Sleeping Beauty

Rating:
Summary: Frighteningly realistic
Review: A survivor of child sexual abuse, Anne Garnett leaves home far behind at a young age and becomes a high-powered, beautiful -- yet romantically untouchable lawyer. Until love enters the ice princess's life, and her beloved grandfather dies. She finds she must go home and face faces of relatives she'd rather forget in her painful memories of incest. Anne's character is so real, as are the characters readers meet from her past and in the present. This is an example of a romance novel that dips into one of life's true horrors -- incest -- and doesn't romanticize it or try to make it any less pretty than it is.

Rating:
Summary: Good aspects , but slightly slow
Review: I thought the novel did an excellent job at showing the reality of child rape as well as the reactions of the family that usually accompany the discovery of this horrible act. I thought the family being in denial was fairly accurate, but I do feel that the story after that began to get slightly slow. Much of the dialogue could easily have been cut in half. A lot of needless conversation was inserted into the novel. I felt that the characters were using fifteen words when only two were necessary. The woman is extremely strong and courageous in the novel, but it is a little unrealistic how she goes to the best of the best schools. I suppose it is a practice in novels and movies to have the protagonist go to Standford or Yale or Harvard, but that is not the most realistic accomplishment for a large part of the population. But, I suppose she was a smart woman, and that is what the author wanted to come across. Still, I feel that she did not necessarily have to prove that the protagonist was intelligent by making her go to first tier schools. This woman was had a rare combination of independence, strenght, intelligence, and survival. Overall, good novel, though its helpful to skim through some of the needlessly boring sections.

Rating:
Summary: Predictable, cliche and disapointing
Review: Judith Michaels usually manage to avoid the worst caracteristics from 'female readers best sellers' but this one plunges right in. The caracters are SO predictable, so stereotyped, boring and yet don't make sense. The touches about business and ancient egypt have no place there and only bore the reader. The bad guys basically get away with their crimes. And the attitudes and choices of Anne, the main caracter, are unrealistic enough to make you lose patience. This book does not deserve to be read: it doesn't bring the reader anything.

Rating:
Summary: Characters draw you in and hold you.
Review: Sleeping Beauty will be an alarming tale for those who have experienced the injustices faced by Anne and for those who fight to protect children. After forcing myself to go on, I was drawn into the story. Anger, sadness and excitment were only a few of the emotion I felt. I could not put it down. I feel relieved when the victim conquers his or her fears and Anne was allowed to do that?

However, I was disappointed that "good ole Uncle Vince" received to what amount to a on slap on the hand for his transgressions and slimmy Keith no doubt continues his escapades in Washington. Does Vince really have the guts to "get rid of him"? What happened to Dora? Wouldn't she be outraged about Josh & Anne, and go after Anne with a vengence? Shoudln't Rita apologize? I think this book calls for a sequel. It would be worth purchasing.

Rating:
Summary: unique and interesting
Review: This is the first Judith Michael book that I have ever read and I found it to be a real page turner. I thought the different industries that were intertwined kept me reading on and the most of the characters were very interesting. Although, I thought that the ending to the book was rather premature and abrupt and kind of unrealistic. However, I would definetly recommend reading this novel!

Rating:
Summary: A Brave Herione
Review: This is truly my favorite novel. Much of my admiration for this novel is centered around the herione of the novel, Anne. A lonely motherless child that was sexually abused by her uncle becomes a smart but empty woman. We might not agree with all the choices she has made but we can't blame her either considering all that has happened to her. We eagerly await how her family will react to having her appear after 25 she ran away from home. And we are disappointed that they still deny her accusation. A truly inspiring novel for those who have been beaten yet survives nonetheless. I highly recommend this book.