Helpful Score: 6
And now for a dissenting review. Most readers have loved this book and praised it endlessly. I didn't care for this book at all. It is incredibly slow moving. You have to read more than 250 pages for anything interesting to happen. The book could have benefited from a few more rewrites and better editing. The novel is way too long, boring and the weak willed mother's sudden awakening at the end was a ridiculous wrap up to the story. I still have two of her other books to read. They will probably go to the end of my endless TBR pile.
Helpful Score: 4
This book was alot different than I thought it would be. I liked it alot. You got to know the children and felt for them having to live day to day scared that their step dad was
going to kill them. Then they had to deal with the mom that was too wrapped up in having a
baby for her new husband that she was in her own little world. The girl that they wonder
about that is in a hospital for the insane keeps escaping and she finds herself becoming
curious about the brother that writes to her. Very interesting turns and twists till the
end.
going to kill them. Then they had to deal with the mom that was too wrapped up in having a
baby for her new husband that she was in her own little world. The girl that they wonder
about that is in a hospital for the insane keeps escaping and she finds herself becoming
curious about the brother that writes to her. Very interesting turns and twists till the
end.
Helpful Score: 3
Very good book, the story of two kids living with an abusive stepfather, yet there is also a mystery to it.
Helpful Score: 3
excellent!! psychologically frightening as well.
Helpful Score: 3
A little boring in the beginning but it does pick up. Actually I was quite surprised that it turned out as good as it did.
Helpful Score: 2
Good book,great ending read it very quickly
Enjoyed it.
Enjoyed it.
Helpful Score: 2
The Absence of Nectar is the sort of writing that I wish I could do. The skill of the writer is evident in every nuance, every word, every phrase of this work. For the serious reader seeking something deeper than a mass produced paperback series, this book is a MUST READ.
As with many serious works of literature, the theme in this novel is a serious, rather than a happy, one. It is,though, one of family ties, relationships, and the human's ability to survive.
As with many serious works of literature, the theme in this novel is a serious, rather than a happy, one. It is,though, one of family ties, relationships, and the human's ability to survive.
Helpful Score: 2
It was an entertaining read with some nice plot twists and a solid story.
It starts in the present and then takes you back to the beginning of the story when the stepfather enters their lives and the reader does not know what happens next until the end (which added to the suspense for me).
It was one of those books that was hard to put down, but was frustrating because you wanted to jump into the book and shake some sense into some of the characters.
It starts in the present and then takes you back to the beginning of the story when the stepfather enters their lives and the reader does not know what happens next until the end (which added to the suspense for me).
It was one of those books that was hard to put down, but was frustrating because you wanted to jump into the book and shake some sense into some of the characters.
Helpful Score: 2
This book is a slow start, but a little before half way through it is impossible to put down. It is well written starting almost at the end, going back through the past and then coming back to present time to tell the "real" story. I am not normally a fan of the end starting a book, but it is not exactly the end. I know that sounds confusing, I say pick up this book and read it for your self and you will completely understand and enjoy a good read!
Helpful Score: 2
Once I started reading this book I couldn't put it down. Very interesting.
Helpful Score: 1
Extremely suspenseful
Helpful Score: 1
oddly written but a quick read
Helpful Score: 1
Totally original and engrossing story. I really enjoyed the book
Helpful Score: 1
This book is very easy reading. I read it in two days because I could not put it down. Very interesting book.
Helpful Score: 1
I'm not sure in what genre this book would be classified, perhaps fantasy. I eventually gave up - there were simply too many unlikely personalities and occurrences to assimilate.
Helpful Score: 1
Lovely pacing, beautifully vivid!
Helpful Score: 1
I really didn't find this book "suspensful" as others have described it. Not enough interest in it to be on the lookout for other books by Hepinstall.
Helpful Score: 1
This is the first book I have read by this author and I enjoyed it very much. The characters were very real.
Helpful Score: 1
I only have read this one book by this author and I will look for other books by her. It was a very good book.
Helpful Score: 1
An absolute must read. Surprising ending.. and all around AAA+ book.
I really loved this book. One of my favorites!
From the front inset: "Alice is a precocious eleven-year-old growing up in rural East Texas with one wish on her mind: Get rid of Simon Jester. Simon is the man who saved her mother from drowning. Simon is her mother's hero, her savior--her new husband. He's an enigmatic man whose own family, he says, mysteriously drowned. But soon it becomes that Simon's family did not drown."
This is a really great book. I greatly recommend it.
This is a really great book. I greatly recommend it.
Where do I begin! This was a very unusal book. The story was so far fetched. I wonder sometimes the mentality of some authors. The premise could have been written better & without a lot of the crude lanuage. We get the point. Long & drawn out too. I'll think twice before reading anymore of Hepinstall's books. This was not for me.
Iread this book straight through. It has a little mystery and suspense but mostly it is about relationships. The characters are believable. I dfinitly will look for other books by this author.
Very exciting. A real page-turner.
GREAT READ I'VE READ IT TWICE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LOved it!!
I enjoyed this book. A drama about children and the abuse some must withstand and overcome.
good story - I really enjoyed this one.
I was so enthralled with this book that I read it in less than a day...
well written-kept my interest
I have to disagree with several of the reviews that said the first 100 pages were boring. Very interesting. The two young main characters were very well written. There is a lot of detail at the beginning but it is very helpful in understanding the characters. I flew through this book. Didn't want to put it down. Will read more by this author.
Great Story, I really liked this one - it would make a great movie!
A real page turner. I loved this book.
If only Alice could gte rid of her stepfather, than eveything would be ok. Noone wants to believe that the pieces of his past dont seem to fit or that he is tryong to poison her and her older brother. The rantings of an elevan year old girl dont amount to much in east texas until the night her mother whispers her to RUN.
This book was excellent and has a suprise twist.
This book was excellent and has a suprise twist.
If only Alice could get rid of her stepfather,then everything would be as sweet as it had been before Simon Jester wormed his way into her mothers heart. No one wants to believe that the pieces of Simons tragic past dont seem to fit or that he is trying to poison Alice and her older brother. The rantings of and eleven year old girl dont amount to much in East Texas utnil the one night her mother comes in to kiss her good night and instead whispers a single word "RUN".
