Showing posts with label Samantha van Leer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Samantha van Leer. Show all posts

Tuesday, June 9, 2015

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:

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.



Wednesday, February 11, 2015

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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Tuesday, November 4, 2014

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:

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.