Customer Reviews

Opal (Dakotah Treasures #3)

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I felt like this book was sort of choppy. It completely skips Belle's reaction to Dove House burning down, which I thought would be great to see. With all of the different stories that kind of seem to pop out of nowhere, the book seemed more difficult to read. The preacher and his son were kind of interesting, but I didn't think a man that age should be interested in any way with a fourteen year old, even if he thought her a bit older. I do like that Ruby and Rand have a strong faith and show it constantly. I just felt like this book was missing what the first two had.

I have to say this is a pretty good book. Its not as good as Ruby (the 1st book) but is still a good story. Really the only reason I didn't give this book five stars is because it is kind of weird with Opal being only 14 years old. Lauraine Snelling should have made her 17, then the story would have flowed better. In all it was a fine book, but not one of Lauraine Snelling's best

Personnally i really enjoyed this book every bit as much as the first two. i love the ranch setting and Opal being an outdoors person rather than an indoor one like Ruby and Pearl, it gives it its own style thats different from the first two. and i also like that opal is younger, only 14, where the other 2 were already in their twenties. I like all of the challenges she has to face as a youg person and how her character is developped by what happens and how she learns. though why Atticus had to treat her that way i don't know, pride maybe. I love this book and cannot wait to read the next one.

Opal is only 14, so some of her actions seem out of place and much older, but nonetheless, she is very sincere and has suffered tremendous guilt from the unfortunate scene that opens the book. Opal feels guilty because so many other fine people suffer because of her mistake.

I had trouble keeping track of the stories the author jumped between until they all sort of became one story. It was rather difficult to introduce new characters and then have them to become part of the old gang, but it turned out ok to do so in that manner.

Ruby and Rand continue to be the Christian backbones of this family and lead their extended families and hands to the knowledge of Jesus Christ as Saviour whenever possible.

Parts of this book were TOO predictable, others were totally surprising, and all in all, I did enjoy this book 3.

I loved the first two books, Ruby and Pearl. I have to affirm many of the other reviews. Opal's character grew up quite a bit in this book, but she seemed much older than a 14 year old. I also didn't like the match between Opal and the preacher. Their personalities just never seemed to fit. My biggest grudge with this book was that Belle's story was completely written out. She was such an integral part of the first two books. I have a hard time believing she would have just walked away from all her money (that burned at the end of book 2) and the dove house without some sort of fight. Belle's fire and spark is part of the reason I loved the first two books so much. I also didn't understand why Ruby briefly talked about her savings when everything they had burned in the dove house. Just didn't make sense. I'm not the type to walk away from a series, but I just don't think I go drag my self through the 4th.

I found this book to be a disappointment after the other two books I had read in this series.Too slow moving and too much repetition.I felt I had to read it to complete the first two but I could just as easily skipped it.

The author jumped around and I had trouble keeping track of what was going on. Was she introducing new characters where they did not belong just to make them a part of some old gang? Maybe I should have read the author's other books to be able to follow better. I must say, in addition, I was extremely disappointed in the ending which left me empty and feeling as if something was definitely missing! Did she have to cut something out in her revisions? Would not recommend Opal. My daughter read it after me and said the same thing.

I love this series! This book, more than the 1st two, made me so anxious for the next one. I was so excited and curious about what happens next. I've had a hard time waiting for 'Amethyst' (book 4). WOnderful read!!!!

I really enjoyed the first 2 books in this series. As Opal started out, I enjoyed it, as well. However, as I got into it, I felt that it dragged. I've been reading it an unheard-of amount of time...a week and a half! and have yet to finish it. Ms. Snelling is a very descriptive author. This is not a bad thing; however, I got a little weary of the cattle drive descriptions. Also, Ruby and Rand's little son, Per, got kind of old. I realize that he should be in the story, because it is exciting that Ruby had a baby. But, his actions would be much cuter in person than written on just about every page of the book. I got tired of his repeating everything the characters said in his baby talk. Then, too, I'm ready for Opal to quit blaming herself for every bad thing that happens or might happen. Ruby finally got over her unforgiveness for Jake, but now we have to deal with Opal's guilt about Atticus...who, I don't know why he treated her the way he did. Hopefully, things will be resolved at the end of this book, but I may never know. I am not one to leave any part of a series unread, but as hard as I have tried, I just can't seem to finish it. Maybe Amethyst will be better, and I will able to catch up on the last 100 pages of Opal in it.

After the burning of the Dove House, Ruby Torvald married Rand Harrison and moved to his ranch. Ruby's younger sister, Opal, loves ranch life. At 14, she can shoot, rope, train horses and participate in roundup. Unfortunately, a little thing called school keeps getting in her way. One day after leaving school early due to a headache, she decides to take a detour on the way home. It's a decision that changes her life forever. Her friend, Atticus, ends up injured and is taken away from Medora. As she struggles with guilt and uncertainly, she comes to find that she is being shaped by a God who can make her more than a simple ranch hand.

In Opal, the author takes us deeper into the character of Opal Torvald than either of the first two books in the series do. I thought she did a remarkable job of demonstrating the difficulties of Opal's situation and her personal growth without losing all of Opal's childhood innocence. The one thing I did not like about the book was that the author never addressed what Belle's reaction to the burning of the Dove House was. Belle was mentioned several times in the book, but never was her reaction noted. Somehow, I kept expecting it to come, but I got to the end and it never did. Other than that, it was a easy, comforting read. The storyline is actually much more complex than the synopsis above, but for sake of brevity, I gave the broad overview. Several new characters were introduced, including one who is extremely interested in Opal. I think the complexity really drew me in and made it all the more enjoyable.