Andrew Loog Oldham

Advantages: an insight into the early days of rock and roll
Disadvantages: wallows in the authors self promotion

...There are many moments in popular culture that it would be fascinating to be a fly on the wall too. These moments not only change the lives of the people present but also have repercussions that resonate throughout the whole world, the oft-cited Butterfly Effect. There is a moment in this book which documents such an event, a chance conversation in a London Pub that united a band and a manager that would take the music world by storm and open up a whole new genre to the British music consumer, but more of that later. Andrew Loog Oldham grew up in post war England raised only by his mother at a time when single parents were frowned upon. His mothers struggle to give them both the lifestyle that she thought that they both deserved can be seen to have shaped the boys early attitude and made him into someone always looking for something... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average very helpful

Advantages: good characters
Disadvantages: too short

...I was bought this book by a friend and being a fan of Virginia Andrews, I decided to give it a try. Compared to her other works this book was tame. It contained the usual traits of an Andrews novel, romance, secrets, hidden pasts, but it was obvious that this novel was written for young teenagers and I suppose is a fitting read to introduce them into Andrews' work. I enjoyed the book, finding it hard to put down, but my personal opinion is that compared to Virginia Andrews' other novels, "Crystal" isn't as absorbing or as eventful. The story follows the life of Crystal, an orphan adopted by the Morrisses. In their home she lives a life shes always dreamed, but unfortunately the Morrisses have a skeleton in their closet and Crystals ideal world is soon shattered. Like in all Andrews' work, the heroine is both likeable and interesting... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful

Advantages:
Disadvantages:

...Heaven is the first book in the “Casteel Family Saga.” It is basically just a story about a girl (Heaven) growing up although she definitely doesn’t have a normal childhood. Her family is very poor and as a last resort Heaven’s father decides to sell his children. This book is totally captivating and as a reader it is hard not to get attached to the characters. Heaven’s family history is intriguing and we find out a little about it in this book. The rest is revealed in the rest of the series, especially in the prequel “Web of Dreams” which tells the story of Heaven’s mother and in my opinion is the best one. However “Heaven” is also excellent. If you liked any other books by Virginia Andrews you will also like Heaven. If you haven’t read any books by Virginia Andrews before, this is a good one to start with.... Read review

Ciao members have rated this review on average somewhat helpful