hereistheend's review
amazing... I've never cried twice in a book- much less with different feeling. I adore this.
scribesprite's review
4.0
In the beginning I didn't like Allison. Mostly because she was so self-pitying and selfish. She wanted her father all to herself and therefore resented her stepmother. She, in a way, just refused to be truly happy (except when she was with Blaze). Allison did make some good points and I could forgive her some because she was hurting but she could've at least TRIED to make things better for herself. She grows during the course of the book, well mostly when she is trapped in the storm with her stepmother and half sister. She realizes that it isn't all about her and also that she will always have her mother.
I like that the one relationship that held true was the one Allison had with her boyfriend. She struggled with her other relationships. In most of the books I've read, it usually the other way around. Its something refreshingly different.
The poetry format put me off a bit at first but I could follow easily. The format added good emphasize when the author was trying to make a point. I felt for Allison. I could see her uncertainty, sadness, and pleasure come out of the story. I thought it was good writing if you didn't catch that. A lot of emotion for such a short book.
I like that the one relationship that held true was the one Allison had with her boyfriend. She struggled with her other relationships. In most of the books I've read, it usually the other way around. Its something refreshingly different.
The poetry format put me off a bit at first but I could follow easily. The format added good emphasize when the author was trying to make a point. I felt for Allison. I could see her uncertainty, sadness, and pleasure come out of the story. I thought it was good writing if you didn't catch that. A lot of emotion for such a short book.
lumos_libros's review
5.0
Before I really knew what was happening I was done with this book. It draws you in so quick, and is such a breeze to read it's hard not to gobble it up in one sitting. I had thought to read it again before I did a review, but I felt like I had to write one now.
It's in verse so at first that gets some getting use to. No worries there is a sufficient amount of dialogue, so it never feels too "poemy". You'd think with the length of this book you wouldn't feel attached to the characters or that they wouldn't be three dimensional, but they totally are. Each one had a unique quality to bring to the book.
The book begins innocently enough. Alice is dealing with the death of her mother, getting used to a new sister, new mom, her wonderful boyfriend, and the rocky relationship with her friend Claire. Things change drastically when Alice, Ivy (her new born half sister), and Vic (her new stepmom) get stuck in a snowstorm. This forces all involved to see each other in a different light. I was shocked to realize I liked this so much. It was so short and to the point, but never felt like something was missing. It gives you the message that things bigger than us are at play in helping us. Something we need to hear every once in awhile.
Oh I have to mention how symbolic the whole thing that happens to the guitar (can't say what happens, kind of would be a little spoiler). I also found that her boyfriend's name being Blaze was kind of fitting. You know her being in all that cold and her "Blaze" was part of what kept her going.
It's in verse so at first that gets some getting use to. No worries there is a sufficient amount of dialogue, so it never feels too "poemy". You'd think with the length of this book you wouldn't feel attached to the characters or that they wouldn't be three dimensional, but they totally are. Each one had a unique quality to bring to the book.
The book begins innocently enough. Alice is dealing with the death of her mother, getting used to a new sister, new mom, her wonderful boyfriend, and the rocky relationship with her friend Claire. Things change drastically when Alice, Ivy (her new born half sister), and Vic (her new stepmom) get stuck in a snowstorm. This forces all involved to see each other in a different light. I was shocked to realize I liked this so much. It was so short and to the point, but never felt like something was missing. It gives you the message that things bigger than us are at play in helping us. Something we need to hear every once in awhile.
Oh I have to mention how symbolic the whole thing that happens to the guitar (can't say what happens, kind of would be a little spoiler). I also found that her boyfriend's name being Blaze was kind of fitting. You know her being in all that cold and her "Blaze" was part of what kept her going.
belles_bookshelves's review
4.0
Alright, I admit that at the beginning I wasn't all that excited about reading this. It's in poem form and I don't usually understand poems. People in poems are usually really depressed, which in turn makes me depressed or totally confused. I found this book surprisingly easy to read though. It's strange at first because the sentences sound kinda choppy, but you adapt pretty quickly and the words start to flow much better.
Quick Overview: Alice has lost her mother to cancer and has to deal with a dad that pushes her away because she reminds him so much of her. She still hasn't gotten over the fact that her mother has died and time hasn't done much healing. She's angry at her dad and doesn't like her stepmother, even if everyone else seems to think she's nice. She's also a new big sister, but she doesn't feel like pretending to be a happy family. The only bright lights in her life are her friend Claire, her great boyfriend Blaze, and playing her music. So when her dad and her stepmother Victoria tell her that they're all going to Victoria's family for Thanksgiving she's not happy. But something happens that forces Alice to look at the life she has and to "find the gift in the little things".
First off, I absolutely HATED Alice at the beginning. I thought that she was totally selfish and mean and it made me really want to stop reading the book. It also annoyed me that it constantly talks about how much she kisses and loves Blaze. Even if Blaze proves to be a great guy I kept thinking: Alright I get it, they love each other! But seriously the second half of the book totally makes up for it! It was so beautiful and I loved how she bonds with Victoria and Ivy. I thought the thing about teen sex was dealt with really well, and she decided not to do it for the right reasons. I was so worried about how everything would end, and I was very satisfied with the outcome. A very beautiful story, you just have to get through the depressing beginning. It's totally worth it.
Quick Overview: Alice has lost her mother to cancer and has to deal with a dad that pushes her away because she reminds him so much of her. She still hasn't gotten over the fact that her mother has died and time hasn't done much healing. She's angry at her dad and doesn't like her stepmother, even if everyone else seems to think she's nice. She's also a new big sister, but she doesn't feel like pretending to be a happy family. The only bright lights in her life are her friend Claire, her great boyfriend Blaze, and playing her music. So when her dad and her stepmother Victoria tell her that they're all going to Victoria's family for Thanksgiving she's not happy. But something happens that forces Alice to look at the life she has and to "find the gift in the little things".
First off, I absolutely HATED Alice at the beginning. I thought that she was totally selfish and mean and it made me really want to stop reading the book. It also annoyed me that it constantly talks about how much she kisses and loves Blaze. Even if Blaze proves to be a great guy I kept thinking: Alright I get it, they love each other! But seriously the second half of the book totally makes up for it! It was so beautiful and I loved how she bonds with Victoria and Ivy. I thought the thing about teen sex was dealt with really well, and she decided not to do it for the right reasons. I was so worried about how everything would end, and I was very satisfied with the outcome. A very beautiful story, you just have to get through the depressing beginning. It's totally worth it.
readingwithemmett's review
4.0
I really love reading books in verse, and this was no exception. The writing was great, however, I had a couple issues about the plot. First, I expected the snowstorm to be the main focus of the book, however, it was more towards the end of the novel. Second, the boyfriend was too perfect for the main character. I don't think anyone is actually that perfect in real life. Finally, the issue with the best friend almost seemed too easily resolved. Overall, I enjoyed the book because the writing was really good, but I did not like the plot all that much.
pikasqueaks's review
3.0
Far from You was not my favorite of Lisa Schroeder's books, but it remains on the same standard as her others. I couldn't connect so well with Alice, or he family -- although it's not for lack of good writing. It's more along the lines of this being so out of my experiences that I couldn't even feel sympathy for Alice's situations.
It's also a cancer book, which is an automatic zzzzz for me most of the time. But like I said -- if it's Lisa Schroeder, you really cant go wrong.
It's also a cancer book, which is an automatic zzzzz for me most of the time. But like I said -- if it's Lisa Schroeder, you really cant go wrong.
dbibliophile's review
4.0
I'll write my
review in
verse 'cause
this book is
written also
in verse. lol
Sometimes
we are not
so acceptable
when change
finds us.
Sometimes
we let our
walls up
because we've
been hurt.
Sometimes
we want to
just disappear
because
everything
seems lifeless.
But we should know that
there will always be hope.
It's just around the corner
waiting for us to push harder
and harder so that we will be
stronger when we face another
storm. We should know that
there are always angels —
few but enough — to help us
get back home safe and sound.
This book will make you feel hopeful. Read it! :)
review in
verse 'cause
this book is
written also
in verse. lol
Sometimes
we are not
so acceptable
when change
finds us.
Sometimes
we let our
walls up
because we've
been hurt.
Sometimes
we want to
just disappear
because
everything
seems lifeless.
But we should know that
there will always be hope.
It's just around the corner
waiting for us to push harder
and harder so that we will be
stronger when we face another
storm. We should know that
there are always angels —
few but enough — to help us
get back home safe and sound.
This book will make you feel hopeful. Read it! :)
accioanna's review
4.0
En riktigt fin berättelse. Enkel, men förmedlade ändå känslorna väldigt bra. Scenerna med Alice och Ivy var fenomenala. Jag tycker dock att författaren kunde lekt ännu mer med vers-strukturen.
beecheralyson's review against another edition
5.0
I think I have found a new addiction. Lisa's books. I have one more to go but waiting to get it at Vroman's. Far From You was as good as I heart you, You haunt me. Schroeder has a way of writing straight out of pure emotion that feels real and raw and tender and true. And even though she writes in verse, I get it.
youmayblah's review against another edition
4.0
This book literally gave me chills qhile i was reading it. Though the beginning was hard to get through (of course ive never been in her situation so i wouldnt be able to relate) but the second half of the book OMG it was AMAZING. It made me cry so bad and feel hope and despair and all the emotions i would definitely read it again and recommend it to some of my fellow readers :D