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erikahaveman07's review against another edition
4.0
Ruta Sepetys is an amazing and wonderful author. Typically, she writes stories of characters in wars such as WW2, the Spanish civil war, etc. This book, however, follows a young woman in New Orleans who wanted more for herself. She grew up with a terrible mother and was a part of the wrong crowd but somehow found a way to make the best of it. I enjoyed reading this book and as always look forward to reading another book by this author.
linmeih's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
sophiabornschlegl's review against another edition
3.0
I am a sucker for Ruta Sepetys (cried at Between Shades of Grey and Salt to the Sea) but this one didn't do the same for me. Still heartwarming ending but felt more surfacy and like there was less character development than the two other books I've read. Still liked it though!
derektheexplorer's review against another edition
3.0
"There is no excellent beauty that hath not some strangeness in the proportion." - Sir Francis Bacon
Ruta Sepetys referenced this quote to describe Josie, her protagonist, but I think it also perfectly describes this book. The story certainly had its flaws but it also had an upbeat rhythm that seemed to mask them almost as soon as they appeared.
Having first read [b:Between Shades of Gray|7824322|Between Shades of Gray|Ruta Sepetys|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327873479s/7824322.jpg|10870318] and then [b:Salt to the Sea|25614492|Salt to the Sea|Ruta Sepetys|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1437084512s/25614492.jpg|27126244], it took longer to find interest in [b:Out of the Easy|11178225|Out of the Easy|Ruta Sepetys|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1339784547s/11178225.jpg|16102692]. It just doesn't carry the same historical significance as it's counterparts and the shift in setting felt a bit jarring. But New Orleans is a setting that is ripe for quirky characters and Sepetys capitalizes on this with ease.
Despite the seedy underworld that she describes, this is not at all a gritty story. Neither is it the murder mystery that you may, like me, have been fooled into expecting from the description on the book jacket. There wasn't much mystery to be found in the murder. Instead, it is a picture painted with all the glamorous illusions that New Orleans might present to an outsider dreaming of Mardi Gras.
The supporting cast is so richly exaggerated that the story progresses in a dramatic fashion that is at times almost comedic in its quirky hysteria. For me, it is the supporting characters that really keep the story moving.
The lack of grit sort of fits Josie's naive character. In a way, despite the first hand narrative, the reader almost sees the story unfold as though they are one of the characters watching Josie and realizing that she lives in the underworld but isn't really a part of it.
It wasn't my favorite from Sepetys, but it was still entertaining.
Ruta Sepetys referenced this quote to describe Josie, her protagonist, but I think it also perfectly describes this book. The story certainly had its flaws but it also had an upbeat rhythm that seemed to mask them almost as soon as they appeared.
Having first read [b:Between Shades of Gray|7824322|Between Shades of Gray|Ruta Sepetys|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1327873479s/7824322.jpg|10870318] and then [b:Salt to the Sea|25614492|Salt to the Sea|Ruta Sepetys|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1437084512s/25614492.jpg|27126244], it took longer to find interest in [b:Out of the Easy|11178225|Out of the Easy|Ruta Sepetys|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1339784547s/11178225.jpg|16102692]. It just doesn't carry the same historical significance as it's counterparts and the shift in setting felt a bit jarring. But New Orleans is a setting that is ripe for quirky characters and Sepetys capitalizes on this with ease.
Despite the seedy underworld that she describes, this is not at all a gritty story. Neither is it the murder mystery that you may, like me, have been fooled into expecting from the description on the book jacket. There wasn't much mystery to be found in the murder. Instead, it is a picture painted with all the glamorous illusions that New Orleans might present to an outsider dreaming of Mardi Gras.
The supporting cast is so richly exaggerated that the story progresses in a dramatic fashion that is at times almost comedic in its quirky hysteria. For me, it is the supporting characters that really keep the story moving.
The lack of grit sort of fits Josie's naive character. In a way, despite the first hand narrative, the reader almost sees the story unfold as though they are one of the characters watching Josie and realizing that she lives in the underworld but isn't really a part of it.
It wasn't my favorite from Sepetys, but it was still entertaining.
lak98's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
3.75
jennyjjs's review against another edition
2.0
I started reading this book and realized I've already read it, but it didn't stick out in my mind enough to remember if I liked it. So maybe 2 stars since I usually remember books I like or really like.
cassecoyote's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
thewildbookworm's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
mnm16's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
eviesellers's review against another edition
3.0
not her best work; too many underdeveloped characters and plot twists that became difficult to follow. got much better right at the end just to end on a cliffhanger with loose ends; i understand why books end on notes that leave the reader to interpret the ending, but it's SUCH a pet peeve of mine