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Most Helpful Favorable Review
10 out of 11 people found this review helpful.
This Sleepy Hollow legend based book is not a sleeper!
This book kept me up all night reading. What else can I say? It is wonderful. The Sleepy Hollow legend and feeling of the town really come through. I felt like I had actually been to the cemetery myself after reading it.
The main character Abbey is dealing with...Read More
The main character Abbey is dealing with...Read More
This book kept me up all night reading. What else can I say? It is wonderful. The Sleepy Hollow legend and feeling of the town really come through. I felt like I had actually been to the cemetery myself after reading it.
The main character Abbey is dealing with the death of her best friend and meets an unusual boy at her funeral. They become involved and you can really feel the angst of their relationship. It reminded me strongly of Twilight in its intensity.
This is a must read. It is fresh and original. It made a classic American ghost story alive again and I can't wait for the second book.Show Less
The main character Abbey is dealing with the death of her best friend and meets an unusual boy at her funeral. They become involved and you can really feel the angst of their relationship. It reminded me strongly of Twilight in its intensity.
This is a must read. It is fresh and original. It made a classic American ghost story alive again and I can't wait for the second book.Show Less
posted by Dana_W on July 7, 2009
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12 out of 15 people found this review helpful.
disappointing
My review: If you've read the synopsis, you're probably thinking, "wow, this sounds really good". At least that's what I thought. It has all the makings to be really good. It's set in the town of Sleepy Hollow, made famous by Washington Irving. There is a mysterious dea...Read More
My review: If you've read the synopsis, you're probably thinking, "wow, this sounds really good". At least that's what I thought. It has all the makings to be really good. It's set in the town of Sleepy Hollow, made famous by Washington Irving. There is a mysterious death, a mysterious boy, a cemetery, and a protagonist misunderstood by her peers. What more could you ask for?
However, the writing is a bit erratic, some parts interesting, some parts littered by terrible dialogue. I liked the main character, Abbey. Though she is of course captivated by Caspian, the mysterious boy, she still has interests, such as creating perfume and long-term plans of starting her own business. And I suppose the fact that she is alternating between missing her best friend and acting silly over a boy is part of being a teenager, so not problems with that part.
What really disappointed me was the story; or lack of story. The whole book felt like background, waiting for a big plot twist or finale. But there isn't one. Well, there is a minor one but it was quite obvious from early on, so no big surprise. Now of course there is going to be a follow up book as is the trend in YA these days. But there is a way to do that and still write a great book, ie; Shiver, Once a Witch, Prophecy of the Sisters. This felt like a rip-off, like a trick to lure people to buy the next one. Either that or the editor was horrendous. Maybe both. Despite it's 500+ pages, the book was a quick read. Mostly due to large print and spacing issue, sort of when I would pad my term papers in college.
A book that fails to live up to it's potential is more disappointing than a book that is just bad.
my rating 2/5
http://bookmagic418.blogspot.com/Show Less
However, the writing is a bit erratic, some parts interesting, some parts littered by terrible dialogue. I liked the main character, Abbey. Though she is of course captivated by Caspian, the mysterious boy, she still has interests, such as creating perfume and long-term plans of starting her own business. And I suppose the fact that she is alternating between missing her best friend and acting silly over a boy is part of being a teenager, so not problems with that part.
What really disappointed me was the story; or lack of story. The whole book felt like background, waiting for a big plot twist or finale. But there isn't one. Well, there is a minor one but it was quite obvious from early on, so no big surprise. Now of course there is going to be a follow up book as is the trend in YA these days. But there is a way to do that and still write a great book, ie; Shiver, Once a Witch, Prophecy of the Sisters. This felt like a rip-off, like a trick to lure people to buy the next one. Either that or the editor was horrendous. Maybe both. Despite it's 500+ pages, the book was a quick read. Mostly due to large print and spacing issue, sort of when I would pad my term papers in college.
A book that fails to live up to it's potential is more disappointing than a book that is just bad.
my rating 2/5
http://bookmagic418.blogspot.com/Show Less
posted by debbook on November 27, 2009
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disappointing
My review: If you've read the synopsis, you're probably thinking, "wow, this sounds really good". At least that's what I thought. It has all the makings to be really good. It's set in the town of Sleepy Hollow, made famous by Washington Irving. There is a mysterious death, a mysterious boy, a cemetery, and a protagonist misunderstood by her peers. What more could you ask for?
However, the writing is a bit erratic, some parts interesting, some parts littered by terrible dialogue. I liked the main character, Abbey. Though she is of course captivated by Caspian, the mysterious boy, she still has interests, such as creating perfume and long-term plans of starting her own business. And I suppose the fact that she is alternating between missing her best friend and acting silly over a boy is part of being a teenager, so not problems with that part.
What really disappointed me was the story; or lack of story. The whole book felt like background, waiting for a big plot twist or finale. But there isn't one. Well, there is a minor one but it was quite obvious from early on, so no big surprise. Now of course there is going to be a follow up book as is the trend in YA these days. But there is a way to do that and still write a great book, ie; Shiver, Once a Witch, Prophecy of the Sisters. This felt like a rip-off, like a trick to lure people to buy the next one. Either that or the editor was horrendous. Maybe both. Despite it's 500+ pages, the book was a quick read. Mostly due to large print and spacing issue, sort of when I would pad my term papers in college.
A book that fails to live up to it's potential is more disappointing than a book that is just bad.
my rating 2/5
http://bookmagic418.blogspot.com/12 out of 15 people found this review helpful.
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This Sleepy Hollow legend based book is not a sleeper!
This book kept me up all night reading. What else can I say? It is wonderful. The Sleepy Hollow legend and feeling of the town really come through. I felt like I had actually been to the cemetery myself after reading it.
The main character Abbey is dealing with the death of her best friend and meets an unusual boy at her funeral. They become involved and you can really feel the angst of their relationship. It reminded me strongly of Twilight in its intensity.
This is a must read. It is fresh and original. It made a classic American ghost story alive again and I can't wait for the second book.10 out of 11 people found this review helpful.
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WOW!
This book was fantastic from beginning to end. (Especially end!) I loved the development of the characters and appreciated the interaction of all the characters of the book. Thanks to Jessica for writing such a fabulous book!
4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
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CRAZY AWESOME
This book was really good. It has a goth but real life and supernatural mix. its twisting and mysterious. While reading you think you know whats going on but really you have no idea. The ending is with out a doubt unbelievable and your thinking wow WHAT THE HELL JUST HAPPEND! The end is not a conclusion you would have thought of. READ THE BOOK PEOPLE !!! YOU WONT REGRET IT SERIOUSLY!!
3 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Can't wait for the conclusion.
When I started (and finished reading) this, I had no idea there was a book 2 & 3. I was thinking, how can this story end with so many open endings? I was briefly disappointed because didn't understand why there was no closure to our "couple". It left me very confused and thinking "that's it?" I get how certain things had to "end" the way they did. My only problem was, was that I didn't get the feeling of "cliffhanger" "wait til the next book". It was more like, why bring up everything and not explain it all. But now, knowing that there will be a continuation, I can't wait for the conclusion. How each detail ties into each other in the end.
So yea...that's my cluttered review.3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted December 3, 2011
9 bucks later
I only finished this because it cost me almost 10 bucks. The story was painfully slow and Abbey kept getting on my nerves. It felt like the story was just scratching the surface but it wasnt enough of a scratch to even make me THINK of buying the other two... Im sorry if I sound tough but for 10 bucks i wasnt expecting a story that should have been 2.99
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Not great
It starts out as interesting. However, she introduces 5 or 6 supporting storylines and then never does anything with them.
2 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Cannot wait for the next book in the Trilogy.
I heard about this book before it came out and I knew I just had to read it. Once I got it, I totally fell in love with this book. Nothing really major happens in the book but for some reason I felt I needed to finish the book because I wanted to know what was going on between Caspian and Abbey and the ending was definitly not expected. I especially loved how this book is connected to Sleepy Hollow.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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missmarisa
Posted March 18, 2011
DO NOT READ
I wanted to return this almost immediately after I bought it. I only bought this book because it was nice and long, but I can't even bring myself to finish it. There are tons of plot holes and zero character development. The main character is soo annoying and quickly falls in love with a complete stranger that randomly shows up at her best friend's funeral. The main love interest is creepy, not romantic. Also, the author goes off on random tangents about characters and events that have nothing to do with her frail little story line. I stopped reading on page 400..maybe it gets better in the last hundred pages or so but I seriously doubt it. The only reason I read as far as I did was because I actually paid money for this. Save your money and don't waste your time.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Twilight ruined today's literature!
Okay, let me just say that this was one of the worst books I have ever read! It is because of Twilight that mediocre authors like this one is able to publish and sell a novel like this. It was too long, the characters were very predictable, meaning that it follows the same pattern over and over again. There is always that girl who is self conscious, ordinary, and falls for the guy who is mysterious and cryptic who feels he cannot be with his one true love for fear of killing her. The over all writing was childish just like Twilight. At first I would have had respect for budding authors like this one, but now, it is just too old. I would definitely skip this one if I were you. It is a waste of money and more importantly time.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Negative
When i first picked up this book, I was excited about it. The author said that she loved L. J. Smith books, which i fell in love with! I enjoyed it a lot up to about page three hundred. there was only two hundred pages left, and it was going, well, nowhere. Her relation ship with Caspian was normal, and she just went on with her day and her life. I stuck with it, thinking that all of the previous things Verday talked about would somehow tie the story together, and it didn't. The story fell away during the last ten pages, and never was explained fully. the ending was sad, and frustrating for the reader. although i admire Jessica, and appreciate what she was trying to do, i would not suggest this book to a friend.
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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HORRIBLE ENDING!!!!
The writing was great and you could understand everything that Abbey was feeling like you were going through it with her.....BUT, she starts to wonder what happened to her best friend Kristen and then she meets Caspian and he says they should find out...then she meets Katy and Nikolas, everything starts getting kind of complicated.......and while I was reading I was really looking forward to hearing what really happened to Kristen and hoping that she ended up with Capsian and while I dont want to give away anything I just have to say that none of those things happen and the books ends, to me that was a horrible ending!!!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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AAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!
I've always been told and always tell people myself never to judge a book by it's cover.Well I should have listened to my own advice.I got the book because the cover looked awesome(which it is,it's pretty) But when it comes to the book not so much. It has too many questions and no answers for those questions, it kind of pissed me off. WARNING!!! If you have not read this book and wish to then do not read any further,I'm about to spoil it for you if you do. The story begins with Abbey attending her bestfriend Kristen's funeral(They're just burying a casket,they find her body later in the book)Abbey notices a very unique looking guy(Caspian) at Kristen funeral.Her and Caspian quickly become close and Abbey falls in love with him(predictable)She later discovers Kristen's diary and learns she kept a secret boyfriend nobody else knew about.Also Abbey meets an elderly couple(Nikolas and Kate) at the cemetery too after Kristen's death(she thinks they are caretakers)While reading this book you learn a tidbit here and there about the Sleepy Hollow legend and it's author Mr.Irving(who's grave Abbey likes to visit a lot)Later Abbey finds out Caspian and the elderly couple are ghosts towards the end,where Caspian tells Abbey he doesn't love her.And then she leaves to go live with a great aunt of hers.It's a very slow paced book,I had to make myself read a lot of the book and there a too many parts in which have nothing to do with the storyline or the plot whatsoever,so I don't know why it's in there,maybe it's to make the book longer(the book is already too long but whatever)Anywho there are all these parts of the book that have you wondering.These questions that arise are never answered.Who is Kristin's secret boyfriend and why was he a secret in the first place? Was he the reason Kristen was on the bridge when she fell? Was he there,did he push her,or was he there and not help her after the fact she fell?Abbey is able to see ghosts after the death of Kristen but not before,why is that.They practically spent all their free time in the cemetery so why did Abbey see these ghosts only after Kristin's death? And how does she kiss Caspian in the book towards the beginning and not be able to towards the end or even touch him? It's not like he can't touch things.He drew in a sketch pad for her for a Christmas present and gave her some necklaces. Also where did he get the sketch pad and things to make these presents if he's dead? Did he happen to steal them? I have a lot more questions but I'll just leave it at this cuz if I don't this will just go on and on and it's already long enough LOL!
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Dissapointed
This book was a big let down for me. I though the book would explain the details in her best friends death, but it did not. It left me very confused because there was no closure about anything! Not with Caspian or with Kristen or Katy and Nikolas. It kept repeating the same things over and over and when it got to the interesting and intriging parts of the book it was over. Just left open on every aspect. It was a great idea for a novel but needed to have more closure.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Emmalei
Posted January 12, 2010
I Also Recommend:
Yawn---B-O-R-I-N-G!
While I enjoyed the main character, Abbey, in this book, all the while I kept waiting for a big, exciting plot to be revealed. It never happened and it just left me nothing but disappointed. The reason her best friend died/killed herself was never revealed either which left me disappointed - again! I'm not recommending this book to anyone!
1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Anonymous
Posted January 5, 2010
I Also Recommend:
something new!!!
i loved this book and i think some people might have a problem with the way it just ended but i loved it things didn't get solved and there was no stupid mushy ending i loved it. and i also love the fact that when she finds out what he is she doesn't go all i don't care what you are i love you anyway she totaly freaks like any normal person would and i like it so much better than those damn twilight books were bella is an idiot! i liked ben alot to because i know he likes her but it not like the other love triangles you see he hides his feelings for her and he is sweet and charming i kinda hopes she ends up with him even if only for a short period of time. i loved it so much and i think it was a great read. i read it in two days!!!!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Loved it and I cant wait for "The Haunted"
My one complaint is that I feel like we are left with too many questions. I know there is a second and third book coming (can't wait) but it just kind of ends. I thought the plot was good and Abby was easy to relate to. I hope that the next books explains more about what happened to her best friend, what is the deal with Caspian, and why she is important. I know the series as a hole will be good but this book on its own left me saying "that's it?" Don't let that discourage you from reading it through because the writer is good and I am confident she will deliver a great series.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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iloveriots3
Posted December 12, 2009
Good Book
This book wasnt one of the best, but it was definetly a good book. I love the way the author described the connection between the two characters: Abbey And Caspian. He wanted her and she wanted him as well. The day they finally touched was wonderful. Alltogether this book was a good book, peculiar in its plot and very real. The author did a great job! Cant wait for the next book.
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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Good is an understatement, It was Great. :D
So this book had me from the minute I picked it up. I must say, it kept me in suspense the entire time; right up until the end and that has pretty much never happened to me before. Jessica Verday has a way with her story telling that makes it extremely realistic, especially considering it takes place only about 45 min to an hour from me. I loved all the characters, and after finishing it back in October, even wanted to visit "The hollow" to do some exploring of my own. I'd honestly recommend this to any and everyone. It's a great book, and I believe everyone will enjoy it as much as I did. Cannot wait until the 2nd and 3rd book come out. Thank you Jessica Verday for a great read!
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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sunsetGR
Posted November 16, 2009
I Also Recommend:
Depressing
Half way through this book I told my daughter if this book doesn't get out of this depressing funk I might have to stop reading it. To say the least I paid for it so I better finish it. It pretty much stayed depressing right to the end. The story was good, it just was very (I hate to say it again) depressing. I'm going to have to read some light hearted paranormal after this book just to lighten my mood
1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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