Veronica

2018 update: I wrote a terribly-worded review when I finished this book for my Victorian Literature class. It was a roundabout review basically saying that there are very distinct and interesting characters that drive this book, which keep you interested in what they're doing and where the story is going.

I enjoyed this book and the things it presented even when it stated things I didn't want to agree with - e.g., you cannot love someone more than you love yourself. While I still don't really agree with that premise, I can see and follow and appreciate the logic she provides behind it.

I really enjoyed basically all of the concepts in this book, but I feel like it fell just a little bit short on how to implement these qualities into your life. Each guide section ends with a ‘DIG deep' (deliberate in thought and behavior by setting intentions, be inspired to make new and different choices, and going to do something about it) section, but that's about it. It's a one-off for things Brown advocates implementing radically different thought processes into your everyday life. I'm guessing it's for the sake of length of the book, but I really wish there had just been more elaboration on ways to adjust.

Really, 4.75. there were places where I begged a character to say something rather than isolate their thoughts and feelings. I love all of the characters dearly, but I do hope there's a little more gradation in their arcs in the following books rather than a longer intro, a little development, and a conclusion that puts them closer together than I expected, personally. Overall, an incredibly darling book. I'm excited to read the rest of the quartet.

Oh, P.S.: I didn't feel like this book had enough Sandry in it to be called her book! I'm hoping it's a symptom of being the first book and we have more of her later. I just love them all so much.