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readwithpassion's review against another edition
The is a beautifully crafted novel about two twin sisters, Anna and Katherine, who live in Philadelphia in the late 19th century, during the time of the Centennial Fair. Tragedy strikes and Katherine's heart aches for her sister. This is a true historical fiction, and I was drawn to the way Kephart weaved the characters into such a fascinating event in history.
heykellyjensen's review against another edition
3.0
3.5.
Rich literary historical fiction set in the centennial World's Fair just outside Philadelphia.
Rich literary historical fiction set in the centennial World's Fair just outside Philadelphia.
bethanymiller415's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars
The setting is Philadelphia in 1876, and the Centennial fair is in full swing showcasing the best that the United States and the world have to offer. It’s an exciting time, but seventeen year old Katherine is unmoved by it. She is too consumed with grieving the loss of her twin sister Anna. For most of their lives Katherine and Anna were as close as two sisters could be, but then Anna starts seeing Bennett and everything changes. Katherine feels her sister slipping away from her but can do nothing to stop it. Then one fateful day Anna convinces Katherine to go ice skating with her and Bennett. Katherine resists at first but eventually agrees. When Bennett arrives, Katherine, who has always seen herself as Anna’s caretaker, turns her back on the two of them. Katherine is too far away to help when her sister falls through a weak patch of ice. Katherine has been filled with grief and guilt ever since her sister’s death and is contemplating taking her own life. Is there anything that can change her mind?
Dangerous Neighbors explores the complex relationship between twin sisters Katherine and Anna. The book begins six months after Anna’s death, but the unraveling of the girls’ relationship is depicted through flashbacks. Though it’s easy to feel sorry for Katherine, she’s not a very likable character, and her depression makes the overall tone of the novel very bleak. Kephart’s writing is very descriptive, and she excels at setting a scene; however, there is very little action in the story. Even at moments that seem like they should be filled with tension, such as when Katherine watches a fire rage through Shantytown from the roof of a nearby building, the pace of the book remains very slow. Though Kephart is a talented writer, Dangerous Neighbors is unlikely to hold the attention of most teen readers.
The setting is Philadelphia in 1876, and the Centennial fair is in full swing showcasing the best that the United States and the world have to offer. It’s an exciting time, but seventeen year old Katherine is unmoved by it. She is too consumed with grieving the loss of her twin sister Anna. For most of their lives Katherine and Anna were as close as two sisters could be, but then Anna starts seeing Bennett and everything changes. Katherine feels her sister slipping away from her but can do nothing to stop it. Then one fateful day Anna convinces Katherine to go ice skating with her and Bennett. Katherine resists at first but eventually agrees. When Bennett arrives, Katherine, who has always seen herself as Anna’s caretaker, turns her back on the two of them. Katherine is too far away to help when her sister falls through a weak patch of ice. Katherine has been filled with grief and guilt ever since her sister’s death and is contemplating taking her own life. Is there anything that can change her mind?
Dangerous Neighbors explores the complex relationship between twin sisters Katherine and Anna. The book begins six months after Anna’s death, but the unraveling of the girls’ relationship is depicted through flashbacks. Though it’s easy to feel sorry for Katherine, she’s not a very likable character, and her depression makes the overall tone of the novel very bleak. Kephart’s writing is very descriptive, and she excels at setting a scene; however, there is very little action in the story. Even at moments that seem like they should be filled with tension, such as when Katherine watches a fire rage through Shantytown from the roof of a nearby building, the pace of the book remains very slow. Though Kephart is a talented writer, Dangerous Neighbors is unlikely to hold the attention of most teen readers.
serenaac's review against another edition
4.0
Beth Kephart‘s Dangerous Neighbors, which hits stores on August 24, is set in 1876 in Philadelphia on the verge of the 100th anniversary of the birth of the United States as two sisters, twins, struggle with changes in their relationship and find the ability to fly on their own.
Katherine and Anna may be twins, but they are very different with Anna considered the beauty and adventurous one and Katherine as the dependable protector. As adolescence hits and Anna falls in love with the baker’s son, Bennett, the relationship between the girls changes, forcing Katherine to make tough choices and keep secrets. Anna is like the Schuylkill River near Philadelphia in that she winds her way through a society on the cusp of change and modernity. She takes the plunge even though her love for the Bennett would be frowned upon by her family given his status in the city compared to that of her father, a banker.
“Nothing in this world is safe. Clouds form. Trees split. Horses rear. Ice breaks. Fire rages. Maybe the bird in that girl’s cage is better off, but then again, Katherine thinks, the cage could crack, the prison could itself perish, along with its prisoner.” (Page 32 of ARC)
Read the full review: http://savvyverseandwit.com/2010/08/dangerous-neighbors-by-beth-kephart.html
Katherine and Anna may be twins, but they are very different with Anna considered the beauty and adventurous one and Katherine as the dependable protector. As adolescence hits and Anna falls in love with the baker’s son, Bennett, the relationship between the girls changes, forcing Katherine to make tough choices and keep secrets. Anna is like the Schuylkill River near Philadelphia in that she winds her way through a society on the cusp of change and modernity. She takes the plunge even though her love for the Bennett would be frowned upon by her family given his status in the city compared to that of her father, a banker.
“Nothing in this world is safe. Clouds form. Trees split. Horses rear. Ice breaks. Fire rages. Maybe the bird in that girl’s cage is better off, but then again, Katherine thinks, the cage could crack, the prison could itself perish, along with its prisoner.” (Page 32 of ARC)
Read the full review: http://savvyverseandwit.com/2010/08/dangerous-neighbors-by-beth-kephart.html
angelasunshine's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. I just finished Prophecy of the Sisters recently, also about twin sisters at odds during the same time period, and thought this was much better. I'm no expert on the way teens spoke at the end of the 19th century, but this felt right to me in a way that Prophecy didn't.
kellyeweber's review against another edition
4.0
I wanted to give this 3.5 stars, but since you can't, I rounded up to 4. I was impressed with her integration of historical fact & detail and thought her prose was excellent. However, the ending was somewhat abrupt for me, I didn't quite "buy" the title & would've liked to known more of Anna. Overall, a nice YA read.
hopeylope's review against another edition
3.0
I went into this book not expecting an amazing story, but an enjoyable one and I got that plus some. This little book was an intriguing, short read that I have been in the mood for in the past few days. While nothing special it was a sweet story of sisterly love and all the trials it goes through, especially when their is a boy involved. I only wished it were longer, though I was in the mood for a short book, I think Dangerous Neighbors would have been amazing if it were longer. It had a lot of places it could have gone and where it could have expanded more, which I would have liked to have read.
Premise - 3/5
Characters - 4/5
Writing Style - 3/5
Story - 3/5
Realistic - 4/5
Enjoyment - 4/5
Average Rating - 3.5
My Rating - 3
Cover - I thought it was sweet and fit the story well. Plus I loved the font the title was in!
Premise - 3/5
Characters - 4/5
Writing Style - 3/5
Story - 3/5
Realistic - 4/5
Enjoyment - 4/5
Average Rating - 3.5
My Rating - 3
Cover - I thought it was sweet and fit the story well. Plus I loved the font the title was in!
saragrochowski's review against another edition
4.0
At times, when I'm reading one of Beth Kephart's novels, I find myself distracted by the gorgeous phrasing and richly described settings and characters. It's easy to find oneself swept away by the beautiful writing, but I always remind myself to go beyond that aspect Kephart's novels because the writing isn't meant to distract readers from a mediocre tale: Kephart is a thought-provoking storyteller as well.
DANGEROUS NEIGHBORS is a slim volume, but the I felt Katherine and Anna's story fit well within its covers. This novel is not for readers who favor action and a quickly paced story. At all. The story begins slowly and continues at a leisurely pace, meandering between past and present.
I found Katherine's relationship with her sister, Anna, and her father interesting. There isn't very much dialogue in the novel, but each interaction holds weight and meaning and I found myself analyzing the words exchanged and considering how Katherine would have reacted and felt. The flashbacks, to me, held the most meaning, as they were the only time readers are able to observe Katherine and Anna's interaction. I couldn't help imagining Katherine collecting these memories like a crow collects shiny baubles, though many of the memories lacked the luster of happiness.
Kephart tells her characters' stories with a delicate hand and deposits them carefully into the reader's heart. DANGEROUS NEIGHBORS, with it's beautiful language and acute heartache, is no exception.
Grade: B+
Cover Comments:
This cover is perfect for DANGEROUS NEIGHBORS. The colors and image both convey the delicate subject matter and writing.
DANGEROUS NEIGHBORS is a slim volume, but the I felt Katherine and Anna's story fit well within its covers. This novel is not for readers who favor action and a quickly paced story. At all. The story begins slowly and continues at a leisurely pace, meandering between past and present.
I found Katherine's relationship with her sister, Anna, and her father interesting. There isn't very much dialogue in the novel, but each interaction holds weight and meaning and I found myself analyzing the words exchanged and considering how Katherine would have reacted and felt. The flashbacks, to me, held the most meaning, as they were the only time readers are able to observe Katherine and Anna's interaction. I couldn't help imagining Katherine collecting these memories like a crow collects shiny baubles, though many of the memories lacked the luster of happiness.
Kephart tells her characters' stories with a delicate hand and deposits them carefully into the reader's heart. DANGEROUS NEIGHBORS, with it's beautiful language and acute heartache, is no exception.
Grade: B+
Cover Comments:
This cover is perfect for DANGEROUS NEIGHBORS. The colors and image both convey the delicate subject matter and writing.
anrobe's review
4.0
Although this is my first Beth Kephart novel, I've got several of her books on my TBR pile because I've heard such great things. I really wanted to read this one when I heard about it because it sounded like something right up my alley.
Overall, I would describe this novel as haunting. It's not particularly 'fun' or even entertaining. But, its a strong novel - well written and it really sticks with you!
This novel is historical fiction, Young Adult style. It's based in Philadelphia in 1876, during the Centennial in Philadelphia. The main characters are twin sisters Katherine and Anna. The story revolves around the fact that Anna dies in a tragic accident and Katherine's desire to die due to her feelings of guilt and betrayal. This doesn't really give you the true essence of the story but it does help.
The setting of the novel was amazing and so well written. Philadelphia in 1876 came alive for me as I read Kephart's beautiful prose. She gave the Centennial exquisite texture for me. I felt as if I was walking alongside the characters as they explored Philadelphia during that time.
I really related to the sense of loss and crisis that Katherine underwent during the novel. Kephart did an excellent job of making Katherine and her emotional state come alive for me. There were a number of themes in the book around salvation, loss, renewal, and personal growth. All of which I think were done extremely well in this novel and really gave me a great deal to think about.
In the end, this is a novel about betrayal and guilt, hope and despair, love, loss, and new beginnings. And it's beautifully written. I definitely recommend it if you enjoy well written novels that stay with you for a time after reading. Haunting. Yes, I think Katherine and her journey will stick with me for some time.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher for review.
Overall, I would describe this novel as haunting. It's not particularly 'fun' or even entertaining. But, its a strong novel - well written and it really sticks with you!
This novel is historical fiction, Young Adult style. It's based in Philadelphia in 1876, during the Centennial in Philadelphia. The main characters are twin sisters Katherine and Anna. The story revolves around the fact that Anna dies in a tragic accident and Katherine's desire to die due to her feelings of guilt and betrayal. This doesn't really give you the true essence of the story but it does help.
The setting of the novel was amazing and so well written. Philadelphia in 1876 came alive for me as I read Kephart's beautiful prose. She gave the Centennial exquisite texture for me. I felt as if I was walking alongside the characters as they explored Philadelphia during that time.
I really related to the sense of loss and crisis that Katherine underwent during the novel. Kephart did an excellent job of making Katherine and her emotional state come alive for me. There were a number of themes in the book around salvation, loss, renewal, and personal growth. All of which I think were done extremely well in this novel and really gave me a great deal to think about.
In the end, this is a novel about betrayal and guilt, hope and despair, love, loss, and new beginnings. And it's beautifully written. I definitely recommend it if you enjoy well written novels that stay with you for a time after reading. Haunting. Yes, I think Katherine and her journey will stick with me for some time.
NOTE: I received an ARC of this book from the publisher for review.