The Walls Around Us

"A little confusing at times, but not necessarily in a bad way. I liked the multiple POVs and thought it a pretty good book overall. It was a little slow, but I never lost interest. I also enjoyed the dance references."

"It was okay. It did get a little confusing at times and it felt like it took a while for the story to just get to the point. The plot was stretched out, slow but it still made you want to keep reading. I didn’t really understand the end and I had to re-read a couple times to get it."

"I didn’t have a problem with the shifting timeline, perspective, and magical realism but I understand how it could easily get confusing. I loved this books story, theme, and characters especially the way our main characters both meet the same characters and both assume they understand her. I felt all the reveals and twists in this book was worth the build up and sufficiently surprising. The ending was really great although I want to reread it since it’s been a few months since I finished it."

"Actual rating: 3.5<br/><br/>I found this book rather engrossing, reading half of it in one sitting. However, I think I would've enjoyed it more if it didn't have the supernatural element which also would change the ending which I didn't care for. <br/><br/>I did enjoy the parallel of the world of ballet to the juvenile detention center, two places you don't imagine having much in common. I also felt the author did a good job showing the negative aspects of female friendships and just the general back-stabbing/two-faced-ness that comes in, especially in a competitive environment like ballet."

"Absolutely gorgeously written, wonderful characters in the sense that they do things that make sense for their character, I loved many parts of the story that would be considered spoilers, so I’ll just say this book is beautifully written and I love it"

"This book have a lot of metaphors. You need to focus on what you're reading to understand what it happening, but I really love it. #excelentbook"

"http://anurseandabook.blogspot.com/2014/11/the-walls-around-us-by-nova-ren-sumathe.html<br/><br/><br/>What They Say.... Ori’s dead because of what happened out behind the theater, in the tunnel made out of trees. She’s dead because she got sent to that place upstate, locked up with those<br/><br/>monsters. And she got sent there because of me.”<br/><br/>The Walls Around Us is a ghostly story of suspense told in two voices—one still living, and one long dead. On the outside, there’s Vee, an eighteen-year-old dancer days away from the life of her dreams when something threatens to expose the shocking truth of her achievement. On the inside, within the walls of a girls’ juvenile detention center, there’s Amber, locked up for so long she can’t imagine freedom. Tying these two worlds together is Orianna, who holds the key to unlocking all the girls’ darkest mysteries: What really happened when Orianna stepped between Violet and her tormentors? <br/><br/>What really happened on two strange nights at Aurora Hills? Will Amber and Violet and Orianna ever get the justice they deserve – in this life or in another one? We hear Amber’s story and Violet’s, and through them Orianna’s, first from one angle, then from another, until gradually we begin to get the whole picture – which is not necessarily the one that either Amber or Violet wants us to see.<br/><br/>What I Say....This book could have easily been a 5 star read. Could have, but wasn't. <br/>The storyline was good and the characters were interesting. But I got lost in the author's desire to write an important book. The prose was heartfelt (you could feel the author, you were aware of the author the whole time), but it tended to go on too long and seemed to ramble at times, rather than building up to the suspense of the story.<br/><br/>There were no clues in the beginning to help you understand that you are reading a ghost story, so when the book made that sudden turn about a third of the way through, it didn't shock me as much as it confused me. I had to go back a few pages and try to make sense of what was happening.<br/><br/>At the end, the exchange of girls (I won't say anymore, no spoilers here) didn't make any sense and didn't seem realistic (I understand I'm reviewing a ghost story, and should I really expect realistic, but don't the best ones make it seem like it could happen?). It felt like a rather abrupt happy (?) ending.<br/><br/>I still give it 3 stars, it was a good book, but it was frustrating as a reader to feel like it could have been a GREAT book.<br/><br/>I received a free ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The only kind I give.<br/>"