E. Bell

I've had this book on my R4R list for a while, and admittedly, was saving it for a time I could really enjoy it. I find books written on the sort of topic as this one interesting, and always look forward to savoring them. This one left me a bit...disappointed.

It wasn't horrible, don't get me wrong. It did keep me entertained, for the most part. It was slightly confusing though, and a bit choppy. The characters weren't well-rounded enough for the depth of this story, and many details were forgotten or left hanging.

All in all, it's simply an amateur book. The writing seems like that of a student in high school. The concept is interesting, but needs to be developed more. There needs to be more depth in the core plot, and fewer details in irreverent areas, such as side characters that don't help the plot progress.

With some work, this could be a four-star book. Because I like the plot idea so much, I'm rating it three stars, although if it was any other plot, I would give it two. At the moment, because of it left me wanting, lacks depth, and has immature writing, it isn't a book I'd recommend to others, unless you're a interested enough in the topic to overlook the areas it's lacking. I'd like to see more from this author in the future, because this book shows promise.

*I received an eCopy of this book, from the author, to read in exchange for an honest review.… (más)

** Review written for an originally posted on my blog, Book Bliss.I received a copy of this book in exchange for an unbiased and honest review**

Review: 3.5 stars

General: I thought the vision behind this book was fantastic. Facebook is such a powerful tool today for everything that using it as the “bad” in a book was great. I sit behind my computer and look through old personal photos all the time (on a hard drive) and was immediately drawn into the idea of a character spiraling out of control because of it. Tackling the issue of bullying, as well as malcontent in one’s life are always an emotional journey and I felt it was very well done and not overdone as some bullying pieces are.

I enjoyed the use of diary entries as a way to tell the story. I didn’t even mind the majority of the book being in the past as the story was compelling, but I do wish that more time had been devoted to the present tense once the journey began. Also, a few editing and structure things that the English freak in me couldn’t get over while reading that lowered the review.

Characters: Listina- I thought Listina was very fun and easy to relate to, even in her bitterness and during her spiral. Her life wasn’t perfect but on paper it’s a life many young women would want. I wish we had a little more time with her as an adult to react post the spiral to have seen into her even more. The younger version of her via the diary entries was heart breaking. You could feel the hurt and the torture that she went through and an easy to relate to character became an easy to sympathize with character.… (más)