tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2719681682618841725.post415856841935429970..comments2024-03-20T08:13:24.605+01:00Comments on Bingeing On Books: BOOK REVIEW: Charlie, Presumed Dead by Anne HeltzelCynthiahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16050447428759378366noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2719681682618841725.post-70368299515291994922016-08-31T10:56:10.901+02:002016-08-31T10:56:10.901+02:00Anne, thanks for you response. I can understand ab...Anne, thanks for you response. I can understand about the ending, but it was just a sticking point for me. I guess this one just wasn't for me, but I wish you luck on your books! Cynthiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16050447428759378366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2719681682618841725.post-35339921289276311522016-08-31T02:48:22.143+02:002016-08-31T02:48:22.143+02:00Dear Cynthia, I am the author of the book, and I j...Dear Cynthia, I am the author of the book, and I just saw this review. To respond to a couple of your concerns: Charlie was in fact mentally ill. He was a sociopath. Regarding a sequel--at the time that you tweeted, I didn't know if there was going to be a sequel, so I couldn't give you an honest answer. Often the author isn't in total control. In fact, my proposal was probably on submission to my publisher at that exact time. I wrote the book intending for there to be a sequel; but my publishing house bought only one book. Still, the possibility remained that they might buy another. I spoke at length with my editor about changing the ending to tie up more loose ends, just in case a sequel never came to be. I even wrote a new ending (in which you find out what happens to Lena and Aubrey) and pitched it to her. It was her very strong preference to leave the ending as it was. I've found that a lot of people loved the ending. And a lot of people hated the ending. It was extremely polarizing. I did my best under the circumstances, but it's never possible to please everyone. All I can do is write the best book I can, in collaboration with my publisher. Thanks for the review. Best, Anne Heltzel Annehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01731001287421190113noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2719681682618841725.post-9871538784726803062015-07-09T17:14:22.651+02:002015-07-09T17:14:22.651+02:00Peta, I am so glad someone else felt the same way ...Peta, I am so glad someone else felt the same way I did! I saw a couple of five star reviews on Amazon and I was thinking: did we even read the same book?? I think my dog was confused because I started yelling the second I was done. Ha. I agree completely about the ending. I don't mind open endings either. Man, it was like part of the book was missing! Thanks for visiting my blog!Cynthiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16050447428759378366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2719681682618841725.post-91859696665588032102015-07-08T12:39:10.723+02:002015-07-08T12:39:10.723+02:00I stayed up late last night to finish this book as...I stayed up late last night to finish this book as there were enough twists and turns to keep you hooked.The ending was SO RUBBISH that I have now googled this book and found your review.<br />I too enjoyed the growing friendship of the girls, I actually also enjoyed the Charlie POV and you are spot on; he would have to be mentally deranged and I liked that this was explored. <br />I did feel like I was reading a book that would lead to a Bangkok Hilton situation not before adding every plot twist imaginable from each Taken movie for good measure. <br />The extra dramatic plot with Aubrey I feel was just too much. It was not needed even though it provided her with a reason to look for Charlie too. You knew that her ending would be a negative one no matter what happens with Charlie. Then, BAM, the book finishes as if at the three quarter section!<br />I don't mind open ended books but this was NOT open ended. It was literally as if the last three or four chapters were misplaced. When I finished, I said OUTLOUD, 'What a stupid book!'<br />Thank you for your review, I am glad I am not the only frustrated reader of this novel.Petahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02483629540422125894noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2719681682618841725.post-34814058043173570962015-05-24T08:59:47.451+02:002015-05-24T08:59:47.451+02:00Thanks Shannon! Small blessings that you were decl...Thanks Shannon! Small blessings that you were declined, right? And yes, I guess it is possible that the author doesn't know if the publisher will do the sequel or not. But if that's the case, don't make it a cliffhanger! It feels like a cheap shot to sell more books if there is a sequel. Cynthiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16050447428759378366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2719681682618841725.post-92124189818158891432015-05-24T08:57:01.010+02:002015-05-24T08:57:01.010+02:00Haha Kimba, I LOVE your analogy. Yes, that is the ...Haha Kimba, I LOVE your analogy. Yes, that is the perfect description!! Cynthiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16050447428759378366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2719681682618841725.post-67963460977938591732015-05-23T07:49:21.482+02:002015-05-23T07:49:21.482+02:00I don't know why, but I had a VERY strong feel...I don't know why, but I had a VERY strong feeling that you would not like this. I haven't read it, so it was literally just a feeling, but wow. It sounds like kind of a mess, and now I am glad that I was declined on Netgalley! (Also totally random but I saw a DNF review that gave it 3 stars. How does that even make sense!?)<br /><br />As for the ending... yeah no. Not okay. And super weird that the author just favorited it! Maybe SHE doesn't know yet? Like, the pub hasn't decided yet? I don't know, it seems so weird to leave it THAT open if you dont' know for sure there'll be a sequel. And either way, she should have said! Sorry this did not work out for you, but thanks for the heads up! <br /><br />Shannon @ <a href="http://itstartsatmidnight.com" rel="nofollow"> It Starts At Midnight </a>Shannon @ It Starts at Midnighthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10043593641190645773noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2719681682618841725.post-41573288556541018992015-05-22T02:27:14.996+02:002015-05-22T02:27:14.996+02:00Oh those type of endings are the worst and to not ...Oh those type of endings are the worst and to not even know if this will be at the very least a duology is crazy. I don't mind open endings but this sounds like the back door was blown clear off. Kimberly @ Caffeinated Reviewerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15658833731713991138noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2719681682618841725.post-4202331462824343162015-05-21T08:38:41.291+02:002015-05-21T08:38:41.291+02:00Me too Claudia! I hate writing such bad reviews of...Me too Claudia! I hate writing such bad reviews of a free copy, Ugh. But it has to be done.Cynthiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16050447428759378366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2719681682618841725.post-83148994614432842402015-05-20T22:07:55.792+02:002015-05-20T22:07:55.792+02:00Gah! I just had a run-in with a horrible, horrible...Gah! I just had a run-in with a horrible, horrible book too Cynthia! I only forced myself to finish it because it was a complimentary copy, and I don't want the publishing house to feel or think that I am "robbing" them, but man, I was ready to burn the book! All that to say, I know your qualms, and as a book blogger, I dread writing these reviews :/<br /><br />Claudia @ <a href="http://www.mysoulcalledlife.com/" rel="nofollow">My Soul Called Life</a>Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01103917363976883472noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2719681682618841725.post-31424069467001815882015-05-20T21:33:05.734+02:002015-05-20T21:33:05.734+02:00Thanks so much Ramona. I feel like the ending just...Thanks so much Ramona. I feel like the ending just made the entire book a waste of my time.Cynthiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16050447428759378366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2719681682618841725.post-55029098826069678432015-05-20T20:43:14.755+02:002015-05-20T20:43:14.755+02:00It's terrible when this happens. You feel chea...It's terrible when this happens. You feel cheated and outsmarted. I feel your frustration, Cynthia :(Piecraft Bucharesthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07033299926919228774noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2719681682618841725.post-47418438238616605852015-05-20T16:49:53.849+02:002015-05-20T16:49:53.849+02:00Thanks bookshelffantasies! I do know how much clif...Thanks bookshelffantasies! I do know how much cliffhangers bug people (especially me), so it's good to keep people informed. :)Cynthiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16050447428759378366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2719681682618841725.post-68298842453975801332015-05-20T16:16:18.603+02:002015-05-20T16:16:18.603+02:00Ugh, that would drive me crazy to have an ending l...Ugh, that would drive me crazy to have an ending like that. Definitely a skip! Great review.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2719681682618841725.post-2249874125126692472015-05-20T14:13:44.741+02:002015-05-20T14:13:44.741+02:00Ha, thanks Melanie! That was exactly my reaction. ...Ha, thanks Melanie! That was exactly my reaction. Good call on passing. :)Cynthiahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16050447428759378366noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2719681682618841725.post-7206768610782287532015-05-20T12:30:04.529+02:002015-05-20T12:30:04.529+02:00Oh yes, I have finished many books just thinking: ...Oh yes, I have finished many books just thinking: WHAT THE HECK DID I JUST READ? WHAT IS THIS RUBBISH. I feel you, Cynthia :( Definitely passing this one!Melaniehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17035338608975371558noreply@blogger.com