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Believe
Janine Friedman is famous. She’s the miraculous ‘soul survivor’ of a suicide bombing in a Jerusalem synagogue ten years ago. The bombing killed both her parents and changed not only her life, but also that of Dave Armstrong, the tourist who dug her out of the rubble and ‘found God’ as a result. Most people can remember where they were when it happened – the image of that little girl with her bleeding, ruined hands being dragged into the light.
Ten years on, Janine just wants to forget the past, though the nightmares persist. Sure, she avoids cameras and journalists like the plague, and her hands will never be quite right, but she’s one leg of a ‘tripod’ of friends – Miriam and Abe are always there for her – and the most she’s worrying about is whether she should settle for boyfriend Dan or still go after gorgeous Tyler.
Janine always knew the tenth anniversary would be tough. But then Abe is nearly killed in a road accident and ‘miraculously’ survives. Another boy gets out of his wheelchair and starts to walk… And the common denominator is Janine, with her supposedly healing powers.
With Dave Armstrong back in town, Janine finds herself at the centre of a media storm. Forced to look more deeply into the past, she must finally seek the truth about her parents, her hands, and the terrible day that shaped her life. What does she really believe about all three – and about herself?
Ten years on, Janine just wants to forget the past, though the nightmares persist. Sure, she avoids cameras and journalists like the plague, and her hands will never be quite right, but she’s one leg of a ‘tripod’ of friends – Miriam and Abe are always there for her – and the most she’s worrying about is whether she should settle for boyfriend Dan or still go after gorgeous Tyler.
Janine always knew the tenth anniversary would be tough. But then Abe is nearly killed in a road accident and ‘miraculously’ survives. Another boy gets out of his wheelchair and starts to walk… And the common denominator is Janine, with her supposedly healing powers.
With Dave Armstrong back in town, Janine finds herself at the centre of a media storm. Forced to look more deeply into the past, she must finally seek the truth about her parents, her hands, and the terrible day that shaped her life. What does she really believe about all three – and about herself?
296 pages, Hardcover
First published September 1, 2013
11 people are currently reading
256 people want to read
About the author
Sarah Aronson
13 books81 followersSarah Aronson began writing for kids and teens when someone in an exercise class dared her to try. Since then, she has earned an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts.
She loves working with writers at The Highlights Foundation and writers.com.
Her books include:
Head Case
Beyond Lucky
Believe
The Wish List series, and
Just Like Rube Goldberg--winner of the Crystal Kite (Midwest)!
Brand New Bubbe arrives Aug 23!
Find out more: http://www.saraharonson.com.
She loves working with writers at The Highlights Foundation and writers.com.
Her books include:
Head Case
Beyond Lucky
Believe
The Wish List series, and
Just Like Rube Goldberg--winner of the Crystal Kite (Midwest)!
Brand New Bubbe arrives Aug 23!
Find out more: http://www.saraharonson.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
July 29, 2013
While on a trip to Israel when she was six years old, Janine Freeman was the sole survivor of a suicide bomber. Now she is sixteen, and the man who rescued her from the rubble believes that her broken hands have the power to heal. Janine doesn’t believe in God, and she’s tired of the media stalking her and making her a symbol of faith, or the “Soul Survivor.” How will she find peace in a world that won’t let her be the person she wants to be?
For a novel with such bold ambition and monumental themes, the narrative starts slowly and does little to increase speed from there. The prose is choppy and uneven, bordering on distracting. The setting, Bethlehem, PA is a great example of forced irony. And while the character of Lo, Janine’s aunt and adoptive mother, is a strong, insightful character, she alone cannot hold the action of the book. Janine is a shallow character with little to offer that might invest the reader in her fate. She wants to be a fashion designer on her own merit and not because she is a celebrity. She hardly ever ventures into public without scanning her surroundings for paparazzi so she can avoid them. However, as stated by her best friend, Miriam, Janine doesn’t “want to be famous, but if anyone ever—for a split second—forgets who [she] is and what [she] lived through—[she] makes sure they remember.” If her friends ask a favor of her, she declines or lets them down. If her fashion design teacher offers solid critical advice, she balks. If she is asked to keep a life or death promise, she blabs. Janine is perhaps the most unsympathetic character ever placed in the pages of a book—she rarely admits fault and enjoys criticizing others. What connections she has are superficial. Even her relationship with her boyfriend, Dan, is one-sided. She refuses to show him affection in public, she only mentions him in the book in passing (he only appears in a few scenes), and when Dan breaks up with her, she shows little emotion, only slight confusion. Certainly there have been unsympathetic characters in literature before, but the difference is that these characters usually experience phenomenal growth through the events and tests they face in the story. Don’t get me wrong, the story has tests. Janine faces difficulty and disappointment, but it is unclear how all of these ups and downs shape her character. Maybe the goal of the novel is to show Janine discover humility and faith, and perhaps the author seeks to achieve this through the novel’s ending. Alas, Janine’s change is unconvincing and falls flat—too little too late. The conclusion only slaps an unlikely ending on a more unlikely story.
For a novel with such bold ambition and monumental themes, the narrative starts slowly and does little to increase speed from there. The prose is choppy and uneven, bordering on distracting. The setting, Bethlehem, PA is a great example of forced irony. And while the character of Lo, Janine’s aunt and adoptive mother, is a strong, insightful character, she alone cannot hold the action of the book. Janine is a shallow character with little to offer that might invest the reader in her fate. She wants to be a fashion designer on her own merit and not because she is a celebrity. She hardly ever ventures into public without scanning her surroundings for paparazzi so she can avoid them. However, as stated by her best friend, Miriam, Janine doesn’t “want to be famous, but if anyone ever—for a split second—forgets who [she] is and what [she] lived through—[she] makes sure they remember.” If her friends ask a favor of her, she declines or lets them down. If her fashion design teacher offers solid critical advice, she balks. If she is asked to keep a life or death promise, she blabs. Janine is perhaps the most unsympathetic character ever placed in the pages of a book—she rarely admits fault and enjoys criticizing others. What connections she has are superficial. Even her relationship with her boyfriend, Dan, is one-sided. She refuses to show him affection in public, she only mentions him in the book in passing (he only appears in a few scenes), and when Dan breaks up with her, she shows little emotion, only slight confusion. Certainly there have been unsympathetic characters in literature before, but the difference is that these characters usually experience phenomenal growth through the events and tests they face in the story. Don’t get me wrong, the story has tests. Janine faces difficulty and disappointment, but it is unclear how all of these ups and downs shape her character. Maybe the goal of the novel is to show Janine discover humility and faith, and perhaps the author seeks to achieve this through the novel’s ending. Alas, Janine’s change is unconvincing and falls flat—too little too late. The conclusion only slaps an unlikely ending on a more unlikely story.
March 10, 2014
This book is a mess. From the runaway with cancer to the aunt's ambiguous sexual orientation to the scholar-turned-missionary and the weird situation with the farm, there was way too much going on in this story. The writing wasn't bad; the storytelling wasn't horrible, but there was no focus to what should have been the heart of the story. The premise of the book is intriguing and should have been something special, but because of the convoluted storyline, expectations were never realized. I can't think of a single likable or redeeming character and the dialogue was flat and one dimensional. This one was a real disappointment.
June 4, 2013
A ripped-from-the-headlines story of family, friendship, loss and ultimately faith. For 16-year-old Janine, fame and loss are inextricably intertwined. If only others understood. In the end though, it's Janine who must come to terms with what she believes. With a plot full of twists and surprises, I couldn't put it down.
December 1, 2016
If you're going into this book expecting an inspiring read, I'm really sorry to disappoint you, but it won't be.
The main protagonist is unlikeable, the book is just depressing and nothing but, and there are only a few characters worth rooting for. I hope Sarah Aronson's earlier work is better, because this was just a downer.
The main protagonist is unlikeable, the book is just depressing and nothing but, and there are only a few characters worth rooting for. I hope Sarah Aronson's earlier work is better, because this was just a downer.
September 23, 2023
NOT REALISTIC FICTION AND IVE NEVER MET A MORE INSENSITIVE CHARACTER IN MY LIFE
August 2, 2015
Believe was unbelievable. Unbelievable as in unconvincing, not unbelievably good.
Janine (not a very likable protagonist which turned out to be a large problem with this novel) is the "soul survivor" of a bombing in Israel that killed her parents and many other people when she was very young.
She's unbelievably famous. She has been followed and hounded by reporters all her life. All of America wants her to use her hands (her broken, scarred hands) to heal others and bless the world with good deeds.
Really? She's now a teenager and can't get away from the paparazzi. She doesn't even know who her real friends are.
Really?
The amount of fame this girl gets seems a little too unbelievable.
That aside, this is also the story of a faith healer and people sick with illnesses desperately wanting to be cured. It is the story of friendships gone wrong and misplaced priorities. It is the story of having faith in God even though God seems cruel and unjust. Unfortunately, I didn't care about these people and thought the whole thing was just too bizarre.
Janine makes some very odd and seemingly stupid choices all through the entire book. It did get better about 2/3 of the way through. By that time, I wanted to see how the author wrapped it up. If the characters had been more real to me I would have overlooked this strange plot but that didn't happen. I had a hard time thinking that anyone cared about her so many years after the bombing and some of the stuff she was pulling at the end didn't endear her to me in the list. I found the end to be rather forced. I understand we need to change and grow and learn from our mistakes but it was just too neat and tidy there at the last.
Janine (not a very likable protagonist which turned out to be a large problem with this novel) is the "soul survivor" of a bombing in Israel that killed her parents and many other people when she was very young.
She's unbelievably famous. She has been followed and hounded by reporters all her life. All of America wants her to use her hands (her broken, scarred hands) to heal others and bless the world with good deeds.
Really? She's now a teenager and can't get away from the paparazzi. She doesn't even know who her real friends are.
Really?
The amount of fame this girl gets seems a little too unbelievable.
That aside, this is also the story of a faith healer and people sick with illnesses desperately wanting to be cured. It is the story of friendships gone wrong and misplaced priorities. It is the story of having faith in God even though God seems cruel and unjust. Unfortunately, I didn't care about these people and thought the whole thing was just too bizarre.
Janine makes some very odd and seemingly stupid choices all through the entire book. It did get better about 2/3 of the way through. By that time, I wanted to see how the author wrapped it up. If the characters had been more real to me I would have overlooked this strange plot but that didn't happen. I had a hard time thinking that anyone cared about her so many years after the bombing and some of the stuff she was pulling at the end didn't endear her to me in the list. I found the end to be rather forced. I understand we need to change and grow and learn from our mistakes but it was just too neat and tidy there at the last.
January 12, 2014
http://librarytalker.blogspot.com/201...
At just six years old, Janine Friedman became the most famous girl in the world, all because she was the lone survivor of a suicide bomber's blast. She was labeled the "Soul Survivor" and believed to be a miracle.
Now, ten years later, on the anniversary of the event, which included the deaths of both of her parents, she's in the spotlight again, begin followed by reporters just like her mom had been, all seeking a story from the miracle girl.
All her life she has had to dodge the paparazzi who want to get the exclusive pics and interviews. She has a very small group of friends that she can trust and a desire to be famous because of what she can do instead of how she survived.
But things become much more complicated when she gets chased from her own parents' graves and events lead to Janine having to question her own personal beliefs and faith.
Final thoughts: The beginning was good and I really felt for Janine, but things got strange fast. She's repeatedly accused of being selfish and a bad friend even though there's really no evidence of that. Janine's not very sympathetic and her "friends" are just horrible. Over and over they want to use her and her fame for their own personal issues and pet projects, but when she says no, they call her selfish. She's accused of constantly reminding people who she is, even though she's just trying to live her own life. No one is well written here and the story devolves into a big mess at the end. Bland and dull.
At just six years old, Janine Friedman became the most famous girl in the world, all because she was the lone survivor of a suicide bomber's blast. She was labeled the "Soul Survivor" and believed to be a miracle.
Now, ten years later, on the anniversary of the event, which included the deaths of both of her parents, she's in the spotlight again, begin followed by reporters just like her mom had been, all seeking a story from the miracle girl.
All her life she has had to dodge the paparazzi who want to get the exclusive pics and interviews. She has a very small group of friends that she can trust and a desire to be famous because of what she can do instead of how she survived.
But things become much more complicated when she gets chased from her own parents' graves and events lead to Janine having to question her own personal beliefs and faith.
Final thoughts: The beginning was good and I really felt for Janine, but things got strange fast. She's repeatedly accused of being selfish and a bad friend even though there's really no evidence of that. Janine's not very sympathetic and her "friends" are just horrible. Over and over they want to use her and her fame for their own personal issues and pet projects, but when she says no, they call her selfish. She's accused of constantly reminding people who she is, even though she's just trying to live her own life. No one is well written here and the story devolves into a big mess at the end. Bland and dull.
May 28, 2013
Janine is a teenage girl who would seem to lead a normal life living with her aunt as her guardian and hanging around with her two best friends Abe and Miriam or with her boyfriend Dan while working on a portfolio to get into fashion school. Instead as a young child she was the miraculous sole survivor of a bombing in a Jerusalem temple that killed her parents along with 70 other people, which has kept her in the eye of the media for her entire life. Now with the 10th anniversary of the bombing drawing year the media storm has begun once again in earnest.
Janine just wants to be left alone to live a normal life, but is constantly being drawn into the spotlight. The man who pulled her from the wreckage and who found God that day is determined to pull her into his faith healing ministry, while her friends are trying to get her to help support their causes with her celebrity. Meanwhile something happens that causes her to question whether or not she actually does possess some kind of healing power that everyone thinks she does.
I loved this book. I thought the author did an excellent job of portraying how difficult it must be to be in Sarah's position while also making the feelings of her friends and family also feel valid when they begin to view her as selfish. I would highly recommend this book.
Janine just wants to be left alone to live a normal life, but is constantly being drawn into the spotlight. The man who pulled her from the wreckage and who found God that day is determined to pull her into his faith healing ministry, while her friends are trying to get her to help support their causes with her celebrity. Meanwhile something happens that causes her to question whether or not she actually does possess some kind of healing power that everyone thinks she does.
I loved this book. I thought the author did an excellent job of portraying how difficult it must be to be in Sarah's position while also making the feelings of her friends and family also feel valid when they begin to view her as selfish. I would highly recommend this book.
June 15, 2013
I loved this book! It asks big questions, and while the answers aren't easy, they are true to the characters. Janine Collins may be dealing with the celebrity that comes from having been the "Soul Survivor" of a suicide bombing. But she's also a regular teen, with best friends (one of whom is a boy), a boyfriend, and family relationships that turn out to be more complicated than she thought. Not to mention the challenge of putting together a fashion portfolio for design school. (The fashion portfolio really got to me--it was one of my passions as a teen, and it's not something I've seen much of.)
While Janine is the hero, all the characters have lives of their own, interesting ones. I wanted to sit down and have tea or ice cream with all of them.
This book made me care enough to tear up at the end.
While Janine is the hero, all the characters have lives of their own, interesting ones. I wanted to sit down and have tea or ice cream with all of them.
This book made me care enough to tear up at the end.
August 2, 2013
One of the most thought-provoking, authentic stories about life and the choices we make, and how real courage isn't about heroes and miracles but owning up to your mistakes and doing what you think is right especially in the face of adversity.
Janine Collins is a complex character with flaws we can all relate to; she's not perfect and struggles to peel back the layers to find her authentic self. She's human and makes mistakes, and, like all of us, has the occasional pity-party. What I loved most about this character was her journey of self-discovery and seeing the imperfect world through her eyes.
Brilliantly written. The author is fearless and knows how to put real emotion on the page.
Janine Collins is a complex character with flaws we can all relate to; she's not perfect and struggles to peel back the layers to find her authentic self. She's human and makes mistakes, and, like all of us, has the occasional pity-party. What I loved most about this character was her journey of self-discovery and seeing the imperfect world through her eyes.
Brilliantly written. The author is fearless and knows how to put real emotion on the page.
January 28, 2015
A difficult book to read about a girl that is not likeable. Janine is the "Soul Survivor" of a terrorist bombing in Israel that killed her parents. Besieged and hounded by the press, she craves anonymity and understandably says, "No comment." But through a series of challenges, she blows off her best friend, insults her teacher, and betrays a girl who chose to avoid treatment for leukemia. Janine does come to grips with her fears and may believe in hope, but I don't trust her. Ego, bitterness, and impulsiveness rule her character, but it is an interesting treatise on fame.
February 16, 2014
Intense. But I think only those who have been through deep life traumas will be able to accept that this is insightful. It takes being true to your feelings and thoughts and letting what is felt within guide you instead of others telling you
July 8, 2013
DNF.
Just... no.
Check out my status updates to see why I hated this book so much.
Just... no.
Check out my status updates to see why I hated this book so much.
January 19, 2014
I got to chapter 17 (about half way) and couldn't finish. Not for me.
September 8, 2016
This had a great idea, but the characters felt whiny and flat. I wanted more development of the back story, instead it went in a different and unbelievable direction.
July 12, 2015
it's an interesting concept, but it just didn't appeal to me. she is a very unappealing protagonist. selfish and self centered and not very nice.
October 27, 2015
Banal. This book was a hot mess. The narrator was not only unbelievable but also unlikeable.
Absolutely a waste.
Absolutely a waste.
February 1, 2020
Lots of promise, but ultimately pretty bloated and disappointing. Right now I’m thinking a low 3.
Janine Friedman is a sixteen-year-old girl living in small-town Pennsylvania. But she only wishes she were as anonymous as that premise suggests. Ten years ago, she was the sole survivor (also known as “soul survivor” for reasons I’ll make clear soon) of a suicide/homicide bombing in Israel that killed her parents and 68 others.
We’re opening on the tenth anniversary of the massacre and there’s a lot Aronson could do with this (and attempts to.) Janine has been hounded by the press for years, which perhaps added to her trauma because she didn’t get the space to sit and grieve. Her parents are largely mysterious to her, save what tidbits her aunt/guardian Lo and mostly estranged maternal grandparents can dole out (there’s little reference at all to her father’s family.) Her mother, a reporter and the reason the family was in Israel at the time, left behind a series of diaries that Janine has read. Save for the very last one, “the death book,” which of course she’ll have to reckon with in the novel. Her friends are looking to build up their relationships—and sometimes ask her to use her fame to help them save a local farm. Finally, she’s a wannabe fashion designer with a boyfriend whose personality can be summed up as “whatever fits the plot.”
Oh wait, that’s not finally. Finally, the man who saved Janine from the rubble, Dave Armstrong, has come to town with a traveling congregation, because he believes Janine’s deformed hands contain stigmata. One of his acolytes is a girl named Emma whom Janine begrudgingly befriends, and then Emma teaches Janine about the power of altruism. There’s a whole other backstory here that frankly, was supposed to be moving but I found to be underdeveloped. Probably because most threads were underdeveloped in this story.
This might be part bias, but I think it was a mistake for Aronson to focus on a storyline where it looks like Janine might actually have stigmata and be a faith healer. That sort of magical realism didn’t do it for me, and yes that’s in part because it’s just so damn Christian. Janine is a Jewish girl, her mother and aunt lived in Israel with their Zionist parents who made Aliyah. I get that Janine doesn’t have to directly care about any of that, but surely there’s a more genuine way for her to confront her feelings of anger and lack of faith in anything after this tragedy.
Another thing that didn’t work for me—I thought all her friends were assholes. I’ve read other first person POV stories where it’s obvious the character is self-centered and unlikeable. And sure, Janine was that, and maybe I should remind myself that the first person meant that their problems wouldn’t seem as big as hers. I mean, I get the appeal of saving old trees and not letting a farm turn into administrative buildings! But are Janine’s friends so callous to believe that their agenda is worth subjecting her to reliving a horrific trauma for public consumption? Maybe I’m oversimplifying things. But I can understand Janine’s reluctance for using her celebrity when the reason for said celebrity is that she was a pawn in a bigger game of violence in the Middle East. Sorry, my Katniss defenses are coming out. :P
Maybe her friends should have learned to have more empathy. Or maybe their problems should have been more private, and then I could get behind their feelings of betrayal when Janine blew them off.
I like that Janine was into fashion, because it’s good to flesh out her character, and I particularly appreciate giving kudos to pursuits that are usually depicted as shallow. Maybe it’s trite, but I could have gone for a story like the one in “She’s All That,” (‘90s teen movies ftw!) where Janey had to learn to deal with her mom’s death in her art. Janine was almost there, but then Aronson swerved away from it. It could have been very impactful, particularly since, through “the death book,” Janine was coming to terms with the fact that her mother wasn’t perfect, too.
Instead, Janine’s climactic moment had to do with whether or not she’d betray Emma for what she perceived to be the greater good. This involved using her celebrity and angering a lot of people and of course the ultimate outcome to these betrayals were pretty nebulous. But by this point, Aronson was shoehorning all of her plots into the bottleneck in order to try and reach some resolution, and the narrative turned to swaths of rapidfire summarizing of all the action. The only conclusion I could come to is that Janine seemed to make the right choices to get the paparazzi off of her back, for whatever reason. :P I guess they finally got the story they wanted from her with this “faith healer” plot.
Underwhelming. Though at least it was a quick read, hee.
Janine Friedman is a sixteen-year-old girl living in small-town Pennsylvania. But she only wishes she were as anonymous as that premise suggests. Ten years ago, she was the sole survivor (also known as “soul survivor” for reasons I’ll make clear soon) of a suicide/homicide bombing in Israel that killed her parents and 68 others.
We’re opening on the tenth anniversary of the massacre and there’s a lot Aronson could do with this (and attempts to.) Janine has been hounded by the press for years, which perhaps added to her trauma because she didn’t get the space to sit and grieve. Her parents are largely mysterious to her, save what tidbits her aunt/guardian Lo and mostly estranged maternal grandparents can dole out (there’s little reference at all to her father’s family.) Her mother, a reporter and the reason the family was in Israel at the time, left behind a series of diaries that Janine has read. Save for the very last one, “the death book,” which of course she’ll have to reckon with in the novel. Her friends are looking to build up their relationships—and sometimes ask her to use her fame to help them save a local farm. Finally, she’s a wannabe fashion designer with a boyfriend whose personality can be summed up as “whatever fits the plot.”
Oh wait, that’s not finally. Finally, the man who saved Janine from the rubble, Dave Armstrong, has come to town with a traveling congregation, because he believes Janine’s deformed hands contain stigmata. One of his acolytes is a girl named Emma whom Janine begrudgingly befriends, and then Emma teaches Janine about the power of altruism. There’s a whole other backstory here that frankly, was supposed to be moving but I found to be underdeveloped. Probably because most threads were underdeveloped in this story.
This might be part bias, but I think it was a mistake for Aronson to focus on a storyline where it looks like Janine might actually have stigmata and be a faith healer. That sort of magical realism didn’t do it for me, and yes that’s in part because it’s just so damn Christian. Janine is a Jewish girl, her mother and aunt lived in Israel with their Zionist parents who made Aliyah. I get that Janine doesn’t have to directly care about any of that, but surely there’s a more genuine way for her to confront her feelings of anger and lack of faith in anything after this tragedy.
Another thing that didn’t work for me—I thought all her friends were assholes. I’ve read other first person POV stories where it’s obvious the character is self-centered and unlikeable. And sure, Janine was that, and maybe I should remind myself that the first person meant that their problems wouldn’t seem as big as hers. I mean, I get the appeal of saving old trees and not letting a farm turn into administrative buildings! But are Janine’s friends so callous to believe that their agenda is worth subjecting her to reliving a horrific trauma for public consumption? Maybe I’m oversimplifying things. But I can understand Janine’s reluctance for using her celebrity when the reason for said celebrity is that she was a pawn in a bigger game of violence in the Middle East. Sorry, my Katniss defenses are coming out. :P
Maybe her friends should have learned to have more empathy. Or maybe their problems should have been more private, and then I could get behind their feelings of betrayal when Janine blew them off.
I like that Janine was into fashion, because it’s good to flesh out her character, and I particularly appreciate giving kudos to pursuits that are usually depicted as shallow. Maybe it’s trite, but I could have gone for a story like the one in “She’s All That,” (‘90s teen movies ftw!) where Janey had to learn to deal with her mom’s death in her art. Janine was almost there, but then Aronson swerved away from it. It could have been very impactful, particularly since, through “the death book,” Janine was coming to terms with the fact that her mother wasn’t perfect, too.
Instead, Janine’s climactic moment had to do with whether or not she’d betray Emma for what she perceived to be the greater good. This involved using her celebrity and angering a lot of people and of course the ultimate outcome to these betrayals were pretty nebulous. But by this point, Aronson was shoehorning all of her plots into the bottleneck in order to try and reach some resolution, and the narrative turned to swaths of rapidfire summarizing of all the action. The only conclusion I could come to is that Janine seemed to make the right choices to get the paparazzi off of her back, for whatever reason. :P I guess they finally got the story they wanted from her with this “faith healer” plot.
Underwhelming. Though at least it was a quick read, hee.
April 20, 2019
There's a lot going on in this book in terms of themes and ideas. Faith, God, belief, forgiveness, fame, the media... it's heavy stuff.
And 'heavy' is a somewhat apt word to describe the book with.
Big important themes are usually hard work. They challenge you to think and change your assumptions and experience things from outside of your comfortable view point. This is a really valuable thing in writing and reading, and I don't mean to in any way suggest that the fact that this book tackles such themes makes it bad.
It isn't bad at all. But it's not.... Well, it was harder work than it was enjoyable.
You can probably see I'm struggling to articulate my thoughts on this one. On the one hand, I really liked how it explored big ideas, kept throwing curveballs, examining things like faith and belief from many different perspectives, and despite Janine's strong opinions on a lot of subjects it never felt preachy or leaning in one particular direction. It's a credit to the writing, in fact, that with Janine's point of view it managed to remain so neutral, allowing the reader to make up their own mind.
But on the other hand, it was hard going. Janine is a desperately unlikeable character. I felt for her struggle with her unwanted fame, but she was so bitter a lot of the time, mean and inconsiderate to her friends. I really liked the moment where she became inspired and elevated, only to have her teacher shoot her down and tell her she was rushing, that her ideas weren't quite good enough yet - it felt realistic. But the problem was, by that point I disliked Janine so much that I couldn't really feel for her when that blow was delivered.
Aronson almost almost got Janine right. She needed to be bitter, and she needed to have her moments of downfall. There was a lot in her characterisation that felt accurate. But there needed to be something to redeem her, and there just wasn't. To Aronson's credit, she didn't give Janine an easy way out at the end, leaving plenty of things open for the reader to interpret as they will. And this elevates my opinion of the book again, because a saccharine happy ending would have made me angry. But this definitely didn't have one, so once again I'm thinking better of it.
Overall, this was a frustrating read. It walked the line between brilliant and terrible with such perfect accuracy that this is an achievement all of its own. I really wanted to love it, but have been left with a feeling of slight disappointment, warring with the sense that there were plenty of things I did genuinely like about it.
Difficult. I guess you'll have to read and make up your own minds.
And 'heavy' is a somewhat apt word to describe the book with.
Big important themes are usually hard work. They challenge you to think and change your assumptions and experience things from outside of your comfortable view point. This is a really valuable thing in writing and reading, and I don't mean to in any way suggest that the fact that this book tackles such themes makes it bad.
It isn't bad at all. But it's not.... Well, it was harder work than it was enjoyable.
You can probably see I'm struggling to articulate my thoughts on this one. On the one hand, I really liked how it explored big ideas, kept throwing curveballs, examining things like faith and belief from many different perspectives, and despite Janine's strong opinions on a lot of subjects it never felt preachy or leaning in one particular direction. It's a credit to the writing, in fact, that with Janine's point of view it managed to remain so neutral, allowing the reader to make up their own mind.
But on the other hand, it was hard going. Janine is a desperately unlikeable character. I felt for her struggle with her unwanted fame, but she was so bitter a lot of the time, mean and inconsiderate to her friends. I really liked the moment where she became inspired and elevated, only to have her teacher shoot her down and tell her she was rushing, that her ideas weren't quite good enough yet - it felt realistic. But the problem was, by that point I disliked Janine so much that I couldn't really feel for her when that blow was delivered.
Aronson almost almost got Janine right. She needed to be bitter, and she needed to have her moments of downfall. There was a lot in her characterisation that felt accurate. But there needed to be something to redeem her, and there just wasn't. To Aronson's credit, she didn't give Janine an easy way out at the end, leaving plenty of things open for the reader to interpret as they will. And this elevates my opinion of the book again, because a saccharine happy ending would have made me angry. But this definitely didn't have one, so once again I'm thinking better of it.
Overall, this was a frustrating read. It walked the line between brilliant and terrible with such perfect accuracy that this is an achievement all of its own. I really wanted to love it, but have been left with a feeling of slight disappointment, warring with the sense that there were plenty of things I did genuinely like about it.
Difficult. I guess you'll have to read and make up your own minds.
June 24, 2017
Believe was one of the most uninteresting books I have ever read. The pace was very slow and there was not much action. I wanted to stop reading so badly. It is ironic that the book is called believe when the book is very unbelievable. It was all very exaggerated and extreme. Janine was very unsympathetic. She always thought about herself and did not really care for others. She was not a complex character. She did not really develop or learn a lesson along the way. Another thing I did not like was that the majority of the book went on and on about religion and God. The main theme was about having faith in God. I was very surprised about how much religion was involved, and it took away from the "magical powers" of her hands. Speaking of the "magical powers," it was not really clear whether or not she actually has any, and there was not much detail. I only read the book for the element of her healing powers, and it was a huge disappointment. Read more of my review at http://pagesforthoughts.blogspot.com/...
August 26, 2017
While I loved the book's premise and actually found Janine to be a well-rounded, realistic character, this book was way too hit and miss for me. I thought the dialogue was realistic, the characters interesting, and the central message on the right track if not what I personally believe to a t, but, equally, the writing style was too choppy and lacking in key details ("they're in a car now" okay but??? you didn't mention that in the previous sentence like...normal human beings do??), the relationships inconsistent (Janine's opinion of Dave fluctuated WAYYYY too much and her friendship with Miriam felt wooden and cold), and the ending a poorly done "tie it all up with a bow" situation that threw out all of the book's previous complex themes. The book didn't feel consistently 3 stars, it felt composed of half 2 star parts and half 4 star parts. It reads like a promising draft, but I think another round of editing could have helped quite a bit.
January 11, 2021
All in all I liked this book. It follows Janine - the "soul survivor" of a suicide bombing (tw for some) and what she goes through in the aftermath, as well as her dealings with a man and his religious following. I thought it was a pretty interesting idea for a book - mixing the real world instances of trauma and terror with some more fantasy-based ideas like healing powers. What sometimes pulled me out of the book wasn't necessarily the plot or concept...it was the writing. Aronson overall wrote strongly, but there were times where she "told" and didn't "show." For example: "Lo looked irritated." Something about that framing takes me away from the story...obviously there's no need to go overboard describing HOW Lo looked irritated, but simply saying it is a bit jarring. Maybe just my opinion. But overall a decent read.
May 3, 2022
4/5
This book was crazy. I loved how the main character was put through so many challenges and in a way she wasn’t predictable. The plot ran really smooth and as things unraveled the bigger picture was such a sharp turn in some ways.
This book was crazy. I loved how the main character was put through so many challenges and in a way she wasn’t predictable. The plot ran really smooth and as things unraveled the bigger picture was such a sharp turn in some ways.
May 23, 2013
I think there are very few people in this world that can actually understand the gravity of what life must be like for Janice Friedman. The sole survivor of a Jerusalem bombing that killed almost 70 people. One man heard her voice from the wreckage and saved six year old Janice that day. Dave Armstrong reckoned he felt a pull on the day of the bombing. Gods sign? He was refused entry to the synagogue but turned back after he felt the quake and pulled Janice free.
From that day onward, the world has been interested in Janice and Dave's lives. And ten years on is no different. The ten anniversary is a big deal to Janice because of her parents death, NOT because she was the Soul Survivor. Dave Armstrong has turned his deed on that day into a walking talking ministry. Now he has followers and people that hang on his every word. Janice hates him, doesn't want anything to do with him. She just wants a normal life.
Believe tells many stories in one volume. Firstly the story of Janice and how she copes with every day life. She has friends who wouldn't betray her, a boyfriend that she has things in common with--mainly their love of clothing designs, and an Aunt who dotes on her while also giving her good advice about staying out of the way of the media.
The next story is about an old Oak tree in the town. The council want to relocate a farm and make use of the land the tree occupies. Her friend Miriam is acting as an activist and wants the age old tree to stay and the farm to remain where it is even though it isn't doing so well.
The next story is about Dave's new protegee, Emma and how Emma affects the lives of those around her with her goodwill and belief in God. She believes that God cares and if you pray enough, believe enough in his power then good things will come.
And lastly the ability to heal through faith. Faith healers are no new thing. When an accident or disease cannot be cured and there is no last resort in the scientific world people turn to the power of Faith, no matter which god you believe in.
Gradually all these stories start intertwining around one another and at the centre Janice is doing her best to keep her head above water. Her friends ask her to use her celebrity status to help save the farm and the tree. Janice knows she is no celebrity. She didn't earn the title, didn't do anything remotely interesting to deserve it. She was saved when others died that day ten years ago. The guilt and uncertainty weigh heavy on her and the last thing she wants is to step into the limelight and have more fuss over her than she already has. Unfortunately this example shows us the power of friendship and how one request can end up backfiring. Do you go with Miriam and Sam's interpretation that Janice is being selfish and only thinking of herself? Or do you go with Janice's beliefs that if you give the media an inch they'll take a mile?
The faith healing aspect of the story was what I most wanted to read about when I read the synopsis of this book. I thought it was interesting and very thought provoking. I was worried about the suggestion that Gods word would be preached and I was right, it was, but it is done in a very tasteful way, not in a way that tries to convert you.
The depth of the story is quite revealing because although even the author states in the book, Janice is not always a likeable character, I found I did understand her motives and lets face it -- at sixteen we don't really know what we want out of life so imagine when the world thinks you should be more proactive with your status and do more to help others, what would we really do?
Without stereotyping and pushing ideas at us Believe does give me something in the end. And a message that tells you something meaningful is always a good reason to start the day and do things different. Much like Janice, this book took me on a journey and I'm glad I read it.
From that day onward, the world has been interested in Janice and Dave's lives. And ten years on is no different. The ten anniversary is a big deal to Janice because of her parents death, NOT because she was the Soul Survivor. Dave Armstrong has turned his deed on that day into a walking talking ministry. Now he has followers and people that hang on his every word. Janice hates him, doesn't want anything to do with him. She just wants a normal life.
Believe tells many stories in one volume. Firstly the story of Janice and how she copes with every day life. She has friends who wouldn't betray her, a boyfriend that she has things in common with--mainly their love of clothing designs, and an Aunt who dotes on her while also giving her good advice about staying out of the way of the media.
The next story is about an old Oak tree in the town. The council want to relocate a farm and make use of the land the tree occupies. Her friend Miriam is acting as an activist and wants the age old tree to stay and the farm to remain where it is even though it isn't doing so well.
The next story is about Dave's new protegee, Emma and how Emma affects the lives of those around her with her goodwill and belief in God. She believes that God cares and if you pray enough, believe enough in his power then good things will come.
And lastly the ability to heal through faith. Faith healers are no new thing. When an accident or disease cannot be cured and there is no last resort in the scientific world people turn to the power of Faith, no matter which god you believe in.
Gradually all these stories start intertwining around one another and at the centre Janice is doing her best to keep her head above water. Her friends ask her to use her celebrity status to help save the farm and the tree. Janice knows she is no celebrity. She didn't earn the title, didn't do anything remotely interesting to deserve it. She was saved when others died that day ten years ago. The guilt and uncertainty weigh heavy on her and the last thing she wants is to step into the limelight and have more fuss over her than she already has. Unfortunately this example shows us the power of friendship and how one request can end up backfiring. Do you go with Miriam and Sam's interpretation that Janice is being selfish and only thinking of herself? Or do you go with Janice's beliefs that if you give the media an inch they'll take a mile?
The faith healing aspect of the story was what I most wanted to read about when I read the synopsis of this book. I thought it was interesting and very thought provoking. I was worried about the suggestion that Gods word would be preached and I was right, it was, but it is done in a very tasteful way, not in a way that tries to convert you.
The depth of the story is quite revealing because although even the author states in the book, Janice is not always a likeable character, I found I did understand her motives and lets face it -- at sixteen we don't really know what we want out of life so imagine when the world thinks you should be more proactive with your status and do more to help others, what would we really do?
Without stereotyping and pushing ideas at us Believe does give me something in the end. And a message that tells you something meaningful is always a good reason to start the day and do things different. Much like Janice, this book took me on a journey and I'm glad I read it.
September 25, 2013
You never really knew me.
I was a photo in a magazine, the cover that made you weep. I was long brown hair, big green eyes, and pale skin -- an innocent girl, alone in a foreign land.
I was a moment in time. I was a story. Even now, when people hear my name or see my hands, they tell me exactly where they were the day I became a household name. They like to say it is an honor to meet me. More often than not, I made them believe.
Everyone knows Janine Friedman. She was the famous little girl who was the sole survivor of a tragic suicide bombing in a Jerusalem synagogue. A simple tourist, named Dave Anderson, heard her young cries in the rubble of destruction and rescued her, beginning his career as a born against preacher, positive that he had been part of a wonderful miracle.
Ten years later, Janine's hands still bear the disfigurement and scars that give her a daily reminder of the horrible event that claimed the lives of her parents. And as the anniversary of the terrorist attack quickly approaches, Janine is stalked by reporters and paparazzi, all determined to get a first hand statement from the little miracle of the suicide bombing. Determined to keep her story private and sacred, Janine does everything she can to avoid the press and to especially hide away from Dave Anderson, the preacher who seems to want to use Janine to catapult his fame and fortune in the religious arena.
When Janine's closet friend is part of a deadly accident, presumed unlikely to ever awaken from the depths of his coma, Janine is shocked and confused to witness a miraculous recovery, presumed to be the result of a healing touch from her own scarred hands. Soon, the desperate masses are hounding Janine for a chance at a spiritual healing -- resulting in a young, paralyzed man rising from his wheelchair after his interaction with Janine. Is it possible that the miracle of the suicide bombing really stemmed from a spiritual gift found somewhere within Janine.
As she allows herself to drown in the fame and notoriety of her new perceived role as a miraculous healer, Janine is forced to face her own views on faith, friendship, and family -- all while living life as a teenager who can't seem to stay out of the spotlight.
I was actually VERY intrigued by the premise of this novel, and I was incredibly impressed with the strong emotional writing style which captured my attention from the first sentence on page one. The story actually reminded me somewhat of the first ever book I read by Jodi Picoult, KEEPING FAITH which actually explored similar themes through another tale of alleged faith healing.
I felt that Janine's character was realistically written, as she did have a tendency to display teenage angst and rebellion as she wavered in her perspectives on serious issues. At times Janine displayed great maturity, while in other passages she seemed to be whiny, arrogant, and irritable -- all of which were probably understandable given her age and position in the story.
The story line absolutely kept me intrigued, and I found myself reading the book pretty quickly, eager to learn the "secret" behind the mysterious healings. Although the novel was definitely something that I would rate positively, I can't deny that I felt disappointed and unfulfilled by the end of the story. Something about Janine's transformation felt inauthentic, and I was really expecting something a bit more powerful, probably based on the fact that I related it in my mind to the Jodi Picoult story, I think.
Even so, I think that BELIEVE by Sarah Aronson is worth a read for those who enjoy contemporary young adult fiction with a slightly controversial twist. I appreciate having the opportunity to access a copy of the novel for review purposes, and I thank the publisher for allowing me to read and review this story!
I was a photo in a magazine, the cover that made you weep. I was long brown hair, big green eyes, and pale skin -- an innocent girl, alone in a foreign land.
I was a moment in time. I was a story. Even now, when people hear my name or see my hands, they tell me exactly where they were the day I became a household name. They like to say it is an honor to meet me. More often than not, I made them believe.
Everyone knows Janine Friedman. She was the famous little girl who was the sole survivor of a tragic suicide bombing in a Jerusalem synagogue. A simple tourist, named Dave Anderson, heard her young cries in the rubble of destruction and rescued her, beginning his career as a born against preacher, positive that he had been part of a wonderful miracle.
Ten years later, Janine's hands still bear the disfigurement and scars that give her a daily reminder of the horrible event that claimed the lives of her parents. And as the anniversary of the terrorist attack quickly approaches, Janine is stalked by reporters and paparazzi, all determined to get a first hand statement from the little miracle of the suicide bombing. Determined to keep her story private and sacred, Janine does everything she can to avoid the press and to especially hide away from Dave Anderson, the preacher who seems to want to use Janine to catapult his fame and fortune in the religious arena.
When Janine's closet friend is part of a deadly accident, presumed unlikely to ever awaken from the depths of his coma, Janine is shocked and confused to witness a miraculous recovery, presumed to be the result of a healing touch from her own scarred hands. Soon, the desperate masses are hounding Janine for a chance at a spiritual healing -- resulting in a young, paralyzed man rising from his wheelchair after his interaction with Janine. Is it possible that the miracle of the suicide bombing really stemmed from a spiritual gift found somewhere within Janine.
As she allows herself to drown in the fame and notoriety of her new perceived role as a miraculous healer, Janine is forced to face her own views on faith, friendship, and family -- all while living life as a teenager who can't seem to stay out of the spotlight.
I was actually VERY intrigued by the premise of this novel, and I was incredibly impressed with the strong emotional writing style which captured my attention from the first sentence on page one. The story actually reminded me somewhat of the first ever book I read by Jodi Picoult, KEEPING FAITH which actually explored similar themes through another tale of alleged faith healing.
I felt that Janine's character was realistically written, as she did have a tendency to display teenage angst and rebellion as she wavered in her perspectives on serious issues. At times Janine displayed great maturity, while in other passages she seemed to be whiny, arrogant, and irritable -- all of which were probably understandable given her age and position in the story.
The story line absolutely kept me intrigued, and I found myself reading the book pretty quickly, eager to learn the "secret" behind the mysterious healings. Although the novel was definitely something that I would rate positively, I can't deny that I felt disappointed and unfulfilled by the end of the story. Something about Janine's transformation felt inauthentic, and I was really expecting something a bit more powerful, probably based on the fact that I related it in my mind to the Jodi Picoult story, I think.
Even so, I think that BELIEVE by Sarah Aronson is worth a read for those who enjoy contemporary young adult fiction with a slightly controversial twist. I appreciate having the opportunity to access a copy of the novel for review purposes, and I thank the publisher for allowing me to read and review this story!
August 5, 2016
Source: Received an e-ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The sound of this book was so unique that I just had to give it a read-I loved how it seemed to be looking at BIG things like religion, war, and politics in the YA setting. While I enjoyed those explorations, I really had trouble clicking with the main character and often found myself frustrated with her, making this a less than awesome read.
When she was just six years old, Janine was the sole survivor of a suicide bombing in Israel, earning herself the title Soul Survivor and becoming famous. Ten years later, she struggles with the physical effects of this on her hands, with the notoriety of such a title and those who would push her to use her fame for a cause, and with the loss of her parents who died in the bombing that tragic day. She just wants to be left alone. However when her friend Abe survives an accident and a boy miraculously walks after she lays hands on them both, she starts to question what it means to believe.
As I said, I found the concept for this book very thought provoking and I think the author did a great job setting up these questions. I feel like I hear a lot about the potential for suicide bombings and I remember watching about them on TV. To read a book about someone who survived one is remarkably unique. Unfortunately I didn't really like Janine. I know she's only a teenager in a really crappy situation but I hated her protestations about not wanting fame and yet her ability to always drop her reason for fame if someone wasn't acting in accord with how she wanted them to.
The part that really worked for me was Janine's interaction with the man who pulled her out of the rubble, which was his own launchpad for fame in the religious community. He seems to earnestly believe and circumstances bring them together as she explores her own faith. Another part was Janine's more adult assessment of her parents. She remembers their life together as an idyll but after reading her mother's journal from the time, it is far more complicated than that.
Otherwise, I just didn't find Janine that compelling and though I dutifully finished this book, I can't rave and recommend it to you. I mean, it's an interesting read, could be good for a book club, but it's not a favorite of mine.
The sound of this book was so unique that I just had to give it a read-I loved how it seemed to be looking at BIG things like religion, war, and politics in the YA setting. While I enjoyed those explorations, I really had trouble clicking with the main character and often found myself frustrated with her, making this a less than awesome read.
When she was just six years old, Janine was the sole survivor of a suicide bombing in Israel, earning herself the title Soul Survivor and becoming famous. Ten years later, she struggles with the physical effects of this on her hands, with the notoriety of such a title and those who would push her to use her fame for a cause, and with the loss of her parents who died in the bombing that tragic day. She just wants to be left alone. However when her friend Abe survives an accident and a boy miraculously walks after she lays hands on them both, she starts to question what it means to believe.
As I said, I found the concept for this book very thought provoking and I think the author did a great job setting up these questions. I feel like I hear a lot about the potential for suicide bombings and I remember watching about them on TV. To read a book about someone who survived one is remarkably unique. Unfortunately I didn't really like Janine. I know she's only a teenager in a really crappy situation but I hated her protestations about not wanting fame and yet her ability to always drop her reason for fame if someone wasn't acting in accord with how she wanted them to.
The part that really worked for me was Janine's interaction with the man who pulled her out of the rubble, which was his own launchpad for fame in the religious community. He seems to earnestly believe and circumstances bring them together as she explores her own faith. Another part was Janine's more adult assessment of her parents. She remembers their life together as an idyll but after reading her mother's journal from the time, it is far more complicated than that.
Otherwise, I just didn't find Janine that compelling and though I dutifully finished this book, I can't rave and recommend it to you. I mean, it's an interesting read, could be good for a book club, but it's not a favorite of mine.
September 9, 2013
A novel of ideas
Sarah Aronson’s Believe is an interesting novel. She uses the story of Janine Collins, the only survivor of a suicide bombing, to explore issues relating to faith and the celebrity culture supported by the 24-hour news cycle. What is the nature of faith? How can people believe in God when terrible things happen to them? What is it like to become famous for your involvement in a tragedy? Does that person have a right to privacy or a duty to use their fame to make the world a better place? Believe is really a novel of ideas, telling a story that portrays and illuminates the nature of our society. In fact, there might be a few too many ideas; it might have helped the book to focus more on either the aspect of faith or on celebrity.
The biggest potential weakness of a novel of ideas is that the ideas being explored overshadow the plot and characters, which I think is what happens here. I had a very hard time connecting to Janine, which affected my willingness to engage with the issues being discussed. Part of the problem is that I didn’t find Jaime very likeable, although I think that’s intentional on Aronson’s part. Janine’s personality has been warped by what’s happened to her, to the point that she can be very selfish and self-centered—but how could you not be when the world has treated you as an important person since you were six years old? Beyond being likeable, though, I think Janine isn’t an entirely fleshed-out character. Aronson tries to give her some personality beyond the issues surrounding her life, chiefly by giving her the career goal of being a clothing designer, but it wasn’t enough for me to see her as a fully realized person.
If you’re interested in the ideas being explored in Believe, you should give it a try. If you like books with a lot of action or strong characters, you might want to skip this one.
An ARC of Believe was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Sarah Aronson’s Believe is an interesting novel. She uses the story of Janine Collins, the only survivor of a suicide bombing, to explore issues relating to faith and the celebrity culture supported by the 24-hour news cycle. What is the nature of faith? How can people believe in God when terrible things happen to them? What is it like to become famous for your involvement in a tragedy? Does that person have a right to privacy or a duty to use their fame to make the world a better place? Believe is really a novel of ideas, telling a story that portrays and illuminates the nature of our society. In fact, there might be a few too many ideas; it might have helped the book to focus more on either the aspect of faith or on celebrity.
The biggest potential weakness of a novel of ideas is that the ideas being explored overshadow the plot and characters, which I think is what happens here. I had a very hard time connecting to Janine, which affected my willingness to engage with the issues being discussed. Part of the problem is that I didn’t find Jaime very likeable, although I think that’s intentional on Aronson’s part. Janine’s personality has been warped by what’s happened to her, to the point that she can be very selfish and self-centered—but how could you not be when the world has treated you as an important person since you were six years old? Beyond being likeable, though, I think Janine isn’t an entirely fleshed-out character. Aronson tries to give her some personality beyond the issues surrounding her life, chiefly by giving her the career goal of being a clothing designer, but it wasn’t enough for me to see her as a fully realized person.
If you’re interested in the ideas being explored in Believe, you should give it a try. If you like books with a lot of action or strong characters, you might want to skip this one.
An ARC of Believe was provided by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
August 29, 2013
The first memory I have of being aware of the world outside of my house and my family, is the memory of the Challenger disaster. I remember it primarily because my friend Zach was home sick that day. He came into Kindergarten the following morning and described the explosion to us in great detail. I remember that vividly. This is all to say that everyone has cultural memories - stories of where we were and what we were doing when something monumental happens. The common experience of these common experiences intrigues me which is why I jumped at the chance to read this book. Unfortunately the book is largely forgettable, unlike the plane crashes that inspired it.
I desperately wanted Janine to be a sympathetic character. I appreciated the fact that she was a survivor who refused to capitalize on her tragedy. I thought the way she struggled to reconcile her conflicted feelings towards her dead parents was realistic and well handled. But none of the relationships she had with other, living characters felt developed enough to make me feel anything other than irritated at her when she complained about being unable to leave the house. I think the biggest reason for this was that there were simply too many secondary characters and way, way too many subplots. Each one of those subplots had an amazing amount of potential, but the book never settled on a single story line long enough to make me care.
I don't mean to say that it was all bad, because I wasn't. I just wish Aronson had done her own, excellent ideas more justice by focusing on one instead of trying to give readers tiny tastes of each of them.
Full review at - http://iknowrightya.blogspot.com/2013...
I desperately wanted Janine to be a sympathetic character. I appreciated the fact that she was a survivor who refused to capitalize on her tragedy. I thought the way she struggled to reconcile her conflicted feelings towards her dead parents was realistic and well handled. But none of the relationships she had with other, living characters felt developed enough to make me feel anything other than irritated at her when she complained about being unable to leave the house. I think the biggest reason for this was that there were simply too many secondary characters and way, way too many subplots. Each one of those subplots had an amazing amount of potential, but the book never settled on a single story line long enough to make me care.
I don't mean to say that it was all bad, because I wasn't. I just wish Aronson had done her own, excellent ideas more justice by focusing on one instead of trying to give readers tiny tastes of each of them.
Full review at - http://iknowrightya.blogspot.com/2013...
September 1, 2013
Ten years ago Janine Collins was the lone survivor of a suicide bombing in Jerusalem. Both of her parents perished in this bombing. Dave Armstrong, a tourist who was there, pulled her out of the rubble and found religion through that process. For all these years people have believed that Janine’s survival is a miracle. They want to know more about her, but she’s been avoiding the press. When the tenth anniversary of the bombing nears, it’s getting harder to avoid journalists and photographers.
Janine’s hands had been injured during the tragedy. She had surgeries, but there’s always something tight and twisted about them. They also tingle. People think her hands have healing powers, but she doesn’t buy that. Dave Armstrong is in town and he’s particularly insistent about her powers. Things start to happen to make her wonder. She touches a friend right after a car accident and he’s healed. After that, a boy in a wheelchair grabs her hands and can walk again. This makes Janine question what really happened that day during the bombing and if she really has any special abilities.
I enjoyed the novel for the most part. There were a few things I didn’t like about it. The subplot involving her friends saving a tree didn’t feel right to me. When it was introduced it pulled me out of the story and until the end I never cared for it. Something else could’ve been used to illustrate the issues she had with her friends. Also, some of her friends came across as unlikable, even annoying and flat. This is a 3.5 for me, but I’ll give it 4 stars because I enjoyed the other aspects of this unique book. I received this via NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher.
Janine’s hands had been injured during the tragedy. She had surgeries, but there’s always something tight and twisted about them. They also tingle. People think her hands have healing powers, but she doesn’t buy that. Dave Armstrong is in town and he’s particularly insistent about her powers. Things start to happen to make her wonder. She touches a friend right after a car accident and he’s healed. After that, a boy in a wheelchair grabs her hands and can walk again. This makes Janine question what really happened that day during the bombing and if she really has any special abilities.
I enjoyed the novel for the most part. There were a few things I didn’t like about it. The subplot involving her friends saving a tree didn’t feel right to me. When it was introduced it pulled me out of the story and until the end I never cared for it. Something else could’ve been used to illustrate the issues she had with her friends. Also, some of her friends came across as unlikable, even annoying and flat. This is a 3.5 for me, but I’ll give it 4 stars because I enjoyed the other aspects of this unique book. I received this via NetGalley, courtesy of the publisher.
May 10, 2013
The premise of this book was so intriguing, I basically devoured it in a day. Unfortunately though, the full execution of the novel did not live up to its promise. Don't get me wrong, it's a good book, but it lags in the middle and never gives the full payoff it would need to qualify as great.
Janine's existence as the "soul survivor" of a terrorist attack in Jeruselem seemed particularly apt to me right now, especially in the wake of the Boston Marathon tragedy. But the character resists her status and celebrity that comes from that and just wants to live a normal life. Understandable yes, especially when you consider that she was only 6 at the time and is now a typical American teenager struggling with issues of identity and relationships. But throughout the novel, I felt confused about just who she was and who she wanted to be in the future. Like many of her friends, family and admirers within the story, I wished she would somehow acknowledge the significance of the even she lived through even if just to honor the dead but I felt it was unfair for so many of her critics to expect her to do "great things" at her age.
Overall, I enjoyed the book but it isn't something I'd read again. The religious references, the constant shifting of who was right and who was wrong about the events taking place in the story and more just left me feeling hollow. And her supposedly transformative trip at the end lacked the emotional gravitas I needed. Rating: 3 stars (out of 5)
Note: This title was provided to me for review by Netgalley.
Janine's existence as the "soul survivor" of a terrorist attack in Jeruselem seemed particularly apt to me right now, especially in the wake of the Boston Marathon tragedy. But the character resists her status and celebrity that comes from that and just wants to live a normal life. Understandable yes, especially when you consider that she was only 6 at the time and is now a typical American teenager struggling with issues of identity and relationships. But throughout the novel, I felt confused about just who she was and who she wanted to be in the future. Like many of her friends, family and admirers within the story, I wished she would somehow acknowledge the significance of the even she lived through even if just to honor the dead but I felt it was unfair for so many of her critics to expect her to do "great things" at her age.
Overall, I enjoyed the book but it isn't something I'd read again. The religious references, the constant shifting of who was right and who was wrong about the events taking place in the story and more just left me feeling hollow. And her supposedly transformative trip at the end lacked the emotional gravitas I needed. Rating: 3 stars (out of 5)
Note: This title was provided to me for review by Netgalley.
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