freesien's review against another edition
3.0
Ich kam mit der Protagonistin Andi einfach nicht klar. Außerdem ist das Buch anders verlaufen, als ich gedacht hatte. Den Anfang mochte ich ja noch, aber der Rest war einfach nur komisch. Ich glaub, Jennifer Donnelly ist nicht meine Autorin.
kricketa's review against another edition
5.0
after the death of her younger brother, andi feels stranded. she's flunking out of her prestigious school in nyc because all she does is play her guitar. meanwhile, all her mother does is paint portraits of trueman. when andi's nobel prize winning scientist father finds out she hasn't started her senior thesis yet, he checks her mother into a mental hospital and takes andi to paris with him for three weeks. a family friend is converting his building into a museum of the french revolution, and he encourages andi to play a beautiful antique guitar. later, andi finds a diary hidden in the lining of the guitar case. it's written by alexandrine, a teenager thrown into the chaos of the revolution and desperately trying to save the life of the dauphin, louis XVII.
oh man, i loved this. it's a breathtaking piece of work. the way donnelly weaves the parallels between andi & alex is deft and becomes even more mindblowing the more i think about it. and i can't seem to stop thinking about it. i loved the ending too. it ends perfectly. oh so very extremely highly recommended.
oh man, i loved this. it's a breathtaking piece of work. the way donnelly weaves the parallels between andi & alex is deft and becomes even more mindblowing the more i think about it. and i can't seem to stop thinking about it. i loved the ending too. it ends perfectly. oh so very extremely highly recommended.
diamontique's review against another edition
3.0
Hmmm. I'm still not sure what to think of this book. It certainly didn't live up to my expectations, that I am certain. The characterization seemed a bit forced, and the romantic subplot could have easily been taken out. Why did it even need romance anyway? But I digress. The father also didn't seem realistic. I don't think the father was realistic either.
sandsing7's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Drug abuse, Violence, Mental illness, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Sexual harassment
bookishnicole's review against another edition
4.0
This book was a little strange at some points, but as the story develops and you begin to feel for Andi and all her bad life choices, as well as getting a history of the French Revolution, it really brought light to a little known fact about the revolution (something a history major didn't even know and she studied the royal family). A great read!
kimreadsthings's review against another edition
3.0
3.5
I rather enjoyed this odd blend of contemporary issue book, historical fiction, and time travel. Of course, I cared much more about the historical aspects than the contemporary. Alex's French Revolutionary story is so captivating and the writing is so lush.
My nitpicks:
-The love interest has a soul patch. I just can't with that.
-I was distracted by how much more I cared about Alex than I did Andi, the main character
-She falls way too intensely and quickly for the love interest
-Everything wraps up too neatly.
-It was just too long. 800 pages!! This is adult novel sized! Could easily have been edited down.
Other than that this was a very enjoyable read for the richness of its historical detail and the complexity and skill with which the novel's many emotional issues are handled.
I rather enjoyed this odd blend of contemporary issue book, historical fiction, and time travel. Of course, I cared much more about the historical aspects than the contemporary. Alex's French Revolutionary story is so captivating and the writing is so lush.
My nitpicks:
-The love interest has a soul patch. I just can't with that.
-I was distracted by how much more I cared about Alex than I did Andi, the main character
-She falls way too intensely and quickly for the love interest
-Everything wraps up too neatly.
-It was just too long. 800 pages!! This is adult novel sized! Could easily have been edited down.
Other than that this was a very enjoyable read for the richness of its historical detail and the complexity and skill with which the novel's many emotional issues are handled.
jesslyntimm's review against another edition
3.0
I spent a good deal of time trying to figure out what to write for this review. Let me be honest with you -- I almost stopped reading it because I hated it so much but, don't just close out of this review because that was the first thing I said.
It takes time. If you're someone that: Likes unrealistic coincidences, stereotypes, rocker chicks, going back in time, and a crapload of history. You'll like this book.
I loved the going back in time and the history part -- that was the only reason why I finished. The book was good. Not the best. It took me awhile to finish it.
After I was done with my graduation test last week, I had nothing to do but read, I just got SO bored with this book in some parts.
Just stick with it to the end if you hate the beginning, I promise it'll get better.
This isn't how I wanted this review to sound. But I'll stick with it.
It takes time. If you're someone that: Likes unrealistic coincidences, stereotypes, rocker chicks, going back in time, and a crapload of history. You'll like this book.
I loved the going back in time and the history part -- that was the only reason why I finished. The book was good. Not the best. It took me awhile to finish it.
After I was done with my graduation test last week, I had nothing to do but read, I just got SO bored with this book in some parts.
Just stick with it to the end if you hate the beginning, I promise it'll get better.
This isn't how I wanted this review to sound. But I'll stick with it.