Extraordinary
By Nancy Werlin
Summary
Phoebe finds herself drawn to Mallory, the strange and secretive new girl at school. Soon the two become as close as sisters . . . until Mallory’s magnetic older brother, Ryland, appears. Ryland has an immediate, exciting hold on Phoebe — but a dangerous hold, for she begins to question her feelings about her best friend and, worse, about herself.
Soon she’ll discover the shocking, fantastical truth about Ryland and Mallory, and about an age-old debt they expect Phoebe to pay. Will she be strong enough to resist? Will she be special enough to save herself?
Intensely page-turning, this follow-up to Nancy Werlin’s acclaimed novel Impossible links the real and the otherworldly in a story that is suspenseful, conversation-starting, and utterly alluring.
Issues
I honestly had issues making it through this book. The over all story concept was interesting, but the main character Phoebe really drove me nuts.
Characters
Phoebe Rothschild: She is my least favorite type of character. Phoebe does have a kind and loving soul, but that the only thing that doesn't annoy me with her character. Otherwise she is weak, whiny and easily manipulated. She doesn't pull herself out of a very bad situation and she just keeps falling down and down until she hits bottom. Near the end she finally gains some will power and strength, but not enough for her to find redemption in my eyes.
Mallory: I do like her character much more than Phoebe. She is stronger, willing to put up a fight and keeps trying to find ways around things that she doesn't want to do.
Ryland: Ugh, I wanted to punch him and kick him where it counts. I'll just leave it at that.
Family Name
I personally can't relate to having a long family history with important people. To keep seeing Rothschild, Rothschild, Rothschild and how extraordinary Major is and all the descends are of this line (except her) drove me nuts. It annoys me when people believe since I am "this" therefor I believe in "this". No! Develop your own personal opinions and beliefs and become your own person for yourself not for others.
Characters
Phoebe Rothschild: She is my least favorite type of character. Phoebe does have a kind and loving soul, but that the only thing that doesn't annoy me with her character. Otherwise she is weak, whiny and easily manipulated. She doesn't pull herself out of a very bad situation and she just keeps falling down and down until she hits bottom. Near the end she finally gains some will power and strength, but not enough for her to find redemption in my eyes.
Mallory: I do like her character much more than Phoebe. She is stronger, willing to put up a fight and keeps trying to find ways around things that she doesn't want to do.
Ryland: Ugh, I wanted to punch him and kick him where it counts. I'll just leave it at that.
Family Name
I personally can't relate to having a long family history with important people. To keep seeing Rothschild, Rothschild, Rothschild and how extraordinary Major is and all the descends are of this line (except her) drove me nuts. It annoys me when people believe since I am "this" therefor I believe in "this". No! Develop your own personal opinions and beliefs and become your own person for yourself not for others.
However
I do feel this book has a very important lesson and would be perfect for your girls and their mothers to read together. Young teen within the important development period of their life could learn a great deal. Young girls could learn how wrong it is to let others manipulate, control and mold them to be something they are not. Parents could teach their daughters how to stand up for themselves, how to even get out of bad situations and reassure them support is always there. I really do think this book could be used as a great learning tool.Recommendation
I would suggest borrowing from the library if you are curious, but unsure of the book, especially if you have a lot of issues with weak characters. I would definitely say try the book for yourself, just because I didn't like it does mean you wouldn't enjoy it. Information
She has a bunch of other books that she has written and they are all independent novels. Impossible (I own)
Black Mirror (I own)
Rules of Survival
Double Helix
Locked Inside
The Killers Cousin
Are You Alone on Purpose?
Do you finish books that you don't really care for, but are curious to find out how it ends?
<3Books
4 comments:
I finish books just to see how it ends, even if I didn't like it. I always say to myself "it has to get better" then it when it doesn't i get so frustrated at myself for "wasting time". This book from the synopsis looked kind of interesting, but from your review I could tell it was a book I would need just from library not worth the money! Thanks for the review :)
readingontherunwithlacey.blogspot.com
@Lacy I really wanted to like the book, but Phoebe's character was just terrible and I couldn't get past her.
Characters that annoy me are deal breakers for me.
@Mindy I agree, bad characters will completely destroy the book for me. Sometimes I can move past it and semi enjoy them if the rest of the story is great enough, but I do have issues major issues with weak characters.
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