Heartbreaking and Haunting
340073
This MUST be read with the album. I don't think you lose a lot, but it def adds something to the experience. So sad. I read this entire book with a hitch in my breath and a lump in my throat.
4135375
This book tells one of Canada's most tragic tales that brought about the near-extinction of a people through ethnic and religious intolerance, the Expulsion of the Acadians. This is the story of that episode through the eyes of the second eldest daughter of a large family. It is a heartbreaking story of loss and shameful, needless relocation of a people who were not wanted where they came from nor where they were sent. Hated either because they were French or Catholic, or both, the story brings to mind that world issues of today are no different than the ones of the past. A well-written, fast-paced story even though one knows ultimately how it will end due to the title, if one isn't familiar with the history. The book has a heavy atmosphere; I felt sad for the most part with the loss and death, and the ending only gives a bittersweet dose of happiness. The historical details are presented well through the emotional story and I'd say this would make a good introduction to the topic, especially with the historical notes included at the back of the book. I thought I didn't know this author, but taking a look at her backlist of titles, I realize I have read one other of her historical fictions a very long time ago. An emotional entry in the series.
1349898
Very  engrossing  book.  albeit  heartbreaking
2929173
I started reading it at university before a lecture, I'd heard about the book through a friend.
I ended up skipping my lecture to continue reading it.
This is a beautiful, heartbreaking story of wisels' life as a boy, and his fathers', during the persecution of the Jews. Tears ran down my face many times, and after I had finished I just felt so incredibly sad, it gives you a really deep beautiful insight into the lifes of the Jews that were persecuted. Not just '6 Million Jews' but each indiviual life, each single person suffered during that time. Words just can't describe the power of this book.
1755046
The author takes us through a sad and deeply disturbing event during WWII. To read the depiction of horrid events while knowing that Japan never has, nor seems to be willing in the future to, publicly acknowledge and atone for their actions is heart-wrenching. The author's own torment and ultimate early death is yet another tragedy. This book moved me deeply with glimmers of hope that something like this will never happen again.
4356109
This is the description of a dysfunctional Irish family ruined by a number of difficult and emotional situations, seen through they eyes of one of their children, Tatty.  Alcoholism plays a big part in this harrowing story and the seemingly detached tone with which Tatty describes her feelings and the events taking place, is quite heartbreaking.

I also think that the absence of speech/quotation marks during dialogues didn't tarnish in any way the fluency of the narrative.  A very nice book.
4432643
Absolutely heartbreaking and gut wrenching. This book was beautifully written, no doubt about that. The author portrays these amazing characters and a situation so unusual and believable that the reader becomes invested in their well being. The forbidden/taboo aspect aside, I was wrecked over the lives of these 5 siblings and the unfair burden weighing on both Lochan and Maya's shoulders, but especially Lochan, because he's such a sensitive and tormented soul inside. He would do anything and everything for his family. I can see how Lochan and Maya found both comfort and reprieve in one another, they were each other's rock in a screwed up scenario of neglect. They are teenagers, yet they function like adults out of necessity and nothing is more important to them than family. I admired their perseverance and devotion, how they took their responsibilities so seriously. I just couldn't buy into the actual relationship beyond siblings, but that didn't stop me from wanting to see them happy or to delve into the more philosophical questions about love and boundaries. And that ending, I knew there was no way it could end well and...it doesn't.
2583280
This book is heartbreaking, haunting and a beautiful story of resilience, friendship and love. I found it hard to read at times and would find myself sobbing. The story and characters stay with you and will for weeks after you finish the book. The writing is wonderful, visual and thoughtful. You are part of the life of Jude, and his friends and all those that loved him. You will fall in love with Jude as well. Prepare yourself for this book, as so much of it is disturbing regarding the horrific youth of Jude. But it teaches us the strength of love and friendship and how much one person can overcome, to a point. This book is an extraordinary story if you are able to appreciate the incredible talent of this author.
2127836
Initial Thoughts: This book almost destroyed me. Heartbreaking.

Full Review:
Forbidden was very thought-provoking and I found myself, at times, both disgusted and sympathetic in equal measure. Having reflected on it for a few days, it is hard to look at the love between Lochan and Maya as wrong even if that is how society categorizes it.

Their family situation is completely dysfunctional. They were quasi-parents to their younger siblings, and they never really had a traditional brother and sister relationship. I couldn't help wondering if they'd had a normal upbringing would they have fallen in love or were they always destined for one another irrespective of their environment and their circumstances? It's an interesting question and one that's had me thinking about this book several days after I finished it.

Modern society has a genuine reason for saying no to incest - proven birth defects in any children born of incestuous relationships. And I get that, but my mind was contemplating all kinds of scenarios whereby it could be permitted - what if it was allowed and both parties agreed to sterilization, then the risk is eliminated. Of course, that wouldn't solve the stigma or the myriad of other issues, and I'm not saying every government should rush out and change their laws because it's a hugely sensitive complex issue, but I would genuinely feel for any couple like Lochie and Maya and believe it's wrong that society says they can't be together.

Characterization was superb in this book, with emotional depth and plenty of substance. I felt both of their pain as they struggled with their feelings for one another - as they tried valiantly to fight their attraction and burning need for one another. The irony is that the family unit was actually stronger when they were together - it made sense.

Their parents should be strung up for their neglect and I wanted to hurl my Kindle a few times, such was my loathing for both mum and dad.

I knew this wasn't going to end well but that finale still KILLED me - I was sobbing my heart out for ages and I felt an actual pain in my heart. It was horrific but compelling.

I applaud the author for her ability to tackle such a complex subject with sensitivity and grit. It was never glorified or ridiculed.

The writing was breathtaking if a little over descriptive at times - I did skim a bit.

In summary, this book had a deep impact on me and I love books that challenge my thinking and challenge social norms. This one will definitely stay with me for a long time.
286873
Beautiful but heartbreaking. If I had to describe In the Shadow of Blackbirds as succinctly as possible, that would be it. So different from pretty much everything out right now and so lovely, both in writing and its story. Cat Winters deftly explores humanity and just how far we will go to survive, even at the expense of others. It's a sad reality to face, but one that's important and not often explored in young adult literature. I don't think I can recommend this book enough.

I just have to mention that this is definitely a book worth reading in print form. I had an egalley, but won a print copy before I began reading, so I read the physical book. I compared the two, and the digital version just can't hold a candle to the beauty of this book. There are so many details on the pages and the photographs that just look better in the book. I don't think reading a digital version ruins the story, but your experience is definitely enriched.

What works best in In the Shadow of Blackbirds is the stark description of the people's state at that time. Mary Shelley visits a Red Cross ward, where soldiers are healing after being injured in the war, and she sees men who've not only lost limbs, but they've lost their spirit. We can't help but wonder at the real cost of our liberty, and who pays that price. Each person, when they leave home, dons a flu mask to prevent germs from getting to them. They chew onion gum and put bags of moth balls around their necks. Fear makes people not human, in a way, and this is shown so well. This all adds to the feel of the book, but it works even better to make it pack a punch to the reader. Also, without this setting, Mary Shelley and Stephen's story would've lacked immediacy and felt like any other book.

This is not a feel good, happy kind of romantic book. Yes, Mary Shelley and Stephen have a beautiful, honest, sweet relationship, but if you're looking for a happy ending, don't look here. The dark world presented is not one that gave a lot of happy endings like we've come to expect. But, we can leave with hope, something even better. Even in the darkest and most trying of times, one can always see a ray of hope and take comfort in the wells of strength in characters like Mary Shelley Black.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
1443139
"Approaching the Speed of Light" by Victoria Lustbader is a sad and heartbreaking story of abuse. But it is also about understanding, chance meetings, and love. What seems like a hopeless life for the boy, Jody, finds the light of hope in the darkness that was his painful past.

A very difficult book to read at times, it is overall a wonderful read. Beautifully written, it captured my emotional heart.
2659026
This book was one of the most heartbreaking reads I have ever read. The tragedy of losing the love of your life was conveyed so well I could easily imagine being in Liz's position. The pain and loneliness, the hardship of suddenly becoming a single mother of four, the struggle through the stages of grief... were all so beautifully and realistically written, that I was totally immersed into her world. There were times while reading this that I had to step away, to catch my breath and wipe my eyes, but not for long because the pull back into the story was too strong.

While this was such an emotionally draining and powerfully sad read, there were some laugh out loud moments and strong messages of hope, too. This book also introduced me to one of the most patient and kind male characters I've ever read - Ben was amazing!

I'm adding this one to my favorites shelf. Cannot recommend it enough - though be warned you need to prepare yourself for this one, it cannot be taken lightly and you will need tissues, lots and lots of tissues.
549598
This devastating books can be hard to read at times, for the subject matter is grim, yet the haunting story is unforgettable. It follows the story of thirteen year-old JoJo who accompanies his drug addicted mother to pick up his father, whos being released from prison. JoJos father is white and his mother is black, and the novel depicts the intense racism and brutality that persists. The reader also learns the history of Parchman prison, where a twelve year-old African American boy could be sentenced to several years of hard manual labor for stealing food to feed his starving siblings. Yet despite its difficult subject matter, the characters and their story are gripping. Ward writes in raw and lyrical prose that lingered in my head long after I put the book down.
2811935
This story has many flaws, in writing, time line, and cultural norms and language.  With that said it was also touching, heart breaking, and timeless in the story of the struggle have a sense of belonging.  I could not put it down and had to finish reading this story.  I found myself in tears at times.  I like hearing what the characters feel and think.  I would recommend this book to anyone who likes to see characters develop and change.
1683424
**Spoilers**

The OCEAN at THE END of the LANE is the kind of book that stays with you long after you've read the last sentence. The story spotlights a disturbing aspect of the human condition: often, broken people can't be fixed. We recognize this in the nameless protagonist and in some people around us, but we fear it might also be true in our lives.

The protagonist comes back to his childhood home for a funeral. We aren't sure who has died, but by the end of the book our best guess is that it's his father. After the services, instead of returning to his sister's home, he takes a drive and ends up at the farm at the end of the lane, which is where the duck pond/ocean was. Both the farm and the three women who live there are magic, filled with an ancient magic that goes back to a time before the earth was formed.

The farm girl, Lettie, her mother, and grandmother befriend the protagonist when he was a lad of seven. The mother still lives on the farm and allows him to walk to the pond, where he sits and remembers what happened when he was seven-years-old.

Two things are apparent almost from the beginning: the narrator/protagonist is unreliable, so we can't trust his judgment, and he is a broken, misfit. He's a friendless boy whose world becomes bearable through the books he reads.

This is a story about how unfair, chaotic, and frightening childhood can be. It's about a lonely boy, living through a time when money is scarce, parents are inattentive and neglectful, and fantasy become more real than anything else. It's a story about how books and perhaps imaginary friends can help a child survive.

Our hero is surrounded by strong women: the three farm women, who are strong, powerful, and protect him from the evil that has entered his world; his sister, who is an annoyance and has no clue the trouble he's in, but takes pleasure in making his life miserable; their new governess Ursula Monkton, who is an evil entity from another realm and tries to imprison, harm, and finally wants to kill him; the mother, who is mostly absent and inattentive.

Ursula gives people what they want: money to those in hard times trying to make ends meet; sexual favors to the father; attention to the sister; freedom to leave the house to the mother. These gifts bring negative consequences. Ursula only wants to take from the protagonist--he was her entrance into this world, and she will use him or kill him as it suits her.

The father is the second villain of the story.
What kind of father scoops up a seven-year-old boy and takes him to see a body? At first, I thought he was clueless. Later, I began to realize the father does not consider the needs of his son. Whatever the father's reason, the protagonist was traumatized by seeing their lodger's body after his suicide. It's the police officers, not the father, who suggest the boy go with Lettie away from the crime scene.

The father's insensitivity foreshadows greater cruelty to come: a father trying to drown his son. Water imagery abounds in this book. The pond is really an ocean, and it's magic: it can heal, carry things out of the world, and bring things into the world.

The bathtub scene reeks with the kind of terror and betrayal that scars someone for life. It's obvious that the father suspects that his son has seen something and will tell the mother about his affair with Ursula. In the end, even the father's death does not release the son from the brutality of his childhood.

The story ends with the protagonist leaving the farm to return to his sister's house and re-enter the real world. As he moved away from the pond, he already starts to forget the story, that Lettie isn't in Australia but in the pond, that the farm is magic, that for a while he remembered. Lettie's mother knows he'll return, the reader knows, and at some deep unconscious level he knows. But for now, all his memories slide away as he returns to his adult world, the same broken man he was when he drove to the farm.
3459617
This book is not for everyone, but it was so beautiful, haunting, heartbreaking, terrifying and intriguing that I could not put it down. I read it in one day and already want to start again. This book was more than a book, it was an experience that I would happily undertake again and again.

My Thoughts
From the second I read the synopsis of this book I was hooked. I love dark and twisty reads, so this was right up my alley. I didn't think that I would fall so hard for Braxton or Jessica. These two broken people found each other in the most messed up of ways, but ended up being better than they could have imagined. For all the darkness and rawness of the story there was an underlying goodness in both Jessica and Braxton that called to me and made me abandon all responsibility and read through this book from start to finish in one day. I highly recommend this book if you want something that is a little different, a lot beautiful, and a little ugly all at the same time
175190
This is a heartbreaking story full of grief and love.