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A Tangled Web
An alternate cover for this ASIN can be found here.
Japan, 2011
Taiyo is a normal high-school girl living with her Grandmother in Sendai. She goes to school, partakes in club activities and hangs out with her two best friends, twin brothers Ryuu and Kairi. However, her perfect world is shattered when she begins dating Kairi but quickly discovers she's already in love with Ryuu.
A tangled web of lies surrounds the pair, but everything is suddenly knocked into perspective on March 11th when they are caught up in a natural disaster that devastates the country and robs thousands of their homes, their possessions and their lives...
Japan, 2011
Taiyo is a normal high-school girl living with her Grandmother in Sendai. She goes to school, partakes in club activities and hangs out with her two best friends, twin brothers Ryuu and Kairi. However, her perfect world is shattered when she begins dating Kairi but quickly discovers she's already in love with Ryuu.
A tangled web of lies surrounds the pair, but everything is suddenly knocked into perspective on March 11th when they are caught up in a natural disaster that devastates the country and robs thousands of their homes, their possessions and their lives...
- GenresYoung Adult
94 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 1, 2017
1 person is currently reading
833 people want to read
About the author
M.L. Sparrow
22 books162 followersM L Sparrow is currently the author of several full length novels, three novellas and a slew of short stories published in various anthologies. Her novella, A Tangled Web, was a finalist in the 2017 Next Generation Indie Book Awards and in the 2017 Readers' Favorite Awards. Another novella, Red Days, was a winner in the Book Excellence Awards, Current Events category.
She will write pretty much anything that pops into her head, no matter the genre, and enjoys keeping her readers guessing as to what she will write next, though you can pretty much guarantee that there will be some degree of romance!
As well as writing, she enjoys travelling and has lived in Tokyo and Hong Kong, though she is now back in the UK with her trusty rescue dog, Nala. Her travels are a constant source of inspiration and she has an endless supply of ideas for future novels…
To find out more check out her website – http://mlsparrow.wix.com/mlsparrow - or stalk her on Twitter @MLSparrow1
She will write pretty much anything that pops into her head, no matter the genre, and enjoys keeping her readers guessing as to what she will write next, though you can pretty much guarantee that there will be some degree of romance!
As well as writing, she enjoys travelling and has lived in Tokyo and Hong Kong, though she is now back in the UK with her trusty rescue dog, Nala. Her travels are a constant source of inspiration and she has an endless supply of ideas for future novels…
To find out more check out her website – http://mlsparrow.wix.com/mlsparrow - or stalk her on Twitter @MLSparrow1
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 40 reviews
June 17, 2018
Readable but lacks depth and character development
February 6, 2017
I am always excited when Sparrow asks me to review her books. I am a fan of her writing style and I have enjoyed all of her books I've read. I was worried because this time around it would be a short story. I was worried that I wouldn't have enough time to really get engrossed by the story and really feel for the characters. I shouldn't have been worried because it was such a wonderful read. I mean, it was depressing me because it surrounded the real life tsunami that devastated Japan in 2011. I really loved the way it was written. The book started before the tsunami and I love how the book was separated by date and it further emphasized the normalcy of their days that was all of a sudden disrupted. The crazy thing is that there was no warning, at least not enough of a warning. Unlike in Miami, where I live, we get plenty of warnings before a hurricane hits us. We can get reinforcements and have time for evacuation. But a tsunami, of that size and magnitude, what is there to be done?
The closer the novella got to the date, the more anxious I got and I loved that the book affected me this way. I love how Sparrow wrote the story, that even though we've only been given 94 pages, we knew Taiyo's story and her history and relationships with Ryuu and Kairi. I don't know much about the Japanese culture and honestly didn't even know much about the tsunami and Sparrow only heightened my curiosity. I love that there is so much Japanese culture in the novella. I really loved that we had a glossary in the end to help us with the Japanese words used in the book. I'm serious guys, I actually looked into the tsunami. I watched videos and researched the whole thing. It is a really interesting topic that I have yet to read about and I am so glad that Sparrow wrote on it. I enjoyed the characters. They were very unique and the love story was very believable in its progression.
The closer the novella got to the date, the more anxious I got and I loved that the book affected me this way. I love how Sparrow wrote the story, that even though we've only been given 94 pages, we knew Taiyo's story and her history and relationships with Ryuu and Kairi. I don't know much about the Japanese culture and honestly didn't even know much about the tsunami and Sparrow only heightened my curiosity. I love that there is so much Japanese culture in the novella. I really loved that we had a glossary in the end to help us with the Japanese words used in the book. I'm serious guys, I actually looked into the tsunami. I watched videos and researched the whole thing. It is a really interesting topic that I have yet to read about and I am so glad that Sparrow wrote on it. I enjoyed the characters. They were very unique and the love story was very believable in its progression.
January 28, 2017
This short teenage love story is out of my reading genre that I usually read. Following the characters through a web of confusion and love.
Sparrow powers a tsunami of writing skills. Putting her characters in a real life happening that tears apart homes and loved ones. A very interesting story for all those who like young adult love stories.
Sparrow powers a tsunami of writing skills. Putting her characters in a real life happening that tears apart homes and loved ones. A very interesting story for all those who like young adult love stories.
June 7, 2017
Review originally posted on my blog: I Heart Fictional People
INITIAL THOUGHTS
I have read three of M.L. Sparrow’s books. I have always been offered her books in exchange for an honest review, and I’ve been such a big fan of hers. I’m always intrigued by her books, but this one sounded so interesting. It is fiction, but it takes place during the very real Japan tsunami of 2011. I knew I had to read it. I received this book awhile ago, but after my long break from reading and blogging, I’m still trying to do some catching up. And I remembered this book, so I jumped right in!
WHAT I LIKED
Taiyo and Ryuu’s relationship. I loved their friendship. They’ve known each other since they were kids. It’s so obvious that Ryuu is in love with Taiyo, but Taiyo is so oblivious to not only his feelings for her but also her own feelings for him. Sometimes, this can get annoying in books, but this time, I thought it was super cute. I just wanted to keep reading to see how everything developed and how Taiyo came to the realization that her best friend just may be in love with her and she may even feel the same. Loved it!
Hard to put down! Each chapter ended in a way that made it impossible to put down. It wasn’t obvious cliffhangers. It was more like it was just so well-written that I just had to know what happened next.
How the tsunami and a love story combined to make this story. It reminded me of Titanic. The movie was about the tragedy that happened to the ship and the people on it, but the heart of the story is the romance between Jack and Rose. Same with this book. It’s about a horrible tragedy where hundreds of people died, but the heart of the story is the romance between Taiyo and Ryuu. I love how the tsunami was embedded into this love story.
Gave me all the feels! I cried twice. I won’t say anything else, but it definitely got to me.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
The length. It is a novella, and I tend to find novellas too short. There was no difference here. I just felt like the pace was too quick, making the story seem a bit rushed. This would have been such a perfect story if it was a full-length novel.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
I really enjoyed it! My only complaint shouldn’t even really be a complaint. It was intended to be a novella, so I really can’t complain that it was too short, but unfortunately, that’s how it felt. BUT, ignoring that, the book was really good. In such a short amount of time, I was emotionally invested. I got attached to these characters. I had to know what happened to them. And given that this book was barely 100 pages, I’d say that takes some real talent from the author. M.L. Sparrow continues to amaze me. I will literally read anything written by her.
*I received an eBook copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*
INITIAL THOUGHTS
I have read three of M.L. Sparrow’s books. I have always been offered her books in exchange for an honest review, and I’ve been such a big fan of hers. I’m always intrigued by her books, but this one sounded so interesting. It is fiction, but it takes place during the very real Japan tsunami of 2011. I knew I had to read it. I received this book awhile ago, but after my long break from reading and blogging, I’m still trying to do some catching up. And I remembered this book, so I jumped right in!
WHAT I LIKED
Taiyo and Ryuu’s relationship. I loved their friendship. They’ve known each other since they were kids. It’s so obvious that Ryuu is in love with Taiyo, but Taiyo is so oblivious to not only his feelings for her but also her own feelings for him. Sometimes, this can get annoying in books, but this time, I thought it was super cute. I just wanted to keep reading to see how everything developed and how Taiyo came to the realization that her best friend just may be in love with her and she may even feel the same. Loved it!
Hard to put down! Each chapter ended in a way that made it impossible to put down. It wasn’t obvious cliffhangers. It was more like it was just so well-written that I just had to know what happened next.
How the tsunami and a love story combined to make this story. It reminded me of Titanic. The movie was about the tragedy that happened to the ship and the people on it, but the heart of the story is the romance between Jack and Rose. Same with this book. It’s about a horrible tragedy where hundreds of people died, but the heart of the story is the romance between Taiyo and Ryuu. I love how the tsunami was embedded into this love story.
Gave me all the feels! I cried twice. I won’t say anything else, but it definitely got to me.
WHAT I DIDN’T LIKE
The length. It is a novella, and I tend to find novellas too short. There was no difference here. I just felt like the pace was too quick, making the story seem a bit rushed. This would have been such a perfect story if it was a full-length novel.
OVERALL THOUGHTS
I really enjoyed it! My only complaint shouldn’t even really be a complaint. It was intended to be a novella, so I really can’t complain that it was too short, but unfortunately, that’s how it felt. BUT, ignoring that, the book was really good. In such a short amount of time, I was emotionally invested. I got attached to these characters. I had to know what happened to them. And given that this book was barely 100 pages, I’d say that takes some real talent from the author. M.L. Sparrow continues to amaze me. I will literally read anything written by her.
*I received an eBook copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review*
March 26, 2017
A Tangled Web by M.L. Sparrow is a young adult novella and honestly not my normal type of read. When I opened the story I remember thinking to myself, high school kids? Japan? What am I doing? Then I started reading a novella that grabbed my interest right from the beginning.
The story is set in a small Japanese town in the early months of 2011 and follows Taiyo, our heroine, who is a 17 year old high school junior along with her friend Kairi and his twin brother Ryuu. The three have grown up together and are pretty much inseparable. The first part of this book is filled with high school drama typical for any 17 year old life. Taiyo is in love with Ryuu but dating his brother Kairi, while in an effort to move on Ryuu dates one of Taiyo’s friends, Ayu. Because she doesn’t want to hurt anyone Taiyo makes matters worse by lying to everyone, and as the lies start to come faster and faster Taiyo ends up making a mess of things.
While trying to resolve the situation something even more catastrophic occurs changing the course of everyone’s life as they know it, the earthquake and following tsunami that hit Japan in March of 2011. The author did a tremendous job of making the earthquake and tsunami come to life, I could see myself running alongside Taiyo as the ocean water was coming up on us, I could literally hear the people calling for help, I was freezing alongside Taiyo on the apartment building roof while waiting for help to come and I was there with her when she was helping the volunteers in the days following the disaster.
If I were going to change anything about this book it would be to make it longer. I enjoyed the build-up in the beginning of the book, but I truly was overwhelmed by the aftermath of the tsunami. What insight into what a person will do to when forced to deal with extraordinary circumstances, the strength alone it takes to go back day in and day out to help when all you really want to do is give up. Thank you M.L. Sparrow for giving me a glimpse into that fateful day in Japanese history, it is something I won’t be forgetting anytime soon.
The story is set in a small Japanese town in the early months of 2011 and follows Taiyo, our heroine, who is a 17 year old high school junior along with her friend Kairi and his twin brother Ryuu. The three have grown up together and are pretty much inseparable. The first part of this book is filled with high school drama typical for any 17 year old life. Taiyo is in love with Ryuu but dating his brother Kairi, while in an effort to move on Ryuu dates one of Taiyo’s friends, Ayu. Because she doesn’t want to hurt anyone Taiyo makes matters worse by lying to everyone, and as the lies start to come faster and faster Taiyo ends up making a mess of things.
While trying to resolve the situation something even more catastrophic occurs changing the course of everyone’s life as they know it, the earthquake and following tsunami that hit Japan in March of 2011. The author did a tremendous job of making the earthquake and tsunami come to life, I could see myself running alongside Taiyo as the ocean water was coming up on us, I could literally hear the people calling for help, I was freezing alongside Taiyo on the apartment building roof while waiting for help to come and I was there with her when she was helping the volunteers in the days following the disaster.
If I were going to change anything about this book it would be to make it longer. I enjoyed the build-up in the beginning of the book, but I truly was overwhelmed by the aftermath of the tsunami. What insight into what a person will do to when forced to deal with extraordinary circumstances, the strength alone it takes to go back day in and day out to help when all you really want to do is give up. Thank you M.L. Sparrow for giving me a glimpse into that fateful day in Japanese history, it is something I won’t be forgetting anytime soon.
March 24, 2017
A Tangled Web
By: M.L. Sparrow
5 out of 5 stars
The story A Tangled Web by M.L. Sparrow is a young adult/coming of age book. This story takes place in Japan right before and then after a natural disaster. The story revolves around Taiyo and her friends Ryuu and Kairi who are twin brothers. They attend the same school and have had a long-time friendship. Then things start to change when Kairi starts dating Taiyo who then discovers that she is really in love with Ryuu. What happens next can only be described as chaotic. Will these three friends finally realize what is really important in their lives?
This is a very interesting story. I found it in some ways light-hearted as the characters are friends and banter back and forth with each other. Then in other ways, it has a deeper meaning. It shows the effect that lies and deceit can have on your friendships, especially with those that you love the most and even if the lies are told to spare their feelings. I enjoyed the characters of Ryuu and Taiyo. Both of them are going along and have always thought of themselves as best friends until situations happen that makes it clear they both like each other. This begins a series of events that not only causes them pain but others as well. All of this is set before the earthquake that happens in Japan on March 11th, 2011 and then continues after. This story had me going from laughing to sadness and from anxiety to disbelief. This is the first book I have read by the author and I like her style of writing. I can’t wait to read more of her books. I had the book finished quickly and while I wanted to know how it ends, I couldn’t help but wish it was a little longer. It is a book that had me thinking of both the story and the characters after I had finished.
By: M.L. Sparrow
5 out of 5 stars
The story A Tangled Web by M.L. Sparrow is a young adult/coming of age book. This story takes place in Japan right before and then after a natural disaster. The story revolves around Taiyo and her friends Ryuu and Kairi who are twin brothers. They attend the same school and have had a long-time friendship. Then things start to change when Kairi starts dating Taiyo who then discovers that she is really in love with Ryuu. What happens next can only be described as chaotic. Will these three friends finally realize what is really important in their lives?
This is a very interesting story. I found it in some ways light-hearted as the characters are friends and banter back and forth with each other. Then in other ways, it has a deeper meaning. It shows the effect that lies and deceit can have on your friendships, especially with those that you love the most and even if the lies are told to spare their feelings. I enjoyed the characters of Ryuu and Taiyo. Both of them are going along and have always thought of themselves as best friends until situations happen that makes it clear they both like each other. This begins a series of events that not only causes them pain but others as well. All of this is set before the earthquake that happens in Japan on March 11th, 2011 and then continues after. This story had me going from laughing to sadness and from anxiety to disbelief. This is the first book I have read by the author and I like her style of writing. I can’t wait to read more of her books. I had the book finished quickly and while I wanted to know how it ends, I couldn’t help but wish it was a little longer. It is a book that had me thinking of both the story and the characters after I had finished.
March 29, 2017
A Tangled Web- M L Sparrow
4 Stars Review
A Tangled Web was a great novella about the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan in 2011. This book was emotional, moving, and at times heart wrenching.
This story follows Hayashi Taiyo and her two best friends Kairi and Ryuu. Taiyo is a fun, laidback girl who doesn’t seem to take life too seriously. Twin brothers Kairi and Ryuu couldn’t be more different. Kairi is a polite and sweet young man who is very focused on his studies, while Ryuu is a more serious and rugged young man who doesn’t take school too seriously.
Taiyo finds herself in a tough situation when she finds herself dating Kairi but wanting to be with Ryuu. As her relationship with Kairi continues she finds herself telling lie after lie. After lying to her family and friends for quite some time Taiyo finally comes to the realization that telling the truth is always the best thing to do. She could have saved herself a lot of heartache had she just told the truth.
What starts off as a beautiful day soon turns tragic as an earthquake hits and Ryuu and Taiyo must find themselves to safety. A Tsunami follows soon after the earthquake hits leaving them trying to fight for survival. Ryuu and Taiyo are separated as they try to find higher ground.
During the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami Taiyo volunteers to help the search and rescue team so she can find Ryuu. As the days go on Taiyo starts to lose hope but she finally hears from Ryuu’s family. After experiencing such a terrifying and tragic event their lives will be forever changed.
This book finished much too early for my liking. It was such a great story and I would have loved to read more about Taiyo and Ryuu. I’ve never read a story quite like this one and I was definitely not disappointed.
4 Stars Review
A Tangled Web was a great novella about the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan in 2011. This book was emotional, moving, and at times heart wrenching.
This story follows Hayashi Taiyo and her two best friends Kairi and Ryuu. Taiyo is a fun, laidback girl who doesn’t seem to take life too seriously. Twin brothers Kairi and Ryuu couldn’t be more different. Kairi is a polite and sweet young man who is very focused on his studies, while Ryuu is a more serious and rugged young man who doesn’t take school too seriously.
Taiyo finds herself in a tough situation when she finds herself dating Kairi but wanting to be with Ryuu. As her relationship with Kairi continues she finds herself telling lie after lie. After lying to her family and friends for quite some time Taiyo finally comes to the realization that telling the truth is always the best thing to do. She could have saved herself a lot of heartache had she just told the truth.
What starts off as a beautiful day soon turns tragic as an earthquake hits and Ryuu and Taiyo must find themselves to safety. A Tsunami follows soon after the earthquake hits leaving them trying to fight for survival. Ryuu and Taiyo are separated as they try to find higher ground.
During the aftermath of the earthquake and tsunami Taiyo volunteers to help the search and rescue team so she can find Ryuu. As the days go on Taiyo starts to lose hope but she finally hears from Ryuu’s family. After experiencing such a terrifying and tragic event their lives will be forever changed.
This book finished much too early for my liking. It was such a great story and I would have loved to read more about Taiyo and Ryuu. I’ve never read a story quite like this one and I was definitely not disappointed.
March 28, 2017
Seventeen Taiyo is a young teenage Japanese girl who lives with her grandmother, . She is best friends with Ryuu and Kairi who are twin boys. They all attend the same school and have been friends for a long time. The twins could not be more different, Ryuu is the lazy one and Kairi is far more fastidious. As they get older things start to change when Taiyo is asked out and starts dating Kairi and Ryuu asks out Taiyo's friend, Aya. Unfortunately Taiyo likes Ryuu but is so shy she doesn’t show her true feelings. Ryuu has feelings for Taiyo as well but is just as shy as Taiyo and neither reveal their true feeling to each other. Chaos ensues and after many lies and deceit Taiyo learns that being honest is much better than deceiving the ones you love. She doesn’t want to hurt anyone but that is what ends up happening. Teenagers and hormones are a deadly combination.
When they find themselves at the epicenter of a major earthquake and are then faced with a deadly tsunami that hits Japan their world is changed in an instant. The devastation is insurmountable and leaves nothing in it’s wake. Ryuu and Taiyo are missing and their families scared and very worried. Ryuu and Taiyo skipped out of school and didn’t tell anyone and when they become separated and Taiyo is frantic that Ryuu and the others are dead.
How far will Taiyo go to find those she loves? Will Taiyo, Ryuu and Kairi finally realise what is really important in their lives? Will they be forever changed?
If you want a quick and easy read, grab a copy. As it is a Novella it is a very very short story. You will find yourself immersed in the world of one of Japan’s devastating natural disasters.
When they find themselves at the epicenter of a major earthquake and are then faced with a deadly tsunami that hits Japan their world is changed in an instant. The devastation is insurmountable and leaves nothing in it’s wake. Ryuu and Taiyo are missing and their families scared and very worried. Ryuu and Taiyo skipped out of school and didn’t tell anyone and when they become separated and Taiyo is frantic that Ryuu and the others are dead.
How far will Taiyo go to find those she loves? Will Taiyo, Ryuu and Kairi finally realise what is really important in their lives? Will they be forever changed?
If you want a quick and easy read, grab a copy. As it is a Novella it is a very very short story. You will find yourself immersed in the world of one of Japan’s devastating natural disasters.
March 28, 2017
A Tangled Web
by M. L. Sparrow
My 4 Star Review
A Tangled Web is a perfect book for young adult readers, it contains no sexual scenes and no violence at all. This is the first book I read by Author M. L. Sparrow and I have to say that this story is very well written and I did find it very enjoyable even though it’s definitely different from what I’m used to reading.
This is only a 126 page book but it’s full of teenage high school drama, young love, friendship, and tragedy. This story covers the devastating 2011 Tohoku Tsunami which was one of the largest ever recorded.
I thoroughly enjoyed the Japanese terminology used in this story, as well as the Author’s detailed description of the Japanese culture, it really made it easier for me to be able to understand the story completely.
This is the short story of “Taiyo”, a young girl who has lived with her Grandmother and who constantly reminds her to be kind, gentle and thoughtful towards the feelings of others, just like a Japanese girl should be. Taiyo has two best friends in her life, twin brothers, Ryuu and Kairi who live nearby. The three of them have been friends since they were toddlers.
While Ryuu is the fun, “take life less seriously” brother, Kairi is serious, has his future well planned and spends most of his time studying in order to accomplish his goal.
While spending a day together, tragedy strikes Taiyo and Ryuu. These two teenagers find themselves right in the middle of it.
I highly recommend this beautiful and sad story. It does have a drastic end, but overall I enjoyed reading the short story.
by M. L. Sparrow
My 4 Star Review
A Tangled Web is a perfect book for young adult readers, it contains no sexual scenes and no violence at all. This is the first book I read by Author M. L. Sparrow and I have to say that this story is very well written and I did find it very enjoyable even though it’s definitely different from what I’m used to reading.
This is only a 126 page book but it’s full of teenage high school drama, young love, friendship, and tragedy. This story covers the devastating 2011 Tohoku Tsunami which was one of the largest ever recorded.
I thoroughly enjoyed the Japanese terminology used in this story, as well as the Author’s detailed description of the Japanese culture, it really made it easier for me to be able to understand the story completely.
This is the short story of “Taiyo”, a young girl who has lived with her Grandmother and who constantly reminds her to be kind, gentle and thoughtful towards the feelings of others, just like a Japanese girl should be. Taiyo has two best friends in her life, twin brothers, Ryuu and Kairi who live nearby. The three of them have been friends since they were toddlers.
While Ryuu is the fun, “take life less seriously” brother, Kairi is serious, has his future well planned and spends most of his time studying in order to accomplish his goal.
While spending a day together, tragedy strikes Taiyo and Ryuu. These two teenagers find themselves right in the middle of it.
I highly recommend this beautiful and sad story. It does have a drastic end, but overall I enjoyed reading the short story.
March 30, 2017
A Tangled Web by ML Sparrow is a novella centered around three teenagers in Japan in 2011. The story begins just before a major natural disaster, and continues to just after. It revolves around Taiyo, and her best friends, twin brothers Ryuu and Kairi. They have been friends for years, and hang out daily. Taiyo's life started to turn into a tangled mess when Kairi asks her out, and she doesn't have the heart to tell him no. Before long, she realizes she actually likes Ryuu, and gets very jealous when he goes out with her best friend. Instead of talking to them both, and being honest, she begins keeping secrets and telling lies. Before long, everything is all twisted up and friendships are being ruined.
Then March 11, 2011 rolls around, and suddenly, teenage love triangles are the least of her worries. Her home town is hit with one of history's worst earth quakes which triggers one of the worst tsunami. Homes are destroyed, whole towns are flooded, thousands died, and even more are injured.
This was my first book by this author, but it wont be my last. I really enjoyed the style of writing, how it wasn't super romantic and mushy, but not entirely serious either. It was a perfect mixture. I liked that it told a fictional, but realistic, story centered around an actual event. The author used Japanese words, but put their meanings at the end of the book, as well as a summary of the true facts surrounding the event. I really liked this aspect. The story was detailed enough and got me involved, but still didn't seem like a short story. Overall, I really liked the story and read it in one sitting. 4 star review.
Then March 11, 2011 rolls around, and suddenly, teenage love triangles are the least of her worries. Her home town is hit with one of history's worst earth quakes which triggers one of the worst tsunami. Homes are destroyed, whole towns are flooded, thousands died, and even more are injured.
This was my first book by this author, but it wont be my last. I really enjoyed the style of writing, how it wasn't super romantic and mushy, but not entirely serious either. It was a perfect mixture. I liked that it told a fictional, but realistic, story centered around an actual event. The author used Japanese words, but put their meanings at the end of the book, as well as a summary of the true facts surrounding the event. I really liked this aspect. The story was detailed enough and got me involved, but still didn't seem like a short story. Overall, I really liked the story and read it in one sitting. 4 star review.
March 30, 2017
A Tangled Web by M.L. Sparrow is a young adult story that takes place in Japan in 2011. This is the first book that I have read by M.L. Sparrow.
Taiyo is a teenaged girl who was abandoned by her parents at a very young age. She now lives with her grandmother in Sendai, Japan. She has been good friends with twin brothers, Ryuu and Kairi, since she was very young and throughout the years they have become almost inseparable.
Now that they are older, Taiyo starts dating one of the twins but it isn’t long before she realizes that she actually has romantic feelings for the other brother and only wants to be friends with the brother she is currently dating. She is a very sweet girl and doesn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings by telling the truth and in turn this creates a tangled web of lies and confusion among Taiyo, the brothers, and another of Taiyo’s friends. Just when all the lies come to the surface, a huge earthquake hits Japan which then causes a major tsunami. This tsunami causes huge amounts of destruction and costs many people their lives. Will Taiyo and both of the twin brothers survive or will they be one of the many casualties that are caused by this natural disaster?
I feel this book had a little bit of a slow start but once things got going it made you feel a very wide range of emotions and kept you turning the pages in hopes that everything would work out for the best for these characters. Overall it is a very solid story and I think it was just the right length.
Taiyo is a teenaged girl who was abandoned by her parents at a very young age. She now lives with her grandmother in Sendai, Japan. She has been good friends with twin brothers, Ryuu and Kairi, since she was very young and throughout the years they have become almost inseparable.
Now that they are older, Taiyo starts dating one of the twins but it isn’t long before she realizes that she actually has romantic feelings for the other brother and only wants to be friends with the brother she is currently dating. She is a very sweet girl and doesn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings by telling the truth and in turn this creates a tangled web of lies and confusion among Taiyo, the brothers, and another of Taiyo’s friends. Just when all the lies come to the surface, a huge earthquake hits Japan which then causes a major tsunami. This tsunami causes huge amounts of destruction and costs many people their lives. Will Taiyo and both of the twin brothers survive or will they be one of the many casualties that are caused by this natural disaster?
I feel this book had a little bit of a slow start but once things got going it made you feel a very wide range of emotions and kept you turning the pages in hopes that everything would work out for the best for these characters. Overall it is a very solid story and I think it was just the right length.
March 30, 2017
A Tangled Web by M.L. Sparrow
Four Stars
The story A Tangled Web by M.L. Sparrow is a Young Adult story set in Japan in 2011. I love Sparrows books. She shows such detail when describing characters and locations. The emotions brought out reading this book range from laughing one moment to being angry and crying the next. It is about teenage love, lies and betrayal. It is set in the backdrop of a natural disaster, the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan in March 2011.
Taiyo is a young girl who goes to live with her grandmother after her mother's death. Ryuu and Kairi are twin brothers and all three are best friends. Taiyo starts dating Kairi and find out that she is in love with Ryuu. Taiyo doesn't want to hurt anyone's feeling so she starts lying with complicates the situation. Then the tsunami hits which truly change the course of everyone's lives.
Ms. Sparrow really brought the earthquake and tsunami to life. The struggles to stay alive with the water rushing in, the emotions of volunteers as they continue to search for loved ones. The emotions alone brought to the surface were extraordinarily sad and showed great strength of character. I would highly recommend this book just for the fact that the events that occurred in Japan when this happen are so beautifully and horrifically set in this book. I wish the book would have been a little longer, because I wanted it to go on and on. This is a wonderful book and I look forward to reading more M.L. Sparrow’s books in the future.
Four Stars
The story A Tangled Web by M.L. Sparrow is a Young Adult story set in Japan in 2011. I love Sparrows books. She shows such detail when describing characters and locations. The emotions brought out reading this book range from laughing one moment to being angry and crying the next. It is about teenage love, lies and betrayal. It is set in the backdrop of a natural disaster, the earthquake and tsunami that hit Japan in March 2011.
Taiyo is a young girl who goes to live with her grandmother after her mother's death. Ryuu and Kairi are twin brothers and all three are best friends. Taiyo starts dating Kairi and find out that she is in love with Ryuu. Taiyo doesn't want to hurt anyone's feeling so she starts lying with complicates the situation. Then the tsunami hits which truly change the course of everyone's lives.
Ms. Sparrow really brought the earthquake and tsunami to life. The struggles to stay alive with the water rushing in, the emotions of volunteers as they continue to search for loved ones. The emotions alone brought to the surface were extraordinarily sad and showed great strength of character. I would highly recommend this book just for the fact that the events that occurred in Japan when this happen are so beautifully and horrifically set in this book. I wish the book would have been a little longer, because I wanted it to go on and on. This is a wonderful book and I look forward to reading more M.L. Sparrow’s books in the future.
March 25, 2017
This story tells about a teenage Japanese girl named Taiyo with twin boys for best friends, Ryuu and Kairi. The usual amount of school aged drama ensues when Taiyo is asked out by Kairi. Ryuu then asks out Taiyo's friend, Aya. This causes Taiyo to realize her true feelings. Since Ryuu has feelings for Taiyo as well this should have been an easy story but both are too shy and quiet to tell each other. Lies begin to happen causing “a tangled web” of deceit. Taiyo must learn that being honest is much better than deceiving the ones you love. Teenagers love deeply and hurt easily. When a natural disaster strikes and all is believed to be lost, is there any hope for any of them? Young, old and any age in between will suffer.
This story was very interesting. I enjoyed reading about the Japanese culture. I do wish the story was a little bit longer. I felt like while the ending was good there should have or could have been more. I also felt the same as Taiyo did, that even though they had survived the natural disaster, their way of life had changed. What seemed important really wasn’t so much.
“It all seemed so childish and insignificant in the face of the tragedy many Japanese people now faced. The weeks before the disaster no longer seemed like such a big issue; it was all just teenage drama.”
I recommend this story because this is an entertaining and enlightening story. I look forward to reading more from Sparrow.
This story was very interesting. I enjoyed reading about the Japanese culture. I do wish the story was a little bit longer. I felt like while the ending was good there should have or could have been more. I also felt the same as Taiyo did, that even though they had survived the natural disaster, their way of life had changed. What seemed important really wasn’t so much.
“It all seemed so childish and insignificant in the face of the tragedy many Japanese people now faced. The weeks before the disaster no longer seemed like such a big issue; it was all just teenage drama.”
I recommend this story because this is an entertaining and enlightening story. I look forward to reading more from Sparrow.
March 24, 2017
A Tangled Web by M.L. Sparrow is a novella about a teenage girl, Taiyo growing up in Japan. She lives with her grandmother in Sendai, goes to high school, runs track, is very disorganized and always late. Taiyo’s two best friends are twin brothers, Ryuu and Kairi. The twins are like night and day; Ryuu is lazy and Kairi is the studious one. Taiyo likes Ryuu but for some reason starts to date Kairi. That is until Ryuu and Taiyo like each other. But she does not actually tell Kairi, a tangled web is weaved.
The friendship between Ryuu and Taiyo take a turn no one could imagine when a deadly tsunami hits Japan and their world will be changed in an instant. Ryuu and Taiyo skipped school that day, not telling anyone, leaving their families scared and very nervous. Ryuu and Taiyo become separated and she is sick with worry that Ryuu has died.
A Tangled Web is the story of three good friends who grew up together. And what it is like to be teenagers who go through a horrible natural disaster. M.L. Sparrow does a wonderful job describing the Japanese culture and intertwining Japanese words in the story. The way she describes the tsunami that hit Japan in 2011 made you feel like you were there. The characters were believable and were like your typical teenagers. I definitely look forward to reading more by M.L. Sparrow.
April 1, 2017
A Tangled Web by M.L. Sparrow is a YA story that takes place in Japan. The setting is right before and after a huge natural disaster. The story is focused on Taiyo and her friends who are twin brothers, Ryuu and Kairi. Having attended the same school for years, they all have a very strong friendship. Turmoil surrounded them As Kairi and Taiyo start dating but soon sees that it’s Ryuu she loves deeply. Before long things are so chaotic and these three friends need to see how important it is to stay strong and rely on each other. As March 11th, we get insight to the web of lies that are affecting these three friends. Life isn’t easy for these three and add in a tsunami, their lives are about to get even more uprooted then they ever imagined.
I loved this book but only wish it could have been a full length because I truly loved the story line and the love triangle these three were in. I loved that this story show a reality that faces many young adults and still was able to keep my interest as an adult. I give this book 4 stars, this is truly an amazing read with three main characters that will pull you in. I love that this book didn’t just have a love triangle but also a huge natural disaster to bring the lives of these three characters to a whole new level. I can’t wait to read more by this author and hope to read about these three again!
I loved this book but only wish it could have been a full length because I truly loved the story line and the love triangle these three were in. I loved that this story show a reality that faces many young adults and still was able to keep my interest as an adult. I give this book 4 stars, this is truly an amazing read with three main characters that will pull you in. I love that this book didn’t just have a love triangle but also a huge natural disaster to bring the lives of these three characters to a whole new level. I can’t wait to read more by this author and hope to read about these three again!
March 27, 2017
A Tangled Web by M L Sparrow is a young adult romance love triangle story that is hit by the tragedy of a Tsunami.
Set in Japan and leading up to the Tsunami of 2011, the story focus on Taiyo and her two best friends Kairi And Ryuu. Kairi and Ryuu are twin brothers and have known Taiyo since childhood. When they both begin to show an interest in dating Taiyo things get a little complicated. This is mostly due to Taiyo trying to keep everyone happy and not being truthful to those she loves. Lies and not love become the problem and the despair of this turns especially sour when the tsunami strikes. Lives are changed forever.
I read this book in one sitting, not because it was a novella but, because the writer makes the story flow well and it is an easy read. The story is realistic, charming and intriguing. There is a serene quality to it that made it a pleasure to read. The characters, though young, are written with real qualities rather that filled with too much teen angst that are in many stories today. I found this very refreshing and it made me warm to the characters even though they, on occasion, made their foolish mistakes rather than being annoyed by them.
Set in Japan and leading up to the Tsunami of 2011, the story focus on Taiyo and her two best friends Kairi And Ryuu. Kairi and Ryuu are twin brothers and have known Taiyo since childhood. When they both begin to show an interest in dating Taiyo things get a little complicated. This is mostly due to Taiyo trying to keep everyone happy and not being truthful to those she loves. Lies and not love become the problem and the despair of this turns especially sour when the tsunami strikes. Lives are changed forever.
I read this book in one sitting, not because it was a novella but, because the writer makes the story flow well and it is an easy read. The story is realistic, charming and intriguing. There is a serene quality to it that made it a pleasure to read. The characters, though young, are written with real qualities rather that filled with too much teen angst that are in many stories today. I found this very refreshing and it made me warm to the characters even though they, on occasion, made their foolish mistakes rather than being annoyed by them.
March 24, 2017
4 star review
A tangled Web is a novella by M L Sparrow. It is an emotional story about a Japanese girl Taiyo, a normal high-school girl who lives with her Grandmother. It also incorporates the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
Taiyo is best friends with twins Ryuu and Kairi. When she starts dating Kairi it doesn’t take her long to regret her decision especially as she is in love with his twin brother. Taiyo finds herself in a tangled web of lies so she doesn’t upset anybody she also finds herself caught up in the natural disaster of March 11th that devastates the country.
I think one of the things I liked about this book was the way in which it was written, it felt like I was reading Taiyo’s real life diary. I could feel her anguish over the two brothers and her friend Aya. Although she found herself tangled up in this web of lies she really didn’t do it maliciously she just didn’t want to hurt anybody’s feelings.
For me when books include real life situations like the earthquake in Japan, I find I can relate more because I can easily imagine people going through exactly what the author was describing in the story. It was really well written and I enjoyed reading it. I haven’t read anything by this author previously and I was impressed with story as a whole. I would definitely recommend it especially if you like reading stories that involved real life events.
A tangled Web is a novella by M L Sparrow. It is an emotional story about a Japanese girl Taiyo, a normal high-school girl who lives with her Grandmother. It also incorporates the 2011 earthquake and tsunami in Japan.
Taiyo is best friends with twins Ryuu and Kairi. When she starts dating Kairi it doesn’t take her long to regret her decision especially as she is in love with his twin brother. Taiyo finds herself in a tangled web of lies so she doesn’t upset anybody she also finds herself caught up in the natural disaster of March 11th that devastates the country.
I think one of the things I liked about this book was the way in which it was written, it felt like I was reading Taiyo’s real life diary. I could feel her anguish over the two brothers and her friend Aya. Although she found herself tangled up in this web of lies she really didn’t do it maliciously she just didn’t want to hurt anybody’s feelings.
For me when books include real life situations like the earthquake in Japan, I find I can relate more because I can easily imagine people going through exactly what the author was describing in the story. It was really well written and I enjoyed reading it. I haven’t read anything by this author previously and I was impressed with story as a whole. I would definitely recommend it especially if you like reading stories that involved real life events.
March 26, 2017
A Tangled Web by M.L. Sparrow is a story that takes place in Japan at the time of tsunami of March 2011. It is a coming of age story of Taiyo who lives with her grandmother. Her best friends are twin brothers, Ryuu and Kairi. They are all classmates at the local school. The story takes place before, during, and after the tsunami that struck Japan in March, 2011. The story deals with the struggles of being young, relationships, and the tangled webs we weave for ourselves. Taiyo is challenged in ways she never anticipated and the brothers are along for the challenge.
This was an interesting story with a unique backdrop. I enjoyed that it was incorporated into a real situation. This added an extra layer to the challenges that Taiyo has created for herself. Taiyo is a realistic character by being strong and flawed at the same time. She wants the best for everyone and does not want to hurt anyone she cares about in her life. The problems she has are universal and easy to understand and relate to our lives.
This was an interesting story with a unique backdrop. I enjoyed that it was incorporated into a real situation. This added an extra layer to the challenges that Taiyo has created for herself. Taiyo is a realistic character by being strong and flawed at the same time. She wants the best for everyone and does not want to hurt anyone she cares about in her life. The problems she has are universal and easy to understand and relate to our lives.
April 2, 2017
“A Tangled Web” by M. L. Sparrow is a standalone Young Adult novella and briefly follows the life of young people before tragedy strikes and changes everything they know.
Taiyo is an ordinary young girl going about her life in Japan with her two best friends, Ryuu and Kairi. Everything changes when she realizes she has feelings for one of the brothers and fears changing what she has always known. But that fear is nothing compared to the disaster that is headed for them all.
I really enjoyed this novella even though it took me awhile to get into it. At first, the storyline seemed bland and I had a difficult time following who all the characters were. But as I read on, I realized the author’s writing style is beautifully simplistic and allows the character’s emotions to come through without a lot of narrative or filler. Taiyo’s emotional conflict and indecision about doing the right thing pulled me in. Even though this was just a snippet in their lives, it felt like a full story to me. I’m looking forward to reading more by this author in the future.
Taiyo is an ordinary young girl going about her life in Japan with her two best friends, Ryuu and Kairi. Everything changes when she realizes she has feelings for one of the brothers and fears changing what she has always known. But that fear is nothing compared to the disaster that is headed for them all.
I really enjoyed this novella even though it took me awhile to get into it. At first, the storyline seemed bland and I had a difficult time following who all the characters were. But as I read on, I realized the author’s writing style is beautifully simplistic and allows the character’s emotions to come through without a lot of narrative or filler. Taiyo’s emotional conflict and indecision about doing the right thing pulled me in. Even though this was just a snippet in their lives, it felt like a full story to me. I’m looking forward to reading more by this author in the future.
March 13, 2017
A Tangled Web by ML Sparrow is a story that takes place in Japan. This Young Adult story is full of excitement, teenage love and suspense. This story will make you angry at one moment and sad the next. The author has created these characters to connect to each other and also you will find yourself relating to some of them. This story will take you on a journey that will pull at your heart strings and will make you realize that natural disasters could change your life forever. Find out what happens with these teenagers!
Taiyo is a young girl who lives with her Grandmother because her fathers travels for work all the time and doesn't seem to have time for her. She has been best friends with Ryuu and Kairi for as long as she can remember. What will happen when she decides to go out with Kairi? What will happen when she realizes she is already in love with the other brother? What will she do when she realizes that she has tangled to many lies? Will she try to make it right?
When she and Ryuu skip school one day and a natural disaster happens, will they be safe? When she can't find Ryuu, how far will she go to find him? She thinks it is her fault but how can natural disasters be anyone's fault? Find out what happens when this natural disaster wipes out homes, lives and their possessions. Will this natural disaster change everyone lives? How will it change her? Will she finally get what she wants?
This is my first story by ML Sparrow and I know it won't be the last. I love how she placed this story in Japan and it was easily understandable. ML writes pretty much anything that comes into her head. She loves how she can keep her readers on their feet but changing up the genres that she writes, you never know what she might write next. She also loves to travels and has been to other counties. This is a fast reading story that you will read in one sitting. It will keep you wanting to see what will happen in the next page. The author will have you pulled into their story from the first page forward. I highly suggest this story as I know you will want to see what happens like I did.
Taiyo is a young girl who lives with her Grandmother because her fathers travels for work all the time and doesn't seem to have time for her. She has been best friends with Ryuu and Kairi for as long as she can remember. What will happen when she decides to go out with Kairi? What will happen when she realizes she is already in love with the other brother? What will she do when she realizes that she has tangled to many lies? Will she try to make it right?
When she and Ryuu skip school one day and a natural disaster happens, will they be safe? When she can't find Ryuu, how far will she go to find him? She thinks it is her fault but how can natural disasters be anyone's fault? Find out what happens when this natural disaster wipes out homes, lives and their possessions. Will this natural disaster change everyone lives? How will it change her? Will she finally get what she wants?
This is my first story by ML Sparrow and I know it won't be the last. I love how she placed this story in Japan and it was easily understandable. ML writes pretty much anything that comes into her head. She loves how she can keep her readers on their feet but changing up the genres that she writes, you never know what she might write next. She also loves to travels and has been to other counties. This is a fast reading story that you will read in one sitting. It will keep you wanting to see what will happen in the next page. The author will have you pulled into their story from the first page forward. I highly suggest this story as I know you will want to see what happens like I did.
March 28, 2017
Bob @ Platypire Reviews
*I honestly don't remember if I was requested to review this, or if I just bought it because I'm a major fangirl. Either way, here's a review!*
Oh. Oh wow. Okay, so I am already a HUGE fan of ML Sparrow, but this one kicked it up a notch. Beautiful storytelling, as is usual for her, this book centered on well developed characters set in the middle of a real life tragedy. It went from normal teenage dramas from daily life, to tragedy striking without warning. And the emotions that Taiyo went through felt really real and genuine, and OMG I just don't even know what else to say. I cried a little, my heart stopped a little, this is just amazing, and I recommend it to literally anyone that likes to read at all. So well done!
Bob says: all the Platypires and stars. ALL OF THEM!
*I honestly don't remember if I was requested to review this, or if I just bought it because I'm a major fangirl. Either way, here's a review!*
Oh. Oh wow. Okay, so I am already a HUGE fan of ML Sparrow, but this one kicked it up a notch. Beautiful storytelling, as is usual for her, this book centered on well developed characters set in the middle of a real life tragedy. It went from normal teenage dramas from daily life, to tragedy striking without warning. And the emotions that Taiyo went through felt really real and genuine, and OMG I just don't even know what else to say. I cried a little, my heart stopped a little, this is just amazing, and I recommend it to literally anyone that likes to read at all. So well done!
Bob says: all the Platypires and stars. ALL OF THEM!
March 29, 2017
I am giving A Tangled Web by M.L Sparrow a 3 out of 5 stars. The book as a whole was only okay to me. I felt parts of it were stale and the book become difficult to read. I did however like seeing the main character grow from a silly teenage girl to someone who realizes what is important to her after she and her boyfriend are caught in the aftermath of a tsunami and earthquake. It was great to see she finally realized what mattered to her in life. I feel like if the book were written more like a diary, we would have gotten more details and the overall book would have been better, to me. But as it is it was only an okay read to me. I like the character growth but that is about it. I wish I would have liked the book more, it was well written but just wasn’t for me.
March 19, 2017
4 Stars
A Tangled Web by M L Sparrow is a very well written book that was based on true events from the tsunami that hit Japan in 2011. Taiyo is a teenager that is being raised by her grandmother because after her mother died her father needed help. Taiyo’s two best friends are twin brothers Ryuu and Kairi. Taiyo is a hyperactive child that always seems to be late for school. This drives Kairi nuts because his goal is to do well in school so he can become a doctor. Ryuu is the twin that likes to have fun and skip school. He also seems to take care of Taiyo and bring her along on his adventures. You should read the book to see what kind of adventures they take! This book had some violence in it because there are scenes about the tsunami in it and there was no sexual content. This book was a quick read because it was a Novella and it was eye opening when you realized what people went through with the tsunami. I’ve you enjoy learning about history while reading a romance you will love this book!
A Tangled Web by M L Sparrow is a very well written book that was based on true events from the tsunami that hit Japan in 2011. Taiyo is a teenager that is being raised by her grandmother because after her mother died her father needed help. Taiyo’s two best friends are twin brothers Ryuu and Kairi. Taiyo is a hyperactive child that always seems to be late for school. This drives Kairi nuts because his goal is to do well in school so he can become a doctor. Ryuu is the twin that likes to have fun and skip school. He also seems to take care of Taiyo and bring her along on his adventures. You should read the book to see what kind of adventures they take! This book had some violence in it because there are scenes about the tsunami in it and there was no sexual content. This book was a quick read because it was a Novella and it was eye opening when you realized what people went through with the tsunami. I’ve you enjoy learning about history while reading a romance you will love this book!
March 13, 2017
A Tangled Web by M. L. Sparrow tells the story a normal Japanese high school girl who lives with her Grandmother in Sendai. She goes to school (though she is late most days), runs track, and has a few friends. Her best friends are twin brothers Ryuu and Kairi.
In 2011, Kairi gets up the courage to ask her on a date and kisses her. Instead, Taiyo realizes that she has feelings for his brother Ryuu and has for quite some time. She ends up dating them both for a time, caught up in a tangled web of lies.
Life changes completely for the teenagers when a natural disaster rocks their entire world. Ryuu and Taiyo are stuck right in the middle of the storm, though no one in their home town is left unscathed.
A Tangled Web told the compelling story of a teenager torn between her best friends. She doesn’t want to hurt anyone, making the charade last longer than it needs to. Then, a natural disaster happens and nothing is ever going to be the same. Little things like who likes who and who is dating who seems much less important. I really enjoyed this book and finished it quickly!
April 5, 2017
Spunky N Sassy Rating: 4.0
~~~~~~~~~~Lindsey's ★★★★ Review~~~~~~~~~~
Romantic suspense is one is one of my favorite sub genres of romance. This book was no exception. This book is going to be great for readers who are looking for a fast paced book to read this spring!
~~~~~~~~~~Lindsey's ★★★★ Review~~~~~~~~~~
Romantic suspense is one is one of my favorite sub genres of romance. This book was no exception. This book is going to be great for readers who are looking for a fast paced book to read this spring!
March 13, 2017
A Tangled Web by M.L. Sparrow
⅘ Stars
This is a great teenage romance novella, with a touch of natural disaster. I'm always a little hesitant to read such young adult literature. But it was an entertaining read. It really did keep me interested in the plot and characters.
We meet Taiyo who is torn between two brothers, twin brothers at that. She is your everyday teenage girl. She just happens to have twin best friends, who are male.
Ryuu and Kairi are completely different in every single way. But they just happen to like the same person, their best friend ,Taiyo.
A Tangled Web involves the magnificent trio. They are thrown together when a horrible natural disaster happens and devastates their lives and country. It will disrupt their lives and things will never ever be the same,ever again!!
This is my first time reading one of Ms. Sparrow stories. I thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end. If you want a quick and easy read, I do suggest you reading this. You will not be disappointed! I'm sure I'll be reading more from her in the future!!
⅘ Stars
This is a great teenage romance novella, with a touch of natural disaster. I'm always a little hesitant to read such young adult literature. But it was an entertaining read. It really did keep me interested in the plot and characters.
We meet Taiyo who is torn between two brothers, twin brothers at that. She is your everyday teenage girl. She just happens to have twin best friends, who are male.
Ryuu and Kairi are completely different in every single way. But they just happen to like the same person, their best friend ,Taiyo.
A Tangled Web involves the magnificent trio. They are thrown together when a horrible natural disaster happens and devastates their lives and country. It will disrupt their lives and things will never ever be the same,ever again!!
This is my first time reading one of Ms. Sparrow stories. I thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end. If you want a quick and easy read, I do suggest you reading this. You will not be disappointed! I'm sure I'll be reading more from her in the future!!
March 13, 2017
A Tangled Web
By M L Sparrow
Four Stars
A Tangled Web by ML Sparrow, is an amazing story about a good girl growing up in Japan during trying natural disaster. In the midsts of her teenage years, the emotional changes that she is going through the entire time. Hormones that are definitely happening.
Taiyo has several friends in the book. The twin brothers stood out most to me, Kairi and Ryuu. Ava as well, her girl best friend. Kairi and Ryuu are Taiyo’s twin best friend but also her romantic involvement.
They navigate through life together. Learning about everything that is happening in their lives. You get to know each character in the book slowly but surely. Yes. In the beginning of the story it is a bit slow but I feel like it is so important to actually get to know them.
The relationship between Kairi and Ryuu. And the two boys with Taiyo. As you go along you see how Taiyo feels about each of her relationships.
When disaster happens that affects everyone around them, what do you do? Crumble down and cry or face it head on with confidence?
Normally this is not something that I would read. But it intrigued me to go outside of my normal range. This was good and short. To the point. You got to see the characters and get to know them. It was beautiful! Well done!!
By M L Sparrow
Four Stars
A Tangled Web by ML Sparrow, is an amazing story about a good girl growing up in Japan during trying natural disaster. In the midsts of her teenage years, the emotional changes that she is going through the entire time. Hormones that are definitely happening.
Taiyo has several friends in the book. The twin brothers stood out most to me, Kairi and Ryuu. Ava as well, her girl best friend. Kairi and Ryuu are Taiyo’s twin best friend but also her romantic involvement.
They navigate through life together. Learning about everything that is happening in their lives. You get to know each character in the book slowly but surely. Yes. In the beginning of the story it is a bit slow but I feel like it is so important to actually get to know them.
The relationship between Kairi and Ryuu. And the two boys with Taiyo. As you go along you see how Taiyo feels about each of her relationships.
When disaster happens that affects everyone around them, what do you do? Crumble down and cry or face it head on with confidence?
Normally this is not something that I would read. But it intrigued me to go outside of my normal range. This was good and short. To the point. You got to see the characters and get to know them. It was beautiful! Well done!!
March 14, 2017
A Tangled Web by M L Sparrow is a four star novella. This is my first experience with this author and I really enjoyed how she was able to take us into a different country and really delve into the life of a teenager and how the history of that time played out. The story takes place in 2011 in Japan. Taiyo is a young woman who wants nothing more than to enjoy her little life. Ryuu and Kairi are twin brothers and her best friends. They have known each other their whole lives. As she realizes her love for Ryuu, she somehow ends up dating Kairi. That is when her lies began. She starts weaving a very tangled web of lies between the brothers and her best friend, Aya. When they all come to a head, she and Ryuu decide to leave the city and go to the beach. They skip school that day and end up having a very nice time until the earthquake hits. Being captured in the story, I really felt that I had experienced the earthquake and the tsunami that hit afterward. The author had pulled us in so deep to the original drama that this tragedy really came to heart and made me invested in the characters and their survival.
March 5, 2017
I was lucky enough to be given a preview copy of this interesting and intriguing short little novella by M.L.Sparrow recently in exchange for an honest review.
This was the first thing I've read by this author and I have to say, it was an absolute delight to read.
Set just before, during and after the 2011 tsunami that devastated Japan a few years back, the book follows the life of young teenager, Taiyo, who becomes caught up in a web of lies when she finds herself torn between two boys - twin brothers with whom she has been friends with for most of her life.
As Taiyo finds her lies becoming ever and ever more involved in her bid to avoid hurting anyone's feelings, her world is quite literally rocked by one of the biggest natural disasters in all Japan's history as Taiyo finds herself coming close to losing everything she loves...
This was a short read but one that was nonetheless highly intense. The characters were highly believable, memorable and well crafted, and it is a testament to Miss Sparrow's writing that after only a few pages, I almost felt like I knew them - so quickly was I absorbed into their world.
If I had one complaint, it was that I thought the book was too short and I thought that at some points, M.L Sparrow could have gone into more detail about the tsunami and it's after effects considering they play such a crucial role in the story, but this was a small aside. Also, I would have liked to know about what happened to the characters after the story ended, but the truth is, Miss Sparrow here has managed to do what so many authors spend their whole career trying to do and then miserably failing - leaving her audience craving more.
Like I say, this was the first thing I had read by Miss Sparrow - who describes herself as an author who refuses to restrict herself to one specific genre, instead choosing to write whatever she feels like at the time - but you know what, I'd happily read her again and in the end, who can ask for a better recommendation than that?
This was the first thing I've read by this author and I have to say, it was an absolute delight to read.
Set just before, during and after the 2011 tsunami that devastated Japan a few years back, the book follows the life of young teenager, Taiyo, who becomes caught up in a web of lies when she finds herself torn between two boys - twin brothers with whom she has been friends with for most of her life.
As Taiyo finds her lies becoming ever and ever more involved in her bid to avoid hurting anyone's feelings, her world is quite literally rocked by one of the biggest natural disasters in all Japan's history as Taiyo finds herself coming close to losing everything she loves...
This was a short read but one that was nonetheless highly intense. The characters were highly believable, memorable and well crafted, and it is a testament to Miss Sparrow's writing that after only a few pages, I almost felt like I knew them - so quickly was I absorbed into their world.
If I had one complaint, it was that I thought the book was too short and I thought that at some points, M.L Sparrow could have gone into more detail about the tsunami and it's after effects considering they play such a crucial role in the story, but this was a small aside. Also, I would have liked to know about what happened to the characters after the story ended, but the truth is, Miss Sparrow here has managed to do what so many authors spend their whole career trying to do and then miserably failing - leaving her audience craving more.
Like I say, this was the first thing I had read by Miss Sparrow - who describes herself as an author who refuses to restrict herself to one specific genre, instead choosing to write whatever she feels like at the time - but you know what, I'd happily read her again and in the end, who can ask for a better recommendation than that?
December 26, 2016
Teenage girl, Hayashi Taiyo, has been best friends with twin boys, Ryuu and Kairi, for most of her life. Although physically identical, the boys’ personalities couldn’t be more different. Kairi is completely no-nonsense, spending almost all of his free time studying, whilst his brother, Ryuu is a mischief-maker who enjoys having fun, but not at the expense of others. After Taiyo’s friend, Aya, is involved in an accident, she begins dating Ryuu, much to Taiyo’s dismay. When asked on a double-date with Kairi, Ryuu and Aya, Taiyo accepts, but her affection for Ryuu is discovered. The fallout between the small group of friends is massive due to a web of lies woven by Taiyo, which she’d hoped would prevent people being hurt. With friendships frayed and torn, Ryuu and Taiyo decide to play hooky from school, which unwittingly lands them at the epicenter of a major earthquake, before being faced with their worst nightmare, in the form of a 13 meter wave.
With Japanese terminology being used throughout, both in dialogue and descriptions, as well as a highly useful glossary of each of those Japanese words provided at the back of the book, I found I was easily transported to a culturally realistic time and place in Japan. Most of M. L. Sparrow’s tale deals with typical everyday drama in a teenager’s life, inclusive of love, friendship, and respect. The Japanese culture shines through, showing how very different it is to other cultures and mannerisms around the world. What I most loved in this book was how it showed the clear difference between superficial love and true love, while also showing that disabilities do not make anyone less of a person. True love can withstand and overcome any obstacle. I found A Tangled Web to be very entertaining reading. My eyes were opened up to the very real and terrifying everyday hazards of life in Japan, such as frequent earthquakes and (thankfully) not-so-frequent tsunamis, as well as the alert system used by those who live permanently in Japan. I recommend A Tangled Web to readers aged 12-18 who enjoy drama, friendship, love, tragedy and romance in their reads, especially when entwined with a different culture.
- Rosie Malezer for Readers’ Favorite
With Japanese terminology being used throughout, both in dialogue and descriptions, as well as a highly useful glossary of each of those Japanese words provided at the back of the book, I found I was easily transported to a culturally realistic time and place in Japan. Most of M. L. Sparrow’s tale deals with typical everyday drama in a teenager’s life, inclusive of love, friendship, and respect. The Japanese culture shines through, showing how very different it is to other cultures and mannerisms around the world. What I most loved in this book was how it showed the clear difference between superficial love and true love, while also showing that disabilities do not make anyone less of a person. True love can withstand and overcome any obstacle. I found A Tangled Web to be very entertaining reading. My eyes were opened up to the very real and terrifying everyday hazards of life in Japan, such as frequent earthquakes and (thankfully) not-so-frequent tsunamis, as well as the alert system used by those who live permanently in Japan. I recommend A Tangled Web to readers aged 12-18 who enjoy drama, friendship, love, tragedy and romance in their reads, especially when entwined with a different culture.
- Rosie Malezer for Readers’ Favorite
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