Wednesday 5 September 2012

Book Review: Between the lines by Jodi Picoult and Samantha Van Leer




Title: Between the lines

Author: Jodi picoult & Samantha Van Leer
Series: N/A Stand Alone
Publication Date: Jul 5th 2012
Publisher: Hodder and Stoughton 
Length: 384 pages
Genre: Fantasy/fairy tale, Childrens

RATING: 2/5 *




Synopsis(From Goodreads) 

What happens when happily ever after... isn’t?

Delilah is a bit of a loner who prefers spending her time in the school library with her head in a book—one book in particular. Between the Lines may be a fairy tale, but it feels real. Prince Oliver is brave, adventurous, and loving. He really speaks to Delilah.

And then one day Oliver actually speaks to her. Turns out, Oliver is more than a one-dimensional storybook prince. He’s a restless teen who feels trapped by his literary existence and hates that his entire life is predetermined. He’s sure there’s more for him out there in the real world, and Delilah might just be his key to freedom.

Delilah and Oliver work together to attempt to get Oliver out of his book, a challenging task that forces them to examine their perceptions of fate, the world, and their places in it. And as their attraction to each other grows along the way, a romance blossoms that is anything but a fairy tale.


Review:


When i heard that Jodi Picoult had written a YA book i was very excited! I love her work and was really interested to see what she would bring to the YA genre. Admittedly i had high hopes, but was almost certain that those expectations would be reached, if not surpassed. When i found out it was written also by her daughter, this just added to my excitement! Because if her mother can write with so much depth and detail, then why can't she? And both of them writing together? I was very excited and truly expecting something quite special. Unfortunately, i was very disappointed. 


I have no idea why this book is for the YA audience when it is most definitely much more a middle grade novel, if not for children much younger. I found the storyline predictable and the writing childish and i know it is harsh but i honestly don't think it would of got very far in the publishing world, if Jodi Picoult's name had not been plastered on it.

Not only this but I found the whole plot totally unbelievable and the two main characters, Delilah and Oliver, i didn't relate to at all. I found them extremely hard to invest in and would describe them as cardboard cut outs. The book also lacked a lot of depth, failing to captivate me, i evan found myself skipping to the end and skimming the pages, something i hardly ever do and only when a book has lost all of my interest.

I understand that this book is popular, but as much as i tried to like this book, i just really couldn't. I know there will be many people out there who will disagree with me, who will acclaim Between the lines to be a 'work of literature' but unfortunately I'm not a part of that group. Maybe its because I'm too old for fairytales or maybe its because what i have to say is true. Whatever the reason, please don't hate me. I tried extremely hard to enjoy this book but just couldn't do it.

All of that aside though, admittedly this book could be popular for a much younger audience. For those not ready for teen angst and for those who desire a very 2-dimensional easy read. 

For the time being however, i shall be sticking to Jodi Picoult's adult books. Two stars!

6 comments:

  1. Whoa! The cover is so different than the US cover! The book is co-written with her daughter so maybe that's why...?

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    1. YES! it is! yeah i yes maybe! I couldnt completely pinpoint it!

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  2. awww sorry to hear this book fell flat for you! Admittedly, I haven't read any Jodi Picoult (shame on me, I know! XP) but I have watched some of the movies inspired by her book. I liked the concept of this being a fairy tale though so maybe I'll read it in the future.
    Great review Amelia! :)

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    1. I know it was such a shame! Hhahaha get started on my sisters keeper, i always think its a great place to start xD Yes, they have all been done well which is good:) Me too! I just don't know why i didn't like this one! Thankyou!:))

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  3. Sorry to hear that this one didn't work out for you, as I enjoyed it! While it wasn't as polished as Jodi's other books, I was still enchanted with the story. Could be because I would love it if my favorite book character came to life! ;)

    Really like your blog, and I'm a new follower!

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    1. Yeah! It sucked! Yeah:) Thats weird though because i so wish that could happen too!:)

      Thankyou i followed back:)))

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