jaw417's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
book_dragon88's review against another edition
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.25
momadvice's review against another edition
3.0
Fans of Firefly Lane will resonate with the themes in this friendship fiction story exploring the unique bonds between three women at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
This backlist saga clocks in at 522 pages and encompassed many women's experiences in the military that Gibson profiled initially for a story but later blossomed into a book. As the daughter of a Veteran, I was excited to read that the author grew up around West Point while her father was a professor there, bringing a personal lens to this experience.
Gibson's narrative unfolds across seven pivotal years, capturing the journey of three women— Dani, Hannah, and Avery, from their high school days to the commencement of a new chapter at West Point Military Academy in the wake of the events of 9/11 and personal loss that reverberates across their lives.
This novel takes many emotional turns, which I loved but I struggled with the unusual chapter structure that pulled me out of the story. More than that, its distinct emphasis on religious themes would have worked beautifully had this novel been marketed under the Christian fiction umbrella, but it struggled to balance these themes for a reader who did not expect that in the book.
At the end of this story, I walked away with one experience that made it worth it for me to read. Gibson paints a perspective of a military marriage that I will never forget. Weaving in the heartwrenching challenges of serving together ultimately made this book worth it.
I respect Gibson's efforts in writing a novel that challenges the idea of what women in the military look like and the meticulous research presented. The Author's Note dives into profiles of all the women she interviewed- an incredible undertaking.
While I didn't think it worked for a book club selection for the above reasons, many readers have loved this experience, evident by its 4.13 rating on GoodReads.
I'm glad to have read this because I know the perfect reader for this book when I am asked for book recommendations, especially for readers craving a New Adult story. It just might be you!
bookzealots's review
1.0
zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz fest. Comes off as a vapid chick lit with female soldiers?
Dating, men, dating, what to wear. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
cussing
Using Jesus does not make this a faith based book. imo, garbage
Dating, men, dating, what to wear. zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
cussing
Using Jesus does not make this a faith based book. imo, garbage
connieaw's review against another edition
5.0
I loved EVERYTHING about this book and not just because I have a special love of West Point. #BeatNavy It's about friendship and loss and the special bond of people that have gone to West Point. #BeatNavy I love reading about the struggles of women at the nations NUMBER ONE Military Academy. I hope one day that my daughter will want to follow in the footsteps of her Dad and all of these amazing women.#GoArmy!!
kbranfield's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars.
Beyond the Point by Claire Gibson is a heartfelt and touching novel of friendship.
Dani McNally, Hannah Speer and Avery Adams are recruited to play basketball at West Point. Dani is highly intelligent and a stellar athlete. Hannah's grandfather is a West Point grad who would rather she go to college elsewhere. Relying on her strong faith, she ignores his warnings and excels academically. Avery is headstrong and not averse to breaking rules in order to get what she wants. Despite their differences and competitiveness on the basketball court, the three women forge a close friendship. But after graduation, is their friendship strong enough to survive the different paths they travel?
Dani is confident with a clear vision of her future. She is an outstanding athlete who shines on and off the court. Life throws her unexpected curves and her career does not go as she envisions. After graduation, Dani is the person who makes sure the three women continue to stay in touch.
Avery is dismayed to discover that she is not as athletically gifted as she believes herself to be. Self doubts set in and she flouts the rules in order to feel better about herself. Avery's poor decision making and lack of confidence follows her beyond West Point.
Hannah's faith in herself and God never wavers as she embarks on her career following graduation. She is soon married to Tim Nesmith, her college boyfriend, and despite the hardships of dual military careers, she is quite happy. Hannah is the first of the friends to deploy to Afghanistan where she works hard and counts down the days until she is reunited with her loving husband.
From the dramatic prologue to the poignant yet uplifting conclusion, Beyond the Point is a thoroughly captivating novel. Dani, Avery, and Hannah are wonderfully developed characters with realistic shortcomings and admirable strengths. Their friendship is heartening and strong enough to withhold the joys and sorrows of the lives at West Point and their first few years post-graduation. Claire Gibson paints a true to life, insightful and sometimes heartbreaking portrait of military life. A beautiful story of friendship and faith that I absolutely loved and highly recommend.
Beyond the Point by Claire Gibson is a heartfelt and touching novel of friendship.
Dani McNally, Hannah Speer and Avery Adams are recruited to play basketball at West Point. Dani is highly intelligent and a stellar athlete. Hannah's grandfather is a West Point grad who would rather she go to college elsewhere. Relying on her strong faith, she ignores his warnings and excels academically. Avery is headstrong and not averse to breaking rules in order to get what she wants. Despite their differences and competitiveness on the basketball court, the three women forge a close friendship. But after graduation, is their friendship strong enough to survive the different paths they travel?
Dani is confident with a clear vision of her future. She is an outstanding athlete who shines on and off the court. Life throws her unexpected curves and her career does not go as she envisions. After graduation, Dani is the person who makes sure the three women continue to stay in touch.
Avery is dismayed to discover that she is not as athletically gifted as she believes herself to be. Self doubts set in and she flouts the rules in order to feel better about herself. Avery's poor decision making and lack of confidence follows her beyond West Point.
Hannah's faith in herself and God never wavers as she embarks on her career following graduation. She is soon married to Tim Nesmith, her college boyfriend, and despite the hardships of dual military careers, she is quite happy. Hannah is the first of the friends to deploy to Afghanistan where she works hard and counts down the days until she is reunited with her loving husband.
From the dramatic prologue to the poignant yet uplifting conclusion, Beyond the Point is a thoroughly captivating novel. Dani, Avery, and Hannah are wonderfully developed characters with realistic shortcomings and admirable strengths. Their friendship is heartening and strong enough to withhold the joys and sorrows of the lives at West Point and their first few years post-graduation. Claire Gibson paints a true to life, insightful and sometimes heartbreaking portrait of military life. A beautiful story of friendship and faith that I absolutely loved and highly recommend.
findyourgoldenhour's review
2.0
I had such hopes for this book, but it’s a 498-page hot mess.
I picked it up because it’s about women at West Point, about their lives and relationships and deployments in a post-9/11 world. Sounds interesting and original! But this book made me wonder if there was even an editor for this thing? It did not need to be so long. Yet there were pivotal plot points that were merely glossed over, with barely any detail! So many pages with so much meandering!
I was thinking it was a solid three-star read until the last quarter, and then it all fell apart. So many cliche characters and unbelievable story arcs. What a let down.
I picked it up because it’s about women at West Point, about their lives and relationships and deployments in a post-9/11 world. Sounds interesting and original! But this book made me wonder if there was even an editor for this thing? It did not need to be so long. Yet there were pivotal plot points that were merely glossed over, with barely any detail! So many pages with so much meandering!
I was thinking it was a solid three-star read until the last quarter, and then it all fell apart. So many cliche characters and unbelievable story arcs. What a let down.
eeyore527's review
4.0
ust finished the May book of the month Beyond the Point by Claire Gibson. Such a great read for this Memorial day weekend. #ClaireGibson, #BeyondthePoint.
A great story of friendship that goes across miles and what you do for your friends no matter what. Did not realize how West Point actually worked so learned something new in the process.
A great story of friendship that goes across miles and what you do for your friends no matter what. Did not realize how West Point actually worked so learned something new in the process.