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3.27 AVERAGE
3.27 AVERAGE
mysterious
fast-paced
A bit slow moving, but a surprising story line.
Readers who like books about outsiders and overcoming difficulties may like this book. Also, readers who liked Sarah Jude’s The May Queen Murders, about a small village of people living outside the norm, may also be drawn to this novel.
See my full review at:
http://foldedbetweenthepages.blogspot.com/2016/06/the-cresswell-plot-by-eliza-wass.html
*Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced electronic copy in exchange for an honest review.
Readers who like books about outsiders and overcoming difficulties may like this book. Also, readers who liked Sarah Jude’s The May Queen Murders, about a small village of people living outside the norm, may also be drawn to this novel.
See my full review at:
http://foldedbetweenthepages.blogspot.com/2016/06/the-cresswell-plot-by-eliza-wass.html
*Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced electronic copy in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to NetGalley and Disney Hyperion for this free readers edition. In exchange I am providing an honest review.
Hmmmm.
Six kids, two adults, a broken down house, and some c.r.a.z.y. beliefs, i.e. a little family cult. Castella, one of the children, serves as the narrator for this very odd story about a very crazy man and his family. Clearly Father is a narcissist, as all cult leaders are. And he has convinced his family - up until this point - that he really is God. Problem is all the kids are in public school and things just don't add up the older they get and the more they see, hear, and experience outside of their weird bubble. The boys want girlfriends, the girls want boyfriends, they want to wear clothes that don't look like sacks hanging off their bodies, they want to have friends, they want to have a role in the school play, they just want to be normal. But the Cresswell Six are not normal. Or are they and it's everyone else who isn't? Castella and her siblings are trying to figure it all out and Father isn't having it. One day he decides the time is close for them to return to their heavenly residence. Time is running out and Castella is the only one with enough courage to fight for a future.
I kept reading the book because there was a pretty consistent build-up of tension, heading toward the climax of the story. But then it kind of fizzled out. I'm left scratching my head a bit. It lacks backstory - such as why. Why did Father begin this funky cult? The culmination of the story not only fizzled out but felt rushed to a conclusion. It was a let down after certain parts of the story seemed to be building toward a better conclusion. Things felt a bit disjointed throughout the book but the last part was the biggest let down.
Hmmmm.
Six kids, two adults, a broken down house, and some c.r.a.z.y. beliefs, i.e. a little family cult. Castella, one of the children, serves as the narrator for this very odd story about a very crazy man and his family. Clearly Father is a narcissist, as all cult leaders are. And he has convinced his family - up until this point - that he really is God. Problem is all the kids are in public school and things just don't add up the older they get and the more they see, hear, and experience outside of their weird bubble. The boys want girlfriends, the girls want boyfriends, they want to wear clothes that don't look like sacks hanging off their bodies, they want to have friends, they want to have a role in the school play, they just want to be normal. But the Cresswell Six are not normal. Or are they and it's everyone else who isn't? Castella and her siblings are trying to figure it all out and Father isn't having it. One day he decides the time is close for them to return to their heavenly residence. Time is running out and Castella is the only one with enough courage to fight for a future.
I kept reading the book because there was a pretty consistent build-up of tension, heading toward the climax of the story. But then it kind of fizzled out. I'm left scratching my head a bit. It lacks backstory - such as why. Why did Father begin this funky cult? The culmination of the story not only fizzled out but felt rushed to a conclusion. It was a let down after certain parts of the story seemed to be building toward a better conclusion. Things felt a bit disjointed throughout the book but the last part was the biggest let down.
read via netgalley
I loved this - it was very weird and a little crazy, but strangely charming. I'd have given this 5 stars if their had been a bit more character development.
I loved this - it was very weird and a little crazy, but strangely charming. I'd have given this 5 stars if their had been a bit more character development.
A character in the book said it best: "Nothing happened. That's the problem. Something is supposed to happen, but nothing ever does." This was a creepy, twisted book that wasn't afraid to Go There, but it unfortunately lacked what some would call a "plot."
Would have been 4 stars but an abrupt, limping ending unfortunately brings my rating down to 3.5. If there is a sequel, as Wass suggests she would like there to be in the little interview added on at the end of the book, I would love to read it - I found her style, characters and themes compelling and look forward to seeing more from her.
https://librarianonthelake.wordpress.com/2016/05/08/the-cresswell-plot-by-eliza-wass/
For full or more reviews check out my blog at http://adiisbookshelf.blogspot.com/
I would have to rate this book 3.5/5, I really liked the idea behind it all, but I just think it could have been done better. Or we just needed less information about that to expect from the book. It didn't have me at the edge of my seat until the very last few chapters. That's when everything starting to get intense. I do love how the book ended, in this open ended mystery feel going on. It's like the book could very well end there. Or if there is a sequel it needs to be more suspense filled.
I personally just think the synopsis on the book cover needs to be re-written as well. Like I mentioned before it would have been a huge twist when the father announces it's time to go back to heaven, and the cover makes it seem like George has this HUGE impact on Castley and her decisions. I was expecting George to have more of a leading role, when really he was just kind of there. I feel like eventually Castley would have made these decisions on her own. All George really did was invite her to hang out with him and his friends.
I would have to rate this book 3.5/5, I really liked the idea behind it all, but I just think it could have been done better. Or we just needed less information about that to expect from the book. It didn't have me at the edge of my seat until the very last few chapters. That's when everything starting to get intense. I do love how the book ended, in this open ended mystery feel going on. It's like the book could very well end there. Or if there is a sequel it needs to be more suspense filled.
I personally just think the synopsis on the book cover needs to be re-written as well. Like I mentioned before it would have been a huge twist when the father announces it's time to go back to heaven, and the cover makes it seem like George has this HUGE impact on Castley and her decisions. I was expecting George to have more of a leading role, when really he was just kind of there. I feel like eventually Castley would have made these decisions on her own. All George really did was invite her to hang out with him and his friends.
2.5/5
I liked the atmosphere of the book, but any resolution of the issues within was lacking.
Check out my full review on FYA.
I liked the atmosphere of the book, but any resolution of the issues within was lacking.
Check out my full review on FYA.