Coma Girl: part 1 (Kindle Single)

By the title I thought how interesting can a story be about a woman in a coma be...but just in the first few pages I was hooked. Definitely a must read. I've been sharing this with the girls at work. New favorite series!

I have enjoyed the Body Movers series, as well as other bonds by Stephanie Bond. So when I saw this new series, I couldn't wait to read it. I have not been disappointed, I purchased Part 1 and can't wait for Part 2.

I was disappointed that this book was the beginning of a series of books. It was intriguing, but I preferred that the book was self contained. I felt tricked into either buying the next book or finding it in the library.

Love this premise. POV of a girl named Marigold in a coma. I am giving this 4 because the cliff hanging ending. Not certain if I'm continuing with this series, but I certainly think it could have been more satisfying HFN or happily for now instead of leaving her in the coma.

I really enjoy Stephanie Bond's writing and am waiting impatiently for Body Movers 8. Despite the off putting title and premise, I was looking for a little fix to tide me over until book 8 so I decided to try Coma Girl. I really like the story, so it's a five star review, and I also liked that Jack Terry from Body Movers makes an appearance, but I absolutely hate it being doled out in dibs and dabs. It's actually worse than waiting for book 8! Just when you really get into the book, Bam, sorry, you have to wait another month. I decided to wait until December and read the whole thing then. If you actually read your reviews, Ms. Bond, for heaven's sake, stop playing around with marketing schemes and trying to sell your books to be made into TV shows and movies. Just write a book and release it already! Your work is good and will make its way to the big and little screens in time, but right now you're alienating your loyal fan base!

A different and interesting premise...kept me reading and enjoyed it....but I'm not sure that I liked the serial part of it....when I read a book I don't want to wait and then buy the next part, I feel I'm being manipulated into paying more than I would. ..I want to read the whole story in one book.
The story line itself kept my interest and I did like the characters that appeared, and would love to see what happens but not enough to buy the next one because then I can see that that would leave me wanting the next one....so am giving the next one a pass for now.

Three stars for the writing and the story idea averaged in with one star for the ripoff attempt. I have Kindle Unlimited, so I went ahead and read the whole series. If I had purchased the book or if I had to buy the rest of the books, even if it only cost 99 cents for the rest of the books, I would have returned it for a refund after reading this book and getting to the end with absolutely nothing resolved. I cannot even call the end of the book a cliff hanger, because I really did not care enough to worry about what happened.

The basic premise is realistic. People in comas who are totally unresponsive sometimes do wake up and remember what they have heard. Responses and hearing and memory are functions of totally different parts of the brain, so damage to one part may have no affect on another part. But an MRI scan can give doctors information about what parts of the brain are still working, so we are close to a time when this story could no longer happen!

I think that this could have been a much better book if it was less than half the length, although it does give you an idea of how boring it must be to be in a coma!

COMA GIRL (Part 1) by Stephanie Bond is part one in a planned series of six. In my rather chaotic system of organization, I read part three first because that is the first one that came to my attention. I liked it so much that I am going to post reviews for parts one and two then wait for part four, due out in October. It should be obvious that I like the short collection which when presented this way might be called novellas. Or maybe monthly diaries. Whatever the label, this is good writing from an unusual perspective, that of a mentally sentient woman trapped in a coma.
The Introduction which precedes the daily entries ends with a threat to all other characters in the book and a promise to the reader. “I am the ultimate eavesdropper, and friend, if I ever wake up, I’m going to write a tell-all. Meanwhile, I’ll tell you.” The reader is hooked immediately. Secrets are about to be revealed.

Marigold is in a hospital in Atlanta with a head injury sustained in a head-on collision with a car driven by Keith Young, a star football athlete. On July 1st, she is just coming around mentally and begins assessing her situation. While doing that she is also listening to and smelling everything around her. As she listens to her mother she reflects on her childhood, one in which she was totally ignored by her mother. Marigold is the middle child. Brother Alex is smart, became a doctor and is serving in Afghanistan. Sister Sydney is beautiful and is a third-year law student. Marigold sold carpets. She was the unappreciated child.

It was interesting to read part three first. I got a feeling for Marigold’s background through her thoughts. But in this part, one the backgrounds are presented clearly. The reader will know clearly who the other three patients are in the room with Marigold and what their backgrounds are. Reading from the beginning is definitely better (IMHO).

There is a lot of sadness in this book as Marigold reflects on the way her family has considered her in the past and even now. Her parents never visited her in her apartment and did not even know her address. On one visit, her mother and father were able to visit her together. The father had the day off (July 4th) and they were going to a park for a fireworks show. Marigold thought, “I’m getting them both at once. Plus, I remembered the hospital is close to Centennial Park, so I’m on the way. Like Starbucks.” (loc 240-241). This was one of the saddest observations in this installment.

I enjoyed reading the initial installment. Having been in brief coma, I do remember hearing, smells and the sensation of touch. It seemed like a dream and at other times like a nightmare. My siblings and parents vigils brought me out of it. When my mother was in hospice care, her doctor told us that the hearing might be the last thing to go, so we surrounded her with her favorite music and spoke of our favorite memories of her. While, I personally find the social media aspect of this tale, repulsive; it is a very real part of 21st century life for Millennials. Overall, the story is quite believable, intriguing and leaves you wanting more. Kudos to the author for serializing this story! I loved the serials on old time radio and this saga reminds me of those excellent shows. I will have to read other books from this author and I'd like to have the whole series available on Audible. Great stuff!

The Coma Girl books are a fascinating series of short books that follow a family after a tragic car accident leaves a young woman hospitalized in a coma on a coma ward. Although they are told she is likely not to recover what they do not realize is that she is fully aware of the conversations around her although she cannot move or respond. In the first book you learn as she learns about the accident and the investigation into the cause. The reader is also introduced to her lovingly dysfunctional family, quirky roommate and medical personnel who interact with "coma girl" as she becomes an internet sensation. The central character maintains a steady dialogue in her head that is often funny, thoughtful and agonizing. If you are in healthcare you will be ever mindful of what you say in the presence of a presumed comatose patient. You will want to begin Coma Girl part 2 immediately so you might as well get it at the same time.

A very humorous, yet realistically portrayed story.

The one-sided out takes by Coma Girl, repeatedly surprise a laugh out of me.
Even though this could be a distressing and sad topic, the author's approach of light humour with important facts, make the story easy to read. It also gives hope to families, who might have a love one in a coma. There is always room to hope for some health improvement or last minute goodbyes.

There is always at least one individual who goes "way above and beyond " what is required in their day to day work schedule. These are the Angels who also go in and out of Coma Girl's room. Through them I could also route for her, as they help to facilitate her recovery.

I was totally caught up in the story. There was so much depth to the story, I was surprise that I complete "part 1" in so short a time. Fully engrossing!!

I enjoyed reading the initial installment. Having been in brief coma, I do remember hearing, smells and the sensation of touch. It seemed like a dream and at other times like a nightmare. My siblings and parents vigils brought me out of it. When my mother was in hospice care, her doctor told us that the hearing might be the last thing to go, so we surrounded her with her favorite music and spoke of our favorite memories of her. While, I personally find the social media aspect of this tale, repulsive; it is a very real part of 21st century life for Millennials. Overall, the story is quite believable, intriguing and leaves you wanting more. Kudos to the author for serializing this story! I loved the serials on old time radio and this saga reminds me of those excellent shows. I will have to read other books from this author and I'd like to have the whole series available on Audible. Great stuff!

The Coma Girl books are a fascinating series of short books that follow a family after a tragic car accident leaves a young woman hospitalized in a coma on a coma ward. Although they are told she is likely not to recover what they do not realize is that she is fully aware of the conversations around her although she cannot move or respond. In the first book you learn as she learns about the accident and the investigation into the cause. The reader is also introduced to her lovingly dysfunctional family, quirky roommate and medical personnel who interact with "coma girl" as she becomes an internet sensation. The central character maintains a steady dialogue in her head that is often funny, thoughtful and agonizing. If you are in healthcare you will be ever mindful of what you say in the presence of a presumed comatose patient. You will want to begin Coma Girl part 2 immediately so you might as well get it at the same time.

A very humorous, yet realistically portrayed story.

The one-sided out takes by Coma Girl, repeatedly surprise a laugh out of me.
Even though this could be a distressing and sad topic, the author's approach of light humour with important facts, make the story easy to read. It also gives hope to families, who might have a love one in a coma. There is always room to hope for some health improvement or last minute goodbyes.

There is always at least one individual who goes "way above and beyond " what is required in their day to day work schedule. These are the Angels who also go in and out of Coma Girl's room. Through them I could also route for her, as they help to facilitate her recovery.

I was totally caught up in the story. There was so much depth to the story, I was surprise that I complete "part 1" in so short a time. Fully engrossing!!

Kindle serial series. Coma girl was in a car accident with her sister- and has been in a coma ever since. she's in the coma ward with a few other coma patients. the doctors - and other workers, and visitors- assume that the patients cannot hear or see anything. But Coma girl can. so she's learning way more than she wants to- she knows how the accident happened, she knows who is two timing who, she even knows about a couple crimes. but the thing is, they can only keep her so long if she doesn't show some sort of response. can she wake up before its too late for her?
the whole series is quick and interesting. it even ties in a couple of other characters from Bond's Body movers series. very enjoyable.

Fast read. Funny, emotional, insightful. Pleasing writing style and a good take on the storytelling perspective. Fresh. I enjoyed this because it was different and had depth. I am looking forward to finishing the whole series. This is not a story or novel if you are looking for that. It is alarmingly like real life in dialog form much like reading a daily diary, but in an entertaining way; or at least that is the best way I can describe it. Not a book I would normally choose but there were no bad reviews and that interested me. It was a free read and that was a bonus! Not 1 negative thing attached to this book.

This book was typical Stephanie Bond. Cleaver, amusing and had a little "ouch" factor. There are a couple characters I'd like to give a good hard smack and some I want to give big squeezes! I adore Bond's writing style. She keeps you entertained and guessing all along. I hate that the book seems to just stop abruptly, but again, typical Bond. I want the next book desperately but my library doesn't have it and I'm trying not to purchase books for a while. (Yeah right! That's going to last!)
Great little book. You're gonna love it!!!!

The protagonist is completely immobilized, unable to move or speak, but I was totally absorbed in this quirky story that is more funny than sad. The "coma girl" lives in her head as life goes on around her -- she can hear everyone talking to her and about her. Her inner dialogue is both human and hilarious. The story develops in serial form, so I can't wait for the next installment. I liked this for the originality and the superbly entertaining writing. I would recommend this for the unique main character and her amusing take on her situation. So far so good-- looking forward to future installments.

As a big fan of Stephanie Bond (Just finished Whole Lotta Trouble), I was looking for something new and came across this series. Honestly, I was not sure if I would enjoy this....I am so glad, I took the plunge! This series so far has been Funny, Sad, Quirky just all around great. This is not only about "COMA GIRL" the other characters are just as interesting and insightful. So looking forward to the next installment.

I find this story line very interesting. When I was a lot younger I worked in a hospital as a nursing assistant. I was assigned to the neurological floor and we had a lot of comatose patients. I was able to see a couple of them wake up, but none of them remembered what happened when they were still in a comma. A lot of them had lost some of their memory. We were always told to keep the patients mentally stimulated by television or radio or talking to them because it could help them wake up. I love these stories and can hardly wait for the next installment!

This review is for the entire singles series. Could not put this down. Held my interest from the very beginning. Loved "seeing" the world through Marigold's ears. What a journey - for all involved. Funny and sweet. Now I have to reread it again! Then I will read more of Stephanie Bonds books because I totally loved this one.
Just finished rereading Coma Girl and loved it even more!!!!! Really really gets you thinking!

I loved Coma Girl! Enjoyed the unique format of viewing everything from Marigold's perspective without any sight or ability to communicate. I especially liked the way you were never really sure how things would pan out in the end. Loved seeing Jack and getting a side view on his feelings for Carlotta. I didn't expect a lot of the twists and turns and I was really invested in Marigold as a character and gained some insight on how difficult it can be for coma patients and their families. The ending was a total shocker but it was awesome :)

I am a Stephanie Bond fangirl...This book sparked my interest though due to the subject. Do people in comas hear those around them? I hope so, but then again I hope they don't. Having worked in a long term care facility and so this book got me thinking about what my patients may have been hearing and thinking. As for the book, it has its fun and seriousness in just the right balance. I would never expect less from Ms. Bond

Well this was a pleasantly surprising book. I really enjoyed it. A little daunting to find there are five more...I think I would have preferred reading 3 longer books. But I will go ahead with Book 2 and see if the narrative continues to keep me hooked! I didn't expect this first book to be so entertaining, so I will move on with an open mind! I do want her to come out of a coma, so already disappointing to see I have a long long way to go yet. :(