Scan barcode
erickibler4's review against another edition
3.0
It's common with series fiction that the initial entries are not the strongest. But being a fan of series fiction, I'm willing to look beyond the aspects that don't work for me to the elements that do. So to start, I'll just say the plotting of this novel seemed a little thin for a mystery. Now I'll move on to what I liked.
I found the protagonist, Troy Chance, to be an extremely likable, complex, and well drawn character. She's affable and makes friends easily, but keeps a distance from people nonetheless. She never lets anyone get too close. She's practical, unfussy, athletic, and a bit of a tomboy. She's unconcerned with "girly" things. She remarks that she's not yet the person she wants to be, but I'll be reading the subsequent novels to see who she becomes.
It seems to me this book, and presumably the series to follow, although they take the form of "murder mysteries", are less concerned with plot and mayhem and more concerned with the phenomenon of human connection.
I found the protagonist, Troy Chance, to be an extremely likable, complex, and well drawn character. She's affable and makes friends easily, but keeps a distance from people nonetheless. She never lets anyone get too close. She's practical, unfussy, athletic, and a bit of a tomboy. She's unconcerned with "girly" things. She remarks that she's not yet the person she wants to be, but I'll be reading the subsequent novels to see who she becomes.
It seems to me this book, and presumably the series to follow, although they take the form of "murder mysteries", are less concerned with plot and mayhem and more concerned with the phenomenon of human connection.
purplesky02's review against another edition
3.0
I mostly liked this book. There were a few things I didn't like: the long passages on bike repair and upkeep. Also, there was way too much written about computers. I don't think paragraphs about how to maintain your computer make a novel more interesting.
The section before the end seemed to drag a bit. I was wondering what all the endless searching in Burlington was leading to.
Spoilers
Which brings me to the ending. It wasn't that much of a surprise to me because of the introduction of Marguerite so late in the book. Right away, I knew something was up with her. I wondering why there were all the scenes with Marguerite and her husband.
Overall, it was decent, and I will probably read her next novel.
The section before the end seemed to drag a bit. I was wondering what all the endless searching in Burlington was leading to.
Spoilers
Which brings me to the ending. It wasn't that much of a surprise to me because of the introduction of Marguerite so late in the book. Right away, I knew something was up with her. I wondering why there were all the scenes with Marguerite and her husband.
Overall, it was decent, and I will probably read her next novel.
bporath's review against another edition
4.0
Learning to Swim is the story of Troy Chance, a freelance writer living in Lake Placid, New York. Troy is riding on a ferry to Vermont when she sees what she thinks is a child fall from another ferry. She jumps into the water after him, and that's how the story starts.
One of things I loved about LTS was the first scene. It felt like a very natural beginning, yet it was unique and intriguing. The rest of the book kept me hooked and turning the pages without being gimmicky.
The novel was perfectly plotted, and the pacing felt right throughout the whole story. There were elements of mystery among others, and I think the novel wrapped those up and ended brilliantly. (Definitely one of the best, twistiest, endings I've read in a while.)
Just like the plot, Troy's voice was intriguing and smooth. The tone matched up flawlessly with what was going on in the story, and that helped make this novel a page-turner.
Troy was complex, likeable, and easy to relate to. It was easy for me to imagine that I was Troy and I was experiencing the story throughout it. There were emotional subpots that Troy had to deal with, and they were interesting and just as page-turning as the main events of the story.
The other characters were all likeable and as developed as secondary characters should be, but I felt like Phillippe Dumond could have been more three-dimensional, since he was a major character. At times he was a little flat, and it was hard to describe even his personality. I think the book would have been richer with a little more character development.
I loved the different settings of the novel, especially since Lake Placid and the other cities in the novel are real places. In some novels the setting is just a piece of scenery, but in LTS, the setting helped the novel seem more lifelike, and it helped enhance the story.
The writing itself was excellent, and so was Troy's voice. She was funny at times, serious at others, and like I said above, very relatable.
Overall, LTS is a fantastic, compelling novel for both genders, teenagers and adults. I highly recommend it. (And I'm also really excited for the sequel!)
One of things I loved about LTS was the first scene. It felt like a very natural beginning, yet it was unique and intriguing. The rest of the book kept me hooked and turning the pages without being gimmicky.
The novel was perfectly plotted, and the pacing felt right throughout the whole story. There were elements of mystery among others, and I think the novel wrapped those up and ended brilliantly. (Definitely one of the best, twistiest, endings I've read in a while.)
Just like the plot, Troy's voice was intriguing and smooth. The tone matched up flawlessly with what was going on in the story, and that helped make this novel a page-turner.
Troy was complex, likeable, and easy to relate to. It was easy for me to imagine that I was Troy and I was experiencing the story throughout it. There were emotional subpots that Troy had to deal with, and they were interesting and just as page-turning as the main events of the story.
The other characters were all likeable and as developed as secondary characters should be, but I felt like Phillippe Dumond could have been more three-dimensional, since he was a major character. At times he was a little flat, and it was hard to describe even his personality. I think the book would have been richer with a little more character development.
I loved the different settings of the novel, especially since Lake Placid and the other cities in the novel are real places. In some novels the setting is just a piece of scenery, but in LTS, the setting helped the novel seem more lifelike, and it helped enhance the story.
The writing itself was excellent, and so was Troy's voice. She was funny at times, serious at others, and like I said above, very relatable.
Overall, LTS is a fantastic, compelling novel for both genders, teenagers and adults. I highly recommend it. (And I'm also really excited for the sequel!)
carol9178's review against another edition
3.0
This book was a bit predictable, however a page turner at times.
shirlee2024's review against another edition
4.0
This was a page-turner almost all the way through; yet, the main character was also well developed. Nice suspense and a good twist. At a couple of points, I thought it might cross over into romance, but I was glad that it didn't. Interesting setting on the border of NY, VT, and Canada. I'll look for more from this author.
beastreader's review against another edition
5.0
Troy Chance was on the late ferry on Lake Champlain to Vermont. There were very few people on the ferry and most of them were indoors. Out of the corner of Troy’s vision, she sees a movement. Someone fell into the water from the other ferry. Without a second thought, Troy jumps into the lake after the item. For all she could know, the item could end up to be someone’s trash that they did not want to recycle.
Troy swims to the last location where she saw the item being thrown in. To her surprise, the item ends up being a little boy. Troy rescues the boy. The boy speaks French and very little English. The boy is silent for the most part except to say his name is Paul. When Troy digs into who would throw a little boy over a ferry, she ends up uncovering something way bigger than herself.
Learning to Swim is the debut novel form author, Sara J. Henry. I have to tell you that this book far exceeded my expectations…twice over! I was hooked right from the beginning. The moment Troy jumped into the water; I knew that I was in for the long haul. Paul was an interesting character. His silence spoke louder than his words. He seemed so much wiser than his young years. I like that Troy was a strong, independent woman. She could have just given up and let the police handle Paul but she decided to take matters into her own hands. There was enough mystery and intrigue to make a thriller/suspense fan like me very pleased. Learning to Swim is a nail-bitter, edge of your seat, breath of fresh air! I am keeping my eyes on Ms. Henry and what she comes out with next.
Troy swims to the last location where she saw the item being thrown in. To her surprise, the item ends up being a little boy. Troy rescues the boy. The boy speaks French and very little English. The boy is silent for the most part except to say his name is Paul. When Troy digs into who would throw a little boy over a ferry, she ends up uncovering something way bigger than herself.
Learning to Swim is the debut novel form author, Sara J. Henry. I have to tell you that this book far exceeded my expectations…twice over! I was hooked right from the beginning. The moment Troy jumped into the water; I knew that I was in for the long haul. Paul was an interesting character. His silence spoke louder than his words. He seemed so much wiser than his young years. I like that Troy was a strong, independent woman. She could have just given up and let the police handle Paul but she decided to take matters into her own hands. There was enough mystery and intrigue to make a thriller/suspense fan like me very pleased. Learning to Swim is a nail-bitter, edge of your seat, breath of fresh air! I am keeping my eyes on Ms. Henry and what she comes out with next.
meshuggeknitter's review against another edition
3.0
First half of the book was really good, but dragged for me for the rest of the book.
mmc6661's review against another edition
4.0
this book was not what I was expecting when I first started it. It really turned out to be quite a page turner. A very good storyline and suspense with a bit of a twist. I don't usually care for sequels but I would love to return to the story of Troy and see where life leads her !