kricketa's review
4.0
At the beginning of this book, Jade DeLuna defines herself by her anxiety. Diagnosed with panic disorder, she takes medication and goes to therapy as well as employing her own rituals (cough drops, patron saint candles, tapping doorways) to keep her panic attacks at bay. Constantly open on her computer is the nearby zoo's elephant house webcam; the elephants calm her.
Jade's parents and friends are changing, and Jade spends more and more time in front of her computer, noticing a repeat visitor at the elephant house. A boy in a red jacket comes almost daily, a baby in his backpack. Soon Jade is watching for red jacket boy more than the elephants, but when she finally gets the courage to walk the two blocks to the zoo, he isn't there.
Instead, Jade winds up volunteering in the elephant house, an activity that frees and saves her even more than red jacket boy, whom she eventually meets. By the end of the book, Jade and her readers have almost forgotten about her anxiety.
I loved being in Jade's head- the writing is solid and her thoughts are intriguing. I also loved the Seattle setting for obvious reasons...Caletti spends part of her time on a houseboat and part in Issaquah, not too far from where my parents live.
Jade's parents and friends are changing, and Jade spends more and more time in front of her computer, noticing a repeat visitor at the elephant house. A boy in a red jacket comes almost daily, a baby in his backpack. Soon Jade is watching for red jacket boy more than the elephants, but when she finally gets the courage to walk the two blocks to the zoo, he isn't there.
Instead, Jade winds up volunteering in the elephant house, an activity that frees and saves her even more than red jacket boy, whom she eventually meets. By the end of the book, Jade and her readers have almost forgotten about her anxiety.
I loved being in Jade's head- the writing is solid and her thoughts are intriguing. I also loved the Seattle setting for obvious reasons...Caletti spends part of her time on a houseboat and part in Issaquah, not too far from where my parents live.
pagesofpins's review
1.0
Began with an interesting premise but was poorly realized. Main character's anxiety issues came off as whiny or empty-headed in places, which I don't think was intended.
wintermomof4's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
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
4.5
girlreading's review
4.0
I really, really loved this. The way Deb Caletti portrays anxiety and Jade's situation was so great, I had very few issues with it. At times it was genuinely comforting to read. The elephant element within 'The Nature of Jade' filled my heart with warmth. The way the elephants connection to humans was describe was gorgeous. I though Jade and Sebastian's relationship was lovely and it was so interesting to see how Sebastian's situation was dealt with, although I would have liked to have seen more from Bo (he's such a cutie). Jades character development was everything I could have hoped for and the messages within that really stood out to me. It was so nice to read from the point of view of a character suffering with anxiety, who's anxiety didn't magically vanish over night. I also adored the way Sebastian dealt with the knowledge of Jade's anxiety. Overall a really lovely hidden gem of a book. I'm so happy I picked it up.
briannanicolereads's review
5.0
This was my favorite book so many years ago and it just popped in my head today. I wish I could read it again. It pushed me to go into the Mental Health field and increased my love of elephants.
sheffner07's review
3.0
I liked this book from the beginning, thought about DNFing in the middle, and ended up finishing it. I don’t know what it is about Deb Caletti’s books, but there is always something missing for me. I liked how honest the discussion around anxiety was, but didn’t care for the romance or the dramatic second half.
aggleeson's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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
5.0