry, Rachel. I don't mind since I feel the same :D

[Emily]

how is it so far? please don't tell me its another dud?

[Rachmi]

Abbie wrote: "Rachel wrote: "My copy doesn't have any chapters so I'll have post my updates in percentages. Oh, and I have to go out soonish so I don't know how much I'll get read.

19% - The writing is really a..."

Agree! (view spoiler)[Especially since it's a long chapter. I didn't read it in one sitting. I mean I read the beginning of the chapter and the put itnon hold for hours to take a nap and when I continue it, I lost track :D I have to turn back pages to know whether she talked about her past or present time :D (hide spoiler)]

[Rachmi]

Abbie wrote: "Rachel wrote: "My copy doesn't have any chapters so I'll have post my updates in percentages. Oh, and I have to go out soonish so I don't know how much I'll get read.

19% - The writing is really a..."

Agree! (view spoiler)[Especially since it's a long chapter. I didn't read it in one sitting. I mean I read the beginning of the chapter and the put itnon hold for hours to take a nap and when I continue it, I lost track :D I have to turn back pages to know whether she talked about her past or present time :D (hide spoiler)]

[Abi]

Rachel wrote: "38% - [spoilers removed]"

Yep.

[Abi]

Emily wrote: "how is it so far? please don't tell me its another dud?"

It's alright, nothing great though.

[Rachmi]

Emily wrote: "how is it so far? please don't tell me its another dud?"

For me, there's something off in the writing. The flow doesn't smooth and rather jumpy as Abbie said. And I don't know but I just couldn't connect to Harp and Connor and am on 30% now

[Emily]

Okay thanks guys. I can cope with alright... I think!

[rachel, x]

Abbie wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Rachmi wrote: "Rachel wrote: "My copy doesn't have any chapters so I'll have post my updates in percentages. Oh, and I have to go out soonish so I don't know how much I'll get read.
..."

(view spoiler)[We have reception (first year of primary school) then years 1 - 7 in primary school and 8 - 12 in high school. (hide spoiler)]

[rachel, x]

Emily wrote: "Okay thanks guys. I can cope with alright... I think!"

It was okay. 2 stars for me.

[rachel, x]

100% - (view spoiler)[This was just utterly, utterly pointless. The whole thing was just... nothing! And really boring. (hide spoiler)]

[Abi]

Rachel wrote: "Abbie wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Rachmi wrote: "Rachel wrote: "My copy doesn't have any chapters so I'll have post my updates in percentages. Oh, and I have to go out soonish so I don't know how much I..."

Ah yes, we have reception before year one too.
A lot simpler than what Americans call their years!

[Abi]

Rachel wrote: "Emily wrote: "Okay thanks guys. I can cope with alright... I think!"

It was okay. 2 stars for me."

I'm at 38% and so far it's a 2.5 from me. I'm getting bored now though.

[rachel, x]

Abbie wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Abbie wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Rachmi wrote: "Rachel wrote: "My copy doesn't have any chapters so I'll have post my updates in percentages. Oh, and I have to go out soonish so I don't ..."

I know right! Its rather complicated for such a simply thing really.

[rachel, x]

Abbie wrote: "Rachel wrote: "Emily wrote: "Okay thanks guys. I can cope with alright... I think!"

It was okay. 2 stars for me."

I'm at 38% and so far it's a 2.5 from me. I'm getting bored now though."

It gets worse unfortunately!

[Emily]

Wishing I hadn't asked now :/

[Abi]

Rachel wrote: "42% - [spoilers removed]"

Yep!

[Abi]

50% - (view spoiler)[ She's treated her like crap for years, and now she's suddenly changed? It's a bit hard to believe. (hide spoiler)]

[rachel, x]

Abbie wrote: "50% - [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[Wayyyy too hard to believe!! (hide spoiler)]

[Abi]

Rachel wrote: "63% - [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Like you said, it's a horrible thing that happened to her... but i can't believe she thinks that because Harp knows now, it will all be okay. She's treated her like crap. Harp knowing what happened, and knowing that she loved her when she was born, isn't going to change everything her mother done in the past. Harps not going to forget everything that's happened in the past. (hide spoiler)]

[Abi]

Rachel wrote: "71% - [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ So unbelievable!! (hide spoiler)]

[Rachmi]

So...I read it so slow, (am on 45% now) not because I don't want it to finish but because other things keep distracting me. This book couldn't make me glue to it. But I keep thinking (view spoiler)[why Harp's mom hates her so much, could it be because she was raped when she was young and that was why she has Harp now? (hide spoiler)].

[Emily]

Rachel wrote: "63% - [spoilers removed]"

That's what I thought (view spoiler)[ also was it just me or did she manage to hit every abuse victim cliché? I hate it when a abuse victims then become the abusers because people believe that that's the norm and it's just not! (hide spoiler)]

[Emily]

Abbie wrote: "50% - [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ it was all ridiculously sudden! (hide spoiler)]

[Emily]

Rachel wrote: "100% - [spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ I am a little baffled as to what actually happened? The ending did my head in! For me it could have been saved with a half decent ending... but it didn't actually end. I just seemed to stop. (hide spoiler)]

[Emily]

(view spoiler)[ Is it bad that I was kind of hoping that the fall she took after her mum pushed her in the bath tub was going to lead to come kind of brain injury? I thought it would have been a bit more exciting... a REAL reason for her mum to change. Also was it just me or what the whole mum getting sick thing really random?
I didn't hate this book but there are SO many holes in the plot (hide spoiler)]