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celjla212's review
3.0
My reviews can be found at Sweet Southern Home.
This is a story about 2 brothers, and 2 sisters who have known each other their whole lives, but only see each other during the summer. During the summer they each vacation with their grandparents, and it's only there they are allowed to become different people--or maybe their true selves.
Katie (Katya) and Julie (Yulya) are sisters living in New Jersey. Katie, a beautiful cheerleader with a hot jock boyfriend, is doted on by her mother, and Julie, who gets no attention at all hates her for it. But one night, something horrible happens to Katie, and she withdraws while her world crumbles around her.
Alex (Sasha) and Kyle (Kostya) are brothers living in Philadelphia with their stripper mother, who is never home. Alex is demeaning to women and uses them only for sex. Kyle is quiet but seethes with resentment at his mother, whom he blames for his father's suicide, and his brother, who never can seem to leave him alone, and often encourages him to join in when he's with a girl.
During the summer, Katie, Alex, Kyle, and Julie come together and easily slide back into their familiar roles, leaving behind the issues from home. But as things get more serious, they learn the truth never really can stay hidden--especially if you're supposed to trust someone.
This is labeled as a YA book, but in my opinion it really shouldn't be read by anyone under the age of probably 17. There is lots of sex, drinking, curse words, and abuse of all kinds.
I flew threw this book rather quickly once I sat down and really started to read it. The characters were all well done, and were all multi-dimensional. That does not mean that any of them were likable, however. The only one who slightly was is Kyle, but only because he wasn't as terrible as the others and I had more pity for him than anything else.
The way events unfolded was compelling. I didn't really have a hard time seeing them as believable at first, because I know horrible things like what happened to Katie happen to girls far too often then they should. But the way Katie handled things was a bit unrealistic. But I don't know, every person has a different response to trauma, and I'm not a teenager anymore so I can't say what I would have done in her same situation.
I was hoping the characters would grow a little bit more than they did. In fact, Alex and Julie seemed to regress, while Kyle stayed the same. I also wish the ending would have been a little more fulfilling. Don't read this book if you are bothered by physical, emotional, and sexual abuse.
This is a story about 2 brothers, and 2 sisters who have known each other their whole lives, but only see each other during the summer. During the summer they each vacation with their grandparents, and it's only there they are allowed to become different people--or maybe their true selves.
Katie (Katya) and Julie (Yulya) are sisters living in New Jersey. Katie, a beautiful cheerleader with a hot jock boyfriend, is doted on by her mother, and Julie, who gets no attention at all hates her for it. But one night, something horrible happens to Katie, and she withdraws while her world crumbles around her.
Alex (Sasha) and Kyle (Kostya) are brothers living in Philadelphia with their stripper mother, who is never home. Alex is demeaning to women and uses them only for sex. Kyle is quiet but seethes with resentment at his mother, whom he blames for his father's suicide, and his brother, who never can seem to leave him alone, and often encourages him to join in when he's with a girl.
During the summer, Katie, Alex, Kyle, and Julie come together and easily slide back into their familiar roles, leaving behind the issues from home. But as things get more serious, they learn the truth never really can stay hidden--especially if you're supposed to trust someone.
This is labeled as a YA book, but in my opinion it really shouldn't be read by anyone under the age of probably 17. There is lots of sex, drinking, curse words, and abuse of all kinds.
I flew threw this book rather quickly once I sat down and really started to read it. The characters were all well done, and were all multi-dimensional. That does not mean that any of them were likable, however. The only one who slightly was is Kyle, but only because he wasn't as terrible as the others and I had more pity for him than anything else.
The way events unfolded was compelling. I didn't really have a hard time seeing them as believable at first, because I know horrible things like what happened to Katie happen to girls far too often then they should. But the way Katie handled things was a bit unrealistic. But I don't know, every person has a different response to trauma, and I'm not a teenager anymore so I can't say what I would have done in her same situation.
I was hoping the characters would grow a little bit more than they did. In fact, Alex and Julie seemed to regress, while Kyle stayed the same. I also wish the ending would have been a little more fulfilling. Don't read this book if you are bothered by physical, emotional, and sexual abuse.
jadeeby's review
4.0
Originally posted on my blog Chasing Empty Pavements
I love this cover. Love it. It's so simple and intriguing. The solitary swing, the lush greenness surrounding it and the stoic font treatment. Then I read the blurb and I was very much in love with the thought of this book. When I finished it though, I realized how misleading the cover is. It looks happy... and this book is most certainly not happy. It's gritty, dark and haunting.
I honestly didn't know what to expect from this novel and when that happens, I'm usually pleasantly surprised like I was when I read this novel. First of all-- I have to commend Gelbwasser as a writer because the way I felt after reading some of the passages made me so angry, so disgusted means she did her job right. The novel is told in four alternating POV's, which I love...but what makes it even more unique is that in one of those POV's the author uses 2nd person POV. It's not done very often, but she does it very effectively here and I love it. It's especially perfect for the character because it just fits him and the way he thinks about things. One big thing I loved about this novel is Gelbwasser's tone throughout the novel and the way she doesn't shy away from the nitty, gritty details of things. There are some really graphic scenes in here and some really disturbing thoughts but I think she handles it so well in this novel. My absolute favorite thing about this novel though? The way she writes her characters. There are a few characters that you come to absolutely HATE and that's because Gelbwasser does such a good job writing them that way. There were times I seriously wanted to reach through my Kindle and punch the characters in the face. She's that good.
I wouldn't say there's really anything I really disliked per say. There were some slower passages that I think could have been taken out but other than that, I really enjoyed this novel.
Overall, this is a great book to flex your literary wings on. It's not a feel good type of book though, so know that I warned you. But if you want to read a book about self-discovery and growing up the hard way--this is a book for you! Give it a try!
**I received this book free from the publisher through www.netgalley.com. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
I love this cover. Love it. It's so simple and intriguing. The solitary swing, the lush greenness surrounding it and the stoic font treatment. Then I read the blurb and I was very much in love with the thought of this book. When I finished it though, I realized how misleading the cover is. It looks happy... and this book is most certainly not happy. It's gritty, dark and haunting.
I honestly didn't know what to expect from this novel and when that happens, I'm usually pleasantly surprised like I was when I read this novel. First of all-- I have to commend Gelbwasser as a writer because the way I felt after reading some of the passages made me so angry, so disgusted means she did her job right. The novel is told in four alternating POV's, which I love...but what makes it even more unique is that in one of those POV's the author uses 2nd person POV. It's not done very often, but she does it very effectively here and I love it. It's especially perfect for the character because it just fits him and the way he thinks about things. One big thing I loved about this novel is Gelbwasser's tone throughout the novel and the way she doesn't shy away from the nitty, gritty details of things. There are some really graphic scenes in here and some really disturbing thoughts but I think she handles it so well in this novel. My absolute favorite thing about this novel though? The way she writes her characters. There are a few characters that you come to absolutely HATE and that's because Gelbwasser does such a good job writing them that way. There were times I seriously wanted to reach through my Kindle and punch the characters in the face. She's that good.
I wouldn't say there's really anything I really disliked per say. There were some slower passages that I think could have been taken out but other than that, I really enjoyed this novel.
Overall, this is a great book to flex your literary wings on. It's not a feel good type of book though, so know that I warned you. But if you want to read a book about self-discovery and growing up the hard way--this is a book for you! Give it a try!
**I received this book free from the publisher through www.netgalley.com. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own.
alliehwilliams's review
3.0
I have been fortunate so far this year to read several books that stayed with me a for a few days after finishing. This is one of them. I was really invested in the story although I really, really disliked two of the characters (well, I hated one of them to be honest), and wanted to shake another one half the time. You don't have to like the characters to be pulled into this story and be compelled to keep turning the pages. The subject matter is tough and I would recommend to older YAs. I look forward to more from this author.
carriejade's review
3.0
Very well written, but a tad too real for me to say I enjoyed it. It is good and important but not what I was expecting when I picked it up off the "summer reads" shelf at the library.
kdurham2's review
3.0
Two sets of siblings - one set of brothers and one set of sisters are the four main characters of this novel. These siblings meet each summer at their grandparents houses and spend the summer making memories to then "break-up" each time fall comes around and they go back to their respective homes for school and such. Formatted to be told from all different perspectives, it was easy to switch between each character's story.
Each character is going through growing pains, so they each have a story that is unique but interconnected with each other. It is a time of learning the dynamics of relationships between boys and girls while maneuvering through the landmines of young love.
The use of first person and second person narrative were interesting and I loved how the author used this subtle literary technique to convey a huge amount of emotion. At first I was annoyed, but it slowly grew on me and helped to develop the story. I wouldn't categorize this as a YA read, although the main characters are of that age.
Beware of the countless number of sex scenes.
Each character is going through growing pains, so they each have a story that is unique but interconnected with each other. It is a time of learning the dynamics of relationships between boys and girls while maneuvering through the landmines of young love.
The use of first person and second person narrative were interesting and I loved how the author used this subtle literary technique to convey a huge amount of emotion. At first I was annoyed, but it slowly grew on me and helped to develop the story. I wouldn't categorize this as a YA read, although the main characters are of that age.
Beware of the countless number of sex scenes.
divingintobookss's review
4.0
this book will pull at your heart strings and make you cry. lots of sexual content but so amazing that it will definitely stay with you for a while after reading it.
carteremma's review
2.0
This book was nothing that I was expecting. From the description what I was expecting was a book about four broken teens coming together over the summer, but what I got was a book that was far more sinister. This book was a brutal look at abuse and "victims" set over the period of a year.
Katie and Julia are sisters and Katie is the star, at home and at school. Julia can't compete for her mother's love with Katie, the star cheerleader "The Pyramid Girl". Alex and Kyle's father killed himself after finding out that their mother was having an affair. During the summer Katie, Julia, Kyle and Alex all meet at their Russian Grandparent's summer houses and they have the chance to leave their normal selves behind to become Katya, Yulya, Sasha and Kostya. In the past summer and school lives have always been kept separate but soon the worlds begin to bleed together. As secrets get revealed the lives for the four of them change in ways that mean they will never be the same again.
I hit a barrier with this book almost immediately with the writing style. This book is written from the perspective of all four of the major characters. Often this can enhance the flow of a story giving the reader the opportunity to experience different perspectives. In this instance we were able to see parts of the story from different viewpoints, but I felt like switching narrator interrupted the flow of the story dragging us away from what was going on. My other issue with this was that 3 of the character's stories were written in the first person and Kyle's was written in the second person. I found this was like running into a brick wall every time I came across one of his chapters. This style was used for Kyle as he himself does not want to admit how much he is suffering, but for me the change in perspective was off putting.
It is very difficult to talk about this book without giving away too many of the plot points as they are littered through the book and spring upon you like they were laying in wait for you to get over the previous shock. I can however talk about the characters in this book. I disliked Katie at the start of the book finding her shallow, superficial and oblivious to her sister's pain. However as Katie evolved through the book and her pain she became a tragic character who became consumed with her own problems. On the other side of this we have poor ignored Julia who just wants her mother's love and approval. However as Julia starts to get some attention she becomes a cold and heartless person I had no time for.
Another character I had no time for during the whole book was Alex. I hated the way he spoke about women. He was full of hate and this pored onto the page making his chapters uncomfortable to read. We also can see that the hate that is in Alex waiting to explode manages to seep out of him every so often in sadistic ways. I could find nothing redeeming within Alex and nothing that made me think I would ever want to spend any time with him. Again Kyle for me was on the other side of this, as much as I hated how his chapters were written, he was possibly the character that I liked the most. He was broken even at the start of the book but there was a sweetness and a naivety to him that made him seem younger than he was.
I did not enjoy reading this book as the subject matter to me was very raw and brutal. Where I can see that this book tackles these issues with a sense of purpose and delivers them up with some style and grace, it was not my cup of tea. I found it a disturbing book and personally I like a little less reality and pain with my reading.
www.lostinayabook.blogspot.com
Katie and Julia are sisters and Katie is the star, at home and at school. Julia can't compete for her mother's love with Katie, the star cheerleader "The Pyramid Girl". Alex and Kyle's father killed himself after finding out that their mother was having an affair. During the summer Katie, Julia, Kyle and Alex all meet at their Russian Grandparent's summer houses and they have the chance to leave their normal selves behind to become Katya, Yulya, Sasha and Kostya. In the past summer and school lives have always been kept separate but soon the worlds begin to bleed together. As secrets get revealed the lives for the four of them change in ways that mean they will never be the same again.
I hit a barrier with this book almost immediately with the writing style. This book is written from the perspective of all four of the major characters. Often this can enhance the flow of a story giving the reader the opportunity to experience different perspectives. In this instance we were able to see parts of the story from different viewpoints, but I felt like switching narrator interrupted the flow of the story dragging us away from what was going on. My other issue with this was that 3 of the character's stories were written in the first person and Kyle's was written in the second person. I found this was like running into a brick wall every time I came across one of his chapters. This style was used for Kyle as he himself does not want to admit how much he is suffering, but for me the change in perspective was off putting.
It is very difficult to talk about this book without giving away too many of the plot points as they are littered through the book and spring upon you like they were laying in wait for you to get over the previous shock. I can however talk about the characters in this book. I disliked Katie at the start of the book finding her shallow, superficial and oblivious to her sister's pain. However as Katie evolved through the book and her pain she became a tragic character who became consumed with her own problems. On the other side of this we have poor ignored Julia who just wants her mother's love and approval. However as Julia starts to get some attention she becomes a cold and heartless person I had no time for.
Another character I had no time for during the whole book was Alex. I hated the way he spoke about women. He was full of hate and this pored onto the page making his chapters uncomfortable to read. We also can see that the hate that is in Alex waiting to explode manages to seep out of him every so often in sadistic ways. I could find nothing redeeming within Alex and nothing that made me think I would ever want to spend any time with him. Again Kyle for me was on the other side of this, as much as I hated how his chapters were written, he was possibly the character that I liked the most. He was broken even at the start of the book but there was a sweetness and a naivety to him that made him seem younger than he was.
I did not enjoy reading this book as the subject matter to me was very raw and brutal. Where I can see that this book tackles these issues with a sense of purpose and delivers them up with some style and grace, it was not my cup of tea. I found it a disturbing book and personally I like a little less reality and pain with my reading.
www.lostinayabook.blogspot.com
chrstnareads's review
3.0
Well, that was depressing. Hard to read. If you *think* you might need help, people, GET help. Taking care of your mental health is nothing to be ashamed of. Neither is standing up to anyone doing you wrong.
God, I just wanted to shake Katie and Kyle. And Julia. And Alex. All of them. This was a tough read, but it was interesting. Only giving it 3 stars though. I liked it, but I'm not going to tell anyone they NEED to read it.
Ugh. I feel kinda dirty.
God, I just wanted to shake Katie and Kyle. And Julia. And Alex. All of them. This was a tough read, but it was interesting. Only giving it 3 stars though. I liked it, but I'm not going to tell anyone they NEED to read it.
Ugh. I feel kinda dirty.
cupcakegirly's review
2.0
Thank to you NetGalley and Flux for this copy of Pieces of Us. It's not often that I'm at a loss for words but this book that's full of hurt and pain left me speechless and emotionally drained. It's gritty and real, dealing with issues that run the gamut from parental neglect to a taped date rape that goes viral.
Four teens, two brothers and two sisters. For years they've spent their summers at their grandparents lake house, the one place they feel they can be themselves, unlike at home where they spend their school year trying to be who everyone else expects them to be. They think the choices they make in their "winter" lives won't carry over to their "summer" ones but every choice has a consequence. When one of those choices goes horribly wrong, all four will be forced to face the truth before it threatens to destroy all of them.
What this story lacked was understanding and forgiveness from the characters. Each is so broken it's heartbreaking and one would think that would make them more empathetic towards one another but it doesn't. Kyle is the only one who seems to show compassion but even he's limited because of his tortured past. Julie is so desperate for love from her mother it clouds her judgement and she loses herself and those she loves most. Alex and Katie showed potential in the beginning but I found his complete lack of understanding and forgiveness disgusting and hypocritical. If you really love someone, you forgive them, especially when they are the victim of a crime no less. I would've like to have seen Alex redeem himself in the end, even if it was years down the road. I felt the ending was rather abrupt and left too open.
Four teens, two brothers and two sisters. For years they've spent their summers at their grandparents lake house, the one place they feel they can be themselves, unlike at home where they spend their school year trying to be who everyone else expects them to be. They think the choices they make in their "winter" lives won't carry over to their "summer" ones but every choice has a consequence. When one of those choices goes horribly wrong, all four will be forced to face the truth before it threatens to destroy all of them.
What this story lacked was understanding and forgiveness from the characters. Each is so broken it's heartbreaking and one would think that would make them more empathetic towards one another but it doesn't. Kyle is the only one who seems to show compassion but even he's limited because of his tortured past. Julie is so desperate for love from her mother it clouds her judgement and she loses herself and those she loves most. Alex and Katie showed potential in the beginning but I found his complete lack of understanding and forgiveness disgusting and hypocritical. If you really love someone, you forgive them, especially when they are the victim of a crime no less. I would've like to have seen Alex redeem himself in the end, even if it was years down the road. I felt the ending was rather abrupt and left too open.