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Alle meine Leben
Neun Leben sind nicht genug
Die 16-jährige Dani ist überzeugt, sie besitzt neun Leben. Schließlich hat sie schon als Kind zweimal einen tödlichen Unfall überlebt. Ihre Zwillingsschwester Jena dagegen scheint nur über ein Leben zu verfügen – und selbst das schwindet dahin. Dani, voller Angst aber auch Schuldgefühle gegenüber der leukämiekranken Schwester, schließt einen Pakt mit dem Schicksal: Sie wird ihre überzähligen Leben aufs Spiel setzen. Vielleicht reicht das Universum sie dann an jemanden weiter, der so ein Leben viel dringender braucht als sie. Jemanden wie Jena. Doch als Dani ihr Spiel schließlich auf die Spitze treibt, muss sie der Wahrheit ins Gesicht sehen. Vielleicht hat sie gar nicht neun Leben zur Verfügung. Vielleicht hat auch sie nur dieses EINE. Und das zu leben erfordert all ihren Mut.
Die 16-jährige Dani ist überzeugt, sie besitzt neun Leben. Schließlich hat sie schon als Kind zweimal einen tödlichen Unfall überlebt. Ihre Zwillingsschwester Jena dagegen scheint nur über ein Leben zu verfügen – und selbst das schwindet dahin. Dani, voller Angst aber auch Schuldgefühle gegenüber der leukämiekranken Schwester, schließt einen Pakt mit dem Schicksal: Sie wird ihre überzähligen Leben aufs Spiel setzen. Vielleicht reicht das Universum sie dann an jemanden weiter, der so ein Leben viel dringender braucht als sie. Jemanden wie Jena. Doch als Dani ihr Spiel schließlich auf die Spitze treibt, muss sie der Wahrheit ins Gesicht sehen. Vielleicht hat sie gar nicht neun Leben zur Verfügung. Vielleicht hat auch sie nur dieses EINE. Und das zu leben erfordert all ihren Mut.
321 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 5, 2012
21 people are currently reading
5507 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 136 reviews
May 26, 2012
While I was a bit thrown off by the nine lives viewpoint, All These Lives is a really captivating story about dealing with cancer in a loved one. What's different in this one, is that the story is not actually about the cancer patient, but her sister, Dani. Dani and Jena are twins, Jena has cancer and Dani is battling with guilt. Specifically, she feels guilty for having nine lives, when Jena is fighting for her one.
Let me tell you straight up. Dany is a bitch! She's snarky, rudely sarcastic, and kind of a bully. This could put off some readers, but I found it strangely interesting. If I knew her in real life I would detest her instantly, in this novel however, her voice is remarkably compelling. She amused me with her peculiar sense of humor, and her reflective thoughts are extremely tormenting. You can understand how much she's really struggling, thus making her personality a little less… inviting. She's hiding behind a mask so people don't see how deeply she's hurting. We've definitely got an original protagonist who may not have the best personality, but her tragically broken state makes this a truly memorable book. I also have to say that I was particularly pleased with the parental roles and their prominence in the story.
Dani thinks she has nine lives. She's been in accidents that should have killed her, but didn't. This aspect in the story is a tad strange. I was never sure if it was meant to add some supernatural elements into it, or if was simply Dany's illusory contemplations about death. Even though it's a big part of the book summary, this side of the story is not the primary focus. It's not even about the actual cancer. It's really more about the sisterly bond, and Dani's unusual way of dealing. It's not your typical cancer novel. Though you can still expect a lot of deep emotions; helplessness, loneliness, and desperation can clearly be felt throughout. There is also some humor and lighthearted moments, even a bit of romance, that gives it the perfect balance. I felt the ending could have gone with more spark; I was expecting more closure in some aspects, but I'm satisfied nonetheless.
A remarkable story about an atypical teenage girl in an unforgiving situation, All These Lives is a wonderfully moving novel that I think many readers will easily get immersed in. This beautify writing debut novel proves that Sarah is an author to watch for!
--
For more of my reviews, visit my blog at Xpresso Reads
Let me tell you straight up. Dany is a bitch! She's snarky, rudely sarcastic, and kind of a bully. This could put off some readers, but I found it strangely interesting. If I knew her in real life I would detest her instantly, in this novel however, her voice is remarkably compelling. She amused me with her peculiar sense of humor, and her reflective thoughts are extremely tormenting. You can understand how much she's really struggling, thus making her personality a little less… inviting. She's hiding behind a mask so people don't see how deeply she's hurting. We've definitely got an original protagonist who may not have the best personality, but her tragically broken state makes this a truly memorable book. I also have to say that I was particularly pleased with the parental roles and their prominence in the story.
Dani thinks she has nine lives. She's been in accidents that should have killed her, but didn't. This aspect in the story is a tad strange. I was never sure if it was meant to add some supernatural elements into it, or if was simply Dany's illusory contemplations about death. Even though it's a big part of the book summary, this side of the story is not the primary focus. It's not even about the actual cancer. It's really more about the sisterly bond, and Dani's unusual way of dealing. It's not your typical cancer novel. Though you can still expect a lot of deep emotions; helplessness, loneliness, and desperation can clearly be felt throughout. There is also some humor and lighthearted moments, even a bit of romance, that gives it the perfect balance. I felt the ending could have gone with more spark; I was expecting more closure in some aspects, but I'm satisfied nonetheless.
A remarkable story about an atypical teenage girl in an unforgiving situation, All These Lives is a wonderfully moving novel that I think many readers will easily get immersed in. This beautify writing debut novel proves that Sarah is an author to watch for!
--
For more of my reviews, visit my blog at Xpresso Reads
June 20, 2012
This is one of those books I sometimes feel unequipped to read. I feel like, because I haven't suffered true loss, somehow I can't connect as deeply as I want to with books that deal with death and grief. And is it very terrible of me to say that I want to? Is it to relieve them, or to understand human nature? Does it come from fear of realizing that perhaps I am not as whole, or as ready for life, because I don't know how to handle sorrow?
This isn't really a book about cancer. It is no more than a means -- because in the end, death is death. It's about Dani, whose sister is dying. The story is Dani's journey in coming to terms with the fact that one day, the person she loves most in the world, may be gone.
Sarah Wylie's All These Lives is a taxing read. Not because of the sadness, or the tension. Or because of the hospital scenes and the blood and IVs. It's because Wylie's protagonist demands attention and patience. It was a difficult book to get into, and honestly, for a while there I thought this was going to turn into a chore-read. I had a hard time understanding Dani. What exactly was she feeling? Her actions and words pointed to too many places.
The thing is, we come into Dani's life after Jena's diagnosis. We have no reference between Dani-before and Dani-after. We only have Dani-now, who is irascible, smart-mouthed, and a bully. We can't as easily forgive her because we know from past experience that she is genuinely good; that she is only misunderstood. The Dani we have is unlikeable. She also believes she may have nine lives, and in order to save her sister, she tries to do away with as many of them as she can afford -- because she believes that somehow if she does it just right, one of her lives might find its way into Jena. It's an improbable premise, unless this book is heading towards the paranormal. But it isn't. It's pure realistic fiction. And you can't get any more real than death.
Dani isn't a bitch. Readers might disagree -- and rightly so, as Dani provides us ample reason to judge her as one. But she isn't. Instead, as most bitches turn out to be, she is the opposite. She is everything at once: weak and afraid to lose her twin, bitter with God, unbelieving of miracles, and pretty much retired to existing at all. She is not a bitch because as we see her putting up walls to ward off the world, she is doing exactly that with us, especially herself. She lies to herself so much, we're almost never sure which ones she believes and which ones she doesn't. That is probably the greatest evidence of her helplessness, and she knows it. I couldn't judge her so harshly and dismissively for all the senseless trouble she imposed on herself and her family because she was just a little girl trying to be tough when all she wanted was to crumble.
The nine lives is a sensitive topic. How could a girl actually believe she has nine lives? And that it's possible to transfer them into another person? There is no magic here, no miracle. The closest thing to the divine is a family's love and dedication to each other: a mother trying be everything her daughters need, and a father trying to cope with the realization that just because he's the father, he is not all-knowing. Jena's cure is beyond their ability, and so they cling and glue themselves together even when they are being yanked apart.
Dani's nine lives and her attempts at counting them down comes across as monumentally stupid and irresponsible. And they are, but they are also devastating. Because I don't think she actually does believe it. Instead, it shows once again how deep her suffering goes. She isn't really trying to give Jena her life, though she would if she could. Perhaps, a part of Dani has accepted defeat and makes her attempts on the off chance she might go, too. But she does it half-heartedly because she doesn't really want to die and how could she do that to her parents after everything they've been through?
The writing is sharp and full of sting. Wylie has a dark and deeply cutting sense of humor. Dani goes from contemplating suicide to tortuously flirting with the school geek. Wylie smothers us in dark, but occasionally lets us breathe because despite the gravity of this book, I couldn't help snickering. She really has some of the best lines. When I looked at my notebook, I saw that I'd jotted down many page numbers. Not many books compel me to do that.
This is another one you won't feel gratified for reading until you're nearing the end, and then you find that you've actually become quite attached. You'll like Dani, despite all her efforts to be hated. You see past her facade because it just isn't that good. Her mask slips from the very beginning and you spend the entire book watching her struggle in keeping it on. It's sad. This will tear you just a little bit; more if you know what she's going through. I didn't, but even I was pulled in and tasted its bitterness. Wylie is a very good, very effective writer. The book rides on all kinds of pain, and all degrees of grief, worry and dread but Wylie eventually takes you where you need to go, which in this case, is acceptance of the things that are simply out of our hands, and that this is exactly why we must make every moment count.
---
---
An ARC was provided by the publisher.
This isn't really a book about cancer. It is no more than a means -- because in the end, death is death. It's about Dani, whose sister is dying. The story is Dani's journey in coming to terms with the fact that one day, the person she loves most in the world, may be gone.
Sarah Wylie's All These Lives is a taxing read. Not because of the sadness, or the tension. Or because of the hospital scenes and the blood and IVs. It's because Wylie's protagonist demands attention and patience. It was a difficult book to get into, and honestly, for a while there I thought this was going to turn into a chore-read. I had a hard time understanding Dani. What exactly was she feeling? Her actions and words pointed to too many places.
The thing is, we come into Dani's life after Jena's diagnosis. We have no reference between Dani-before and Dani-after. We only have Dani-now, who is irascible, smart-mouthed, and a bully. We can't as easily forgive her because we know from past experience that she is genuinely good; that she is only misunderstood. The Dani we have is unlikeable. She also believes she may have nine lives, and in order to save her sister, she tries to do away with as many of them as she can afford -- because she believes that somehow if she does it just right, one of her lives might find its way into Jena. It's an improbable premise, unless this book is heading towards the paranormal. But it isn't. It's pure realistic fiction. And you can't get any more real than death.
Dani isn't a bitch. Readers might disagree -- and rightly so, as Dani provides us ample reason to judge her as one. But she isn't. Instead, as most bitches turn out to be, she is the opposite. She is everything at once: weak and afraid to lose her twin, bitter with God, unbelieving of miracles, and pretty much retired to existing at all. She is not a bitch because as we see her putting up walls to ward off the world, she is doing exactly that with us, especially herself. She lies to herself so much, we're almost never sure which ones she believes and which ones she doesn't. That is probably the greatest evidence of her helplessness, and she knows it. I couldn't judge her so harshly and dismissively for all the senseless trouble she imposed on herself and her family because she was just a little girl trying to be tough when all she wanted was to crumble.
The nine lives is a sensitive topic. How could a girl actually believe she has nine lives? And that it's possible to transfer them into another person? There is no magic here, no miracle. The closest thing to the divine is a family's love and dedication to each other: a mother trying be everything her daughters need, and a father trying to cope with the realization that just because he's the father, he is not all-knowing. Jena's cure is beyond their ability, and so they cling and glue themselves together even when they are being yanked apart.
Dani's nine lives and her attempts at counting them down comes across as monumentally stupid and irresponsible. And they are, but they are also devastating. Because I don't think she actually does believe it. Instead, it shows once again how deep her suffering goes. She isn't really trying to give Jena her life, though she would if she could. Perhaps, a part of Dani has accepted defeat and makes her attempts on the off chance she might go, too. But she does it half-heartedly because she doesn't really want to die and how could she do that to her parents after everything they've been through?
The writing is sharp and full of sting. Wylie has a dark and deeply cutting sense of humor. Dani goes from contemplating suicide to tortuously flirting with the school geek. Wylie smothers us in dark, but occasionally lets us breathe because despite the gravity of this book, I couldn't help snickering. She really has some of the best lines. When I looked at my notebook, I saw that I'd jotted down many page numbers. Not many books compel me to do that.
This is another one you won't feel gratified for reading until you're nearing the end, and then you find that you've actually become quite attached. You'll like Dani, despite all her efforts to be hated. You see past her facade because it just isn't that good. Her mask slips from the very beginning and you spend the entire book watching her struggle in keeping it on. It's sad. This will tear you just a little bit; more if you know what she's going through. I didn't, but even I was pulled in and tasted its bitterness. Wylie is a very good, very effective writer. The book rides on all kinds of pain, and all degrees of grief, worry and dread but Wylie eventually takes you where you need to go, which in this case, is acceptance of the things that are simply out of our hands, and that this is exactly why we must make every moment count.
---
My heart jumps out of its cage to see what the fuss is about. Damn thing. Always so hopeful, but my voice hides it well.
--
"I know," Jack says, sitting down next to me. I start to point out that a) I didn't invite him to, and b) his pants length is too short and if I see his socks, I will act out, but it's too late. He's right next to me.
--
I bite into the flesh on the side of my mouth until it starts to bleed. I want to find a smaller place to hide, in between the shelves, or inside the pages of this book, or in between the letters of a word... I want to fold myself inside out and disappear. Grow smaller, smaller, smaller, till nobody can see me.
---
An ARC was provided by the publisher.
February 18, 2012
Let me first just say that the reason I've been reading this for over a week isn't because of its insufferable boringness. It's actually because of my insufferable workload as a high-school sophomore. If it were, say, the weekend when I started this, my review would've came in frantics and complete hysterics, full of gushing and an insurmountable number of typos.
ALL THESE LIVES is much different than I thought it was going to be. The story and the premise remind me slightly of Imaginary Girls (and so does the cover!), but there were quite a few differences. The plot was actually existent in this book, not shrouded in gorgeous writing as was the case in IG. The sisters are much closer in this book and much more relatable.
Dani Bailey is a fraternal twin, and her other half, Jena, has cancer. Dani has been different all her life because she has nine lives. Or, she did have nine lives. She lost some when she got in a car accident and caught an infection in her chest. To cope with the pain of losing her sister, she goes out and rids herself of all of her extra lives, hoping they'll fly out into the universe and hopefully toward someone who needs/wants them more than her, like her sister.
ALL THESE LIVES is a very original story, and when I say original, I mean original to me. I've never read a book where a person had more than one life. It wouldn't suffice to say the subject of the novel intrigued me. The book starts off with a bang of a prologue, explaining how it feels for MC Dani to die. From there, I was hooked.
One of the subplots of the book is Dani's acting career. She's trying to land a lead in a toothpaste commercial, and Jena's progressing death is conflicting with her dreams. Everything Dani feels in the book is so realistic, it's almost as if you're right there. I've never known what it's like to lose someone you truly love (I've been very fortunate) besides a distant family member, but if I was losing my other half, I know what I'd feel, and it's exactly what Dani is feeling.
The writing of the book is good. A few solid gems are interspersed throughout, a few emotional lines that feel like punches in the gut.
I definitely know I'm going to add this to my real-life shelf when it is released in a few short months!
ALL THESE LIVES is much different than I thought it was going to be. The story and the premise remind me slightly of Imaginary Girls (and so does the cover!), but there were quite a few differences. The plot was actually existent in this book, not shrouded in gorgeous writing as was the case in IG. The sisters are much closer in this book and much more relatable.
Dani Bailey is a fraternal twin, and her other half, Jena, has cancer. Dani has been different all her life because she has nine lives. Or, she did have nine lives. She lost some when she got in a car accident and caught an infection in her chest. To cope with the pain of losing her sister, she goes out and rids herself of all of her extra lives, hoping they'll fly out into the universe and hopefully toward someone who needs/wants them more than her, like her sister.
ALL THESE LIVES is a very original story, and when I say original, I mean original to me. I've never read a book where a person had more than one life. It wouldn't suffice to say the subject of the novel intrigued me. The book starts off with a bang of a prologue, explaining how it feels for MC Dani to die. From there, I was hooked.
One of the subplots of the book is Dani's acting career. She's trying to land a lead in a toothpaste commercial, and Jena's progressing death is conflicting with her dreams. Everything Dani feels in the book is so realistic, it's almost as if you're right there. I've never known what it's like to lose someone you truly love (I've been very fortunate) besides a distant family member, but if I was losing my other half, I know what I'd feel, and it's exactly what Dani is feeling.
The writing of the book is good. A few solid gems are interspersed throughout, a few emotional lines that feel like punches in the gut.
I definitely know I'm going to add this to my real-life shelf when it is released in a few short months!
June 5, 2012
Just to refresh your memory, I read The Fault in Our Stars by John Green this year. It dealt with kids who had cancer and limited life spans. It wrung my heart out to dry and I alternated between swooning at the delectable prose and wailing at the emotions being evoked by the same delectable (but so tragic) prose. I thought I was done with this theme for the rest of the year. However, for some odd reason, I found myself requesting All These Lives from Net Galley. My brain was screaming frantically but my hands seemed to be autonomous and clicked the request button. And when I did get approved, my brain and heart conferred and then decided that yes, they were in accord and I would read All These Lives.
Now that I have thoroughly bored you with that paragraph, let me tell you this. All These Lives is an experience that you will want yourself to keep having. I’m not joking. It is painful yes but it is also brilliant. Comparisons to TFIOS are inevitable but All These Lives hold its own against what was a pretty epic novel. And you know what? Come closer and I will whisper: I liked All These Lives just a little better than TFIOS. Yes, scandalous I know. Where TFIOS dealt with themes of death and ending up, close and personal – dying without having a say in it, All These Lives takes a step back and examines this same situation from another perspective. Dani has become one of my favourite heroines. She’s right there with Katniss and Briony: a flawed heroine, filled with pain, irreverent, sarcastic and yet so very vulnerable. Dani is multifaceted and composed so realistically that she could be a girl you know. The girl with the attitude and the mouth. The girl you secretly want to be. Dani’s pain and method of dealing with her twin’s illness is perhaps the greatest selling point of the novel. I love how Wylie avoided pathos and melodrama, how she didn’t pound in the tragedy with a hammer. We know it’s not fair, we know it’s tragic. What Wylie gives us is a glimpse of how one person’s illness can shatter an entire family. I think the word here would be brittle. Jena’s illness seeps into the spaces in their family and makes their unit brittle.
Dani’s way of dealing may seem extreme but Wylie manages to make it believable. She shows how Dani comes to the conclusion that she has so many lives that she can just give one away. There is an exquisite fragility in the subtle way Dani’s actions mask her bewilderment and her pain at not just what Jena is going through but also what their entire family is undergoing. And the writing. Goodness, the writing. It is beautiful. The romance is also one of the selling points in the novel. I have noticed that in all YA novels, no matter what the initial premise, the focus almost always shifts to the romance either halfway or partway through the novel. Sometimes so much so that the overall plot is subsumed by issues of oh he loves me, oh he doesn’t. This is not the case in All These Lives. Oh there’s romance but there is a tinge of it. Just a blush of it and you know what? That is all that is needed. Any more would have ruined the pace, the balance and the composition.
This novel is easily one of my favourites this year. And for a debut novel to be this strong is certainly remarkable. I recommend this novel to you, to your friends, to everyone who wants to read a beautiful book.
Now that I have thoroughly bored you with that paragraph, let me tell you this. All These Lives is an experience that you will want yourself to keep having. I’m not joking. It is painful yes but it is also brilliant. Comparisons to TFIOS are inevitable but All These Lives hold its own against what was a pretty epic novel. And you know what? Come closer and I will whisper: I liked All These Lives just a little better than TFIOS. Yes, scandalous I know. Where TFIOS dealt with themes of death and ending up, close and personal – dying without having a say in it, All These Lives takes a step back and examines this same situation from another perspective. Dani has become one of my favourite heroines. She’s right there with Katniss and Briony: a flawed heroine, filled with pain, irreverent, sarcastic and yet so very vulnerable. Dani is multifaceted and composed so realistically that she could be a girl you know. The girl with the attitude and the mouth. The girl you secretly want to be. Dani’s pain and method of dealing with her twin’s illness is perhaps the greatest selling point of the novel. I love how Wylie avoided pathos and melodrama, how she didn’t pound in the tragedy with a hammer. We know it’s not fair, we know it’s tragic. What Wylie gives us is a glimpse of how one person’s illness can shatter an entire family. I think the word here would be brittle. Jena’s illness seeps into the spaces in their family and makes their unit brittle.
Dani’s way of dealing may seem extreme but Wylie manages to make it believable. She shows how Dani comes to the conclusion that she has so many lives that she can just give one away. There is an exquisite fragility in the subtle way Dani’s actions mask her bewilderment and her pain at not just what Jena is going through but also what their entire family is undergoing. And the writing. Goodness, the writing. It is beautiful. The romance is also one of the selling points in the novel. I have noticed that in all YA novels, no matter what the initial premise, the focus almost always shifts to the romance either halfway or partway through the novel. Sometimes so much so that the overall plot is subsumed by issues of oh he loves me, oh he doesn’t. This is not the case in All These Lives. Oh there’s romance but there is a tinge of it. Just a blush of it and you know what? That is all that is needed. Any more would have ruined the pace, the balance and the composition.
This novel is easily one of my favourites this year. And for a debut novel to be this strong is certainly remarkable. I recommend this novel to you, to your friends, to everyone who wants to read a beautiful book.
April 29, 2012
3.5/5
Don’t let the nine lives idea fool you, this is more of a sister-sister story, much like Imaginary Girls was with the major deduction of any paranormal element. I loved it though this is not necessarily what I feel for Dani, the MC.
I wanted to like her. And I did like her at first too. But she had very little qualms about who she was and what she did. She could be such a bully. She could be so mean. And I wanted to forgive her that fact. I was close to doing so several times in the book mainly because she had this humor to her. Sure, I enjoyed her poking fun at others; sure, I had a good laugh… but it was always at the expense of someone else. Did I forgive her meanness because she could be mean in a funny way? I wanted to. Did I accept her the way she was because she was going through some things? I wanted to.
And maybe I did. Because at its core this is another sister story. That they’re close is to put it mildly. And that Dani reacts differently is yet another reaction. Their notions of being back-ups for each other, was simultaneously sweet and heart breaking, but limiting too. Because there’s only so much you can do for someone else because it’s also this part of the story where Dani stretches the acceptable to the limit.
Moving beyond Jena needing her, or Dani needing Jena, or their parents needing them and vice versa, there’s also bits of it just about Dani. As said, she the girl could be mean and it was those moments where she shone a little brighter; I could see just how quick to quip and out of the box she could be. I liked/disliked this aspect of her because sometimes things are just best left unsaid… this is so even if she did make a couple of very valid points. Mean girl/funny kid she is.
I would have loved this more with a little more fleshing out on the parts of the supporting characters… but I enjoyed it. I really did though this is not necessarily what I feel for Dani.
THANKS NG!
3.5/5
Don’t let the nine lives idea fool you, this is more of a sister-sister story, much like Imaginary Girls was with the major deduction of any paranormal element. I loved it though this is not necessarily what I feel for Dani, the MC.
I wanted to like her. And I did like her at first too. But she had very little qualms about who she was and what she did. She could be such a bully. She could be so mean. And I wanted to forgive her that fact. I was close to doing so several times in the book mainly because she had this humor to her. Sure, I enjoyed her poking fun at others; sure, I had a good laugh… but it was always at the expense of someone else. Did I forgive her meanness because she could be mean in a funny way? I wanted to. Did I accept her the way she was because she was going through some things? I wanted to.
And maybe I did. Because at its core this is another sister story. That they’re close is to put it mildly. And that Dani reacts differently is yet another reaction. Their notions of being back-ups for each other, was simultaneously sweet and heart breaking, but limiting too. Because there’s only so much you can do for someone else because it’s also this part of the story where Dani stretches the acceptable to the limit.
Moving beyond Jena needing her, or Dani needing Jena, or their parents needing them and vice versa, there’s also bits of it just about Dani. As said, she the girl could be mean and it was those moments where she shone a little brighter; I could see just how quick to quip and out of the box she could be. I liked/disliked this aspect of her because sometimes things are just best left unsaid… this is so even if she did make a couple of very valid points. Mean girl/funny kid she is.
I would have loved this more with a little more fleshing out on the parts of the supporting characters… but I enjoyed it. I really did though this is not necessarily what I feel for Dani.
THANKS NG!
3.5/5
April 26, 2012
you know one of the suckiest situations i sometimes gotta go through? loving an author through their blog and dyiiiing to get your hands on their book and then when you finally do, finding it impossible to get through. here's what it's like:
i. couldn't. stand. the MC in this book. dunno what's up with this but i haven't yet read a snarky MC who's snark i did not detest. the first every MC i wrote (who also is my favorite, incidentally) is like, a snark bomb, but when i read about other snarky MC's my annoy-o-meter goes like, off the effing chart.
#CONFUSION
i guess maybe i'm still waiting to read of an MC who is snarky enough to be hilarious yet relatable enough to elicit my empathy.
someday, perhaps.
i also couldn't care less about the cancer thing. i know it makes me sound horrible but books w/cancer really just fail to affect me purrty much every. single. time. (gimme a cancer movie, though, and i'm a bloody mess. so i promise i'm not ENTIRELY heartless.)
gotta say though, that ms. wylie writes wonderfully. i just didn't like the plot very much (the whole nine lives thing just flew over my head) and had major disconnect with all the characters.
i. couldn't. stand. the MC in this book. dunno what's up with this but i haven't yet read a snarky MC who's snark i did not detest. the first every MC i wrote (who also is my favorite, incidentally) is like, a snark bomb, but when i read about other snarky MC's my annoy-o-meter goes like, off the effing chart.
#CONFUSION
i guess maybe i'm still waiting to read of an MC who is snarky enough to be hilarious yet relatable enough to elicit my empathy.
someday, perhaps.
i also couldn't care less about the cancer thing. i know it makes me sound horrible but books w/cancer really just fail to affect me purrty much every. single. time. (gimme a cancer movie, though, and i'm a bloody mess. so i promise i'm not ENTIRELY heartless.)
gotta say though, that ms. wylie writes wonderfully. i just didn't like the plot very much (the whole nine lives thing just flew over my head) and had major disconnect with all the characters.
April 29, 2012
Excellent.
curious-about
March 20, 2014The title made me think of reincarnation (meh), but this sounds even more interesting. :)
August 13, 2016
All These Lives took me by complete surprise. I would never have imagined that I would like such a snarky and sarcastic protagonist, or that I would empathize with her guilt over being very much alive when her sister is walking a fine line between life and death. I thought All These Lives was going to be about the struggles of living with someone who has cancer. What I got was so much more!
Dani is not an easy character to like as she's actually a bit of a bully. Her snark is always intended to hurt and her sarcasm was constantly used to keep people at arm's length so they couldn't see just how deeply she was hurting. It's only because her actions were so obviously the result of her survivor's guilt - guilt she carries like a weight for being healthy when her sister is so sick and for not being a match when they are fraternal twins - that I was able to look deeper and see a girl who is pushing everyone away to avoid having to face that pain.
I was able to see a girl who was struggling to keep her head above water, as she tried not to drown in the paralyzing fear of being completely helpless. Feeling lost and broken, her pain is raw and real and vivid and not surprisingly, she doesn't know how to handle it.
I grew to fall in love with her, and her sense of humour and quick wit generally had me laughing out loud. She wore her cynicism like a suit of armour but it was easily destroyed whenever Jena asked something of her. Her love for her family, even when she was mentally rolling her eyes over how they chose to cope with Jena's illness, was so endearing. At first, I couldn't understand why she spent so much time separating herself from Jena, and I was angry with her for abandoning Jena when she needed Dani the most. But I quickly grew to understand Dani's fears of upsetting Jena by saying the wrong thing or by pushing her too hard, worsening her condition.
At first, the references to Dani's nine lives was...strange. Having survived what should have been a fatal accident as an infant, and later a chest infection that should have been too much for her to overcome, Dani believes that, like a cat, she has nine lives. She was once told a story about how when a cat uses one of its lives, it is given to a different cat who might have only had one or two lives. She starts thinking that if she can work her way through her lives, then maybe, just maybe, one of them will make it's way to Jena and make her not just better, but well. I wasn't sure if an element of the paranormal was going to be introduced, or if this was just one of Dani's coping mechanisms.
It did open the door for an amazing path of self-discovery where Dani learns that what matters is that we live while we can.
The secondary characters were all well done, and I LOVED how prominent both of Dani's parents were - not only in presence but with their interactions with each other and with Dani. Dani's friendship with Jack was adorable - her refusal to look at him as anything other then a friend because he might iron his jeans, or even worse, his underwear, again had me laughing out loud. I wanted to hurt her when she purposely hurt his feelings, or tried to embarrass him, but I loved that he eventually stood up for himself and called her out on certain things when on one else would.
All These Lives was a wonderful read. Once you get over Dani's abrasiveness, you can't help but sympathize with her and her family. Wylie has written a compelling look into a side of cancer that we don't often see and readers won't be able to help being touched by it's sincerity.
Dani is not an easy character to like as she's actually a bit of a bully. Her snark is always intended to hurt and her sarcasm was constantly used to keep people at arm's length so they couldn't see just how deeply she was hurting. It's only because her actions were so obviously the result of her survivor's guilt - guilt she carries like a weight for being healthy when her sister is so sick and for not being a match when they are fraternal twins - that I was able to look deeper and see a girl who is pushing everyone away to avoid having to face that pain.
Her expression falls slightly as she senses that my walls are up and she's not nearly strong enough to climb over. Not even today when she is leukaemia's version of Superwoman.
I was able to see a girl who was struggling to keep her head above water, as she tried not to drown in the paralyzing fear of being completely helpless. Feeling lost and broken, her pain is raw and real and vivid and not surprisingly, she doesn't know how to handle it.
I grew to fall in love with her, and her sense of humour and quick wit generally had me laughing out loud. She wore her cynicism like a suit of armour but it was easily destroyed whenever Jena asked something of her. Her love for her family, even when she was mentally rolling her eyes over how they chose to cope with Jena's illness, was so endearing. At first, I couldn't understand why she spent so much time separating herself from Jena, and I was angry with her for abandoning Jena when she needed Dani the most. But I quickly grew to understand Dani's fears of upsetting Jena by saying the wrong thing or by pushing her too hard, worsening her condition.
How is it possible that I miss her when she's right here?Wylie truly knows how to pull on the heartstrings of anyone who has a sibling, and I found myself constantly in tears whenever I put myself in Dani's position.
At first, the references to Dani's nine lives was...strange. Having survived what should have been a fatal accident as an infant, and later a chest infection that should have been too much for her to overcome, Dani believes that, like a cat, she has nine lives. She was once told a story about how when a cat uses one of its lives, it is given to a different cat who might have only had one or two lives. She starts thinking that if she can work her way through her lives, then maybe, just maybe, one of them will make it's way to Jena and make her not just better, but well. I wasn't sure if an element of the paranormal was going to be introduced, or if this was just one of Dani's coping mechanisms.
It did open the door for an amazing path of self-discovery where Dani learns that what matters is that we live while we can.
Most people think the biggest sacrifice, the greatest act of love you can give is to die for someone. And probably it is.Her battle with her inner demons and the realization that Jena might need her to live as much as she needs Jena to live, was heart-warming and beautiful.
But sometimes it is the opposite.
The biggest thing you can do for someone is to live.
The secondary characters were all well done, and I LOVED how prominent both of Dani's parents were - not only in presence but with their interactions with each other and with Dani. Dani's friendship with Jack was adorable - her refusal to look at him as anything other then a friend because he might iron his jeans, or even worse, his underwear, again had me laughing out loud. I wanted to hurt her when she purposely hurt his feelings, or tried to embarrass him, but I loved that he eventually stood up for himself and called her out on certain things when on one else would.
All These Lives was a wonderful read. Once you get over Dani's abrasiveness, you can't help but sympathize with her and her family. Wylie has written a compelling look into a side of cancer that we don't often see and readers won't be able to help being touched by it's sincerity.
May 31, 2012
Rating: 3.5/5
All These Lives is one of those stories that presents us with a quick snapshot of a character’s life—no drawing us in with a beginning, complicating matters in the middle, and then dropping our jaws at the end, instead we arrive in the middle, spend some time, and leave still very much in the middle of the characters' timelines. Typically with this type of read emotional attachment is a bit shallower, our time with the protagonists so limited it's hard to feel as though we truly get to know them, finding ourselves at the very best able to sympathize with them before we reach the last page and are left to wonder what will come of them. Such is the case with All These Lives, our snippet of Dani’s life as she struggles to deal with her twin sister’s leukemia a quick and dark one, leaving us with heavy hearts as we watch one young woman self-destruct in an attempt to save another.
Dani is a tricky young heroine, springing from the story in the very first chapter with a rather blunt demeanor to slap us in the face and make us blink at our rather rocky introduction. While it’s clear she uses her attitude and her general disregard for the feelings of others as a coping mechanism for Jena's illness–feeling as though there’s no room in her for anything outside of the overwhelming guilt she feels for being the sister with lives to spare–her snide comments and standoffish personality prove to be armor we lack even the slightest ability to chink. Her misguided belief that she has nine lives (that if given up and released into the universe through death could find their way to someone like her sister who needs them) is challenging to read about, making us extremely uncomfortable and reinforcing Dani’s feelings of helplessness with regard to Jena by forcing us to acknowledge our own helplessness when it comes to saving Dani from herself.
All These Lives will likely appeal to those readers who enjoy realism without the pleasant safety of a sugar coating, where life is hard and at times brutal, and a miraculous happy ending, however desirable, isn’t necessarily a guarantee. Dani isn’t an easy protagonist on any level, and while we get tiny glimpses of vulnerability here and there, she fights us tooth and nail the entire way, making it crystal clear she would shove us from her life if she knew we were there just as roughly as she does those around her. As mentioned before, there’s no real beginning or end to this story, so we close the back cover without a definite future for Dani and Jena laid before us, but we do get some comfort in knowing Dani has learned from her nine-lives experiment and will perhaps start shedding some of that flawless armor moving forward.
All These Lives is one of those stories that presents us with a quick snapshot of a character’s life—no drawing us in with a beginning, complicating matters in the middle, and then dropping our jaws at the end, instead we arrive in the middle, spend some time, and leave still very much in the middle of the characters' timelines. Typically with this type of read emotional attachment is a bit shallower, our time with the protagonists so limited it's hard to feel as though we truly get to know them, finding ourselves at the very best able to sympathize with them before we reach the last page and are left to wonder what will come of them. Such is the case with All These Lives, our snippet of Dani’s life as she struggles to deal with her twin sister’s leukemia a quick and dark one, leaving us with heavy hearts as we watch one young woman self-destruct in an attempt to save another.
Dani is a tricky young heroine, springing from the story in the very first chapter with a rather blunt demeanor to slap us in the face and make us blink at our rather rocky introduction. While it’s clear she uses her attitude and her general disregard for the feelings of others as a coping mechanism for Jena's illness–feeling as though there’s no room in her for anything outside of the overwhelming guilt she feels for being the sister with lives to spare–her snide comments and standoffish personality prove to be armor we lack even the slightest ability to chink. Her misguided belief that she has nine lives (that if given up and released into the universe through death could find their way to someone like her sister who needs them) is challenging to read about, making us extremely uncomfortable and reinforcing Dani’s feelings of helplessness with regard to Jena by forcing us to acknowledge our own helplessness when it comes to saving Dani from herself.
All These Lives will likely appeal to those readers who enjoy realism without the pleasant safety of a sugar coating, where life is hard and at times brutal, and a miraculous happy ending, however desirable, isn’t necessarily a guarantee. Dani isn’t an easy protagonist on any level, and while we get tiny glimpses of vulnerability here and there, she fights us tooth and nail the entire way, making it crystal clear she would shove us from her life if she knew we were there just as roughly as she does those around her. As mentioned before, there’s no real beginning or end to this story, so we close the back cover without a definite future for Dani and Jena laid before us, but we do get some comfort in knowing Dani has learned from her nine-lives experiment and will perhaps start shedding some of that flawless armor moving forward.
May 22, 2012
3.5.
All These Lives was surprising, in a really good way. Cancer stories feel manipulative to me, but this one worked because it was much less about Jena's cancer and much more about Dani -- Jena's twin sister -- dealing with being the girl who is very much alive and very much not sick. Dani's not the easiest character to read because she's sarcastic and she's not exactly pleasant, but she's easy to sympathize with.
I appreciated how at times it wasn't crystal clear what Dani was thinking. She dealt with things by doing, as a way to distract herself from her own thoughts. The other thing I really appreciated was that the illness wasn't drawn out and it wasn't made painful for the reader. . This was a book about living and not dying, and that's what Dani learns about herself and what she learns about Jena. I appreciated the ending so much because Dani figures this out in two waves -- first about herself, then about her sister -- and it's the way she should learn the lesson, since she'd been living the other way around.
Wylie's writing is literary without trying too hard, and the pacing is solid. I think the fact this story isn't steeped heavily in the illness, in the sadness and the obsession over cancer and the implications of the word/implications of the reality of that diagnosis, made the writing and pacing work. Wylie successfully writes a story where illness plays a role, rather than writing an illness, where a story plays a role. It's a big distinction, and it's what sets stories meant to make you cry because of what they deal with apart from stories that make you cry because of how they deal with it.
Full review here: http://www.stackedbooks.org/2012/05/a...
All These Lives was surprising, in a really good way. Cancer stories feel manipulative to me, but this one worked because it was much less about Jena's cancer and much more about Dani -- Jena's twin sister -- dealing with being the girl who is very much alive and very much not sick. Dani's not the easiest character to read because she's sarcastic and she's not exactly pleasant, but she's easy to sympathize with.
I appreciated how at times it wasn't crystal clear what Dani was thinking. She dealt with things by doing, as a way to distract herself from her own thoughts. The other thing I really appreciated was that the illness wasn't drawn out and it wasn't made painful for the reader. . This was a book about living and not dying, and that's what Dani learns about herself and what she learns about Jena. I appreciated the ending so much because Dani figures this out in two waves -- first about herself, then about her sister -- and it's the way she should learn the lesson, since she'd been living the other way around.
Wylie's writing is literary without trying too hard, and the pacing is solid. I think the fact this story isn't steeped heavily in the illness, in the sadness and the obsession over cancer and the implications of the word/implications of the reality of that diagnosis, made the writing and pacing work. Wylie successfully writes a story where illness plays a role, rather than writing an illness, where a story plays a role. It's a big distinction, and it's what sets stories meant to make you cry because of what they deal with apart from stories that make you cry because of how they deal with it.
Full review here: http://www.stackedbooks.org/2012/05/a...
December 26, 2012
Originally posted at: http://iliveforreading.blogspot.in/20...
All These Lives was an AMAZING contemporary. I read it earlier this, but I still remember it and I loved it. It was just so funny, so sweet and had such emotional depth (and was pretty sad), that it was one novel which was hard to forget.
I really love the concept of nine lives... and it's quite different to see it in a contemporary! You'd expect it to be in a paranormal (where it would quite literally be nine lives), but it's interesting to see how Dani's character explores her belief in her nine lives and how she can't be killed with multiple lives at hand.
Reading other's reviews I could see that they didn't like Dani, so I was a little afraid of going into a book where I could end up hating the main character. Boy, I'm glad I didn't listen to them! I ended up LOVING Dani– she's so snarky, her sarcasm is hilarious. It really helped me get through the sadder bits of the book. She was always there to make it much more light-hearted despite the seriousness of the scene.
Another thing I loved (and found hysterical) was Dani's constant teasing of Jack. I wish I had that confidence! Jack is pretty geeky, but he's really cute :) I loved him!
Dani's family as well– her twin Jena, her Mom and her Dad– all contributed to the story very well. The father is hilarious! Could not stop laughing at all his awkward comments and hilarious cracks.
The writing in this book, for me, really flowed. I was so swept with the detail and the easiness of the language, the way I got to connect with Dani was so simple! Wylie really seems to understand the teenage mind– she can tap into that emotion and feeling, and allow teens to follow along and enjoy the story for what it is.
All These Lives was one of the best contemporaries which I've read this year! Truly a touching debut. I will, without a doubt be on the lookout for Sarah Wylie's next book, which I'm sure will be as good as this one, if not, even better.
All These Lives was an AMAZING contemporary. I read it earlier this, but I still remember it and I loved it. It was just so funny, so sweet and had such emotional depth (and was pretty sad), that it was one novel which was hard to forget.
I really love the concept of nine lives... and it's quite different to see it in a contemporary! You'd expect it to be in a paranormal (where it would quite literally be nine lives), but it's interesting to see how Dani's character explores her belief in her nine lives and how she can't be killed with multiple lives at hand.
Reading other's reviews I could see that they didn't like Dani, so I was a little afraid of going into a book where I could end up hating the main character. Boy, I'm glad I didn't listen to them! I ended up LOVING Dani– she's so snarky, her sarcasm is hilarious. It really helped me get through the sadder bits of the book. She was always there to make it much more light-hearted despite the seriousness of the scene.
Another thing I loved (and found hysterical) was Dani's constant teasing of Jack. I wish I had that confidence! Jack is pretty geeky, but he's really cute :) I loved him!
Dani's family as well– her twin Jena, her Mom and her Dad– all contributed to the story very well. The father is hilarious! Could not stop laughing at all his awkward comments and hilarious cracks.
The writing in this book, for me, really flowed. I was so swept with the detail and the easiness of the language, the way I got to connect with Dani was so simple! Wylie really seems to understand the teenage mind– she can tap into that emotion and feeling, and allow teens to follow along and enjoy the story for what it is.
All These Lives was one of the best contemporaries which I've read this year! Truly a touching debut. I will, without a doubt be on the lookout for Sarah Wylie's next book, which I'm sure will be as good as this one, if not, even better.
May 28, 2012
Wow! What a powerful book. I must admit that I was a little thrown by the “nine lives” reference in the summary. I guess maybe I expected a touch of paranormal, or maybe magical realism here, kind of like Nova Ren Suma’s “Imaginary Girls”. The covers are very similar, but that’s where the similarity ends.
Sixteen-year-old Dani is a bit jaded with life. Her fraternal twin, Jena, has cancer and she’s slowly wasting away right before Dani’s eyes. What Dani doesn’t understand is why she is always so lucky. She’s had several experiences where she should have been dead, but she manages to come out fine (hence the “nine lives” belief). Why was she blessed with all of the luck and not Jena?
Dani is kind of a brat, and if the plot had been different, I probably would have hated her. She’s very sarcastic and acts almost as if she is entitled (mainly at school and around kids her own age). The beautiful thing about the book is how the author uses such strong, beautiful prose, which is a stark contrast to Dani’s personality. Since the story is told from Dani’s POV, this told me that Dani’s harsh personality was merely a protective shell, and inside there lives someone soft and a little fragile who is being protected by the tough exterior.
I really enjoyed the family dynamics. The parents felt real and the relationships between the family members did as well. I loved how Dani’s fragility was more evident around her family, and the bond between she and Jena was nice.
If any of you are turned off by the cancer aspect, don’t fret — this isn’t your typical cancer book. It felt different to me for some reason. It’s also not all doom and gloom and family drama. There are several humorous scenes as well as a little romance to balance it all out. My only real issue was that I was hoping for a little more closure in the end, but it wasn’t enough of a loose thread to leave me feeling cheated. This is a great book, and if you are a fan of contemporary dramas, I would recommend it.
Sixteen-year-old Dani is a bit jaded with life. Her fraternal twin, Jena, has cancer and she’s slowly wasting away right before Dani’s eyes. What Dani doesn’t understand is why she is always so lucky. She’s had several experiences where she should have been dead, but she manages to come out fine (hence the “nine lives” belief). Why was she blessed with all of the luck and not Jena?
Dani is kind of a brat, and if the plot had been different, I probably would have hated her. She’s very sarcastic and acts almost as if she is entitled (mainly at school and around kids her own age). The beautiful thing about the book is how the author uses such strong, beautiful prose, which is a stark contrast to Dani’s personality. Since the story is told from Dani’s POV, this told me that Dani’s harsh personality was merely a protective shell, and inside there lives someone soft and a little fragile who is being protected by the tough exterior.
I really enjoyed the family dynamics. The parents felt real and the relationships between the family members did as well. I loved how Dani’s fragility was more evident around her family, and the bond between she and Jena was nice.
If any of you are turned off by the cancer aspect, don’t fret — this isn’t your typical cancer book. It felt different to me for some reason. It’s also not all doom and gloom and family drama. There are several humorous scenes as well as a little romance to balance it all out. My only real issue was that I was hoping for a little more closure in the end, but it wasn’t enough of a loose thread to leave me feeling cheated. This is a great book, and if you are a fan of contemporary dramas, I would recommend it.
April 9, 2012
Dani has always been the lucky one. Her mother jokes that she and Dani have nine lives. What happens when her twin sister, Jena, contracts cancer and may not have nine lives. After all, she was never the lucky one.
Dani chooses to deal with her sister's cancer in an unusual way. She goes out of her way to try to lose her lives, hoping that one of them might go to Jena. She undergoes ridiculous trials and lands herself in trouble and in the hospital, but she does not seem to care. The reader will follow this train wreck of a character throughout the book, an interesting plot of self-discovery and acceptance. It is interesting that the author manages to keep the book more about Dani and less about cancer; rather, she focuses on Dani and her love for her sister. The reader will likely love that this is not one of those cookie-cutter books where a family member loses a love one to cancer.
Dani's character is the main draw to this novel. She is careless with her precious health, seeming to think herself invincible. The reader will get to know her quite well. Ironically, the reader barely knows Jena. Jena is viewed and thought of through the eyes of Dani. Dani's perspective and thoughts guide the reader through this novel. The other characters fit in perfectly. Dani acquires a love interest she never thought she would have, Dani's parents react to Jena's cancer in their own ways, and Dani's destructive way of dealing with Jena's cancer is only noticed by a couple of characters.
The plot is interesting. We all would love to have nine lives, but not many of us would actually test that theory. The ending might not be what the reader may have guessed, but satisfying nonetheless. This book is highly recommended to young adult/teen readers.
Dani chooses to deal with her sister's cancer in an unusual way. She goes out of her way to try to lose her lives, hoping that one of them might go to Jena. She undergoes ridiculous trials and lands herself in trouble and in the hospital, but she does not seem to care. The reader will follow this train wreck of a character throughout the book, an interesting plot of self-discovery and acceptance. It is interesting that the author manages to keep the book more about Dani and less about cancer; rather, she focuses on Dani and her love for her sister. The reader will likely love that this is not one of those cookie-cutter books where a family member loses a love one to cancer.
Dani's character is the main draw to this novel. She is careless with her precious health, seeming to think herself invincible. The reader will get to know her quite well. Ironically, the reader barely knows Jena. Jena is viewed and thought of through the eyes of Dani. Dani's perspective and thoughts guide the reader through this novel. The other characters fit in perfectly. Dani acquires a love interest she never thought she would have, Dani's parents react to Jena's cancer in their own ways, and Dani's destructive way of dealing with Jena's cancer is only noticed by a couple of characters.
The plot is interesting. We all would love to have nine lives, but not many of us would actually test that theory. The ending might not be what the reader may have guessed, but satisfying nonetheless. This book is highly recommended to young adult/teen readers.
June 5, 2012
In a book market that seems to be inundated with books about cancer, All These Lives holds it own.
Dani and Jena are twins. Jena is battling cancer, and is very sick. Deni has always been told by her mother that she has nine lives. As a way of coping with Jena's desperate situation, Dani tries to give some of her lives to Jena. She believes that if she gives up some lives, someone in the universe (hopefully Jena) will grab on to one of them. So Dani puts herself in some dangerous situations.
It's really heartbreaking. Dani feels guilty because she's healthy. There's nothing she can do; she doesn't know how to handle this situation and her parents aren't helping very much.
Don't get me wrong, the parents in All These Lives are THERE. They are doing everything they can for Jena and trying not to neglect Dani, but it's not easy. I felt the desperation. The chaos. The not knowing which way to turn. The heartbreak when Jena turns worse, the joy when she has a good day. All the while not understanding why Dani is behaving the way she is. Wylie writes these emotions with expertise.
Jack is the main secondary character, and adds a little romantic tension. This isn't the main focus of All These Lives, but Jack helps Dani realize that she isn't the only one with problems. All These Lives is a pretty short book, but I still felt it lagged a bit in the middle. There was some down time where not much happened. But, it quickly picks up and it was never so bad that I wanted to give up.
Dani does grow and learn. The ending isn't all tied up neatly, but there's some adjustments by everyone and things are more hopeful.
This is an interesting contemporary about a topic pretty much everyone can relate to. Many teens will be interested in All These Lives and I won't hesitate to recommend it.
Dani and Jena are twins. Jena is battling cancer, and is very sick. Deni has always been told by her mother that she has nine lives. As a way of coping with Jena's desperate situation, Dani tries to give some of her lives to Jena. She believes that if she gives up some lives, someone in the universe (hopefully Jena) will grab on to one of them. So Dani puts herself in some dangerous situations.
It's really heartbreaking. Dani feels guilty because she's healthy. There's nothing she can do; she doesn't know how to handle this situation and her parents aren't helping very much.
Don't get me wrong, the parents in All These Lives are THERE. They are doing everything they can for Jena and trying not to neglect Dani, but it's not easy. I felt the desperation. The chaos. The not knowing which way to turn. The heartbreak when Jena turns worse, the joy when she has a good day. All the while not understanding why Dani is behaving the way she is. Wylie writes these emotions with expertise.
Jack is the main secondary character, and adds a little romantic tension. This isn't the main focus of All These Lives, but Jack helps Dani realize that she isn't the only one with problems. All These Lives is a pretty short book, but I still felt it lagged a bit in the middle. There was some down time where not much happened. But, it quickly picks up and it was never so bad that I wanted to give up.
Dani does grow and learn. The ending isn't all tied up neatly, but there's some adjustments by everyone and things are more hopeful.
This is an interesting contemporary about a topic pretty much everyone can relate to. Many teens will be interested in All These Lives and I won't hesitate to recommend it.
June 5, 2012
All These Lives has a very emotional story wrapped up in a hard shell that is known as Dani. Dani's twin sister Jena has leukemia, and Dani doesn't know how to deal with it, so she avoids Jena. However, since Dani has been young, she has gotten into many near death experiences and escaped unscathed. Her mom kept on saying that she has 9 lives, nothing bad can happen to her Dani because she's apparently got lives to spare. Somehow Dani gets the idea that if she gets rid of some of these lives, at least one of them will get transferred to Jena and saves her life. While this aspect might seem paranormal, but the emotional turmoil Dani goes through, how fragile her family is. It was all so raw and real and just heart wrenching.
I thoroughly enjoyed the family relationship. The mother that would do anything to save her sick child. The father who is trying to keep the glue that holds the family together but also sneaks outside for a cigarette or two. Dani, and finally Jena, the leukemia patient, but also a girl with a strong will to survive and to stay as Jena. I loved how nothing dramatic happened in the family, they are a typical family with a sick child. I really enjoyed how realistic it was. While Dani might have seemed like the tough one, she harbors deep feelings of guilt, sadness, and just being scared of how will she go on without Jena. I loved Sarah Wylie's writing. It was simple, honest, and just had that realistic feel to it. I thoroughly enjoyed the plot, the characters, and the overall story of All These Lives. I would recommend it to realistic YA lovers, and anyone looking for a story that speaks from the heart to your heart, because All These Lives did just that.
I thoroughly enjoyed the family relationship. The mother that would do anything to save her sick child. The father who is trying to keep the glue that holds the family together but also sneaks outside for a cigarette or two. Dani, and finally Jena, the leukemia patient, but also a girl with a strong will to survive and to stay as Jena. I loved how nothing dramatic happened in the family, they are a typical family with a sick child. I really enjoyed how realistic it was. While Dani might have seemed like the tough one, she harbors deep feelings of guilt, sadness, and just being scared of how will she go on without Jena. I loved Sarah Wylie's writing. It was simple, honest, and just had that realistic feel to it. I thoroughly enjoyed the plot, the characters, and the overall story of All These Lives. I would recommend it to realistic YA lovers, and anyone looking for a story that speaks from the heart to your heart, because All These Lives did just that.
June 9, 2012
All These Lives has a very emotional story wrapped up in a hard shell that is known as Dani. Dani's twin sister Jena has leukemia, and Dani doesn't know how to deal with it, so she avoids Jena. However, since Dani has been young, she has gotten into many near death experiences and escaped unscathed. Her mom kept on saying that she has 9 lives, nothing bad can happen to her Dani because she's apparently got lives to spare. Somehow Dani gets the idea that if she gets rid of some of these lives, at least one of them will get transferred to Jena and saves her life. While this aspect might seem paranormal, but the emotional turmoil Dani goes through, how fragile her family is. It was all so raw and real and just heart wrenching.
I thoroughly enjoyed the family relationship. The mother that would do anything to save her sick child. The father who is trying to keep the glue that holds the family together but also sneaks outside for a cigarette or two. Dani, and finally Jena, the leukemia patient, but also a girl with a strong will to survive and to stay as Jena. I loved how nothing dramatic happened in the family, they are a typical family with a sick child. I really enjoyed how realistic it was. While Dani might have seemed like the tough one, she harbors deep feelings of guilt, sadness, and just being scared of how will she go on without Jena. I loved Sarah Wylie's writing. It was simple, honest, and just had that realistic feel to it. I thoroughly enjoyed the plot, the characters, and the overall story of All These Lives. I would recommend it to realistic YA lovers, and anyone looking for a story that speaks from the heart to your heart, because All These Lives did just that.
I thoroughly enjoyed the family relationship. The mother that would do anything to save her sick child. The father who is trying to keep the glue that holds the family together but also sneaks outside for a cigarette or two. Dani, and finally Jena, the leukemia patient, but also a girl with a strong will to survive and to stay as Jena. I loved how nothing dramatic happened in the family, they are a typical family with a sick child. I really enjoyed how realistic it was. While Dani might have seemed like the tough one, she harbors deep feelings of guilt, sadness, and just being scared of how will she go on without Jena. I loved Sarah Wylie's writing. It was simple, honest, and just had that realistic feel to it. I thoroughly enjoyed the plot, the characters, and the overall story of All These Lives. I would recommend it to realistic YA lovers, and anyone looking for a story that speaks from the heart to your heart, because All These Lives did just that.
February 27, 2015
All These Lives is a very interesting book. I really enjoyed it. Our main character, Dani, is a character that every woman will love. She’s sarcastic, funny, and a loving person (even though she tried to hide it). The author did an amazing job creating such a character.
Dani thinks she has nine lives, and her twin, Jena, is a cancer patient. So Dani thinks she can save her sister by giving her one of her lives. The journey Dani go through to save her sister is dangerous, yet she willed herself to do everything in her power to save Jena. I liked Dani, sometimes she can be too much, but I liked her. I liked her voice and what she represented. Jena and her parents also played a great role in this book. I enjoyed seeing the family relationship before Jena was diagnosed with cancer and after.
This book might deal with cancer and cancer patient, but it’s not all the book talks about. It’s about the people around the cancer patient, what they go through when their loved ones are diagnosed with cancer. I really liked that aspect of the book, it gives a glimpse of what people go through when a person they know and love is diagnosed with cancer.
To be completely honest, I don’t have any clue about the genre of this book. So don’t go into this book thinking it’s only contemporary because it’s not - well at least I don’t think it is. The nine lives theory made this book seem like a part paranormal.
All in all, All These Lives by Sarah Wylie is a great book. I truly enjoyed it, and I recommend it.
Dani thinks she has nine lives, and her twin, Jena, is a cancer patient. So Dani thinks she can save her sister by giving her one of her lives. The journey Dani go through to save her sister is dangerous, yet she willed herself to do everything in her power to save Jena. I liked Dani, sometimes she can be too much, but I liked her. I liked her voice and what she represented. Jena and her parents also played a great role in this book. I enjoyed seeing the family relationship before Jena was diagnosed with cancer and after.
This book might deal with cancer and cancer patient, but it’s not all the book talks about. It’s about the people around the cancer patient, what they go through when their loved ones are diagnosed with cancer. I really liked that aspect of the book, it gives a glimpse of what people go through when a person they know and love is diagnosed with cancer.
To be completely honest, I don’t have any clue about the genre of this book. So don’t go into this book thinking it’s only contemporary because it’s not - well at least I don’t think it is. The nine lives theory made this book seem like a part paranormal.
All in all, All These Lives by Sarah Wylie is a great book. I truly enjoyed it, and I recommend it.
May 15, 2012
This is one of my absolute all time favorites, a book I could read over and over and over again. Dani is an amazing character and I laughed and cried with her. And Jack Penner, oh my gosh, dorky Jack Penner, I love you.
October 7, 2020
I thought the general idea of this book was interesting, and it drew me in. It s about a girl with cancer and is toold from the perspective of her twin sister who is trying, in her own unique way, to come to terms with her sister's illness and to help her sister. I liked the nine lives framework as well.
I thught Jack's presence in the story didn't add much, and it just felt like "we have ti put some kind of romance or quasi-romance, so let's write hi in". And Dani's female friends' characters were underdeveloped. I would have liked it better if it had focused more on her friendships in general and the ways these friendships changed. Many scenes with Jack just seeed boring and endless.
Also, I liked the ending and Dani's transformation. But it seemed like "all of a sudden I feel differently." I would have liked more development, more fleshing out of her transformation. What role did Harry-with-an-i have? The first half of this book seemed to drag on and then the ending was so sudden. But overall it was a good book!
I thught Jack's presence in the story didn't add much, and it just felt like "we have ti put some kind of romance or quasi-romance, so let's write hi in". And Dani's female friends' characters were underdeveloped. I would have liked it better if it had focused more on her friendships in general and the ways these friendships changed. Many scenes with Jack just seeed boring and endless.
Also, I liked the ending and Dani's transformation. But it seemed like "all of a sudden I feel differently." I would have liked more development, more fleshing out of her transformation. What role did Harry-with-an-i have? The first half of this book seemed to drag on and then the ending was so sudden. But overall it was a good book!
May 21, 2020
Why did I waste my time reading that book? Oh right was stuck in hospital with dad and had nothing else to do but read whatever available.. at first book seemed kinda intresting, I've been spending my whole week in the emergency ward, and the people in the book were in a hospital too; a family member struggling with illness, that seemed appropriate I guess.
But nothing really happens in the book, there is no character development, there is barely any development in the love interest the heroine has, the actual heroine is just a stupid troubled teenager, and the whole story doesn't really move at all, I mean it! Nothing changes in the whole book,boys like you are watching two episodes from the middle of a series and that's it, you don't know what happened before, you don't know what will happen after, you just have those useless fragments of a story that don't make much sense.
But nothing really happens in the book, there is no character development, there is barely any development in the love interest the heroine has, the actual heroine is just a stupid troubled teenager, and the whole story doesn't really move at all, I mean it! Nothing changes in the whole book,boys like you are watching two episodes from the middle of a series and that's it, you don't know what happened before, you don't know what will happen after, you just have those useless fragments of a story that don't make much sense.
January 24, 2022
(super minor spoilers)
Mixed feelings. On one hand, All These Lives is super interesting. The premise is intriguing, the relationship between Dani and Jena hits surprisingly hard, and the writing style is engaging. But on the other… Dani is just so very unpleasant, and she never has any kind of development or growth. She’s absolutely horrible to everyone around her, and doesn’t really have much of an arc in that department. I also would have liked more time dedicated to Jena’s cartoons, they seemed so interesting.
Overall though, I think it's decent and worth the read.
Mixed feelings. On one hand, All These Lives is super interesting. The premise is intriguing, the relationship between Dani and Jena hits surprisingly hard, and the writing style is engaging. But on the other… Dani is just so very unpleasant, and she never has any kind of development or growth. She’s absolutely horrible to everyone around her, and doesn’t really have much of an arc in that department. I also would have liked more time dedicated to Jena’s cartoons, they seemed so interesting.
Overall though, I think it's decent and worth the read.
December 12, 2017
To me, this book makes me have mixed feelings. It has powerful language, but sometimes I want to throw a chair at Dani for the choices that she makes. There's no question that this book has a meaningful message, and I made me learn from Dani's experiences. The only thing I didn't like about the story was that the plot kind of switched off sometimes and Dani never really learned from her choices until the very end.
January 19, 2021
Dani's twin sister Jena has leukemia. Things are not going well. Dani's mother has always said she has nine lives. She survived an accident and a chest infection when she was younger. Maybe she can give one of her extra lives to Jena.
It was a good story. I was expecting it to get super emotional - I told Vienna "I hope that I don't end up crying terribly at the end". I didn't cry terribly, but I did tear up just a little.
It was a good story. I was expecting it to get super emotional - I told Vienna "I hope that I don't end up crying terribly at the end". I didn't cry terribly, but I did tear up just a little.
March 5, 2019
All lives lives is a wonderful piece of work but there are some down sides. In my opinion I am not a huge fan of when she is at school it does just not interest me. I normally read historical fiction so this is a bit different to me but I do not regret getting this book. Some pages are better then others but overall it is a good book.
December 13, 2019
This one has been on my TBR forever but I recently just got this. Unfortunately, this was really disappointing.
The main character Dani wasn’t very like-able and the story just seemed to jump around a lot.
The main character Dani wasn’t very like-able and the story just seemed to jump around a lot.
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August 15, 2020I like how the story features a pair of sisters and how Dani tries to cope with her sister's cancer. The narration felt distant with Dani focusing on the outside or giving info dumps about the past. I understand that Dani has her way of coping, but it made it difficult to connect with her.
June 22, 2017
Heart-wrenching and beautiful.
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November 6, 2019it wasnt really my type i hope other people will like it..
July 31, 2024
Just because your sister is dying doesn't give you the right to treat other people like s*** you're also not funny Danni 😅🙄
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