talyahonor23's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
So much set up for very little payoff and zero responsibility talen
mehsi's review against another edition
1.0
This book had the mix that I normally like. That mix was something like this: Gorgeous cover (yes, I am judging books on their covers) + Great Blurb + Contemporary/YA/Children genre.
Sadly it was not meant to be. While the beginning of the book was good, I got tired and sick of Apple (what a name). Constantly being rude, constantly whining and never happy about anything (which I can slightly understand, but it just gets annoying if you don't see anything getting better). Her grandma is just caring about her and while sure, she was a bit too strict at times, I can imagine why she was that way. She already lost her daughter, and didn't want to lose her granddaughter as well.
I didn't like that Apple was drinking (she was only 13, for Gosh sake). I didn't like how she acted around Rain (not that Rain was that good, but that is coming in a bit), how she just let herself be treated as a slave all for her precious (and worthless mom (more later)). I just wanted to smack her and shake her and just scream at her.
Then we have Rain, the second character and instant hate and that stayed throughout the whole book. 10 year old + dolls, sure, but not like this. Not so obsessively, and I didn't like how bitchy she was. How everyone just had to do everything for her and her baby. Baby needs milk? It is midnight, F that, just get it, she is DYING. Oh boohoo boohoo, it is only a doll.
And when that happened at the end, I was just rolling my eyes and thinking, oh goodie, more reasons to hate her.
Then we have the worst character of the whole book, the mom. Dear Lord, some people just shouldn't have kids. Sorry if that offends people, but sorry, leaving your kid for your dreams and hopes, dumping it at grandma, not caring one bit about it, and then suddenly you come back and expect her to skip school and just be there for you. Then we find out she has yet another kid, another neglected kid. She drinks, smokes and just disappears on her kids. She flirts with a boy who is just 17, she pushes her kid to drinking, she abuses them in the form of letting a 13-year old do everything, household, caring for her younger sister, and letting her skip school.
Even at the end, when all that happened, sorry, I don't see her change. I can see this going wrong again and again. Please, someone get that Rain kid (no matter how annoying she was) out and away from that mom.
The story itself was decent, though at times a bit overly dramatic and unrealistic.
The only thing I did like was Apple + Del. Or more specifically, Del. Del is a wonderful character and I really liked him. He was silly, lovely and he cared deeply for his friends. Too bad we didn't see more of him.
All in all, I wouldn't recommend this book.
Review first posted at: http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
Sadly it was not meant to be. While the beginning of the book was good, I got tired and sick of Apple (what a name). Constantly being rude, constantly whining and never happy about anything (which I can slightly understand, but it just gets annoying if you don't see anything getting better). Her grandma is just caring about her and while sure, she was a bit too strict at times, I can imagine why she was that way. She already lost her daughter, and didn't want to lose her granddaughter as well.
I didn't like that Apple was drinking (she was only 13, for Gosh sake). I didn't like how she acted around Rain (not that Rain was that good, but that is coming in a bit), how she just let herself be treated as a slave all for her precious (and worthless mom (more later)). I just wanted to smack her and shake her and just scream at her.
Then we have Rain, the second character and instant hate and that stayed throughout the whole book. 10 year old + dolls, sure, but not like this. Not so obsessively, and I didn't like how bitchy she was. How everyone just had to do everything for her and her baby. Baby needs milk? It is midnight, F that, just get it, she is DYING. Oh boohoo boohoo, it is only a doll.
And when that happened at the end, I was just rolling my eyes and thinking, oh goodie, more reasons to hate her.
Then we have the worst character of the whole book, the mom. Dear Lord, some people just shouldn't have kids. Sorry if that offends people, but sorry, leaving your kid for your dreams and hopes, dumping it at grandma, not caring one bit about it, and then suddenly you come back and expect her to skip school and just be there for you. Then we find out she has yet another kid, another neglected kid. She drinks, smokes and just disappears on her kids. She flirts with a boy who is just 17, she pushes her kid to drinking, she abuses them in the form of letting a 13-year old do everything, household, caring for her younger sister, and letting her skip school.
Even at the end, when all that happened, sorry, I don't see her change. I can see this going wrong again and again. Please, someone get that Rain kid (no matter how annoying she was) out and away from that mom.
The story itself was decent, though at times a bit overly dramatic and unrealistic.
The only thing I did like was Apple + Del. Or more specifically, Del. Del is a wonderful character and I really liked him. He was silly, lovely and he cared deeply for his friends. Too bad we didn't see more of him.
All in all, I wouldn't recommend this book.
Review first posted at: http://twirlingbookprincess.com/
zara_18's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
oscar101's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
beckster99's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ava_mallen's review against another edition
4.0
This was honestly such a lovely book about friendship, drama and family and it took me back to when all I read was Jacqueline Wilson books! The characters all had their own quirky traits and personalities and their individual progressions were shown very clearly throughout the novel. I read this book because I enjoyed Sarah Crossan's "One" and decided to give it a try, and it definitely was on par! Would surely recommend!
bryonycostello's review against another edition
3.0
I received this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
This review was originally posted on my blog, Daring Damsels.
Apple and Rain wasn’t at all what I expected. Though, to be fair, I’m not exactly sure what I was expecting. All I know is, it wasn’t what I got. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing, however.
Our protagonist is Apple (short for Apollinia Apostolopoulou – what an awesome name?!): a 13-year-old girl who has been raised by her grandmother ever since her mother took off to America to pursue a career in acting. She isn’t popular at school, nor is she a very confident person. All she’s ever wanted is for her mother to come home. Which is understandable, of course.
Apple isn’t a dislikeable character, but I found it hard to connect with he. Hence, my feelings towards her are indifferent. I thought she acted a bit younger than her intended age for the majority of the novel, and while I understood her desire to impress and please her mum, I think she may have went about it in the wrong way.
I also feel indifferent towards Apple’s grandmother and her sister, Rain. While they were both likeable and realistic characters, they failed to become three-dimensional in my mind. The same goes for Apple’s new friend/View Spoiler », Del.
Apple’s mum on the other hand…I really, really dislike her. I understand what it’s like to want to follow your dreams and whatnot, but, View Spoiler » I just can’t talk about Apple’s mum. I’m sorry.
Apple’s story is one of self-discovery. Although I did find it enjoyable, and the writing lovely, I did have some problems with the plot. I’m not sure what exactly it is that didn’t work for me, but I just wasn’t drawn into the story.
Overall, Apple and Rain is an engaging novel and is one that I’m glad I read. However, I think the characters were just a little young for me, and that prevented me from having an emotional connection with the characters.
This review was originally posted on my blog, Daring Damsels.
Apple and Rain wasn’t at all what I expected. Though, to be fair, I’m not exactly sure what I was expecting. All I know is, it wasn’t what I got. That isn’t necessarily a bad thing, however.
Our protagonist is Apple (short for Apollinia Apostolopoulou – what an awesome name?!): a 13-year-old girl who has been raised by her grandmother ever since her mother took off to America to pursue a career in acting. She isn’t popular at school, nor is she a very confident person. All she’s ever wanted is for her mother to come home. Which is understandable, of course.
Apple isn’t a dislikeable character, but I found it hard to connect with he. Hence, my feelings towards her are indifferent. I thought she acted a bit younger than her intended age for the majority of the novel, and while I understood her desire to impress and please her mum, I think she may have went about it in the wrong way.
I also feel indifferent towards Apple’s grandmother and her sister, Rain. While they were both likeable and realistic characters, they failed to become three-dimensional in my mind. The same goes for Apple’s new friend/View Spoiler », Del.
Apple’s mum on the other hand…I really, really dislike her. I understand what it’s like to want to follow your dreams and whatnot, but, View Spoiler » I just can’t talk about Apple’s mum. I’m sorry.
Apple’s story is one of self-discovery. Although I did find it enjoyable, and the writing lovely, I did have some problems with the plot. I’m not sure what exactly it is that didn’t work for me, but I just wasn’t drawn into the story.
Overall, Apple and Rain is an engaging novel and is one that I’m glad I read. However, I think the characters were just a little young for me, and that prevented me from having an emotional connection with the characters.