Reviews

The Guilty One: A Novel by Lisa Ballantyne

nina0199's review against another edition

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dark mysterious sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

lesleyo's review against another edition

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dark medium-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

3.75

chrissireads's review against another edition

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4.0

I thought this was a great book from Lisa Ballantyne. It kept me gripped and wanting to know the verdict. It's a bit disturbing at times and really makes you think. I liked how the two stories linked together.

lazygal's review against another edition

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My review on SLJ's Adult Books 4 Teens blog here.

bibliobethreads's review against another edition

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4.0

I was really torn between giving this book three or four stars then decided on the latter after reaching the end. A beautifully woven story that almost had me crying into my cornflakes (!!) and one that I will be thinking about for a while afterwards.

angelafr's review against another edition

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dark emotional medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

This is a cleverly constructed book. This is my second reading as I wanted to re-read before I read the follow up (set 10 years later). The book jumps between a lead up to and a trial in the current day and the complicated adolescence of the lawyer in the criminal trial. It's a good read that has really tense and really touching moments.

booksandchocolates's review against another edition

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3.0

Contrived. The flashbacks of Daniel's life were superbly written, the character of Minny was stunning, heartbreaking, amazing (I love Minny!), the story itself an ode to overcoming adversity; the present story was sloppy, predictable and flat, the court scenes laughable at least, and I can't describe how much I hated obnoxious Sebastian. So 2,5 stars rounded up.

reading_addict_lemon's review against another edition

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4.0

Prima data postata pe http://nervidetoamna.blogspot.ro/

N-am avut asteptari legate de aceasta carte, insa m-a intrigat subiectul si mai ales faptul ca Sebastian este acuzat de moartea altui baiat. Caci pana la urma, Sebastian e un copil si sa te gandesti ca e acuzat de o crima nu e ceva foarte placut.

Cartea este scrisa in asa fel incat vedem ce se intampla cu Sebastian, cum evolueaza lucrurile la proces, care-i toata povestea din jurul si din spatele crimei, aruncam o privire in familia lui Seb. Dar il cunoastem mai mult si pe Daniel, avocatul ce il reprezinta pe Sebastian. Cumva, Daniel cand era mic a avut parte de un tratament asemanator si reuseste sa empatizeze cu baiatul. Daniel, ajunge sa locuiasca la ferma cu Minnie si as spune ca a fost interesant sa vad cum, ei, de la doi straini, fiecare cu problemele si trecutul in spate reusesc sa isi traiasca viata. Vedem deciziile lui Daniel, regretele, felul cum regandeste anumite lucruri facute atunci, acum cu ochi si minte de adult. Oare a procedat bine intru totul?

Sebastian e genul de pusti normal, adica e istet, chiar foarte instet pentru varsta lui, care se joaca cu copiii, insa a ajuns intr-o situatie cam incurcata. Am ramas surprinsa de comportamentul lui de-a lungul investigatiei, pentru ca nu stiu cum ar fi reactionat altii, insa as zice ca baiatul ascunde multe.

Vreau sa intelegeti ca asta nu e o carte tipica politista, adica are loc procesul, se cauta dovezi, apare politia, interogatorii si asa mai departe. Da, este si acest aspect, dar mai mult cartea se centreaza pe oameni, pe vietile lor, pe familie, pe trecut. E mai mult o radiografie a fiecarui om, a situatiilor grele prin care trece fiecare copil supus la stres sau cand ramane fara parinti. Daca sunteti in cautare de ceva alert si gen romane avocatesti atunci cred ca aceasta carte nu e pentru voi. E o carte mai calma, mai lenta, cu emotii, sentimente, multe amintiri si regrete, discutii mentale purtate intre copil si adult, felul in care un pusti poate ajunge sa riste inchisoare pentru ceva ce n-a facut. Sau a facut. Cine stie.

Mie cartea mi-a placut, mi-am dat seamana inca de pe la jumatate ca nu e un roman thriller adevarat, adica plin de intrigi si suspans si cine stie ce sfarsit bomba. Da, finalul este surprinzator, insa nu in felul acela. Daca voi credeti ca va plac aceste carti eu v-o recomand.

readinggrrl's review against another edition

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2.0

I wanted this book to make an impression on me. It had the potential to but since I started this review back in May and then forgot about it until I just stumbled upon it today, I have to say that this one just faded away. It had potential. The story flip flopped back and forth between when Daniel was a child to modern day when Daniel is defending a boy who reminds him of his past. I liked the premise, I even liked the beginning but somewhere along the line it fell flat.

The story seemed predictable and ultimately it is more about Daniel than it is about Sebastian. Did Minnie betray Daniel out of misguided love? The lack of details left me not really caring that much. Since this is Lisa Ballantynes first novel I hope that her next ones give us a little more to sink our teeth into. Characters that aren't memorable don't last, and neither do the writers who write them.

xanabertolo's review against another edition

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4.0

Fico indecisa entre as 4 e as 4,5*.
Não é pelo final, porque não me surpreendeu, mas porque adorei ler a história da infância de Daniel, estes capítulos alternados entre passado e presente agarram-me e agradam-me imenso.
Gostei mesmo muito e recomendo.