Great little story not for the faint of heart
357363
Not at all what I expected.  Seriously warped and yet entertaining read!
3746302
This story makes most people's challenges seem small....I found it to be heartwarming, yet inspiring for me to take on my weak challenges!
162222
I really enjoyed this book. I recently got into mysteries so it takes a lot for the book to keep me tuned in. I was tuned in. I enjoyed the main charachter and liked the glimpse into her life situtation with money and earning her way as female in those times. I wasn't perpared for the twists that happened thoughout the book. It was tense all the way up to the last chapter. Great little read!
4005631
I loved this story, it was very well done. It elicited a wide range of emotions from me. As a mother of young boys one of my greatest fears in the world was described in this story and it honestly made me want to vomit. The scene wasn't over done nor did it lack anything, the author wrote it just right.

I'd recommend this story and I can't wait to read the next story in the series. I hope the author gets a Facebook page so that I can follow her.
3697843
What a strange and sad little book. I don't think this is middle grade and I would ! not ! recommend ! to younger kids by any means. It had a handful of especially dark and mature moments that I'm not sure kids would know how to process.

This story is about Anna, a Polish girl instantly orphaned by World War II who is then saved by The Swallow Man. She spends the next few years of her young life survival-wandering. There are a few significant events and people that she meets, and I think the contrasts between certain people and The Swallow Man made for thought provoking reading. In general, this story was very heavy. It touches on war, survival, religion, morality, mental health, words, lies, and love.

What drew me in was words. We're introduced to Anna as a daughter of a professor. She knows several languages and the way her young mind describes knowing languages and how she associates them to people and what translations can mean instantly hooked me. Ugh. I loved it so much. Every time it showed up I was like YASS MORE. There was a certain literary elegance and whimsy (as associated with a young mind) that made this book special. I'd say that's why I'd recommend this book.

As for standard plot structure, I might say it was anti-climatic, although I know that the real "climax" of this book took place in two separate instances. One was the trigger. The other was the consequence. Both were dark and offered no resolutions. They just happened.

...I made myself sad.

Anyway, this book is short enough that it could be worth the ride for you if any of these things sound interesting. While I do look forward to this author's future, I ultimately leave this one with a heavy heart.

**THIS REVIEW COPIED FROM MY GOODREADS PROFILE**
4471882
First off, a confession. Blackthorne Forest isn't exactly my kind of book. Not only is it YA, it was written from the perspective of a teenage girl. Since Im not a teenage girl, and have almost no patience for kids who aren't my own, I expected to feel alienated both as an adult reader and as a man. But fortunately, that didn't happen. Rather, I got sucked into the story. Ill admit there were moments when I was reminded why I don't make a habit of venturing outside my preferred genres, yet as the story moved along, I was constantly thinking: My kids are gonna love this when they get a little older. As a parent, I appreciate the authors commitment to writing something G-rated that Ill be able to comfortably share with my kids. Nothing more frustrating than a YA novel loaded with foul language and inappropriate innuendo, so Blackthorne Forest was particularly nice in that regard. Looking forward to loading the family bookshelf with more from this author.
3901223
I love ghost stories! Some are scary and intense and then there are those like this one that is sweet and touching. While the storyline does start with the horrors of the Salem witch trials and the surrounding communities that participated in the witch hunts, it also brings the story to current history with a dash of ghostly romance with touches of mystery. Not sure I really liked where the ending had taken the reader but would not have wanted to miss this little read for anything.
4247347
This story isn't for the faint of heart, it real and gritty, be prepared to face the atrocities of our world
4863139
Not for the fainthearted, though a book every parent, and non-parent come to that, perhaps ought to read, and the author is right, the book does fully convey the horror of a situation where a childs innocent mind and life is wrecked by perverted adult indoctrination and the shocking consequences from all that. This is a sensitively written story on an appalling subject, laced with a strange humor (strange English humor, some of it a bit too English for me which I did not get.) Besides that, I think the author has managed to do a great job on this extraordinarily difficult and disturbing subject, and given us an honest, complex, and beautifully written book, a look into a world none or most of us would not wish to be a part of. Even before I started reading it, looking at the painting by the author on the front cover caused me to feel uncomfortable, as did the badass somber photograph of him on the back cover, I am glad I read the book though, which will stay with me for a long time, if not for ever.
2158640
I must confess that at the beginning of the book I was not sure if I was going to be able to relate to the characters. But holy cow by the end of the story I just wanted to leap into the pages and save the day. I loved the character development and the portrayal of the  protagonist's  internal strife - trying to be true to yourself but still not wanting to disappoint the people most important to you. The protagonist makes us feel his struggle, his fear and his desires. My heart broke for him when it all starts to unravel. No matter what your struggle, the story portrays the raw emotion of being different, being afraid, and trying to figure out how to move forward. Even though written for young adults (which I am admittedly not), anyone who needs a little courage to be who they are will appreciate this story.
4367332
It's a good idea to read the foreword--Rothfuss tells you plainly that this story isn't for everyone and that some wouldn't even call it a story. It might help you decide if you want to read this or not.

I loved it.  The story has a strange rhythm and tone, which took me several pages to get used to, but then it was like being in a magical place. This story wasn't what I expected, but turned out to be so much better than I ever expected.
3124809
Not for the faint of heart and rather disturbing, but I liked it. The main character, Moritz, tells his story of coming of age with his friends. There is a lot of brutality throughout the story which change the relationships Moritz has with the other boys, as well as change his perception s of the people of the town. All of the skeletons and dark corners are exposed. I wanted to see where it would all lead and was not disappointed.
3545580
This is such a powerful, sweet little story. Every time I read it to my kids I get choked up.. have to stop.. try to pull myself together. It's very emotional, without being morose at all. Just a simple story, a sweet little song, and a "circle of life" theme that, in its simplicity, has this amazing power to bring one to tears.
And it's not just me; I handed this one to my friend to read in a bookstore, and she started crying, too. I joined in, and we were both very embarrassed, and laughing and crying at the same time.
You have to read this one for yourself, in order to understand. The story itself does not appear to be wringing out one's emotions intentionally; it's just there, a simple little song, but it just sort of pulls on one's heart and creates this wonderful effect.
Recommended, but don't blame me if you cry over it.
2466865
we all need a little encouragement and this story provides the encouragement we all need. things are not always as it seems. surprise ending
2623160
I wasn't too sure of this book when I purchased it, but I quickly changed my mind when I found myself being drawn into the story.  The characters were easily likeable and the main female character you feel a certain compassion for her for the emotions she is experiencing from losing a beloved parent.  I would recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a little romance, a lot of suspense and intrigue.
4237272
I like to read outside my comfort zone and sometimes I regret it, but this one kept me reading and it took me a while to work out why.  It dawned on me that its almost as if its a female oriented story written for for a male brain.

Perhaps in another authors hands the story might have been un-necessarily dragged out (to the detriment of the story), but Ms Sanders has recognised the charm in HER telling of HER story was in pushing the pace.  Shes told a very human story with tragedy, loss and hope without getting bogged down in excessive prose.  The result is a fast read thats perfect for a guys first foray into the realm of womens fiction, and quite enjoyably so.
3330009
The author manages to develop a story with very few characters (4) and the reader gets to understand each one's personal story as the book unfolds.  Cathleen, Colm, Sean, and Dr. Basu each has their own belief system and reasons for believing that way.  It was hard for me to come to the story without bringing my OWN beliefs to the table, so even though I didn't agree with some of them I could understand how each got there, and sympathize with their experiences.

For the most part the story read pretty quickly; I did find Colm's vocabulary a little mature for his age--I know he's portrayed as a wise little boy, but c'mon, some of his ideas and words were just too much for a 5 thru 7 year old.

I won't spoil the ending for you, but I was a little surprise at the departure from the style of the rest of the book.

Enjoyable read--would recommend.