Stephanie S. (skywriter319) -
Helpful Score: 3
THE ETERNAL ONES is a "wow" of a novel. The story started a little shakily, but then I was captivated by the uniqueness, writing style, and romance that Kirsten Miller does so well.
I will state up front that this book will not be for everyone. It reminded me most of Nina Malkin's SWOON, with its gorgeous writing, mystical mysteries, and a romance so all-consuming it makes you feel like you're swimming underwater with no chance to come up for air. It is all too easy to dismiss this book as one that "missed the mark" in terms of reader connectivity--but if you hang in there and allow yourself to be sucked in, you will be rewarded beyond what you can even imagine.
It is the mystery element of THE ETERNAL ONES that drew me into the story and kept my eyes glued to the pages. Past the first hundred pages, the entire book is like a perpetual ride over the last few inches before the crest of a rollercoaster's first hill. You watch the events unfold, but something's not quite right; you're constantly on your toes, breathlessly dreading or anticipating whats going to happen next. The layers of ambiguity in this novel are astounding.
Okay, so most of the characters are average in personality and definition (with the exception of Beau, Haven's best friend, who is utterly charming and fantastic), the plot can drag at times (especially in the first quarter of the book), and there are instances where Kirsten Miller's writing doesnt quite ring true (i.e. it can't decide whether it's third-person limited or omniscient: it's gotta be one or the other, sorry). But it's that inexplicable, intangible feel of the book that has it churning around in my head even days after I finished it. If you're looking for the manifestation of the reviewer phrase "The writing/story haunted me," you'll find it here. I would read the book again just for that feeling of intangibility, of feeling my soul depart, ghost-like, from my body, from the hands that are holding the book, from the eyes must read and process the words.
THE ETERNAL ONES is hard for me to define, and will probably be difficult to recommend. There are a number of flaws in the story, but somehow they all come together to form something unforgettable. At least that was how it was for me. If you're looking for, and think you're able to have, the kind of reading experience I had with this book, I encourage you to give it a try when you can. Perhaps you, too, will be haunted by it...in a good way.
I will state up front that this book will not be for everyone. It reminded me most of Nina Malkin's SWOON, with its gorgeous writing, mystical mysteries, and a romance so all-consuming it makes you feel like you're swimming underwater with no chance to come up for air. It is all too easy to dismiss this book as one that "missed the mark" in terms of reader connectivity--but if you hang in there and allow yourself to be sucked in, you will be rewarded beyond what you can even imagine.
It is the mystery element of THE ETERNAL ONES that drew me into the story and kept my eyes glued to the pages. Past the first hundred pages, the entire book is like a perpetual ride over the last few inches before the crest of a rollercoaster's first hill. You watch the events unfold, but something's not quite right; you're constantly on your toes, breathlessly dreading or anticipating whats going to happen next. The layers of ambiguity in this novel are astounding.
Okay, so most of the characters are average in personality and definition (with the exception of Beau, Haven's best friend, who is utterly charming and fantastic), the plot can drag at times (especially in the first quarter of the book), and there are instances where Kirsten Miller's writing doesnt quite ring true (i.e. it can't decide whether it's third-person limited or omniscient: it's gotta be one or the other, sorry). But it's that inexplicable, intangible feel of the book that has it churning around in my head even days after I finished it. If you're looking for the manifestation of the reviewer phrase "The writing/story haunted me," you'll find it here. I would read the book again just for that feeling of intangibility, of feeling my soul depart, ghost-like, from my body, from the hands that are holding the book, from the eyes must read and process the words.
THE ETERNAL ONES is hard for me to define, and will probably be difficult to recommend. There are a number of flaws in the story, but somehow they all come together to form something unforgettable. At least that was how it was for me. If you're looking for, and think you're able to have, the kind of reading experience I had with this book, I encourage you to give it a try when you can. Perhaps you, too, will be haunted by it...in a good way.
Helpful Score: 1
Reviewed by Karin Librarian for TeensReadToo.com
Haven has always been an outcast in her little town of Snope City. Her best friend, Beau, is the only one to stick by her when everyone else in town thinks she is strange, or worse yet, possessed by a demon. Since she was a little girl, she has had visions of a past there is no way she should know about. She sees New York City almost 100 years ago, herself as a blonde named Constance, and a man named Ethan whom she knows is her soul mate.
After the death of her father, Haven attempted to control her visions, not wanting the attention they brought upon her and her family. But, the visions came back with a vengeance when she saw wealthy playboy Iain Morrow on a gossip news show. As she passed out, she called out Ethan's name.
Haven decides the only way she will get any peace from the visions is to figure out what they all mean. The only way to do that is to run away to New York and find Iain and see if he is really Ethan - and what that means for her life. She is afraid of what will happen if Iain is really Ethan, though, because Iain is suspected of murdering his friend. Plus, the visions she has shows her dying in a fire, and it's possible Ethan is the one who started it. Can she trust him?
THE ETERNAL ONES kept me engaged. I read it in almost one sitting, staying up until 3:00 AM to finish it. The only thing that forced me to give it 4 Stars instead of 5 was Haven. The flip-flopping about her feelings toward Iain started to get annoying about halfway through the story. One minute she trusts him COMPLETELY, and the next she believes the worst about him. Another issue about their relationship that could have been better was their romance. It could have been so much more emotional, but instead the fact that they were reincarnated lovers was used to fast-forward the connection between them. It was just assumed they would be together once they met. Even though Haven didn't remember everything from her past, she still picked up the relationship with "Ethan" where it left off 90 years ago.
Still, all in all, I definitely recommend THE ETERNAL ONES. Kirsten Miller leaves it open for a sequel, but really, this book would be a good stand alone.
Haven has always been an outcast in her little town of Snope City. Her best friend, Beau, is the only one to stick by her when everyone else in town thinks she is strange, or worse yet, possessed by a demon. Since she was a little girl, she has had visions of a past there is no way she should know about. She sees New York City almost 100 years ago, herself as a blonde named Constance, and a man named Ethan whom she knows is her soul mate.
After the death of her father, Haven attempted to control her visions, not wanting the attention they brought upon her and her family. But, the visions came back with a vengeance when she saw wealthy playboy Iain Morrow on a gossip news show. As she passed out, she called out Ethan's name.
Haven decides the only way she will get any peace from the visions is to figure out what they all mean. The only way to do that is to run away to New York and find Iain and see if he is really Ethan - and what that means for her life. She is afraid of what will happen if Iain is really Ethan, though, because Iain is suspected of murdering his friend. Plus, the visions she has shows her dying in a fire, and it's possible Ethan is the one who started it. Can she trust him?
THE ETERNAL ONES kept me engaged. I read it in almost one sitting, staying up until 3:00 AM to finish it. The only thing that forced me to give it 4 Stars instead of 5 was Haven. The flip-flopping about her feelings toward Iain started to get annoying about halfway through the story. One minute she trusts him COMPLETELY, and the next she believes the worst about him. Another issue about their relationship that could have been better was their romance. It could have been so much more emotional, but instead the fact that they were reincarnated lovers was used to fast-forward the connection between them. It was just assumed they would be together once they met. Even though Haven didn't remember everything from her past, she still picked up the relationship with "Ethan" where it left off 90 years ago.
Still, all in all, I definitely recommend THE ETERNAL ONES. Kirsten Miller leaves it open for a sequel, but really, this book would be a good stand alone.
First of all, let me say that this book totally took me by surprise. Ive been less than enthusiastic about the young adult books I read recently and wasnt really expecting a lot out of this one. I was in our local library and noticed it and several other YAs that were on my list and though I wasnt really in the mood for another angsty teenage love gone wrong, I decided to give it a shot.
Wow, it was totally awesome. Only a few minor things kept me from giving it 5 stars, so lets get that out of the way so I can gush about what I loved. First of all was Haven, yea shes only 17 and grew up in the hills of Tennessee but my gosh after being reincarnated several times, I would have thought she wouldnt have been so wishy washy about her feelings for Iain. If your love is so strong that you keep being reincarnated, looks like you would not be back and forth about trusting him. She was too easily persuaded by the tales of others and this bothered me a bit.
The depth of the mystery and the characters in the book kept me turning pages late every night. It amazed me how quickly I read this book. I thoroughly enjoyed Beau and hope he will play a more substantial role in the next book. The subject of reincarnation was very believable. I loved Millers explanation of how this played out with models, actresses and super athletes that had reached the top of their profession at an early age. I loved Millers pokes at the southern rednecks and communities. As shes from our mountains of NC, she obviously knows them well. I was fascinated to see that she like Haven took off for NYC when she was 17. This was a delightful read and Ive already marked my calendar for September 2011 for the next book.
Wow, it was totally awesome. Only a few minor things kept me from giving it 5 stars, so lets get that out of the way so I can gush about what I loved. First of all was Haven, yea shes only 17 and grew up in the hills of Tennessee but my gosh after being reincarnated several times, I would have thought she wouldnt have been so wishy washy about her feelings for Iain. If your love is so strong that you keep being reincarnated, looks like you would not be back and forth about trusting him. She was too easily persuaded by the tales of others and this bothered me a bit.
The depth of the mystery and the characters in the book kept me turning pages late every night. It amazed me how quickly I read this book. I thoroughly enjoyed Beau and hope he will play a more substantial role in the next book. The subject of reincarnation was very believable. I loved Millers explanation of how this played out with models, actresses and super athletes that had reached the top of their profession at an early age. I loved Millers pokes at the southern rednecks and communities. As shes from our mountains of NC, she obviously knows them well. I was fascinated to see that she like Haven took off for NYC when she was 17. This was a delightful read and Ive already marked my calendar for September 2011 for the next book.
Melissa B. (dragoneyes) -
This book was promising in the beginning. Started out with a strong likable main character named Haven and her best friend Beau. I liked that no matter what Haven went through, she was still smart and acted responsible. The relationship she had with Beau was very close knit. Then as Haven started having episodes of passing out and remembering a love she could not get a handle on, she decides to go to New York. She knows her love must be there. This is where things fall apart quickly. Haven becomes gullible, self absorbed and none too bright. The last half of the book was so hard to struggle through. There were no redeeming qualities to it. Couldn't stand the main character. The relationship she had with Beau turned to be all about her. Iain (her true love) wasn't that fantastic either. They kept running back and forth making stupid mistakes.
I felt this book could've went somewhere great but it didn't. I won't be continuing with the series
I felt this book could've went somewhere great but it didn't. I won't be continuing with the series
Haven Moore is a teenager who is a little of an outcast in her school. She and her best friend, Beau, create beautiful dresses that others purchase, mostly for prom season. She lives with her widowed mother and controlling grandmother in her grandmother's very stately home.
Haven has suffered from fainting spells since she was 4 years old, and during these spells she is taken back to a life as Constance. Constance is in love with Ethan and they are very happy.
Haven finds information that her father collected about her fainting spells and things that were said during those spells. She learns of a society in New York called the Ouroboros Society that specializes in helping people who have experience past lives with their place in society.
Good story, a little muddy at points.
Haven has suffered from fainting spells since she was 4 years old, and during these spells she is taken back to a life as Constance. Constance is in love with Ethan and they are very happy.
Haven finds information that her father collected about her fainting spells and things that were said during those spells. She learns of a society in New York called the Ouroboros Society that specializes in helping people who have experience past lives with their place in society.
Good story, a little muddy at points.
This book pulled me in from the first sentence. The whole concept you see in the first chapter, Haven remembering bits and pieces of a past, is intriguing and I didnt want to put the book down for fear of missing something!
Haven Moore leads a life in a town that sounds all too familiar, a life I yearned to break her out of myself. Life in a small town doesnt seem easy to begin with, and even worse when youre perceived as different, strange, or dangerous. Ive been out of high school long enough to somewhat forget how mean teenagers can be to each other, so my heart was breaking as I read how Haven was treated.
To read the rest of my review, please visit:
http://www.dorolerium.com/?p=1662
Haven Moore leads a life in a town that sounds all too familiar, a life I yearned to break her out of myself. Life in a small town doesnt seem easy to begin with, and even worse when youre perceived as different, strange, or dangerous. Ive been out of high school long enough to somewhat forget how mean teenagers can be to each other, so my heart was breaking as I read how Haven was treated.
To read the rest of my review, please visit:
http://www.dorolerium.com/?p=1662
