ericaram9's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-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
5.0
sophilozophy's review against another edition
2.0
Lexi didn't know what she was until it was too late to save the boy she loved. In order to prevent the same thing from happening again she has ostracised herself — making everybody see her has the ice queen. On a particularly bad day, a boy from the group she use to be apart of named Cole starts talking to her. They're paired up together for a school project along with her ex-best friend/sister of the boy she killed. Now she's getting a glimpse ot the way her life use to be and starts becoming close to Cole — something she swore she'd never do again.
I only know the basics about the siren's mythology, but thought it was an interesting take on it. While I felt sorry for Lexi because of the curse and how alone she was, I never connected with her. Probably because of the matter-of-fact way she talks about her flawless beauty. Despite that, when things looked like they might change I was happy for her, even thought I didn't agree with the way she was handling the situation with Cole.
Cole is nice guy, but I kept wondering why it took him so long to talk to Lexi despite her ice queen reputation if he likes her as much as he does. It was their interaction that changed the situation for Lexi from being a social outcast and treating badly everyday to suddenly being back exactly where she was before the death she caused. What I'm trying to say is that if I liked somebody the way Cole does Lexi, I wouldn't be able to stand by and watch her be treated that way. I just felt he should of intervened earlier and not two years later.
Ripple was one of those books that I just planned on reading an excerpt to get a feel for the story, then putting it down and eventually reading it in the future. That excerpt turned into half of the book, which tells you how much I enjoyed the beginning. It lost a little bit of my attention towards the end when the pace slowed down at a time I felt the anticipation to the conclusion should be building. There was also a problem left unresolved that gave me a feeling of foreboding for Lexi's future. While I know a story can never be wrapped up neatly and wouldn't want it to be, this particular problem develops in the last few pages. It wouldn't surprise me if some thought because of this developing situation, there might be a sequel that as far as I know will never exist.
I only know the basics about the siren's mythology, but thought it was an interesting take on it. While I felt sorry for Lexi because of the curse and how alone she was, I never connected with her. Probably because of the matter-of-fact way she talks about her flawless beauty. Despite that, when things looked like they might change I was happy for her, even thought I didn't agree with the way she was handling the situation with Cole.
Cole is nice guy, but I kept wondering why it took him so long to talk to Lexi despite her ice queen reputation if he likes her as much as he does. It was their interaction that changed the situation for Lexi from being a social outcast and treating badly everyday to suddenly being back exactly where she was before the death she caused. What I'm trying to say is that if I liked somebody the way Cole does Lexi, I wouldn't be able to stand by and watch her be treated that way. I just felt he should of intervened earlier and not two years later.
Ripple was one of those books that I just planned on reading an excerpt to get a feel for the story, then putting it down and eventually reading it in the future. That excerpt turned into half of the book, which tells you how much I enjoyed the beginning. It lost a little bit of my attention towards the end when the pace slowed down at a time I felt the anticipation to the conclusion should be building. There was also a problem left unresolved that gave me a feeling of foreboding for Lexi's future. While I know a story can never be wrapped up neatly and wouldn't want it to be, this particular problem develops in the last few pages. It wouldn't surprise me if some thought because of this developing situation, there might be a sequel that as far as I know will never exist.
kco1006's review against another edition
3.0
I gave this book three stars because I did enjoy reading it. It wasn't OMG amazing and I thought the end was slightly predictable, not that I didn't want her to end up with Cole. I guess it was a little twist that Erik ended up being evil and just wanted to kill her. I was sad for Lexi and Sienna, it would've been nice if they could've been friends again, but I don't blame Sienna for not forgiving her. After all Lexi did kill Steven, if it wasn't intentional. I was glad that Lexi killed Erik, even if she felt bad about it. He would've killed all three of them if she hadn't. I was happy that Lexi and Cole got a happy ending, after everything Lexi went through I thought she deserved it and Cole was so cute. He'd been in love with her since he met her, but knew she liked Steven so he didn't make a move. And in the end after finding out what she was and that she had caused his best friend's death he loved her anyway and broke her curse. It was cute.
philyra91's review against another edition
3.0
Honestly, Ripple wasn't as bad as I thought it might be. It does deal with siren mythology but in rather small doses. We do get the picture the author is trying to draw, which is basically, our protagonist, Lexi, suffering due to her curse. She blames herself for her boyfriend's death and is now cutting herself off from the world. She pushes people away and frankly, I don't blame her. Her pain, both emotionally and physically, is realistically written and readers will feel a sense of sympathy for her. I did however, feel that it was too drawn-out. Ripple isn't the kind of novel where the pain can sustain the novel and at times, I did feel a little draggy.
For a novel promoted as one that deals with siren mythology, Ripple fails in that aspect. That's not much we can go on and it's not very imaginative. I will give credit to its romance though. While slightly typical in the form of a love triangle, there's an added twist, which I can't reveal but it definitely kept the second half of the novel interesting.
Not a bad novel overall, but could have been a lot better. :)
For a novel promoted as one that deals with siren mythology, Ripple fails in that aspect. That's not much we can go on and it's not very imaginative. I will give credit to its romance though. While slightly typical in the form of a love triangle, there's an added twist, which I can't reveal but it definitely kept the second half of the novel interesting.
Not a bad novel overall, but could have been a lot better. :)
homicidoll's review against another edition
4.0
Ripple
Book Completed: 10/22/2012
Book Rating: ★★★★
Read the series? If more come out, then suuure!
Okay, so I'm on this marathon of Siren books. I shall find as many as possible and read them! But I want Sirens, not mermaids or creatures with fins. SIRENS. They are very different. So thank you Hubbard for actually having a story about a siren.
Now forgive me, I should have done this review earlier because right now, I can't remember much about the book. Well, that's a lie. I remember most of it but not the tiny details so work with me.
I like that... *googles name* Lexi was a character that was actually affected by the happenings in her life. At the beginning of the book, in fact, before the book started, a tragedy took place and changed how she behaved. LIKE A NORMAL person would have. It drives me crazy when characters are affected by their situation or decisions. She was quiet, kept to herself, and had low self-esteem if not fear for herself.
Cole was meh.. at the start. I didn't really feel the chemistry and then Hubbard went and brought of memories of Lexi and Steven's past romance and BOOM. Those two had chemistry. I'm not sure why but I immediately wanted to read about those two and only those two. Alas, it was not possible.
However, Cole picked it up.
The ending was... strange for me. It felt a little abrupt and skipped over. I think it was how easily everything was accepted and how useless Cole.. kind of.. was.
However, the reaction the best friend (who's name escapes me) had at the very end tore at my heart. It was so realistic and true. Good on Hubbard for putting something so realistic in.
The book was good. I very much enjoyed it since it was my first TRUE siren book but the plot is flawed and there wasn't anything really amazing about it, truthfully. It's a good read but don't expect great.
Meh!
If anyone has Siren books, let me know! I want Siren books though. Not mermaid unless there's a good reason. YA is expected but if you have an adult novel, pleeeease tell me.
Book Completed: 10/22/2012
Book Rating: ★★★★
Read the series? If more come out, then suuure!
Okay, so I'm on this marathon of Siren books. I shall find as many as possible and read them! But I want Sirens, not mermaids or creatures with fins. SIRENS. They are very different. So thank you Hubbard for actually having a story about a siren.
Now forgive me, I should have done this review earlier because right now, I can't remember much about the book. Well, that's a lie. I remember most of it but not the tiny details so work with me.
I like that... *googles name* Lexi was a character that was actually affected by the happenings in her life. At the beginning of the book, in fact, before the book started, a tragedy took place and changed how she behaved. LIKE A NORMAL person would have. It drives me crazy when characters are affected by their situation or decisions. She was quiet, kept to herself, and had low self-esteem if not fear for herself.
Cole was meh.. at the start. I didn't really feel the chemistry and then Hubbard went and brought of memories of Lexi and Steven's past romance and BOOM. Those two had chemistry. I'm not sure why but I immediately wanted to read about those two and only those two. Alas, it was not possible.
However, Cole picked it up.
Spoiler
When he admitted liking her the entire time, my heart dropped. I'm such a sucker for those things. And his speech! *clasps at heart*Spoiler
Eric was intriguing at first since I hadn't fallen for Cole yet but he definitely grew more greasy. I was sad when everything turned out to be a lie though. I thought he was just troubled but I guess the book needed to have some kind of climax/conclusion.The ending was... strange for me. It felt a little abrupt and skipped over. I think it was how easily everything was accepted and how useless Cole.. kind of.. was.
However, the reaction the best friend (who's name escapes me) had at the very end tore at my heart. It was so realistic and true. Good on Hubbard for putting something so realistic in.
The book was good. I very much enjoyed it since it was my first TRUE siren book but the plot is flawed and there wasn't anything really amazing about it, truthfully. It's a good read but don't expect great.
Meh!
If anyone has Siren books, let me know! I want Siren books though. Not mermaid unless there's a good reason. YA is expected but if you have an adult novel, pleeeease tell me.
kirbs419's review against another edition
3.0
it was a sweet book nothing too exciting and the climax was disappointing along with then ending, but overall it was good i think it started strong and dwindled towards the end. i think people built it up to much for me
bstaats's review against another edition
4.0
3.5/4 Stars (rounded up to 4)
All these new YA books based off mythology are making me swoon with excitement! There are so many out there, based off of different mythological persons, creatures, stories, etc. and they're told in such uniquely different ways.
Ripple is about Lexi, a girl cursed with being a siren. Hubbard does a fantastic job using a popular, current theme and making it her own. Lexi's curse is fascinating and the mythology Hubbard uses is just wonderful.
My disappointment with this book was the pacing and development- it was too fast. Like taking a ride on a runaway train, when you just want to enjoy the scenery. Lexi's romantic relationships unfold so quickly, that they came off forced more than anything (although one of them was understandably so). And Erik as a character was just flat and empty- there was nothing substantial to him, although the idea behind him was enticing. But to be honest, the pacing really took away from the story as a whole and left me wanting much more than was there.
However, Ripple is a book about far more than just a teenage siren with a curse to break. At the root of the story is the tragic and unfortunate death of Lexi's boyfriend, Steven, and how Lexi tries to cope with her grief. The richest relationships in the book were those between Lexi and Cole, and Lexi and Sienna, as they all tried to come to terms with Steven's death and the impact it had on each other.
Furthermore, Hubbard carves out the curse of sirens to cumulate in one large issue for them, as they seem to crave true love beyond anything else. The heartbreak Lexi feels and her desire for something more than the abandonment and deaths surround her is just stunning.
Sienna and Lexi's relationship is a kind of real life friendship, and the consequences of their actions are devastating- but perfectly applied by Hubbard.
All these new YA books based off mythology are making me swoon with excitement! There are so many out there, based off of different mythological persons, creatures, stories, etc. and they're told in such uniquely different ways.
Ripple is about Lexi, a girl cursed with being a siren. Hubbard does a fantastic job using a popular, current theme and making it her own. Lexi's curse is fascinating and the mythology Hubbard uses is just wonderful.
My disappointment with this book was the pacing and development- it was too fast. Like taking a ride on a runaway train, when you just want to enjoy the scenery. Lexi's romantic relationships unfold so quickly, that they came off forced more than anything (although one of them was understandably so). And Erik as a character was just flat and empty- there was nothing substantial to him, although the idea behind him was enticing. But to be honest, the pacing really took away from the story as a whole and left me wanting much more than was there.
However, Ripple is a book about far more than just a teenage siren with a curse to break. At the root of the story is the tragic and unfortunate death of Lexi's boyfriend, Steven, and how Lexi tries to cope with her grief. The richest relationships in the book were those between Lexi and Cole, and Lexi and Sienna, as they all tried to come to terms with Steven's death and the impact it had on each other.
Furthermore, Hubbard carves out the curse of sirens to cumulate in one large issue for them, as they seem to crave true love beyond anything else. The heartbreak Lexi feels and her desire for something more than the abandonment and deaths surround her is just stunning.
Sienna and Lexi's relationship is a kind of real life friendship, and the consequences of their actions are devastating- but perfectly applied by Hubbard.