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3.26 AVERAGE
3.26 AVERAGE
This review is for the iPad/iBooks version.
The Gift is a story about a girl trying to be normal, despite her extra-ordinary gift.
Adding multimedia to an ebook can enhance the storytelling experience. Giving it a sense of discovery and immersion that a paper book might not provide for the reluctant reader. On the other hand when the technology is used without purpose or reason, adding multimedia becomes shallow embellishments. Those "special effects" bring nothing to the story or to the reader's enjoyment. Luckily, The Gift is able to achieve a pleasing balance between "special effects" and good storytelling.
The Gift is a story about a girl trying to be normal, despite her extra-ordinary gift.
Adding multimedia to an ebook can enhance the storytelling experience. Giving it a sense of discovery and immersion that a paper book might not provide for the reluctant reader. On the other hand when the technology is used without purpose or reason, adding multimedia becomes shallow embellishments. Those "special effects" bring nothing to the story or to the reader's enjoyment. Luckily, The Gift is able to achieve a pleasing balance between "special effects" and good storytelling.
I received an e-copy from the publishers at NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Another one of my NetGalley impulse reads. I had read a few reviews from other bloggers that I follow who were quasi-impressed with the book. I was curious whether this shortie (155 pages) would live up to the praises. I actually thought this was going to be more of a witchy-type of book instead of being about a ghost. When you think of gifts that is what you think of naturally, right? When I started to realize while reading that it wasn't what I thought, I had to completely go into it blind. I didn't reread the premise to refresh my memory on what it was about after my misunderstanding. I simply kept going to see how I would feel about it without any refresher course.
This story starts with Daisy finding Vivi in a bathroom after taking a fair amount of pills. She quickly finds out that Vivi was attempting to reconnect with her ghost boyfriend that she claims is her soulmate. Daisy, always the skeptic despite her own otherworldly attributes, doesn't quite believe Vivi but she is willing to listen anyway due to an overwhelming draw to her. She feels like Vivi and her are supposed to be friends and she wants to know why.
Not long after that, Daisy's best friend, Danielle, is dragged into things. Danielle and Daisy start sharing an interesting psychic connection that they never had experienced before. They chalk it up to the physical body challenged friend of Vivi's. Eventually their world just completely gets consumed by the paranormal to the point where they start having to delve into the past to understand their present. Along the way, Daisy inadvertently draws in the handsome, odd, senior Kevin. There are, quite literal, sparks from the moment they meet and she confides in him rather easily.
Now it is up to Vivi, Danielle, Daisy, and Kevin to figure out how to help Vivi's ghost friend, but what do they truly know about him and what is his connection to all of them?
This book kind of read like it would fit more into the middle grade genre than the young adult. Some of the situations seemed a bit more like a PBS special than anything. The overall theme of the book seemed more a lesson in "don't talk to strangers" than any real spooky ghost story. I did, however, like the back story of how the girls have been connected in the past. That was the book's saving grace as far as I was concerned. The rest of it was just... not there for me. The conversations between the characters were supposed to be funny but it was that comedy that, once again, younger individuals would relate to or find humorous. I just kept wincing and hoping they get past it fast to get back to the meat of the story. I had to muscle my way through the book because I really wanted to set it down and read something else for a while. I am never one to start something I don't plan to finish and so... I did finish... reluctantly.
Gift is a book that would appeal to the younger generation of the young adult genre.
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GoodReads Synopsis: High school sophomore Daisy Jones is just trying to get by unnoticed. It doesn’t help that she’s the new girl at school, lives in a trailer park, and doesn’t even own a cell phone. But there’s a good reason for all that: Daisy has a secret, unpredictable power—one only her best friend, Danielle, knows about.
Despite her “gift” (or is it a curse?), Daisy’s doing a good job of fitting in—and a cute senior named Kevin even seems interested in her! But when Daisy tries to help Vivi, a mysterious classmate in a crisis, she soon discovers that her new friend has a secret of her own. Now Daisy and her friends must deal with chilling dreams and messages from the beyond. Can Daisy channel the power she’s always tried to hide—before it’s too late?
My Thoughts: I totally got sucked into this when Daisy goes to check on a classmate in the restroom and finds what looks like a suicide attempt. Who could close the book on that? I had to find out what the deal was! What I found so interesting was that there were a few different supernatural elements at work.
The characters were vivid and fully fleshed out as was the storyline. While the main story was about the 3 girls, it was Patrick that brings them all together to figure out who and what he is. The story moved at a steady pace and touched on a lot of different issues which added depth. There is plenty of suspense as well as a few twists that surprised me. Overall, it was an enjoyable read. I’d be inclined to read more from Buchanan!
Despite her “gift” (or is it a curse?), Daisy’s doing a good job of fitting in—and a cute senior named Kevin even seems interested in her! But when Daisy tries to help Vivi, a mysterious classmate in a crisis, she soon discovers that her new friend has a secret of her own. Now Daisy and her friends must deal with chilling dreams and messages from the beyond. Can Daisy channel the power she’s always tried to hide—before it’s too late?
My Thoughts: I totally got sucked into this when Daisy goes to check on a classmate in the restroom and finds what looks like a suicide attempt. Who could close the book on that? I had to find out what the deal was! What I found so interesting was that there were a few different supernatural elements at work.
The characters were vivid and fully fleshed out as was the storyline. While the main story was about the 3 girls, it was Patrick that brings them all together to figure out who and what he is. The story moved at a steady pace and touched on a lot of different issues which added depth. There is plenty of suspense as well as a few twists that surprised me. Overall, it was an enjoyable read. I’d be inclined to read more from Buchanan!
I gave up on this one about half way through. Found I didn't really care what happened to the characters. I got a copy of this book from Netgalley.
Firstly, let me say I struggled through this. I don't mind ghost stories, and I love paranormal books, but I felt this book was lacking in a few places.
Daisy is basically a loner with one best friend. She has a "gift" which she hides, but it does come in handy in the end. I felt the character's weren't fun enough for this book. I was bored by them most of the time. Daisy's gift, also left me disappointed. The blurb for this book really makes it sound amazing, but I really couldn't get into it.
The killer twist in the end, ALMOST makes up for the rest of the story.
Read it, if only just for the twist :)
Daisy is basically a loner with one best friend. She has a "gift" which she hides, but it does come in handy in the end. I felt the character's weren't fun enough for this book. I was bored by them most of the time. Daisy's gift, also left me disappointed. The blurb for this book really makes it sound amazing, but I really couldn't get into it.
The killer twist in the end, ALMOST makes up for the rest of the story.
Read it, if only just for the twist :)
*Received from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*
This is a light, thrilling read that will transport you to the past and back and make new friends with a ghost? The cover is simple, however I like the bright pink/purple background consequently grabbing your attention.
Daisy has always been different, with only her mother and best friend Danielle knowing that she can control and cause havoc with all electrical devices. But when Vivi enters the scene and continues to talk about ghosts, nightmares from the past begin to cause destruction in the minds of two young girls and mysteries become apparent.
Daisy is a character whom you will love one moment and in the next you will dislike. I found she was very mature and dealt with some situations well; additionally I found her relationship with Kevin very adorable. However, I found that she cared way too much about what people thought of her, such as getting the bus to and from school... whats wrong with getting the bus!? I also found her attitude and the way she spoke to her mother on occasions very rude. Furthermore, her lying was very annoying.
I did enjoy the way her dreams linked with the past. The story linking to the past was very interesting, especially the way all events and clues linked neatly together, making you feel engaged in attempting to solve the mystery. I also loved seeing the different pictures and articles; it added a more realistic effect to the past stories.
This is a light enjoyable read, however on occasions it felt like nothing was really happening. And then the part where Vivi was staying with Mr. Terry? Please, do not get me started!
This is a light, thrilling read that will transport you to the past and back and make new friends with a ghost? The cover is simple, however I like the bright pink/purple background consequently grabbing your attention.
Daisy has always been different, with only her mother and best friend Danielle knowing that she can control and cause havoc with all electrical devices. But when Vivi enters the scene and continues to talk about ghosts, nightmares from the past begin to cause destruction in the minds of two young girls and mysteries become apparent.
Daisy is a character whom you will love one moment and in the next you will dislike. I found she was very mature and dealt with some situations well; additionally I found her relationship with Kevin very adorable. However, I found that she cared way too much about what people thought of her, such as getting the bus to and from school... whats wrong with getting the bus!? I also found her attitude and the way she spoke to her mother on occasions very rude. Furthermore, her lying was very annoying.
I did enjoy the way her dreams linked with the past. The story linking to the past was very interesting, especially the way all events and clues linked neatly together, making you feel engaged in attempting to solve the mystery. I also loved seeing the different pictures and articles; it added a more realistic effect to the past stories.
This is a light enjoyable read, however on occasions it felt like nothing was really happening. And then the part where Vivi was staying with Mr. Terry? Please, do not get me started!
{my thoughts} – This book was right up my alley in terms of paranormal. It’s also young adult and has an interesting plot.
Daisy is a high school student that has an unusual ability that allows her to control electricity. She has a close friend named Danielle that is the only person aside from here mother that is aware of what she is capable of doing.
She lives in what one could call the stone age, she has to be away from most modern electronics or she ruins them with bad power surges. Eventually she becomes friends with a girl named Vivi that she learns talks to a ghost named Patrick.
When Danielle freezes her out because of Patrick and Vivi she turns to a boy named Kevin to speak with about what is going on and he has insight that she hadn’t thought of and he is also unique in a sense like she is but not like she is.
This whole book is based on Patrick and his life before he became a ghost and after etc. If you want to know what happens with Patrick and Daisy you should read the book. It’s a nice fairly short book.
At the end of the book there is an account of the story in Kevin, Daisy and Danielle’s perspective. I was not thrilled when I discovered these things at the end of the book. They basically retell the entire story but in rather creative ways. If I had known that all I needed to do was read the last 30 pages and I would have understood the entire story. I think that the way the book ended should have been the way it was written. Creativity in a book is what makes a book stand out and had the author written it in all the different perspectives of the characters I think It could have been a delightful read.
I do recommend this book to others. I can’t wait to read more by this particular author.
Daisy is a high school student that has an unusual ability that allows her to control electricity. She has a close friend named Danielle that is the only person aside from here mother that is aware of what she is capable of doing.
She lives in what one could call the stone age, she has to be away from most modern electronics or she ruins them with bad power surges. Eventually she becomes friends with a girl named Vivi that she learns talks to a ghost named Patrick.
When Danielle freezes her out because of Patrick and Vivi she turns to a boy named Kevin to speak with about what is going on and he has insight that she hadn’t thought of and he is also unique in a sense like she is but not like she is.
This whole book is based on Patrick and his life before he became a ghost and after etc. If you want to know what happens with Patrick and Daisy you should read the book. It’s a nice fairly short book.
At the end of the book there is an account of the story in Kevin, Daisy and Danielle’s perspective. I was not thrilled when I discovered these things at the end of the book. They basically retell the entire story but in rather creative ways. If I had known that all I needed to do was read the last 30 pages and I would have understood the entire story. I think that the way the book ended should have been the way it was written. Creativity in a book is what makes a book stand out and had the author written it in all the different perspectives of the characters I think It could have been a delightful read.
I do recommend this book to others. I can’t wait to read more by this particular author.
This YA ebook revolves around a sophomore named Daisy. She's the new girl in town, and a strange one at that. She has a powerful secret ability, that only her best friend, Danielle, and her mother know about. That doesn't stop a senior, Kevin from liking her. But after a fellow classmate named Vivi attempts suicide and Daisy is the one to stop her, she starts getting some creepy dreams and feelings from a not-so-friendly ghost.
This book was charming and a fun read. Daisy was really down to earth, and led the story as a good protagonist should. I especially thought her power was very interesting and unique. The aspects of the story such as her home, and how she was not the average teen and lived without the latest technology--really set this book apart from others. The author's writing was smooth and flowed from each chapter to the next.
My only difficulty when it came to this book was my inability to get totally invested in it. I read it and really enjoyed it, but I did not care about every single character. For example, I never was and never will be a fan of Danielle. She was very harsh and extremely unlikeable. During this whole book and after, I can't tell if she approved of Kevin! Total mixed singles. Disregarding Danielle though, all of the characters were unique and developed in the course of this book. I really could get into Vivi's shoes as she bumbled along and didn't know what to think.
This book had the right amount of reality and paranormal mixed together. I'd recommend it to fans of Hex Hall, good-vs-evil, and paranormal fans (especially ghost fans!)
3.5/5 Stars
This book was charming and a fun read. Daisy was really down to earth, and led the story as a good protagonist should. I especially thought her power was very interesting and unique. The aspects of the story such as her home, and how she was not the average teen and lived without the latest technology--really set this book apart from others. The author's writing was smooth and flowed from each chapter to the next.
My only difficulty when it came to this book was my inability to get totally invested in it. I read it and really enjoyed it, but I did not care about every single character. For example, I never was and never will be a fan of Danielle. She was very harsh and extremely unlikeable. During this whole book and after, I can't tell if she approved of Kevin! Total mixed singles. Disregarding Danielle though, all of the characters were unique and developed in the course of this book. I really could get into Vivi's shoes as she bumbled along and didn't know what to think.
This book had the right amount of reality and paranormal mixed together. I'd recommend it to fans of Hex Hall, good-vs-evil, and paranormal fans (especially ghost fans!)
3.5/5 Stars
Gift is very delightful,but kinda creepy that was excellent read. Ghost tale with a supernatural love story.
Daisy’s mysterious ability to channel electricity has always been more curse than blessing. When Daisy’s favorite English teacher sends her after a classmate, Vivi, Daisy’s world becomes topsy-turvy. Vivian is being haunted, after Daisy befriends Vivi, so are she and Danielle. Daisy then meets hottie senior Kevin and Kevin accepts Daisy for who she is. Then everything gets pretty interesting in the story line. I couldn't put this read down.
This book is a combination of murder mystery, contemporary fantasy and horror. I recommend this ghostly supernatural read !!!
Daisy’s mysterious ability to channel electricity has always been more curse than blessing. When Daisy’s favorite English teacher sends her after a classmate, Vivi, Daisy’s world becomes topsy-turvy. Vivian is being haunted, after Daisy befriends Vivi, so are she and Danielle. Daisy then meets hottie senior Kevin and Kevin accepts Daisy for who she is. Then everything gets pretty interesting in the story line. I couldn't put this read down.
This book is a combination of murder mystery, contemporary fantasy and horror. I recommend this ghostly supernatural read !!!
Just quite boring to me. Nothing about it that made me want to go further than the first 50 pages.