"The way stories change us can't be explained... It can only be felt."
This was a beautifully written and moving story that pays a strong tribute to th"The way stories change us can't be explained... It can only be felt."
This was a beautifully written and moving story that pays a strong tribute to the power of stories. I loved learning more about C.S. Lewis's life and what may or may not have inspired him to create Narnia. The relationship between Megs and George was so sweet and made you feel like you were also a part of this family. I think the way Henry wove the "lion" throughout this story had to be my favorite part. As a Christian, it holds a very powerful message how God is right there with us as we're walking through the journeys of our life, both the good and the bad, and how even death cannot separate us from Him. (But that last chapter just about made me cry!)
"And he heard, as loud as a new world thundering out of the cosmos, the mighty roar of a lion."...more
I should probably begin this review by saying that I haven’t read Oliver Twist and know very little about it. So fans of the original class*2.5 stars*
I should probably begin this review by saying that I haven’t read Oliver Twist and know very little about it. So fans of the original classic tale that Olivia Twist is based on might have enjoyed this book more than me. They might've noticed references or nods to the classic book and have gotten more excited with characters and plot twists than I did, though I will admit that, even though Olivia Twist was sadly a miss for me, it does make me want to read the novel by Charles Dickens one day.
For the most part, I figured I would round Olivia Twist down to a two-star rating until close to the very end. The scene with Jack in the church really touched me and that is why I rounded up to three stars. All that to say, however, I didn’t hate this book and can see why others might enjoy it. But while there were certain parts I did like, it ultimately was not enough to salvage the parts I didn’t.
Our main heroine is Olivia Brownlow who grew up on the streets of London as an orphan and a thief, pretending to be a boy for safety reasons, before being found by her uncle and introduced into English high society. I never connected to Olivia because she felt like a typical female protagonist in a typical young adult book. I don’t always hate the “tough, fighter, not-like-other-girls” character cliché if the character has other layers to her or gives me a different approach to it (really anything that makes it not feel like I’m reading another cliché), but Olivia didn’t have any of that. She felt shallow, basic, and two-dimensional, and this is ultimately what ruined the book for me. I wasn’t ever a huge fan of Jack MacCarron—the former street lord who went under the name of the Artful Dodger—either, but I enjoyed his chapters more than Olivia’s because he was a flawed, scarred character who I wanted to see find a better place and life for himself.
Most of the other characters in the book felt equally lacking in depth and stereotypical. However, even though I didn’t connect to any of the characters, I did enjoy seeing their interactions with each other, especially Jack and his “cousin” Topher. (Actually, Topher was my favorite character in this book. Ah, he was such a gem!!!) They had a great brotherly bond that developed throughout the book and their scenes made for some great humorous additions! I found myself getting excited anytime Topher came on the scene and usually enjoyed those parts the most. (Can we get a book just about him please?)
Walking into this book, I didn’t know much of what to expect, but I thought it would be more of a historical mystery type of book set in the backdrop of Victorian London’s street gangs. (Maybe this is why I should read book blurbs more?) However, it turned out to be more of a romance book than I expected. Not that I don’t enjoy romance books, because I enjoy some, but I wanted something a little more fast-paced and centered on figuring out who this Monks guy was and what he wanted. (Refer back to earlier statements about knowing very little about Oliver Twist. Apparently, this Monks dude was also in the book. *shrugs*) Instead, I saw most of the plot twists from a mile away, was bored in the beginning with unnecessary “info dumps,” and had to drag my way through the last hundred pages because the romance wasn’t enough to pull me through to the end. It was probably because I already cared very little for the characters so the love triangle trope became more annoying than investing me into Olivia and Jack’s love story. (Though the ending was very sweet, and as I stated at the beginning of my review, that is why I moved the rating up to three stars. I did love how Langdon tied the ending together, and it felt satisfying, even if it did begin with a very rocky start.)
Critics aside, I did love the setting. Victorian England has always been one of my favorite time periods, and I love how the author showed the clash between the high society and their parties and ball gowns and also the slums where orphan children struggled for food and fought to survive on the cruel, unforgiving streets. Langdon did a splendid job of weaving the setting in a way to comes alive for the reader, and that alone is mostly what kept me turning the pages because I enjoyed being in the world, even at times when the plot dragged. It was a lot of fun to read about!
Just as with the characters, the theme also felt lacking in depth. It would’ve been interesting to see Olivia Twist address the age-old question if stealing is still wrong if it’s done for the right reasons (as in, to get food or provide for the orphans as Olivia was doing). Olivia just kind of pushes that part of her life away at the end, even though we do see the transformation with another character (can’t say who because of spoilers ;). The theme of “following your heart” was cheesy at best, but I did like the reminder that love means sacrifice, and that is what saved the theme and overall opinion of the story. It is a part of love we tend to forget in our modern world, that to love means less about what you can take for yourself and more about what you can give for someone else.
While I could’ve done with less romance and more action and most of the characters could’ve used some deeper development, Olivia Twist did have two things going for it: the setting was vivid and fun to be in and the reminder of what love really means was touching. Overall, I’m glad to have read it, but it likely is not a book that I will be returning to.
Content cautions: some brief, mild swearing (d**n, h*ll, da**it) and a lot more kisses, touching, and thoughts of it than I can list. I never felt the romance was “unclean” but it is a big point of the story, so if that’s something you tend to not want to read about, this probably isn’t the book for you.
“He straightened and stared at the altar and the cross, a truth settling deep into his soul—true love meant sacrifice.”
Wow, this book was an emotional ride! It was so interesting following along Caroline and Mat as they dug into the past and tried to find th*3.5 stars*
Wow, this book was an emotional ride! It was so interesting following along Caroline and Mat as they dug into the past and tried to find the truth amidst all the lies and secrecy that had been passed down through the generations. I felt Caroline's need and push for the truth in a way that I rarely connect with characters in books, and that's one of the things that stick out the most for me. Margo and Caro's relationship was so precious and moving, even with all the flaws. I loved reading the letters and diary entries, and it truly felt like uncovering a mystery. I related to Caro, her push for something bigger, and her need to do the right thing even when it's hard, so deeply. Also, YES, for all the historical nuggets. The history buff in me is quite pleased. The only negative I have is that at times Caroline was a bit of a self-focused character, always dwelling on her pain and emotions and struggling to let go that she rarely ever thought about the people around her. Even though I know this was her struggle and she needed to work through it in her own time, I got annoyed a couple of times, but at the same time, it does make her character arc all the more emotional so... I don't know what to think. *shrugs* ...more
*sobs into tissues* Why didn't y'all who've read the book pre-warn me this would rip my heart into shreds and then try to shove the messy lump back to*sobs into tissues* Why didn't y'all who've read the book pre-warn me this would rip my heart into shreds and then try to shove the messy lump back together again???
So in my first status update, I know I said the book was kinda meh, and it was at first BUT THEN we reached the middle of the book. And the end of the book. And now *sniffs* don't mind me, I'm a girl who just finished a REALLY GOOD BOOK and am now an emotional mess.
But it's all good.
I'll probably never be the same emotionally or mentally after reading this story.
But who cares?
It's worth it for the book.
The reason for the star cut-off was due to the continuing use of "OMG." I know everyone has different opinions here, but for me, I just can't hear or read God's name used in vain, even in the form of an acronym. You're allowed to have different beliefs, but God means everything to me, and I just cringe every time I hear His holy, powerful, awe-inspiring, magnificent name used so disrespectfully.
But besides that, honestly, this was a book I just needed right now in my life. For several reasons. And because of that, I really owe Caroline George my deepest gratitude. I doubt she'll ever read this, but if she does, then I have to say this. I needed this book. This story. This message. I really felt like God was whispering in my ear so many times. It put me on edge, it was hard to read at times, it made my heart feel things I thought I was past feeling, and through all the brokenness Elias and Josie had, I related instantly to that. And I think a piece of my own shattered and broken heart, might've mended just a bit. So Caroline George, if you ever read this, thank you. For writing this book, for publishing this book, and for sharing Elias and Josie's story with the world. Some people might believe in coincidences, but I don't think for a second it was a coincidence this book just happened to catch my eye on my way out of the library. That I just happened to put down another novel I was about to check out so I could read this one. That I just happened to stumble across it among the hundreds of other books and read it.
Alright let's be honest, I shouldn't be this open in a GoodReads review. ...more
For some unknown reason, I just have no idea how to start this review. Like, y'all, it was sooooo good I'm pretty much speechless over here. And t*4.5
For some unknown reason, I just have no idea how to start this review. Like, y'all, it was sooooo good I'm pretty much speechless over here. And the more I think about the book, the more I just want to go read it all over again. Let's just start with the characters. Claire and Peter were THE bests part of the whole novel. They were sooo well developed and just jumping off the pages. And I loooved how they had specific goals and motives that just moved the plot forward. And then let's talk about the actual plot. Y'all it was just AMAZING!!! Every time I thought I knew exactly how it was going to go, Swanson would slap me in the fact by turning it in a different direction. And that ending... *clutches heart*
Actually, that ending is something we DO NOT speak of over here. Let's just say, the whole reason I cut off half a star was because of that ending. I mean, Claire literally let me angry. And characters never make me THAT mad. But, man, I was just fuming through those last pages.
But, this review is not the best place to rant and talk about how I was definitely not okay emotionally at the end.
Back to how awesome this book was. The plot twists were INCREDIBLE, and I believe there was only one or two I saw coming. Which is AMAZING 'cause I'm someone who can normally see the plot twists comin' from a mile away. ;) Oooh, and can we talk about how beautiful and inspiring the whole message in the story was???? The whole part about who the creator of the stars sees you to be just left me melting in a puddle of happy feels. GORGEOUS!!! And Swanson's writing voice was just soooo beautiful. I LOVED IT!!!!
This Peter Pan retelling/sequel was done in such a creative way that has now seriously made me want to check out other Peter Pan retellings and actually read the book that started it all by J. M. Barrie. I don't think I can recommend this book enough to all my fellow fantasy readers and those who adore the Peter Pan novel by J. M. Barrie. Dust is a book you definitely don't want to miss out on.
Now, all I have to do is survive the month-long wait until the sequel is released!!!! (Is it bad that I'm secretly hoping Peter's gonna show Claire how wrong she was in doing what she did at the end? XD)...more
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