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Review Date: 7/21/2011
Helpful Score: 5
Books read for enjoyment should not make a person angry.
I'm a huge reader. I read books constantly and nearly always finish the ones I start, even the ones I don't necessarily like. It takes a great deal for me to *not* finish a book. This one I finally threw down in frustration only mid-way through. I tried, really I did, to finish this book. I kept hoping it would get better; there was potential for a good book. I'll try again with another book by this author, but if the next one fails as well, that's it.
Seriously, I would highly recommend you *don't bother* with this book. Here's why:
I do not need to be reminded of the name of the case every third page (if not more often--sometimes several times on the same page). I could not stand the so-called "heroine" who is nothing but a whiny brat and who claims to be a "grief counselor", yet is so stuck inside her own childhood memories that she refuses to allow any understanding or sympathy to be given to J.D. (the hero). She was constantly blaming J.D. for things her father did/didn't do when she was growing up. She refused to see other people's viewpoints or allow them to have their own opinion. She was just as bad/wrong as J.D.'s fourteen year old daughter.
There are more reasons that I could list for why I quit reading this book, but suffice it to say that this is *not* going to be a keeper for me. I'll probably check the end of the book to see who the killer is before I throw the book away (I refuse to post it and make another reader suffer!). Here's hoping the next Beverly Barton book I read is a whole lot better.
I'm a huge reader. I read books constantly and nearly always finish the ones I start, even the ones I don't necessarily like. It takes a great deal for me to *not* finish a book. This one I finally threw down in frustration only mid-way through. I tried, really I did, to finish this book. I kept hoping it would get better; there was potential for a good book. I'll try again with another book by this author, but if the next one fails as well, that's it.
Seriously, I would highly recommend you *don't bother* with this book. Here's why:
I do not need to be reminded of the name of the case every third page (if not more often--sometimes several times on the same page). I could not stand the so-called "heroine" who is nothing but a whiny brat and who claims to be a "grief counselor", yet is so stuck inside her own childhood memories that she refuses to allow any understanding or sympathy to be given to J.D. (the hero). She was constantly blaming J.D. for things her father did/didn't do when she was growing up. She refused to see other people's viewpoints or allow them to have their own opinion. She was just as bad/wrong as J.D.'s fourteen year old daughter.
There are more reasons that I could list for why I quit reading this book, but suffice it to say that this is *not* going to be a keeper for me. I'll probably check the end of the book to see who the killer is before I throw the book away (I refuse to post it and make another reader suffer!). Here's hoping the next Beverly Barton book I read is a whole lot better.
Review Date: 6/22/2010
I had never read any of Juliet Marillier's novels before and was happily surprised by the depth and dimension found in Heart's Blood. Very well written. I love a novel in which both the primary and secondary characters come alive on the pages. By the end of this book, I didn't want to say goodbye to my new-found friends.
Everyone had a small but oh so important part to play in the unfolding of this tale, and Ms. Marillier made it all mesh together seamlessly. This story has mystery, intrigue, sorrow, joy, horror, romance, humor--it's all there.
The only thing preventing me from keeping this book and adding it to my collection of favorites is the 'chamber of horrors' midway through the story and the dark magic at the end. Even though it was 'needed' to make everything turn out right, it smacked too much of the occult for me. That was the only thing holding this story back from becoming a much-read-over-and-over-again favorite.
Still, if referrences to the occult and descriptions of dark magic don't bother you, this is a very well written novel worth reading. Enjoy!
Everyone had a small but oh so important part to play in the unfolding of this tale, and Ms. Marillier made it all mesh together seamlessly. This story has mystery, intrigue, sorrow, joy, horror, romance, humor--it's all there.
The only thing preventing me from keeping this book and adding it to my collection of favorites is the 'chamber of horrors' midway through the story and the dark magic at the end. Even though it was 'needed' to make everything turn out right, it smacked too much of the occult for me. That was the only thing holding this story back from becoming a much-read-over-and-over-again favorite.
Still, if referrences to the occult and descriptions of dark magic don't bother you, this is a very well written novel worth reading. Enjoy!
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