Desert Flowers

I love this book. I love this writer. My only complaint is that books like this spoil me for other writers, whose books can't begin to compete with this level of mastery. I'd already read and loved the Light of the Fireflies so I was anticipating another great book and I wasn't disappointed. Readers who enjoy light, frothy, happy-ever-afters, this book probably isn't for you. But if you crave those complex characters who are endearing yet troubling at the same time, and plots that grip you without giving you any obvious 'right answers', then this is an absolute winner. He is skilled as a writer; the language is competent, engaging and sophisticated without seeming to try too hard. Some reviewers have complained that the plot was slow and in some ways I could see their point but for me it was inexorably moving towards an inevitable brilliance, dropping tantalising crumbs along the way that had me constantly wanting to read more. I could sense from the start that what followed would leave me gripped and that was the case throughout. I finished it all in two days and have spent the following week still lost in the story and unable to start another book, as I know it won't live up to this one. SPOILER FOLLOWS: My only 'complaint', if that's the right word, is that from the beginning there was a particular question on my mind regarding what had actually happened to the oldest daughter, which was never answered - I had thought it would be a key revelation. But still a five-star read, no doubt about it.

A thoroughly engrossing read. Paul Pen's books are like no others. The decisions and twists are unexpected. I found the middle a little slow but the rest of the book I raced through. It is not entirely believable but stranger things have happened.

This author it one of my favorite foreign writers, never fails to amaze and surprise.

Another amazing read from Paul Pen. Heartbreaking sadness and joy all rolled into one. Highly recommend this book. How one families world comes apart at the seams by the lies they have created.

Paul Pen is a brilliant writer, having said that I preferred Light of The Fireflies to this book. I was rooting for one character all the way through, but did not have the ending I was hoping for. Anticipating more books in the future, pleeeease.

Really enjoyed reading this book, every bit as good as Light of the Fireflies, kept you wanting more. I just wish this author would stop using the phrase ‘clicked their tongue’. It frustrated me as it was used many times in the fireflies book and was used Multiple times through this book too.

A dark and intriguing book. I prefered the light of the fireflies but this was still a great read.

This offended my strong sense of right and wrong.. One of the snatched girls actually goaded the stricken families at the end.