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Pure Red
I, Cassia Bernard, do solemnly swear to find pure red—my passion—this summer. Dad's passion is art. When he's painting, no one can reach him, not even me. My mom's passion was the ocean. She said the ocean allows you to see whatever you want to see. That was one of the last things she ever said to me... Sometimes what your heart desires isn't what it needs. Over the course of a hot Miami summer, sixteen-year-old Cassia discovers that sometimes it takes bullies and basketball, a best friend, and a gorgeous guy to help you understand what you actually need—and to help you see that, maybe, everything isn't so black and white.
242 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 8, 2011
4 people are currently reading
1635 people want to read
About the author
Danielle Joseph
41 books115 followersI'm the author of the upcoming picture book THE MITZVAH FAIRY (2.4.2025) and the biography of Jewish South African freedom fighter, Ruth First, RUTH FIRST NEVER BACKED DOWN. My other books include, SYDNEY A. FRANKEL'S SUMMER MIX-UP, I WANT TO RIDE THE TAP TAP, SHRINKING VIOLET, INDIGO BLUES and PURE RED. SHRINKING VIOLET was the inspiration for Disney's RADIO REBEL on the Disney Channel! When I'm not writing, I'm either listening to music, eating chocolate or swimming--sometimes all at once!
For more info visit my website at: www.daniellejoseph.com
For more info visit my website at: www.daniellejoseph.com
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
April 12, 2016
This book was ok, I didn't really become a fan for this book, I started to read this book yesterday, read 20% of it and immediately got bored.... So, I took a break.
Then, a couple of hour later, I started to read it all over again because I forgot it! :P And that is why this book got a 2 from me...
Summary to come:
This book is about a girl named Cassia who swears to find pure red (her passion this summer). She already knows that her dad's passion is art.
Usual symptoms:
1. When he's painting, no one can reach him, not even me (and that sucks, I mean what kind of parent doesn't pay attention to their own daughter????).
Anyway, her mothers was the ocean.
Usual symptoms:
1. She used to say that the ocean allows you to see whatever you want to see. NOTICE: I used past tense because her mother passed away (shame I know)
So, now she lives with her father who barely pays attention to her because he's always painting, the only time he actually pays attention to her is when it's her birthday and he doe a portrait of her.
Sometimes what your heart desires isn't what it needs.
Over the course of a hot Miami summer, Cassia discovers her passion, after going through a few obstacles along the way. It took her a few bullies, a few games of basketball, hanging around her best friend, and a gorgeous guy she meets at one of her dads art exhibits, to help her understand what she actually needed.
And no I'm not going to tell you her passion, that's the point of the story, telling you would give you no reason to read this book :P
Anyway, yeah, I didn't like it too much, I didn't like the writing style that much, I fell asleep the first time I started to read the book (which is a bad sign btw) but it was valentines day so, the nice side of me ruled out the mean, and I read it again to give it a chance, and I wished now that I didn't spend my time with this one, Sorry :(
*Not highly recommended*
Then, a couple of hour later, I started to read it all over again because I forgot it! :P And that is why this book got a 2 from me...
Summary to come:
This book is about a girl named Cassia who swears to find pure red (her passion this summer). She already knows that her dad's passion is art.
Usual symptoms:
1. When he's painting, no one can reach him, not even me (and that sucks, I mean what kind of parent doesn't pay attention to their own daughter????).
Anyway, her mothers was the ocean.
Usual symptoms:
1. She used to say that the ocean allows you to see whatever you want to see. NOTICE: I used past tense because her mother passed away (shame I know)
So, now she lives with her father who barely pays attention to her because he's always painting, the only time he actually pays attention to her is when it's her birthday and he doe a portrait of her.
Sometimes what your heart desires isn't what it needs.
Over the course of a hot Miami summer, Cassia discovers her passion, after going through a few obstacles along the way. It took her a few bullies, a few games of basketball, hanging around her best friend, and a gorgeous guy she meets at one of her dads art exhibits, to help her understand what she actually needed.
And no I'm not going to tell you her passion, that's the point of the story, telling you would give you no reason to read this book :P
Anyway, yeah, I didn't like it too much, I didn't like the writing style that much, I fell asleep the first time I started to read the book (which is a bad sign btw) but it was valentines day so, the nice side of me ruled out the mean, and I read it again to give it a chance, and I wished now that I didn't spend my time with this one, Sorry :(
*Not highly recommended*
September 10, 2011
It's good (read different) to see a main character who doesn't know what she wants. Who isn't sure what her passion in life will be. Chances are Cassia's confusions stem from the death of her mother at a young age, so there's also that we are dealing with.
It is possible to dismiss 'Pure Red' as a quick, slight read, but there is a lot going on in here: the awesome stuff with/about colours, the jealously over BFF's new boyfriend and accepting the changing nuances in friendships, the confrontations with bullies, and the realisation that people are ALWAYS more than they seem, and of course, the search for meaning, for identity and for love.
Easy to read? Yes. But superficial? No way.
It is possible to dismiss 'Pure Red' as a quick, slight read, but there is a lot going on in here: the awesome stuff with/about colours, the jealously over BFF's new boyfriend and accepting the changing nuances in friendships, the confrontations with bullies, and the realisation that people are ALWAYS more than they seem, and of course, the search for meaning, for identity and for love.
Easy to read? Yes. But superficial? No way.
November 10, 2011
Let me say first, the plot is unique with a capital U! The girls(and boys) who are really confused about what really makes them happy(who isn't?we are a confused lot!) will be able to connect with Cassia. I'd have loved to have a little more description of her pain, but they way it was provided was awesome! The overall writing was a lee-tt-le bit dull,but the story was good,characters believable and nice. The chapter names were really cute too! I'll definitely read more books of Danielle Joseph.
November 14, 2011
I like this book because:
1. I like how Cassia tries to search for her passion (although it involves a guardian counselor)
2. How she worked things out with her father
3. The chapters are named with colors, each colors are defined by emotion - it is quite nice.
4. I love the cover. It is so eye-catching.
5. The kiss she and Graham shared. It was so simple and yet so sweet.
1. I like how Cassia tries to search for her passion (although it involves a guardian counselor)
2. How she worked things out with her father
3. The chapters are named with colors, each colors are defined by emotion - it is quite nice.
4. I love the cover. It is so eye-catching.
5. The kiss she and Graham shared. It was so simple and yet so sweet.
October 31, 2011
“I, Cassia Bernard, do solemnly swear to find pure red—my passion—this summer. Dad's passion is art. When he's painting, no one can reach him, not even me. My mom's passion was the ocean. She said the ocean allows you to see whatever you want to see. That was one of the last things she ever said to me...”
Especially for someone who usually feels adrift, meeting someone with a passion—a true purpose for their life—can be unsettling. Living with someone like that is downright depressing if, like Cassia Bernard, you can’t seem to find your own guiding force. Remembering how she used to like playing pickup games of basketball, Cassia joins the summer league in hopes of discovering a love for the game. Not too far into the season, though, she suffers a bad sprain and is forced to sit it out while she recovers. During her recovery, she decides to take a ceramics class and finds something else that may call to her. While all this is happening, she’s dealing with a best friend in the gushing, obsessive new-relationship phase, her perpetually clueless father who gets so wrapped up in his art he forgets to come to her games, and Graham—a new boy who worships Cassia’s father, the famous artist, but doesn’t seem to see Cassia for herself. Will her father ever come out of his own mind long enough to really connect with her? Will Graham ever be able to see past her father long enough to ask her out? Will she ever find her calling?
Like Indigo Blues, Pure Red is more about the characters than the action. Again, I enjoyed Danielle Joseph’s prose and think she has an amazing talent for phrasing. I especially enjoyed the constant use of color and the way Cassia interpreted everything by color—including the opposing teams of the summer league. The characters were interesting and well written and although I would have enjoyed more doing, that’s not always necessary. I think the main reason this book couldn’t get to the four-star mark for me is Cassia’s passion. She states herself that finding her passion will be her goal. Honestly, the buildup was so heavy through the whole book that I really wanted an epiphany moment. I wanted everything to come together like puzzle pieces magically flying into place as she realized, “Oh, goodness! How could I have been so blind!” I didn’t get that. In fact, less than a week after reading it I had to go back to the book to make sure she actually had found her passion at all. I remembered the things she had been interested in, but the realization had been so quiet and subtle that I didn’t feel as though it meant as much to her as it should have. I liked Graham who turned out to be even more interesting at the end of the book than I thought he’d be, but her father annoyed me. That, however, was probably only because it would have driven me crazy to have my only parent be as disconnected and scatterbrained as he was. There were a couple of side characters that I felt went nowhere, but the ones that stuck through to the end made for a very interesting bunch. I recommend the book especially to anyone who likes art or color. It’s also always interesting to read something set in my area of the world (the story takes place in Miami). Overall, a good read, but I expected more from it.
Sera’s Rating: 3/5
Especially for someone who usually feels adrift, meeting someone with a passion—a true purpose for their life—can be unsettling. Living with someone like that is downright depressing if, like Cassia Bernard, you can’t seem to find your own guiding force. Remembering how she used to like playing pickup games of basketball, Cassia joins the summer league in hopes of discovering a love for the game. Not too far into the season, though, she suffers a bad sprain and is forced to sit it out while she recovers. During her recovery, she decides to take a ceramics class and finds something else that may call to her. While all this is happening, she’s dealing with a best friend in the gushing, obsessive new-relationship phase, her perpetually clueless father who gets so wrapped up in his art he forgets to come to her games, and Graham—a new boy who worships Cassia’s father, the famous artist, but doesn’t seem to see Cassia for herself. Will her father ever come out of his own mind long enough to really connect with her? Will Graham ever be able to see past her father long enough to ask her out? Will she ever find her calling?
Like Indigo Blues, Pure Red is more about the characters than the action. Again, I enjoyed Danielle Joseph’s prose and think she has an amazing talent for phrasing. I especially enjoyed the constant use of color and the way Cassia interpreted everything by color—including the opposing teams of the summer league. The characters were interesting and well written and although I would have enjoyed more doing, that’s not always necessary. I think the main reason this book couldn’t get to the four-star mark for me is Cassia’s passion. She states herself that finding her passion will be her goal. Honestly, the buildup was so heavy through the whole book that I really wanted an epiphany moment. I wanted everything to come together like puzzle pieces magically flying into place as she realized, “Oh, goodness! How could I have been so blind!” I didn’t get that. In fact, less than a week after reading it I had to go back to the book to make sure she actually had found her passion at all. I remembered the things she had been interested in, but the realization had been so quiet and subtle that I didn’t feel as though it meant as much to her as it should have. I liked Graham who turned out to be even more interesting at the end of the book than I thought he’d be, but her father annoyed me. That, however, was probably only because it would have driven me crazy to have my only parent be as disconnected and scatterbrained as he was. There were a couple of side characters that I felt went nowhere, but the ones that stuck through to the end made for a very interesting bunch. I recommend the book especially to anyone who likes art or color. It’s also always interesting to read something set in my area of the world (the story takes place in Miami). Overall, a good read, but I expected more from it.
Sera’s Rating: 3/5
November 7, 2011
My Thoughts: What happened to loving loving Danielle Joseph? I loved Shrinking Violet, I really enjoyed Indigo Blues but Pure Red was just okay for me.
We are introduced to Cassia who lost her mom as a child. She has lived with her dad. Her dad is a painter, and he's quite known, or at least in some parts. Cassia is trying to find her passion. She's good at a few things but never really feels like they can be her "thing." Even though her dad is around a lot and in her life, I didn't feel like he was really there for her. I didn't like that because dang, the girl has already lost her mother, pay attention to her!
She decides to join the Y's basketball team during the summer with her best friend. It's fun enough, and distracts her from other things. She's quite good at it. She also meets a boy named Graham aka cutebutt. Graham has an interest in her father's paintings, he became his mentor. Graham is over at her house quite a bit now, and Cassia spent the novel trying to get him to notice her.
Honestly, that is basically the plot. I felt like this book might be considered more middle grade than actual YA if that makes sense. It was really easy to read but I felt like it lacked the substance that the author's other two books had. It didn't have the wow factor for me. It was more of a cute read than a super fun read.
Even though we are supposed to believe Cassia has grown a lot by the end of the book, I'm not sure how much she actually grew up.
I think Joseph is a talented young author but I just don't think this lived up to the hype I had built up in my mind. I was hoping I would love it like the other 2 novels.
Overall: It was just okay. I liked it enough to keep reading. I was hoping it would get better, to be greatness and by the end of the novel I was left wanting more, and to know more details. Hopefully Joseph's next book brings me back to the WOW factor. This one was probably more of a 3.5 cupcake for me than a 3 cupcake book. I liked it enough to continue reading but wasn't blown away.
Cover: Like it a lot. Its very eye catching. Love how their heads are down next to each other. Very cute cover.
What I'd Give It: 3/5 Cupcakes
_____________________________
Review Based on Softcover Edition
Taken From Princess Bookie
www.princessbookie.com
We are introduced to Cassia who lost her mom as a child. She has lived with her dad. Her dad is a painter, and he's quite known, or at least in some parts. Cassia is trying to find her passion. She's good at a few things but never really feels like they can be her "thing." Even though her dad is around a lot and in her life, I didn't feel like he was really there for her. I didn't like that because dang, the girl has already lost her mother, pay attention to her!
She decides to join the Y's basketball team during the summer with her best friend. It's fun enough, and distracts her from other things. She's quite good at it. She also meets a boy named Graham aka cutebutt. Graham has an interest in her father's paintings, he became his mentor. Graham is over at her house quite a bit now, and Cassia spent the novel trying to get him to notice her.
Honestly, that is basically the plot. I felt like this book might be considered more middle grade than actual YA if that makes sense. It was really easy to read but I felt like it lacked the substance that the author's other two books had. It didn't have the wow factor for me. It was more of a cute read than a super fun read.
Even though we are supposed to believe Cassia has grown a lot by the end of the book, I'm not sure how much she actually grew up.
I think Joseph is a talented young author but I just don't think this lived up to the hype I had built up in my mind. I was hoping I would love it like the other 2 novels.
Overall: It was just okay. I liked it enough to keep reading. I was hoping it would get better, to be greatness and by the end of the novel I was left wanting more, and to know more details. Hopefully Joseph's next book brings me back to the WOW factor. This one was probably more of a 3.5 cupcake for me than a 3 cupcake book. I liked it enough to continue reading but wasn't blown away.
Cover: Like it a lot. Its very eye catching. Love how their heads are down next to each other. Very cute cover.
What I'd Give It: 3/5 Cupcakes
_____________________________
Review Based on Softcover Edition
Taken From Princess Bookie
www.princessbookie.com
February 23, 2013
This book is Purple.
- It is an introspective color, allowing us to get in touch with our deeper thoughts.
- It can cause frustration.
Both were what I felt with this book.
Cassia is in a mission.
A mission to find passion.
But that's not what makes the book special. It's all the colors and what she connects them with.
I didn't know this book has sports.. which is a bonus. A basketball sports. Double bonus.
All characters need more development in my opinion.. I felt none took their complete space. However, I liked the book and enjoyed reading it.. it evoked a lot of memories, and I felt myself on the same wave length as Cassia many times.
The book made me think of myself through the years.. I've had different color phases in my life.. and never really scrutinized them to understand that they might be a reflection of me. (Blue and Fuschia for my childhood, Black and White and grey for middle school, right now I'm a riot of bright colors -the one color I never even remotely liked is brown, down from beige up to dark brown).. I'll run now to find out what this means.
- It is an introspective color, allowing us to get in touch with our deeper thoughts.
- It can cause frustration.
Both were what I felt with this book.
Cassia is in a mission.
A mission to find passion.
But that's not what makes the book special. It's all the colors and what she connects them with.
I didn't know this book has sports.. which is a bonus. A basketball sports. Double bonus.
All characters need more development in my opinion.. I felt none took their complete space. However, I liked the book and enjoyed reading it.. it evoked a lot of memories, and I felt myself on the same wave length as Cassia many times.
The book made me think of myself through the years.. I've had different color phases in my life.. and never really scrutinized them to understand that they might be a reflection of me. (Blue and Fuschia for my childhood, Black and White and grey for middle school, right now I'm a riot of bright colors -the one color I never even remotely liked is brown, down from beige up to dark brown).. I'll run now to find out what this means.
August 28, 2016
I loved the way Cassia describes the world with the help of colours, or how she describe the colours...
but the rest of the book was so not ok.
I understand that Cassia is a teenager, I understand her confusion and need for attention by her father, and her rebellion, I understand that she was crushing on Graham, but the thinking processes of this girl, especially in the graham department) were so annoying (would he like me more if I dye my hair? or if I wear purple? how do i do to be more attractive for him?), and the thing is you never get the impression that he is interested in her at all. The same for her father: he seemed a self-absorbed artist...
And the story with the passions lacked so much passion per se... It was so weak portrayed that I wasn't so sure that Cassia found any passion at the end of the book. She seemed to like basketball and pottery, but I wouldn't call that passions in the way she described them.
So, it was just an ok book in the end. Pitty, since I remember Shrinking Violet by the same author very fondly.
but the rest of the book was so not ok.
I understand that Cassia is a teenager, I understand her confusion and need for attention by her father, and her rebellion, I understand that she was crushing on Graham, but the thinking processes of this girl, especially in the graham department) were so annoying (would he like me more if I dye my hair? or if I wear purple? how do i do to be more attractive for him?), and the thing is you never get the impression that he is interested in her at all. The same for her father: he seemed a self-absorbed artist...
And the story with the passions lacked so much passion per se... It was so weak portrayed that I wasn't so sure that Cassia found any passion at the end of the book. She seemed to like basketball and pottery, but I wouldn't call that passions in the way she described them.
So, it was just an ok book in the end. Pitty, since I remember Shrinking Violet by the same author very fondly.
September 12, 2011
2.5.
This book reminded me a lot of Liz Gallagher's "My Not-So-Still Life" with the use of art to come into one's self. More than that, though, it suffered a lot of the same weaknesses: the main character comes off way too young, and the bulk of the story contains no action or movement. I found Cassia to be quite boring and I was getting a little tired of hearing about Graham's butt. I don't know if I buy the ending, either. I kind of felt like she was exactly the same as she was in the beginning. I found the relationship with her father to be uneven, as it seems fine in the beginning, even sweet, but it takes a weird turn when he begins dating, and it does so in an unexplainable way. I needed more of that in the story, and honestly, Joseph's writing itself was strong enough to merit more pages of story development.
That said, this book is clean and fine for middle school and older. I think the younger ya readers will appreciate it.
This book reminded me a lot of Liz Gallagher's "My Not-So-Still Life" with the use of art to come into one's self. More than that, though, it suffered a lot of the same weaknesses: the main character comes off way too young, and the bulk of the story contains no action or movement. I found Cassia to be quite boring and I was getting a little tired of hearing about Graham's butt. I don't know if I buy the ending, either. I kind of felt like she was exactly the same as she was in the beginning. I found the relationship with her father to be uneven, as it seems fine in the beginning, even sweet, but it takes a weird turn when he begins dating, and it does so in an unexplainable way. I needed more of that in the story, and honestly, Joseph's writing itself was strong enough to merit more pages of story development.
That said, this book is clean and fine for middle school and older. I think the younger ya readers will appreciate it.
August 28, 2011
Being a color fanatic—her father’s a painter and she’s studied all the colors and their meanings—Cassia focuses on the color red this summer, hoping to find her passion. She decides to join a basketball team, but that’s not going too well when there’s a bully who zooms in on her. Also, she’s a klutz as she plays. She meets Graham, aka Cutebutt, but he’s perhaps more interested in her artist father, who becomes his mentor. Cassia’s mind is also on her mother, who died of a heart defect when Cassia was little, and it seems like her addlebrained, perennially late, easily distracted father doesn’t want to open up about this big loss.
This is a sweet book with a lot of heart. I enjoyed Cassia’s relationships with both friends and foes during her tumultuous summer. Cassia’s insecurities turn into strengths during this season of self-discovery.
This is a sweet book with a lot of heart. I enjoyed Cassia’s relationships with both friends and foes during her tumultuous summer. Cassia’s insecurities turn into strengths during this season of self-discovery.
October 9, 2011
I put book on my "recommend-to-anyone" shelf, books that are great stories, with nothing I feel the need to "warn" people about.
I love books that feel like a true glimpse into a part of someone's life. That's what this book did for me. The characters were fun. I have SUCH a clear picture of the eccentric, artist father, and the love he had for Cassia's mother.
Cassia felt very real teen to me. She thought a lot of things she didn't say, and I love her journey through the book.
And Graham . . . a bit quiet, very introspective - hello, he's an artist. Swoon.
Worth the read for the end. LOVED.
I think people who rated this book any lower than 4 stars, were expecting it to be "older" (I always read the other reviews) and this is a true YA, which there isn't a lot of anymore. YA is not just the age of the characters.
Well done :D
I love books that feel like a true glimpse into a part of someone's life. That's what this book did for me. The characters were fun. I have SUCH a clear picture of the eccentric, artist father, and the love he had for Cassia's mother.
Cassia felt very real teen to me. She thought a lot of things she didn't say, and I love her journey through the book.
And Graham . . . a bit quiet, very introspective - hello, he's an artist. Swoon.
Worth the read for the end. LOVED.
I think people who rated this book any lower than 4 stars, were expecting it to be "older" (I always read the other reviews) and this is a true YA, which there isn't a lot of anymore. YA is not just the age of the characters.
Well done :D
February 25, 2012
That. Ending. Sucked. It totally cuts off with the last words being the title of the book! Just because it has those last words it doesn't mean the stry has had full closure my god that sucked bad. I demand a rewrite!!!!
Well other than the ending, it was a....sort of nice read, it was really quite funny, hilarious actually! But I'm not fully satisfied. It's not one of those books you read for satisfaction, it's one you read when you feel like reading something easy and very funny.
Okay plot? I still have no idea what her pure red is. They should've made it clearer, is it that she is talented and can do many things? Is her pure red anything? Or is it basketball/ceramics????
Eh whatever I finished the book in a few hours, didn't go to the toilet since....so I really need to pee now. BYEEE!!!
Well other than the ending, it was a....sort of nice read, it was really quite funny, hilarious actually! But I'm not fully satisfied. It's not one of those books you read for satisfaction, it's one you read when you feel like reading something easy and very funny.
Okay plot? I still have no idea what her pure red is. They should've made it clearer, is it that she is talented and can do many things? Is her pure red anything? Or is it basketball/ceramics????
Eh whatever I finished the book in a few hours, didn't go to the toilet since....so I really need to pee now. BYEEE!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 11, 2013
4.1 stars..
I really enjoyed reading this novel. I loved how the author described colors and their expressions through Cassia's point of view, how she identified with them. I've read another novel by this author before, Shrinking Violet, and I have to say that I've noticed how beautifully she expresses emotion with a subtlety that you hear its echo so easily, so deeply, without ever feeling uncomfortable about any of it sounding fake.
Paradoxical as it may sound, there was this one moment near the end of this book involving Thunder, coach Parker and Cassia, the only one that rang a bit untrue. Since the story was interesting and well-written, I find myself unable to hold that one mistake against her.
A good read, I feel that my time was worth it.
I really enjoyed reading this novel. I loved how the author described colors and their expressions through Cassia's point of view, how she identified with them. I've read another novel by this author before, Shrinking Violet, and I have to say that I've noticed how beautifully she expresses emotion with a subtlety that you hear its echo so easily, so deeply, without ever feeling uncomfortable about any of it sounding fake.
Paradoxical as it may sound, there was this one moment near the end of this book involving Thunder, coach Parker and Cassia, the only one that rang a bit untrue. Since the story was interesting and well-written, I find myself unable to hold that one mistake against her.
A good read, I feel that my time was worth it.
September 18, 2011
I didn't like this book as much as I thought I would. I understand that Cass is trying to find herself as she deals with finding her passion, dealing with her dad and trying to win over a boy. But there wasn't any depth in her journey. I didn't really connect with her as much as I wanted to. And I didn't really get a feeling of what type of book this was. It wasn't a romantic comedy or a teen romance really. It wasn't really funny, but it wasn't really sad either. I was even a little bored. It just lacked that something to draw me in.
March 18, 2012
I had so many frustrations about this book. One is in a good way as it proves the effectiveness of Joseph's writing. But the other thing is the lack of romance. This book really lacked romance upto the end. I was disappointed especially with the ending. I guess I expected more from the synopsis I read.
Well, I liked that this book deals with one's finding what she'he really likes to do. It deals with one's finding his/her passion which I believe, happens in real life. If only this book didn't lack romance, and if only was able to catch my interest and attention.
Well, I liked that this book deals with one's finding what she'he really likes to do. It deals with one's finding his/her passion which I believe, happens in real life. If only this book didn't lack romance, and if only was able to catch my interest and attention.
December 8, 2011
One word. Boring.
Danielle Joseph is a good writer. I really loved Shrinking Violet. So style of writing is excellent for this book. The problem I found with it is how unfocus the story were. It's just about an everyday life of a teenage girl...But I don't really see what's the purpose of the story. There is no deep issue told. There might be some possible issue but the story only touch it on the surface and does not dig deeper.
Danielle Joseph is a good writer. I really loved Shrinking Violet. So style of writing is excellent for this book. The problem I found with it is how unfocus the story were. It's just about an everyday life of a teenage girl...But I don't really see what's the purpose of the story. There is no deep issue told. There might be some possible issue but the story only touch it on the surface and does not dig deeper.
June 26, 2013
This book had great potential, but Joseph even seemed desperate for Cassia to find a passion -- and fast. It was tough connecting with Cassia and her multitude of problems. The plot was flighty and no one topic was ever discussed completely. Possibly with more elaboration, or a choice of one major dilemma, this novel would have been more enjoyable. Nonetheless, it was a decent "mindless" book that kept me entertained for the two hours it took me to read.
March 22, 2012
This was a slow read. It reads more like a j-fiction book rather than a teen book. The book tackles different situations that young adults might have to deal with like death of a parent, abuse and first love. I get the reference, I really do but in this day and age you can not have a chapter called "Golden Showers".
December 9, 2011
Originally reviewed here
I never thought that I would like this book. It's not a typical soapy romance teen novel, it is just something different.
This book is also and easy read, however, it doesn't lessen its meaning.
I never thought that I would like this book. It's not a typical soapy romance teen novel, it is just something different.
This book is also and easy read, however, it doesn't lessen its meaning.
July 18, 2012
3.5 stars – this was an easy read. liked the meanings of the colors. liked how the book shows that you can have several passions. felt the romance with graham was a bit rushed and underdeveloped – he seemed to be more interested in art and talking to her dad then her then they had one date and they are together? also liked the story about the dad and them resolving their issues.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 24, 2014
It was pretty good. I kind of wanted to see if they won the basketball game or not. The book is pretty slow and boring at first, but once you get past the first few pages it starts to get good.
I'm glad that Cassia and Grahm were able to get together. I also like that she figured out she could have more than one passion.
I'm glad that Cassia and Grahm were able to get together. I also like that she figured out she could have more than one passion.
April 23, 2012
This is a nice story. I kind of wanted more, especially since things seemed to be looking up for Cassia already, and I wanted to see the two leads interact with more sweetness or what not, but what I read was nice enough already.
June 7, 2012
LOVE LOVE LOVE all the cool refrences to color :) And I loved the teen angst. And the end was so much fun! Why only 3 stars. There was a bit of swearing that pulled me out of the story, but overall a solidly goodread.
July 22, 2012
Got a little tired of hearing our heroine lust after a hot guy who was really hot, and whose posterior was hot, and how to get at that hotness. I mean. She was supposed to be finding her "passion," so the whole hotness issue served to misdirect the reader from the purported theme.
August 20, 2012
There wasn't anything WRONG with this book, exactly. Just it got boring at times, and I couldn't really connect with the character. And so I rated it a three star, because I DID like it... Sorta. :) But I strongly recommend you to read this book so you can judge on your own :)
May 17, 2016
It wasn't very deep and it felt more like a list of events rather than a story. Graham, Liz and Thunder hold so much more potential and don't get enough story-time (screen time for books?) *frustrated*
September 5, 2011
I loved reading about Cassia's search for her life's passion. Great story!
November 15, 2011
The first Danielle Joseph book i read was Shrinking Violet and it made me think that all her books would meet a similar standard but i have found that her last two books have been severely lacking.
February 4, 2012
A good book, but the ending was a bit unsatisfying.
March 31, 2014
This book was good however it got boring at times.
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