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sim_4520's review against another edition
1.0
It's the story of a boy who returns to his family after almost 10 years after being abducted, finding his family himself and how he is dealing with the emotions of his past and the way he is being treated by his new family that he has found.
I think this story can be presented more intriguingly, to hold the interest of the readers. It's a short book, the chapters are short and clear, but they are boring, the emotions felt by Ethan are strong and so are his reactions, but they are not presented that strongly and deeply in this book, I expected this book to be a little bit creepy but at the same time emotionally deep.
The characters I like in this book are Gracie and Blake.
Gracie's s character is nice, strong-minded, and full of warmth and fun, meanwhile, Blake's character though portrayed through the point of view of Ethan is represented well, and his emotions and reactions after Ethan returned to the family are presented well. Except for the ending the whole story felt more like Stockholm syndrome to me, the way Ethan always thinks about his abductor. But the ending changes it, I wish these hints of Ethan being someone else were dropped in the story a lot earlier to make it interesting.
All in all, it's good for a one-time read.
I think this story can be presented more intriguingly, to hold the interest of the readers. It's a short book, the chapters are short and clear, but they are boring, the emotions felt by Ethan are strong and so are his reactions, but they are not presented that strongly and deeply in this book, I expected this book to be a little bit creepy but at the same time emotionally deep.
The characters I like in this book are Gracie and Blake.
Gracie's s character is nice, strong-minded, and full of warmth and fun, meanwhile, Blake's character though portrayed through the point of view of Ethan is represented well, and his emotions and reactions after Ethan returned to the family are presented well. Except for the ending the whole story felt more like Stockholm syndrome to me, the way Ethan always thinks about his abductor. But the ending changes it, I wish these hints of Ethan being someone else were dropped in the story a lot earlier to make it interesting.
All in all, it's good for a one-time read.
heathercottledillon's review against another edition
2.0
243 pages
We begin this story with what is supposed to be a happy ending. Ethan was abducted from his front yard when he was seven. Now he's sixteen, and he's just been reunited with his family: his parents; his brother, Blake, who is two years younger and witnessed the kidnapping all those years ago; and Gracie, the six-year-old sister he's never met. As happy as the reunion is, Ethan is struggling. He can't remember anything about his life before he was taken, so everything feels foreign. He feels like he doesn't fit in and wonders if he's been gone too long to become part of the family again. As time goes on, he becomes more and more troubled by missing memories, from both before and after the abduction. What terrible thing is his mind blocking?
This story has a very interesting premise, but I was disappointed. I wanted more character development. This is such a complicated issue, but I felt like I didn't know any of the characters enough to really get invested in the story like I could have. Also, Ethan's family's reaction seemed totally unrealistic to me in many ways. Ethan returns out of the blue after being gone for almost a decade, missing most of his childhood, leaving his parents thinking that he was dead, and yet the family basically goes about their business as usual immediately after he returns. They go to work and take Gracie to soccer or whatever the very next day and even make Ethan go to school the Monday following his Friday homecoming. It just didn't ring true. Yeah, I know I'm nitpicking, but I reserve the right to complain about whatever bugs me in my reviews :). There's some decent enough suspense leading up to the end, but it's ultimately pretty predictable due to clues throughout the story. It's too bad, because this could have been a really good story.
We begin this story with what is supposed to be a happy ending. Ethan was abducted from his front yard when he was seven. Now he's sixteen, and he's just been reunited with his family: his parents; his brother, Blake, who is two years younger and witnessed the kidnapping all those years ago; and Gracie, the six-year-old sister he's never met. As happy as the reunion is, Ethan is struggling. He can't remember anything about his life before he was taken, so everything feels foreign. He feels like he doesn't fit in and wonders if he's been gone too long to become part of the family again. As time goes on, he becomes more and more troubled by missing memories, from both before and after the abduction. What terrible thing is his mind blocking?
This story has a very interesting premise, but I was disappointed. I wanted more character development. This is such a complicated issue, but I felt like I didn't know any of the characters enough to really get invested in the story like I could have. Also, Ethan's family's reaction seemed totally unrealistic to me in many ways. Ethan returns out of the blue after being gone for almost a decade, missing most of his childhood, leaving his parents thinking that he was dead, and yet the family basically goes about their business as usual immediately after he returns. They go to work and take Gracie to soccer or whatever the very next day and even make Ethan go to school the Monday following his Friday homecoming. It just didn't ring true. Yeah, I know I'm nitpicking, but I reserve the right to complain about whatever bugs me in my reviews :). There's some decent enough suspense leading up to the end, but it's ultimately pretty predictable due to clues throughout the story. It's too bad, because this could have been a really good story.
vicky30312's review against another edition
5.0
THERE IS NO WAY I CAN TALK ABOUT THIS BOOK WITHOUT SPOILERS!
Holy crap guys, this book through me for a loop and I love and hate it at the same time. I don't even know where to start. Ethan. I just wanted to swaddle him up and never let him go. I wanted to smack the crap out of his brother for even THINKING he wasn't his brother. His relationship with his little sister was the sweetest thing as well. BUT THEN! I had not suspected a thing. I thought this book was going to be just a simple story about a boy had to live through finding his family again but man. Lisa McMann props to you for throwing that ending at me and messing up my life. I really want her to add more to the story but at the same time i feel like the book wouldn't have quite the same impact if she had tied up all the loose ends.
Holy crap guys, this book through me for a loop and I love and hate it at the same time. I don't even know where to start. Ethan. I just wanted to swaddle him up and never let him go. I wanted to smack the crap out of his brother for even THINKING he wasn't his brother. His relationship with his little sister was the sweetest thing as well. BUT THEN! I had not suspected a thing. I thought this book was going to be just a simple story about a boy had to live through finding his family again but man. Lisa McMann props to you for throwing that ending at me and messing up my life. I really want her to add more to the story but at the same time i feel like the book wouldn't have quite the same impact if she had tied up all the loose ends.
carleighdipasquale's review against another edition
3.0
This ending...THERE MUST BE A SEQUEL PLEASE LISA MCMANN I CANT DEAL WITH THIS ENDING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I picked up this book on a whim, not really sure what I was expecting. However, as I read on I found myself to be enjoying this compelling story. I didn't feel to much for the characters, who at times frustrated me, and I found the insta-love to be a bit ridiculous, but I guess you can expect that from a protagonist who has quite the issues. Though I found the writing to be a tad dull, the book was overall entertaining. Certainly not bad, but not great either. I read the book in about six hours tops because I was that invested in the story and I needed to see how it would wrap up. And wow, I did not this ending coming. You cant just give us an ending like this and not give us a sequel!
I picked up this book on a whim, not really sure what I was expecting. However, as I read on I found myself to be enjoying this compelling story. I didn't feel to much for the characters, who at times frustrated me, and I found the insta-love to be a bit ridiculous, but I guess you can expect that from a protagonist who has quite the issues. Though I found the writing to be a tad dull, the book was overall entertaining. Certainly not bad, but not great either. I read the book in about six hours tops because I was that invested in the story and I needed to see how it would wrap up. And wow, I did not this ending coming. You cant just give us an ending like this and not give us a sequel!
inook_u's review against another edition
3.0
This book was good read, but it wasn't an amazing book.
most of the times, It was very predictable. Meaning the plot at the end of the story wasn't as shocking.
But the most intriuguing thing about Lisa McMann's writing, was that she was giveing clues for the reader.
This was really cool, it felt like you were either second guessing yourself on weather certain events really happend or not. Or who was lying or not. You know you just felt like an actual investgator.
But however, as i said before this aspect did make the ending predictable.
The characters in this story are loveable especially Gracie, the little sister she left a huge impact on me.
But Ethan, the potagnist. He was at times abit strange, and creepy. How he treated Gracie at the start you would think it was strange of him how hw treats his newly founded sister. I just didn't get it.
But the main question on my mind at the moment is this a stand alone or a series? Cause at the end of this book, there is so much left to give for the story. I am hoping for a squeal.
And to be honest, I wished the ending was differnt. But owell, happy endings come in only fairytales.
I liked this book, I would tell people about it, but i wouldn't enforce it on people.
But Lissa did however do a great job.
A Strong Three Stars is well desevered.
-Gregglies (:
most of the times, It was very predictable. Meaning the plot at the end of the story wasn't as shocking.
But the most intriuguing thing about Lisa McMann's writing, was that she was giveing clues for the reader.
This was really cool, it felt like you were either second guessing yourself on weather certain events really happend or not. Or who was lying or not. You know you just felt like an actual investgator.
But however, as i said before this aspect did make the ending predictable.
The characters in this story are loveable especially Gracie, the little sister she left a huge impact on me.
But Ethan, the potagnist. He was at times abit strange, and creepy. How he treated Gracie at the start you would think it was strange of him how hw treats his newly founded sister. I just didn't get it.
But the main question on my mind at the moment is this a stand alone or a series? Cause at the end of this book, there is so much left to give for the story. I am hoping for a squeal.
And to be honest, I wished the ending was differnt. But owell, happy endings come in only fairytales.
I liked this book, I would tell people about it, but i wouldn't enforce it on people.
But Lissa did however do a great job.
A Strong Three Stars is well desevered.
-Gregglies (:
alicebme's review against another edition
4.0
Enjoyed the voice. Fast-paced and great for a long car ride. Thank you for making this a satisfying stand alone.
jordanbro1993's review
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
abbyreads2's review against another edition
4.0
I had a feeling this wasn't going to be a sad book. Towards the end, I knew where the author was going with it but damn I was hoping it wouldn't end like this. I freaking cried in the end. I really wanted him to be the real Ethan. I'm surprised and shocked. I almost cried reading the end. I'm hoping there's a second book because I need to know more. Don't leave me hanging Lisa! Besides that, I really enjoyed this book.