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Book Reviews & Giveaway – Ravens

Ravens

Author: George Dawes Green

“Common Ravens have been observed to manipulate others into doing work for them, such as by calling wolves and coyotes to the site of dead animals. The canines open the carcass, making it more accessible to the birds.They watch where other Common Ravens bury their food and remember the locations of each other’s food caches, so they can steal from them.” From Wikipedia online

Ravens by George Dawes Green suspends the reader with a plot both intricate and bizarre. The novel portrays the down-and-out Boatridge family from Bible-Belt Brunswick, Georgia. Father Mitch, owner of a small copy machine business, mother Patsy, who sips a little too much of her g&t when she doesn’t win her Wednesday lottery, teenager Tara, who just wants out of Brunswick, and youngest son Jase, who seems invisible have just won the Max-a-Million lottery of $318 million dollars. Before they can even react to their incredible luck, two out-of-town grifters devise a scheme to con them out of half of their money by threatening to kill the other members of their family.

Shaw McBride, the proverbial Raven, has manipulated his compassionate and compliant friend Romeo Zerdko to be the “hit man” while he mesmerizes the family and the town. This psychological thriller allows us to watch the family form a love-hate relationship with their captors, while the town considers Shaw a new god, called Father Shaw, (reminiscent of The Raven) capable of miracles and come to save them. The question becomes, is it only Shaw and Romeo who are the Ravens, or is the entire town as well as the family in thrall to Shaw’s manipulations, part of the flock?

The bedrock of the family, however, remains teenage Tara, who along with a town outcast, a demoted old city cop, take control of the situation in the peculiar but inevitable ending.

This is a great read for both teenagers and adults. Tara remains herself, faithful to her friend Clio and her family. When Tara asks Shaw if he knows what he truly wants, Shaw answers “love.” When he asks her if she wants the money, she says “No.” The power shifts to Tara’s court.

I loved the metaphor of the title and the way Green himself manipulates the reader as the final “Raven” of the novel!

Rating is based on a 5-star scale.

Plot: 3
Characters: 3
Presentation: 3
Overall: 3

Note: GREAT summer read for adults and teens alike.

Review by the “A” Broad – Ava

Giveaway

5 (five) winners will each receive a copy of Ravens courtesy of Hachette Book Group and The Review Broads

Rules:

Daily Entry:

  • Visit the Hachette Book Group and come back and tell me which book you’d like to read next. Please leave your e-mail so that we can contact you if you’re a winner.

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  • Be sure to leave a comment letting me know if you’ve done any of these (if you already subscribe – please note that in the comments as well).

Please make sure you leave your email address when adding a comment or I will not be able to contact you if you win.

* This giveaway is open to US residents, 18 and over and ends on July 15, 2009 11:59 EST.
* The winner will be randomly chosen and contacted via email.
* The winner has 48 hours to respond to my email or an alternate winner will be chosen.
* Please make sure you check your junk mail folder
* Good Luck

Comments

  11. The Bourne Deception sounds like a great book to read this summer. The movies are awesome, of course.

    Ravens sounds like a great story and who knows – maybe a movie there, too, someday.

    Thanks for having the giveaway!

    Reply

  19. The Host is an obvious choice. I enjoy Stephenie Meyer's writing. Then of course I want to read Ravens. Your review was very nice, and I think that the story sounds really good. Hope I get to read it soon.

    coopermoon(at)hotmail(dot)com

    Reply

  29. I definitely must read “Outliers” this summer; I've seen the author on talk shows and it sounds fascinating AND educational (“educational” without “fascinating” would just be too dreary). I also found the description of “Laura Rider's Masterpiece” on the site intriguing. I'll probably have to pick that up too.

    Reply

  31. I would love to read Sundays at Tiffany's by James Patterson and also I would like to start reading the Twilight series.

    mccataquet(at)comcast(dot)net

    Reply

  32. I'm interested to read “Julie and Julia” next. I think it sounds interesting and anything that is about food has to be good!

    lahlstedt (at) gmail (dot) com

    Reply

  38. Mary
    zenrei57 (at) hotmail (dot) com

    Well, I saw at least 6 that I am frothing to read next LOL
    BUT I would go with The Host, also, I've read so many great reviews about this one and I also love the paranormal/alien aspect 🙂
    Thanks for the chance to win and have a wonderful week ~

    Reply

  39. I would love to read the Michael Jackson:The Magic and the Madness by J. Randy Taraborrelli. I have been entranced in the story since his death and this sounds like a good read. Thanks so much for such a wonderful giveaway!

    Eloise
    furygirl3132[at]comcast[dot]net

    Reply

  43. I'd like to read “Laura Rider's Masterpiece” by Jane Hamilton.

    wolfcarol451(at)gmail(dot)com

    Reply

  75. I'd definitely like to read “Drood” by Dan Simmons next! It sounds as intriguing as “ravens!” Thanks for the giveaway!

    brc668 (At) gmail (dot) com

    Reply

  87. I want to read The 8th Confession by James Patterson. I haven't been as happy with his recent books but I'm always hoping he will get back in the groove.

    Reply

  102. I would love to read The Host by Stephenie Meyer next! Thanks again for the giveaway!

    luckymegs1981 AT yahoo DOT com

    Reply

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