beautiful but painful ending!
355087
i only started reading pullman's dark materials trilogy on my younger sister's (insistent) recommendations, but i have to say i'm glad i gave in. once i'd started i read one book a weekend, but it wasn't until near the end of the last one that i realised quite how much they'd affected me.
all three are very enjoyable reads, but they do become progressively more bizarre from first to last. "the amber spyglass" is unquestionably the weirdest of all, and i found myself disagreeing at times with how odd the storyline had become. the idea of a personal "death" stalking you (in fact, the entire world of the dead itself) was far too odd for my liking. another minor gripe is that i was quite taken with the human-daemon interaction in "northern lights" (pan and lyra in particular), and it was disappointing not to see more of it in "the amber spyglass." the daemons seemed to lose some of their closeness and intimacy in "the subtle knife," and even more so for the final book. pan certainly seemed more distant (physically as well as otherwise!), and i can't help thinking that someone reading "the amber spyglass" without the benefit of the first two might wonder why pullman included the daemon concept at all.
i would stop myself from spoiling the plot any further at this point, but most of the reviews here already have so i'll go on anyway (stop reading if you want to enjoy the book!). i finished "the amber spyglass" a few days ago, and still can't stop thinking about the ending... i can't really fault pullman for it -- it was masterfully done -- but will and lyra having to choose to split up as they did really got to me. it was unbearably sad to have them fall so deeply in love, and then to pull them apart, never to see each other again. i honestly can't remember a book affecting me for so long before, and it's not as if i'm unused to reading. to add to it all, i don't even think i'm in the age bracket the books were intended for. well, i thought i'd write this review to try and wrap things up in my mind, and stop thinking about poor will and lyra...  hope it works!
there are a number of unresolved issues, but you can always find holes to pick in something like this if you look for them. tantalisingly, some of them -- like lyra's re-learning of the alethiometer and the angel's hints at between-world travel -- leave scope for will and lyra to meet again in life. the aurora world seen in "northern lights" is another possibility - that wasn't a window, was it? of course, lyra's conversation with pan at the very end of the book is a last, teasing possibility, referring to the words -- i forget whose -- that they (will and lyra?) can finally build the "republic of heaven."
the ending hurt, and i almost wish i hadn't read it -- but at the same time i'm glad i did. well worth reading, even if you haven't read it yet and i've just spoilt it for you (sorry)! i think i'll be taking my sister's recommendations more seriously in the future...!
btw:  i've read most of the reviews here and i'd be interested to hear other people's views on the book and its ending, particularly in my age group (i'm 17). you can reach me at baz@chickshardware.com
2959544
This is not a genre I ever read but I have to say I loved every second of this book, until the end! Grrrrr. I'm left feeling like I'm the one who's mad as I have no idea what just happened. The writing throughout is brilliant, the attention to detail fab and even though it jumped around, I always knew who was talking and whereabouts we were. I kept reading much like everyone else as I was desperate to know the truth and which was real, but, as this is the first in the series, you don't get to know that which is why the ending is frustrating. I hope the second book is due out soon!
4207226
Two young men make choices right out of high school that still haunt them fifteen years later.  Sometimes family has too much influence in a young mans future.  And sometimes they're given the opportunity to rethink their decisions and start life over.

This story is so beautiful, and painful, to read.  The ending, especially for one band member, was gut wrenching.  It's sad to know that there are people in Hollywood, and elsewhere, who care only for the bottom line.

I'll definitely look for more books by Leta Blake.  Her characters and plot were rich and complex.
830435
This is a lovely and sweet story that was so heartbreaking in some areas and yet redemption and elation at the end. But the ending was not what I expected at all and in that made this story memorable! The writing is crisp and detailed, the characters vivid. There are scenes in the old Irish orphanage that are SO hard to read because the conditions were deplorable. But our characters ultimately overcome their horrid situations and find life again. I really couldn't put the book down!
3514480
I cried towards the end. I mean the whole time you are reading it, you are wondering what her excuse is and then about half-way you start to kind of put it together, but it is sad when it is told at the end. I adored their relationship but felt bad about their circumstances. I wanted to hit him and strangle her and yell "just talk already", but of course they did not until the end. It was well worth the time and money to get to read this story.
3511002
The story is beautiful, while the ending has managed to completely destroy it in a way few books ever did.
No spoilers, but it seems the author is trying to solve through some personal issues on why her life is horrible and this is one way of coping.
3133256
I loved every minute of it except the last few pages. I hate how it ended...so much lost potential! Ugh! It was a phenomenal book until then.
816874
The story in this book was good. Typical young love and all. Loved it until the epilogue! If I wanted depressing ending I could watch the news. I read to get away from real life. I typically don't buy book if the reviews tell me there is no happy ending but it happens! But this had no reviews and it had no reviews. So I took a chance and read it. Bad idea.....horrible ending! If you don't mind being depressed after finishing a book then read on!!!
1919964
Teresa Medeiros certainly knows how to write a romance, she is excellent at that. This book would have been a keeper for me but the end was just bad. The whole book was beautiful and so well-written and then the author spoils it with such an over-the-top and unbelievable ending. Why? But still worth reading.
1658311
I was prepared to give this book 5 stars and more. As I read, I marveled at the author's beautiful writing and the power of his story-telling. The characters jumped from the pages. Clearly Doerr researched radio operations, the time period, and movements of a blind child with obsessive skill. I read each page with delight and awe.

Until the end... Unfortunately like so many books, Doerr had trouble bringing the story to a close. As much as I didn't want this book to end, I got frustrated that it didn't. Even when things began to settle down and the author started tying everything up, he kept going. Much of the end was unnecessary. Gosh, what a shame. Did Doerr expand the end at the request of an editor? At the request of a beta reader? Why? He wrote with a beautiful crisp style until the end. It was as if another person picked up the pen. Please Mr. Doerr end the book with the same deliberateness as you begin it. Once the reader knows what happens to the characters and the plot dies away, let the story go.

Given the unfortunate ending, I still must give this book 4 stars. Nonetheless I still suggest readers give it a try. For most of the book, you'll be stunned into silence by the beauty of the writing and the creation of the characters.

This book is about the liberation of France from the Germans during World War II. I know, you've read everything you wanted to read about that war, but this book gives a very different perspective. It is told at the very beginning of the liberation, when the Americans are bombing French towns (specifically a seaside town) to ferret out the Germans. The people of the town witness their lives , their homes, their businesses destroyed in order to be saved. Doerr takes a very unusual approach by presenting two different characters who are experiencing this terror. One, a 15-year old blind girl who is left alone in her house and who can't read the pamphlets the Americans have dropped on the town (Why did none of her neighbors rescue her, particularly the baker?). And, two, a 16-year old German soldier who is caught in the basement of a hotel once it's bombed. The readers learn all about these two characters by traveling back in time to when there was no war through the early days of Nazism to the capture of France and then to its liberation. The author skillfully shifts from one time to the next. Readers wonder what happens to the characters we meet and why they were not there on the day of the American bombing. I won't share the tension devices in order not to spoil the story.

Another thing Doerr does so well is create a blind character whose other senses carry her through very tough circumstances He describes the smells, sounds and what she touches with such clarity at times I forgot she was blind.

This book would have gone on my list of the best books I've read in 2014 till I reached the end. That to me is a tragedy.
4230347
This story was so beautiful and engaging, that I really wanted to know what happened in Jenny's life... That's why a give it 4 star. The ending was rushed!!!!! She didn't developed Jenny's story of her final year!!! After reading all her hardships, I felt sad that the author didn't give us the whole story!
4739283
I would have happily given this book a 4.5 or maybe even a 5 star rating but... WTF was with the ending. I get that it is suppose to be clever and let us give it the ending we wanted it to have but it is not the readers book, it is Ms. Synder's and it needs to have a clear cut ending. Outside In is a brilliant book, except for the last 2 chapters. I feel so gypped, cheated and otherwise deprived of a satisfying ending. An epilogue is dearly needed, just 2 or 3 pages would have made all the difference, and left me extolling the virtues and prowess of Maria V. Snyder storytelling abilities. To me it just feels unfinished.
866682
I'm not sure what to write other then my heart hurt after I read this book. I told my boyfriend (who thought I was bonkers by the way) that I need a little time away from reading after I read this book. Dylan and Aubrey two puzzle pieces that you know fit but for some reason you can't get them to stick together. Dylans cocky and brooding self paired with Aubrey's take no bulls*** attitude let the reader fall in love with them in the beginning. Then the fates decide to toy with their hearts and ours for a devestatingly long time. How could so much bad happen to two people. I think M. Robinson is lovely but I she has evil side that she uses against us, I'm so torn between loving and hating this book. What I will say is the story was heartbeakingly beautiful. And if you want a book that will have you ugly crying then this is your book people. There's a quote I'm not sure who it's by or if this is exactly right but it goes something like: the hardest stories to tell are sometimes the most beautiful I feel like that fits this book pretty well. I feel like there should be a label on this book saying Warning: can cause Uncontrollable crying! Why do you do this to us M. Robinson? Good luck people, good luck.
1782956
So ever since I bought this book I couldn't put it down. I loved the entire book, and I read it within one day. but OH. I'm sitting here reading...tears streaming down my face and all of the sudden THE BOOK IS OVER. It really leaves you hanging. Like I said, I was already in tears, and I just started crying even more! I was really disappointed in the ending. She could have at least told us what happened to Kayden.
3442184
ONE star for the ending, what a tragedy!  If it was better, I honestly would have rated this novel the full 5 stars.  What a thrilling story and written with such imagery.  I am so disappointed by the culmination.  I read this book in two days, I loved that you can switch to audio and listen to it in the car or while you're doing chores at home.  There was so much potential to the story!  The plot twists and shocking revelations that could have been!  I would say save yourself and don't let this book break your heart.
4690681
Beautifully frustrating - if you read this book you will understand. I love Amanda Dick's writing. Her writing flows, and her stories are thoughtful and filled with hope and longing. Heath is still grieving the loss of his first love - Emily. She just disappeared one night off the side of the road, never to be heard from again. For 5 long years he is unable to move on - wrapped up in grief and guilt. When Maia, who is Emily's double, turns up unexpectedly he is drawn to her. Not only because of her physical appearance, but because of a much deeper connection they share. Maia has no recollection of her past, and gravitates towards Heath. They fall for each other fast and hard. Maia has no recollection of her past. Once Heath finds out about Maia's amnesia, he has hope that Emily has been brought back to him. I loved the strong, deep connection between Heath and Maia. They truly were soul-mates. She was brought into his life to help heal his pain, to show him that it is all right to move on from the past, to mend is broken heart. The ending is what gutted me. I am a true sucker for an HEA - I totally did not see this part coming. I had other ideas for Heath, Maia and Emily. I am torn, I am not sure if this is a true HEA. It helped that there was some happy, but I did find myself having a WTF moment. Again, I found The Trouble with Paper Planes both beautiful and frustrating!!
4030763
Beautiful and painful all at once!  Hard to believe all that ugliness occurred!  This story was from an amazing perspective.  It stayed with me for days!