Review: Off the Page by Jodi Picoult and Samantha van Leer

Title: Off the Page
Author: Jodi Picoult & Samantha van Leer
Publication: June 4th 2015 by Hodder & Stoughton
Genre: Young Adult ~ Contemporary
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository | Kobo
Rating: 4/5

  

Meant for each other...

Meet Oliver, a prince literally taken from the pages of a fairy tale and transported into the real world. Meet Delilah, the girl who wished Oliver into being. It's a miracle that seems perfect at first - but there are complications. To exist in Delilah's world, Oliver must take the place of a regular boy. Enter Edgar, who agrees to play Oliver's role in the pages of Delilah's favorite book. But just when it seems that the plan will work, everything gets turned upside down.

In this multilayered universe, the line be ween what's on the page and what's possible is blurred. Is there a way for everyone to live happily ever after? OFF THE PAGE is a stand-alone novel as well as the sequel to the authors' bestseller BETWEEN THE LINES, and is perfect for readers looking for a fairytale ending.

First of all, Off the Page can be read as a standalone book but I would highly recommend reading Between the Lines first because it involves the same characters and all. Second, I have to admit that I liked Off the Page a little less than Between the Lines but it was still a really good read.

This book really is a peek into what happens after "Happily Ever After" and it's not all that great. Delilah and Oliver still love each other dearly but now that Oliver is in the real world and high school, Delilah realizes she has to share him with others too. Meanwhile Oliver is doing his best to fit in, though it's not always that easy.

Along with chapters in Delilah and Oliver's points of view, there's also a new one: Edgar. These were my favorite. Why? Because most of them were featured in the fairy tale book. What can I say? I still love fantasy more than contemporary. But it isn't long before things start going wrong for Edgar also. Being the hero also isn't all that it's cracked up to be.

So I mentioned before that I liked the first book more than this one. It was mostly the start of the book that I had a hard time getting into at first. I was a bit annoyed by both Delilah and Oliver, with the way they were acting. As I got closer and closer towards the end it was when I started liking it as much as Between the Lines. 

I also just want to say that I feel really sorry for Edgar and Jules. They had just found each other only to lose each other again. It was for a really good reason but I was shipping them so hard. I can only hope that if there will be another book in this world that they will get to be together somehow. And I was so very sad about this one character dying. Not going to say who but why did this have to happen?

With that said, I also should say that sure, this book is still fun and lighthearted but there were also some hard topics like death in it. Also a lot more kissing. This, however, was very nice!

All in all, Off the Page wasn't as good as its predecessor but I still enjoyed it immensely. It's a lovely book for teenagers I think and even for adults if they're looking for something lighter. The writing was beautiful at times as well and the illustrations by Yvonne Gilbert were simply gorgeous! I loved them! So I would definitely recommend this book!

       About Jodi Picoult:

       Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Jodi Picoult is the author of twenty-two novels, including the #1 New York Times bestsellers The Storyteller, Lone Wolf, Between the Lines, Sing You Home, House Rules, Handle with Care, Change of Heart, Nineteen Minutes, and My Sister’s Keeper. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband and three children.

       About Samantha van Leer:

Samantha van Leer is a sophomore at Vassar College majoring in psychology with a minor in human development. She has four dogs: Alvin, Harvey, Dudley, and Oliver—for whom the prince in this story is named.

Waiting On Wednesday: Off the Page by Jodi Picoult and Samantha van Leer

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event, hosted by Breaking The Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly anticipating.

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Off the Page by Jodi Picoult and Samantha van Leer
May 19th 2015 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers

 

From #1 New York Times bestselling authors Jodi Picoult and her daughter and co-writer, Samantha van Leer, comes OFF THE PAGE, a tender and appealing romantic YA novel filled with humor, adventure, and magical relationships.

Sixteen-year-old Delilah is finally united with Oliver—a prince literally taken from the pages of a fairy tale. There are, however, complications now that Oliver has been able to enter the real world. To exist in Delilah’s world, Oliver must take the place of a regular boy. Enter Edgar, who agrees to take Oliver’s role in Delilah’s favorite book. In this multilayered universe, the line between what is on the page and what is possible is blurred, but all must be resolved for the characters to live happily ever after. Includes twelve full-color illustrations, and black-and-white decorations throughout.

Full of humor and witty commentary about life, OFF THE PAGE is a stand-alone novel as well as a companion to the authors’ bestseller Between the Lines, and is perfect for readers looking for a fairytale ending. Fans of Sarah Dessen and Meg Cabot are sure to appreciate this novel about love, romance, and relationships.

I LOVED Between The Lines so to say I'm excited about Off the Page is an understatement. BRING IT ON! :D

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Review: Between the Lines by Jodi Picoult and Samantha van Leer

Title: Between the Lines
Authors: Jodi Picoult and Samantha van Leer
Publication: June 26th 2012 by Simon Pulse
Genre: Young Adult
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository
Rating: 4/5

Delilah, a loner hates school as much as she loves books— one book in particular. In fact if anyone knew how many times she has read and reread the sweet little fairy tale she found in the library, especially her cooler than cool classmates, she’d be sent to social Siberia forever.To Delilah, though, this fairy tale is more than just words on the page. Sure, there’s a handsome (well, okay, incredibly handsome) prince, and a castle, and an evil villain, but it feels as if there’s something deeper going on. And one day, Delilah finds out there is. Turns out, this Prince Charming is not just a one-dimensional character in a book. He’s real, and a certain fifteen-year-old loner has caught his eye. But they’re from two different worlds, and how can it ever possibly work?

Just so you know, when they say "Once upon a time"... they're lying.

Between The Lines is every reader's dream, in my opinion, because who hasn't wished for their favorite book characters coming to life? I know I have with several books and that's why this is a really great book that I'm sure a lot of people will love as well.

To say this book is unique is putting it lightly. It's a contemporary young adult book but it also has fantasy elements, which I loved. There were two points of view: Delilah and Oliver's, but it also focuses on pages that are part of the book, Between The Lines, that Oliver is a part of. So yes, this book is pretty remarkable in that way.

I just really love the concept of this story. Oliver, a fictional prince stuck to repeat the same fairy tale over and over again and Delilah, a reader that loves said fairy tale and as it turns out the only one who can actually hear Oliver. And together they're trying to find a way to get Oliver out of the book.

The trouble Oliver and Delilah go through to try and get him out of the book was huge to say the least. Everything they tried failed each and every time. But I loved how they didn't want to give up now that they had found each other. The story wasn't perfect or anything because it's not like it's the best book I have ever written but it was a sweet story, cute, romantic with fairy tale elements. I just love books like that from time to time.

Overall, Between The Lines was a pretty great story that I know will speak to any reader. In the end all the pieces fitted and everyone got their happy ending, just like I hoped they would. 

About Jodi Picoult:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Jodi Picoult is the author of twenty-two novels, including the #1 New York Times bestsellers The Storyteller, Lone Wolf, Between the Lines, Sing You Home, House Rules, Handle with Care, Change of Heart, Nineteen Minutes, and My Sister’s Keeper. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband and three children.

About Samantha van Leer:

Samantha van Leer is a junior in high school. She conceived the idea for Between the Lines and pitched it to her mom, Jodi Picoult, who was in the middle of a book tour. In her spare time, Samantha can be found playing softball, doing contemporary dance, acting and singing in musicals, and cuddling on the ground with her two dogs, Dudley and Oliver—for whom the prince in this fairy tale was named.

Review: Leaving Time by Jodi Picoult

Title: Leaving Time
Author: Jodi Picoult
Publication: October 14th 2014 by Ballantine Books
Genre: Adult ~ Mystery
Purchase: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository
Rating: 5/5

Throughout her blockbuster career, #1 New York Times bestselling author Jodi Picoult has seamlessly blended nuanced characters, riveting plots, and rich prose, brilliantly creating stories that “not only provoke the mind but touch the flawed souls in all of us” (The Boston Globe). Now, in her highly anticipated new book, she has delivered her most affecting novel yet—and one unlike anything she’s written before.

For more than a decade, Jenna Metcalf has never stopped thinking about her mother, Alice, who mysteriously disappeared in the wake of a tragic accident. Refusing to believe that she would be abandoned as a young child, Jenna searches for her mother regularly online and pores over the pages of Alice’s old journals. A scientist who studied grief among elephants, Alice wrote mostly of her research among the animals she loved, yet Jenna hopes the entries will provide a clue to her mother’s whereabouts.

Desperate to find the truth, Jenna enlists two unlikely allies in her quest. The first is Serenity Jones, a psychic who rose to fame finding missing persons—only to later doubt her gifts. The second is Virgil Stanhope, a jaded private detective who originally investigated Alice’s case along with the strange, possibly linked death of one of her colleagues. As the three work together to uncover what happened to Alice, they realize that in asking hard questions, they’ll have to face even harder answers.

As Jenna’s memories dovetail with the events in her mother’s journals, the story races to a mesmerizing finish. A deeply moving, gripping, and intelligent page-turner, Leaving Time is Jodi Picoult at the height of her powers.

This was my first Jodi Picoult book (aside from the short story 'Where There's Smoke') but I know it definitely won't be my last. Although not my usual genre, Leaving Time was incredible!

This book was definitely one of the most unique and best books I have ever read. And the best thing was that I could read for hours without it getting boring. I was actually annoyed when I had to stop reading for you know, sleep and food. Darn basic needs! But oh, it was such a touching and marvelous book!

There were four points of view in this book — teenager  Jenna, her mother Alice, psychic Serenity and ex-cop Virgil. I can honestly say that I liked them all equally. I had already met Serenity in the short story 'Where There's Smoke' and I must say that I'm very pleased to know what happened to her after the events of the short story. The other characters were also great. 

The story revolves the most about Jenna, obviously, who's trying to find out what happened to her mother a decade ago when she disappeared without a trace. Is she hiding from the law? Is she dead? Did she run away from her mentally ill husband? We don't know! 
Virgil was the cop who was on the case all those years ago. I love, though, that at first both Serenity and Virgil are very wary of helping Jenna but they come around eventually.

The point of view from Alice was the most unique because it's featured in the past and at first there's mostly stories about elephant grief that she's researching. The stories about the elephants were kind of heartbreaking but I loved reading them. I didn't know a quarter of all the things I know now about elephants because of this book. Pretty amazing! But anyway, Alice's point of view slowly starts getting closer to the events of the day where she disappeared and eventually we find out what's really going on and wow, it was all very intense and dramatic but I loved it! 

The end where everything gets revealed is a huge twist, one that I hadn't seen coming at all. I was pretty shocked actually and had to re-read some sentences a few times for it to truly sink in. My mind was blown. I also really enjoyed Jodi Picoult's writing style. Like I said before it's my first book by her but she really impressed me with this story. 

Leaving Time is a mystery, drama and thriller all rolled into one book that was so moving. The story absolutely tugged on my heartstrings and I enjoyed reading it so much. It's one of those books that I know I will be thinking about for quite some time.

Quotes:

I'm the princess in an ivory tower, except every brick is made of history, and I built this prison myself.

When someone leaves you once, you expect it to happen again. Eventually you stop getting close enough to people to let them become important to you, because then you don't notice when they drop of your world.

Jenna lost her mother. I lost my credibility. Virgil lost his faith. We've all got missing pieces. But for a little while, I believed that, together, we might be whole.

About the Author:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

Jodi Picoult is the author of twenty-two novels, including the #1 New York Times bestsellers The Storyteller, Lone Wolf, Between the Lines, Sing You Home, House Rules, Handle with Care, Change of Heart, Nineteen Minutes, and My Sister’s Keeper. She lives in New Hampshire with her husband and three children.