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cedrisc's review against another edition
4.0
This book deals with a taboo subject so I didn't see how everyone could be giving it a high rating, but it totally sucked me in. The tension I felt reading it, meant that I couldn't put it down. It really is a tortured love story. I didn't like the ending, but I guess where else could it go. Flowers in the attic is one of my all time favourite series, and this is very similar.
jonezeemcgee's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 Stars. A heartbreaking story with characters you grow endeared to. If you allow yourself to go beyond the controversial subject matter (please step out of your comfort zone for this one), you will find an intriguing and thought provoking study in character, society, and the human condition. This book will be a hard one to walk away from unscathed.
idratherbereading542's review against another edition
5.0
As I write this my eyes are still burning from the tears this book has wrung from me. I can't remember the last time a book has affected me so much emotionally. It's one of those things that is so very hard to explain to someone who hasn't read this book. But I will try my best.
When you read the summary for this book and read all the raving reviews, you will probably be one of two people. You will either be completely disgusted with the idea and the people who not only read it, but gave it glowing reviews. Or you will be morbidly curious. How could a book with such a taboo subject appeal to the masses? How could a book so controversial manage to win the hearts of so many? I personally was the second of the two. Sure, it's a bit strange and very much risque to think about reading a book of this nature. But at the same time, you can't help but wonder, at what point in this story do we take a step back and start to empathize with Lochan and Maya's situation? When do we start loving them and loving their love for each other?
It's not an easy thing to do I can tell you. Suzuma had her work cut out for her from page one. I don't think anyone can go into this book without thinking "okay, her mind games will not work on me, I'm sure I'll hate this book just because of what it's about." It speaks wonders to Suzuma's writing and story-telling skills that she could manage to win most of us over. But she does. Gradually you come to see the devastating situation that Lochan and Maya face every day.
Every day Lochan and Maya are not those teenagers that go to high school, come home and veg in front of the TV, maybe hang out with their friends for a bit, then do some homework (if they feel like it), and crash after checking out their Facebook page and talking to friends on the phone. No, this is not Lochan or Maya's life. It never has been. As far as either of them can remember they have essentially been parents to their three younger siblings. Their mother has popped in and out to minimally support them financially, but mostly she's out partying with her boyfriend and staying over his house most of the time. So every day the only person that Lochan and Maya have to lean on, is each other. They share responsibilities and get the job of raising their siblings done as best as they can, being that they're only teenagers still themselves.
I cannot imagine being in that situation. Never being able to be a child yourself. Never being able to rely on anyone else in the world, other than each other. Hiding their dire home situation from authorities to prevent being split up by the system. It's exhausting, and stressful, and so very adult. It's a situation that is bound to play on your psyche. It's bound to change your inner core and how you feel about the person standing next to you every day.
I won't go on into too much. But this book will put you into the perspectives of both Maya and Lochan for a time. It will tear your heart open to the impossible situation they face every day. It will force you to empathize with their feelings for each other, and even leave you rooting for their love, and then biting your tongue at what you just thought without realizing it.
This book is controversial and taboo and unnerving. But it is so powerful and emotional and beautiful. Tabitha Suzuma has created something extremely special with this book and I know that I personally will be running out to read everything else I possibly can from this woman. Pick up this book if you haven't already. Open your mind up a bit and allow your heart to feel for these characters. Because if you do, you will find a story that will rock you to your emotional core, and stay with you long after the last page is turned.
When you read the summary for this book and read all the raving reviews, you will probably be one of two people. You will either be completely disgusted with the idea and the people who not only read it, but gave it glowing reviews. Or you will be morbidly curious. How could a book with such a taboo subject appeal to the masses? How could a book so controversial manage to win the hearts of so many? I personally was the second of the two. Sure, it's a bit strange and very much risque to think about reading a book of this nature. But at the same time, you can't help but wonder, at what point in this story do we take a step back and start to empathize with Lochan and Maya's situation? When do we start loving them and loving their love for each other?
It's not an easy thing to do I can tell you. Suzuma had her work cut out for her from page one. I don't think anyone can go into this book without thinking "okay, her mind games will not work on me, I'm sure I'll hate this book just because of what it's about." It speaks wonders to Suzuma's writing and story-telling skills that she could manage to win most of us over. But she does. Gradually you come to see the devastating situation that Lochan and Maya face every day.
Every day Lochan and Maya are not those teenagers that go to high school, come home and veg in front of the TV, maybe hang out with their friends for a bit, then do some homework (if they feel like it), and crash after checking out their Facebook page and talking to friends on the phone. No, this is not Lochan or Maya's life. It never has been. As far as either of them can remember they have essentially been parents to their three younger siblings. Their mother has popped in and out to minimally support them financially, but mostly she's out partying with her boyfriend and staying over his house most of the time. So every day the only person that Lochan and Maya have to lean on, is each other. They share responsibilities and get the job of raising their siblings done as best as they can, being that they're only teenagers still themselves.
I cannot imagine being in that situation. Never being able to be a child yourself. Never being able to rely on anyone else in the world, other than each other. Hiding their dire home situation from authorities to prevent being split up by the system. It's exhausting, and stressful, and so very adult. It's a situation that is bound to play on your psyche. It's bound to change your inner core and how you feel about the person standing next to you every day.
I won't go on into too much. But this book will put you into the perspectives of both Maya and Lochan for a time. It will tear your heart open to the impossible situation they face every day. It will force you to empathize with their feelings for each other, and even leave you rooting for their love, and then biting your tongue at what you just thought without realizing it.
This book is controversial and taboo and unnerving. But it is so powerful and emotional and beautiful. Tabitha Suzuma has created something extremely special with this book and I know that I personally will be running out to read everything else I possibly can from this woman. Pick up this book if you haven't already. Open your mind up a bit and allow your heart to feel for these characters. Because if you do, you will find a story that will rock you to your emotional core, and stay with you long after the last page is turned.
shizbizz's review against another edition
5.0
I'm so done with everything oh my god so much pain I need a few hours oh god nope
these poor poor people, I don't know what I think yet....all I know is this book is salt and lemon and huge open wounds mixed all together kind of pain
such a well written book in such a real world
ah
these poor poor people, I don't know what I think yet....all I know is this book is salt and lemon and huge open wounds mixed all together kind of pain
such a well written book in such a real world
ah
lunabeaw's review against another edition
5.0
Ahh this book was heartbreaking, tragic, beautiful and pure torture for readers like me who easily grow attached to characters.
This book really enlightened me about incestuous relationships. I grew to adore both Lochie and Maya. The fact that they had to support one another was so sad.
It was hard to read this book not because of the incest content included but because of Maya and (especially) Lochie inner turmoil about the issue. They weren't immediately accepting of the idea that their love was one that went beyond sibling affection. They actually denied it for as long as they could.
I could literally FEEL their longing for one another and it absolutely broke my heart. Even their role as surrogate parents was sad, they were two teens caring for their younger siblings. The mother was just horrible.
I loves Suzanas writing it's so smooth, and her characters were very realistic. The last bits killed me as I had to refrain from crying since I was on the train :(
I feel as though this story may stick with me for a whole.
This book really enlightened me about incestuous relationships. I grew to adore both Lochie and Maya. The fact that they had to support one another was so sad.
It was hard to read this book not because of the incest content included but because of Maya and (especially) Lochie inner turmoil about the issue. They weren't immediately accepting of the idea that their love was one that went beyond sibling affection. They actually denied it for as long as they could.
I could literally FEEL their longing for one another and it absolutely broke my heart. Even their role as surrogate parents was sad, they were two teens caring for their younger siblings. The mother was just horrible.
I loves Suzanas writing it's so smooth, and her characters were very realistic. The last bits killed me as I had to refrain from crying since I was on the train :(
I feel as though this story may stick with me for a whole.
brendaguilarb's review against another edition
5.0
El final fue totalmente desgarrador, de todas las cosas que me imagine nunca me paso por la cabeza lo que sucedio. El libro es simplemente hermoso.
nadezna's review against another edition
5.0
I hate, I love, I hate, I love this book.. And it brings you SO MUCH heartache.. So much that it will bring tears in your eyes. Really. I was really rooting for Lochan and Maya but is it wrong to root for them? Is it wrong to wish them to have a good life away from the public eyes? It is not really all about the incestuous relationship between Lochan and Maya but it also tackles the role of a parent in the family. I really think that
It's beautifully written.. And it's realistic, I mean no happy ending and such. Yes, no HAPPY ending. Sorry.
I hope [a:Tabitha Suzuma|599916|Tabitha Suzuma|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1359919490p2/599916.jpg] can write a sequel.. Just so we can know what happened to uhmm "characters"/ family after "that" incident.
and... I don't think I'll recommend it to young adult. Really. It's for the adults to read because of the theme. It's really a matured theme. I don't think teens can handle this type of stories. Sorry.
Spoiler
if their parents have some balls to become a parent to them, I really think that they will not be able to fall in love with each other like a real couple should doIt's beautifully written.. And it's realistic, I mean no happy ending and such. Yes, no HAPPY ending. Sorry.
I hope [a:Tabitha Suzuma|599916|Tabitha Suzuma|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1359919490p2/599916.jpg] can write a sequel.. Just so we can know what happened to uhmm "characters"/ family after "that" incident.
and... I don't think I'll recommend it to young adult. Really. It's for the adults to read because of the theme. It's really a matured theme. I don't think teens can handle this type of stories. Sorry.
nadezna's review against another edition
5.0
just finished reading this book and
I hate, I love, I hate, I love it. And it brings you SO MUCH heartache.. So much that it will bring tears in your eyes. Really. I was really rooting for Lochan and Maya but is it wrong to root for them? Is it wrong to wish them to have a good life away from the public eyes? It is not really all about the incestuous relationship between Lochan and Maya but it also tackles the role of a parent in the family. I really think that
It's beautifully written.. And it's realistic, I mean no happy ending and such. Yes, no HAPPY ending. Sorry.
I hope [a:Tabitha Suzuma|599916|Tabitha Suzuma|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1359919490p2/599916.jpg] can write a sequel.. Just so we can know what happened to uhmm "characters"/ family after "that" incident.
and... I don't think I'll recommend it to young adult. Really. It's for the adults to read because of the theme. It's really a matured theme. I don't think teens can handle this type of stories. Sorry.
I hate, I love, I hate, I love it. And it brings you SO MUCH heartache.. So much that it will bring tears in your eyes. Really. I was really rooting for Lochan and Maya but is it wrong to root for them? Is it wrong to wish them to have a good life away from the public eyes? It is not really all about the incestuous relationship between Lochan and Maya but it also tackles the role of a parent in the family. I really think that
Spoiler
if their parents have some balls to become a parent to them, I really think that they will not be able to fall in love with each other like a real couple should doIt's beautifully written.. And it's realistic, I mean no happy ending and such. Yes, no HAPPY ending. Sorry.
I hope [a:Tabitha Suzuma|599916|Tabitha Suzuma|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1359919490p2/599916.jpg] can write a sequel.. Just so we can know what happened to uhmm "characters"/ family after "that" incident.
and... I don't think I'll recommend it to young adult. Really. It's for the adults to read because of the theme. It's really a matured theme. I don't think teens can handle this type of stories. Sorry.
ajstat's review against another edition
4.0
I've got to think about this one .
Def at least 3.5 stars.. Review to come