Castles on the Sand (Shattered Castles) [Kindle Edition]

E.M. Tippetts (Author)

Book Description

If there’s one thing Madison Lukas understands, it’s pain. The pain she feels when her mother ignores her completely. The pain her best friend endures as her parents starve her as punishment. The pain of a dangerous boy whose mother has to be carried away by law enforcement on a regular basis.

She gets it. She feels the pain of others as if it were her own.

But when a mysterious man claiming to be her long lost brother appears with promises of relieving her suffering, trusting him could reveal more truths than Madison is ready for. Because the truth can hurt, too.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"A fast-paced blend of high-stakes drama and average teenage concerns (sex, appearance, friends), capped with a welcome message of hope." - Kirkus Reviews

"I loved this book and will definitely be reading the author's other works! If you like young adult fiction, and like a bit of light romance, you'll love this book." - 9/10 from Sarah Elizabeth's Bookshelf

"I wept for the love [Madison] didn't get from her parents. I died a little every time she surrendered to her mother's indifference. I cheered when her brother rode in on his white horse to be the brother she needed." - Murphy's Law

"I loved this story from the beginning to the end." 5/5 from Live, Read and Breathe

"I don’t even know how to do this book justice. It was *that* good...one of the best books I’ve read this year." - Reviewing What I'm Reading

About the Author

Emily Mah Tippetts writes romance as E.M. Tippetts and science fiction and fantasy as Emily Mah. Originally from New Mexico, she now lives in London with her family. To learn more about her, please visit her website: emtippetts.com

Product Details

• File Size: 641 KB
• Print Length: 264 pages
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B008ZGNMDS
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,695 Paid in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Paid in Kindle Store)
  • #1 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Children's eBooks > People & Places > Social Situations > Self-Esteem & Self-Respect
  • #3 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Children's eBooks > People & Places > Family Life > Siblings
  • #10 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Children's Fiction > People & Places > Family Life

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A mixed but mostly positive review October 5, 2012

By Allodoxophobia

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I feel really conflicted about this book. I was excited to read it because the reviews are so great and because we follow the author on twitter and she seems really sweet. I was in the mood for a contemporary story and gave it a try.

First off, I don't feel the published summary really does justice to this story. Yes, it certainly is a major factor in the plot, but I would have included more about Madison also figuring out who she was through her dating life. That, to me, felt more important and was what drove the story. But, that has nothing to do with the book really - just a tangent, pardon me.

The first half of this book was hard for me to get through. I did not like the characters JP or Carson at all and felt their interactions with Madison were very contrived and fakey. I understand that they existed in the plot to help her figure out what she wanted in a romantic relationship, therefore discovering who she was as a person, but they just weren't realistic. I also had a hard time reading all the LDS stuff. I wasn't really sure if the author was Mormon or not, if she was promoting it or against it, it was just really confusing. I was never sure if the religion aspect was going to be a focal point or just something we should be aware of and I probably spent too much time wondering about that. Not gonna lie, I almost gave up and put the book down.

The second half, however, was wonderful. Once Alex came into the picture more centrally and his character was developed, I felt it all came into focus. His personal story was so moving and the way Madison was affected by him was really beautiful. Tippetts really captured the emotion of mental health struggles and I was so glad she included this issue in her book. I liked how Madison's walls came down in regards to her brothers and that there was positive closure in the end. Truthfully, once I got sucked in, I didn't stop until I finished - it was quite a late night! I appreciate that real and difficult issues were written here in an honest way and I would recommend this book to anyone looking for a refreshing read. Looking forward to reading more work by E.M. Tippetts!

3.5/5

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars All I can say is Wow November 1, 2012

By M.C. Walls

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

I thoroughly and completely enjoyed this book. From the very beginning, the characters and everything about them were "real". Having come from a small town exactly like this one, I identified with everything in Madison's life, including cruel and manipulative friends, peer pressure, family issues, etc. The story makes you step outside of yourself and feel what it is to be in those situations again; it makes you re-evaluate yourself and your reactions. I felt every emotion Madison experienced, wholly and deeply. I laughed with her and cried with her; I soared with her when she flew. Making a reader feel this kind of emotion is the most important aspect of characterization, imho. Well done.

If you're wondering about the drama, as stated in other reviews, remeber that the life of a teen is all about drama! High drama at every turn. What sets this book apart from others in the genre is that this one deals with complicated real life situations that happen to real life people. I loved every word of it and look forward to that promised sequel.

As for the religion issues addressed by other reviewers, I found the references fit the storyline very well. These were tastefully done and not preachy or obtrusive at all. The author simply explained the religious points using characters in the story and I appreciated knowing the background information of a different relgious culture.

But don't take my word for it. Read it and find out for yourself. After all, this is only my opinion.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Emotional and Thought Provoking October 23, 2012

By C.M. Quinn

Format:Paperback

The author sent me this one for review, and I have to admit, based on the synopsis I wasn't sure what to expect. A story about divorce? Long lost siblings? I was pleasantly surprised to find that Castles on the Sand was a novel about an exceptionally kind but somewhat naive young woman navigating high school in a small town.

Madison is almost too kind, so much so that she literally gets treated like a punching bag for multiple people. As a reader, a teacher, and a mother I found this frustrating but I couldn't put Madison's story down. I had to keep rooting for her, praying she would toughen up and stand up for herself.

Madison's most vicious rival is her best friend Kaillie, an emotionally disturbed young lady with a difficult home life. She's the friend you love to hate but can't help but feel sorry for. Other characters were intriguing as well. JP and Carson were admirers of Madison's but in very different ways. They provided interesting contrasts to one another. I was intrigued by mysterious and somewhat dangerous Alex from the very beginning. I won't plot spoil but I was very happy with Madison's choice. ;)

The person who frustrated me the most in the entire story was Madison's mom. An emotionally unavailable artist, she treats Madison with such disdain and neglect it was heartbreaking. My favorite character was John with his Godlike unconditional love, compassion, and understanding. He was exactly what Madison was missing from her life - someone who truly cared about her.

Mormonsim played a larger role in this novel than I expected it to but it wasn't overpowering. I enjoyed the way the author portrayed the religion objectively from Madison's POV.

Overall this was an emotional and thought-provoking read that I finished in one sitting. Teens will relate to Madison as she navigates a painful and complicated tour through adolescence with only her heart as a guide. Witnessing her never-failing strength as she continued to love and support people who mistreated her was equal parts awe inspiring and maddening. Madison is a rare creature, a teenage girl who absorbs pain without lashing out. When she finally speaks her mind, it is truly something to behold. This book started slow for me with lots of characters but captivated my heart and mind. My one major hang up is that Madison's mom, despite her selfish neglect of her children (all 4 of them), kind of wins in the end and this was a little to "neat" for me. Great read though and it turned me on to the author's other novels, one of which is Someone Else's Fairytale which I would recommend to anyone!

Sidenote: In this novel I also discovered EVOL burritos and how amazing they are when you deep fry them so when I gain forty pounds you will all know why!

More About the Author

Emily Mah Tippetts writes romance as E.M. Tippetts and science fiction and fantasy as Emily Mah. She is a former attorney with degrees in philosophy, politics and economics from Oxford University and business law from UCLA.

Originally from New Mexico, she now lives in London with her family. She is a devoted member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and thus often includes LDS (Mormon) characters in her work. When she isn't chasing her small children or writing, she designs jewelry.

For more information or to sign up for updates on future book releases, visit her website at www.emtippetts.com.