laurjo's review against another edition
4.0
The story remained intriguing to me throughout the book. I was genuinely interested in the characters and never grew bored with them.
I loved to read about Raziela and Andrew together, not because of their romance, but because I was captured in their realness and solidity as characters. They had strength and intelligence. I truly believed in their story. Even as the book took a step away from reality and into the supernatural, I believed that these two people could exist in this world we have now. I think that reason, more than anything, is why I enjoyed this book so much.
Both couples-- Razi and Andrew, Amy and Scott-- worked together perfectly through their faults. It was perfect in this book because they had faults. They loved each other, but like in real life, these characters weren't always happy with each other at every moment.
I grow tired of stories where the characters "fall in love" immediately and ignore every fault in their partner without working through it. They skip through difficult situations in life and hop right back to the romance as if that is all there is to a relationship. To me, that is taking a step away from reality, more so than the supernatural side of any story.
I loved to read about Raziela and Andrew together, not because of their romance, but because I was captured in their realness and solidity as characters. They had strength and intelligence. I truly believed in their story. Even as the book took a step away from reality and into the supernatural, I believed that these two people could exist in this world we have now. I think that reason, more than anything, is why I enjoyed this book so much.
Both couples-- Razi and Andrew, Amy and Scott-- worked together perfectly through their faults. It was perfect in this book because they had faults. They loved each other, but like in real life, these characters weren't always happy with each other at every moment.
I grow tired of stories where the characters "fall in love" immediately and ignore every fault in their partner without working through it. They skip through difficult situations in life and hop right back to the romance as if that is all there is to a relationship. To me, that is taking a step away from reality, more so than the supernatural side of any story.
agjuba's review against another edition
4.0
A New Orleans romantic ghost story flickering between the 1920s and the present. I like books that shift from time to time -- sometimes I felt that the time shifts weren't clearly presented, so I had remain alert to when the story was taking place. I read this while I was in New Orleans, so maybe being in the town colors my impressions, but I felt the author did a great job of evoking the atmosphere of the city.
sejacks86's review against another edition
4.0
A cross between Divine Secrets of the Ya Ya Sisterhood and The Lovely Bones. Well written and great plot.
kat7321's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting book - this book is different, but in an engaging sort of way. It is "told" by a woman who has died young, just at the point of engagement with the love of her life. It does skip from scenes of her life prior to the accident to present day, as she is watching those she left behind, but I did not find the changing back & forth to be confusing. She is trying to discover what happened to her fiancé, while she is existing in the "in between". While there, she meets others who are also in between, and their stories intersect in unique ways. I enjoyed this book, it was thoughtful and unexpected, you could never tell where it was going. I would recommend.
bogfinchgirl's review against another edition
5.0
Obsessed with death I guess...this is one of my favorite books. I love the story of what happens when you die. How some souls stay here and need a bit of help to pass over.
leafingthroughlife's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
dnaomi's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Writing was at times very beautiful. I was drawn in by the premise, and the plot overall held my interest. I would have appreciated more character development— at times the book fell into the historical fiction trap of relying on historical settings and plot lines instead of really fleshing out characters. I liked the ending, but the way everything fell together was way too tidy and relied too much on coincidences.
gracehannah9918's review against another edition
5.0
Wow! I loved this book. I really fell in love with the characters and identified with them on a deeper level. For the first time in a long time, I cried while reading. The emotions conveyed here are piercing and real. I loved the mix between the past and present and the mystery that prevails until the end. This novel is thought-provoking and insightful. Beautiful.
christiek's review against another edition
3.0
It's a shame that I never felt particularly engaged with these characters. Also, too many coincidences.
gkaltam's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief