I know what Mitchard was trying to achieve with this book. We were supposed to find ourselves questioning the nature of forgiveness and revenge; ponder the question of how much responsibility a mentally deranged person has for their actions; wrestle with what society owes to the victims of crime in such a circumstance. Unfortunately, the story just did not gel for me.

The story is told from the point of view of Veronica Swan, a girl who at the age of fourteen witnesses the murder of her two younger sisters. Reactions to this tragedy were all over the place, and none of them felt quite right to me. We are told up front that she has done something in retaliation, but when we finally get to the events themselves, they do not seem even remotely possible to me. Then, finally, what color would you like your bow? Because this baby is getting a ribbon tied on top.

I seem to be on a roll with finding bad works by writers I have previously enjoyed. Think it could be me? Nah. ( )

It's very seldom that a book grabs me and has me in tears in the first couple chapters. Admittedly, I am a crier, and a lot of books get me by the end. But this one was highly emotional all the way through.

I am not a religious person, but I didn't find the Mormon aspect of Cage of Stars overwhelming. It's there, and the beliefs are part of the story, but the book's tone isn't preachy.

I really liked this book. I'll read more by this author. ( )

The story is very enjoyable to listen to on CD. The reader is very good. The book would be equally good in hard copy. As much as I enjoyed it, it wasn't 5-star material for me. Many nice details in the book, and the character of the Australian woman who rented a room to the main character was great. It was easy to picture the scenes. The psychological drama was excellent. The ending seemed both too coincidental and too happy-ever-after, but if you like that sort of ending, you'll enjoy the book. All kinds of things happen in real life, and this certainly could have happened. ( )

A girl witness her sisters being murdered. The murder was let go because of mental issues. She goes after him years later and becomes their Nana to their baby girl. The man attempts to kill himself. "There are no coincidences if something happens and we don't understand the reason that doesn't mean that there is no reason. It means that the reason will later be reviled. Likely not in this life." Listened to on audio Kathe Mazur - Good ( )

I love Jacquelyn Mitchard as a columnist. I really liked "The Deep End of the Ocean." This book was just very uncomfortable for me and I found it very odd. ( )