Edward Myers

When my father passed away, almost 2 years ago now, I lamented to a few of my closest that there were no books out there for my particular situation.

After reading 'When Parents Die', I kind of get why that is.

Everyone's experience with their parents - in life, and in death - is so unique that there is no way there could be one book that could help us all. Myers goes out of his way to try, showing how situations may be if you had a close relationship, or a strained one, or if you're in your show more 20s or your 60s when your parents die. But the reality is, we all fall under so many different categories, that it still falls short.

This is a great book as a general guide. He includes a lot of resources in the appendices that could be very helpful to many people.

But as soon as someone writes the "I stopped talking to my dad when I was 18 because he was a violent alcoholic and then he tried stalking me and then he drank himself to death and I didn't love him but I still feel bad for him and sometimes I dream about him" book, let me know, okay? show less

I give it 3.5 stars. Recommended (for best enjoyment) for ages 8-12, older readers will likely not enjoy it as much. I remembered parts of it from reading it when I was around 11; I am in college now and definitely did not enjoy it as much as I did the first time. The story itself was good overall, but the writing was not the best middle grades I've read (so you know, I still enjoy some middle grades- this is one of those I definitely feel too old for). The frame story bothered me- I didn't show more like the interruptions of Jack's experiences with narrator's comments. It would have stood on its own without the frame, much of the content in the frame could have been incorporated in the story. It was worth finishing though. In spite of its flaws. show less

From the very beginning, this book grated on my nerves. Whether it was the incessant story-within-a-story device or the unrelenting allegory...or maybe it was the page and a half of explicated theme that ends the book, I felt like the whole time the author was telling me a story--winking at me about how clever he was in the telling of it. And I can see how a different reader might enjoy this type of storytelling, but I prefer more subtlety, I guess. I'm just glad I finally made it to The End.

eth is the killer. He’s suffering from the blame for the accident that lost him Frannie forever.

Jenna is the sister. She’s dealing with the anger, hate, and torment of seeing Seth live while Frannie is dead.

Ice is the story of two teenagers, told from alternate perspectives. When Seth decides to join the volunteer EMT team, he’s not sure what he’s looking for. He enjoys the work, and it provides a release from the guilt of Frannie’s death that buries him at school. That is, until show more Frannie’s sister Jenna joins the team to see what he is up to. Working together doesn’t make anything easier for either of the two, but maybe it’s just what they need.

Ice, by Edward Myers, started out a little slow and strange. The style is difficult to get used to, but as the pages progress and you get used to switching between perspectives, the story transforms into a smooth, rather bitter-sweet read. Having served in an EMT team himself, Myers give a unique inside look that is definitely worth reading about and creatively weaved into the plot. The characters are believable and relatable, though Jenna did annoy me somewhat with her stubborn refusal to forgive Seth. But having never been through the situation Jenna encountered, I can’t really say that it isn’t realistic, as it most certainly could be. Seth's emotions, however, are wonderfully described.

I didn’t feel a full resolve at the end, but it leaves room for imagination—so whether the reader will enjoy it or not is up to them and their preferred style. (I liked it, but it annoys the heck out of some people..) Also, there wasn’t a very important climax. I was hoping something really big would happen, but it does make the book more realistic.

Overall, Ice is a quick, worthy read. It’s interesting, and if anyone is thinking about being an EMT, definitely read it. It makes me want to volunteer, and I’d never even considered it before. And now I want to go ice-skating. So, as Myers has written a book that has left me with emotions, interest, and has had an effect on my life, I say thumbs up :) show less