What readers think of The Tenth Circle, plus links to write your own review.

Very disappointing read. Not the usual standard of Jodi Picoult's earlier novels. I understand the concept of the rape of Trixie, the dilemma of Laura, deceit and guilt, and of Daniel's protectiveness and overpowering desire to protect his daughter. However, this was forgotten in the midst of neve rending chapters and unnecessary comic strips.

I have been listening to the audiobook and while I have enjoyed many of Jodi Picoult's books, this one feels really wordy and not as appealing as "The Pact" or "My Sister's Keeper".

This book was wonderful. It kept you on the edge the whole time. I couldn't put it down. Jodi is a great author. I have read several of her books and have loved all of them.

Completely unimpressed with some of the first Picoult I read, I always expect a similar reaction and have begun to be surprised by her offerings.

Reading the early chapters, I expected to write that the family relationships were poorly developed, with the mother character being virtually disregarded. But I have to say the book developed well, and naturally, and the correlation to Dante's Inferno was drawn better than I expected.

The digression, and it was a digression, to compare the novel to the classic was probably necessary for those who have not studied classics. The discussion of the nine circles of hell, and whether there are new sins which require new circles is a common topic, as is the idea of a tenth circle. But, it could have been worse.

The insertion of the comic genre was another distraction, especially if one stops in the course of reading to look for the hidden letters. (Either do it before reading, or after, if you look). If she wanted to discuss Demosthenes, it could as easily been done during the 'circles' commentary.

We were led down a (too) brief road with Jason, learning to like him just a little, and left without much resolution to his character. Is he a typical teen, without malice? Was he intentionally redeemed? Perhaps Picoult could not make up her own mind, thus left it to the reader. This always irritates me, though, and detracts.

So, why begin this by saying I was pleasantly surprised, and the book was well-developed? In spite of everything wrong with it, and there is more than I list here, I finished it with the definite feeling I had not wasted my time, and had spent a pleasant two days getting to know some pretty interesting folks. Especially Daniel's dad..... talk about no character development.

I totally agree with the review of Joan Hurst about the comic pictures and was also bored through part of the book. DISAPPOINTING !!!

Just finished the 10th circle. Very good. Can't find all the letters in the pictures to get the secret massage . Only found 65 letters. Can any one out there help? Pollyeden@blueyonder.co.uk

Having read several Jodi Picoult novels and found them really addictive and enjoyable I was looking forward to reading The Tenth Circle. What a disappointment - found the plot confusing at times and could not understand the necessity for the evil drawings. Half way through thought the storyline was improving only to be bored again on the final chapters. I obviously 'missed the plot' here and generally was disappointed. Somehow this book does not deliver. Will however be reading more of her books which will obviously have a different theme.

I read hundreds of books every year due to a very long commute and try to stick to the classics. This book was availible on audio and I decided to take a leap of faith and try it. I really must say I was really drawn in almost immmediately. However, I did find myself later in the book truely liking and sympathising with Jason to my own horror! He seemed to be a genuinely a good guy, but a typical teenage boy - in fact a rather sweet teenage boy. Trixie, however, was not a truthful character or a believable one. [review edited to remove plot spoilers] Don't misunderstand me, I still loved it!