Overall I was disappointed by this book. The first 80% was exceptionally slow and too detailed (even for an interesting subject) - I kept thinking I saw where it was going only to be proven wrong - and not in the fun, twisty kind of way. The last 20% almost got this book another star - until the last page. I understand why the author chose that ending - I GOT it, but I did not enjoy it. I prefer a little closure. I really like this author so will try again, but would not recommend this book.

For the first few pages I was hooked. This book starts out with a bang and I really wanted it to continue to wrap me up. I held on for 50 percent of the book with the highest hope that the original plot was going to return. However, I found that this book read so much like a text book that the plot which I was so interested in was overshadowed. There are so many great themes in this book including life/death, ancient Egyptian history, modern marriage, but I think the author was trying to juggle too much. After almost an entire chapter comsisted of a conversation about quantum physics, I struggled to remain engaged in the reason I picked up the book in the first place. I was also lost when it came to all of the information about anciant Egyptian hieroglyphics and such where the author wrote about it like a text book. I felt like I was going to be quizzed at the end. I understand how the parallels were being drawn between what the main character experienced and the Egyptian way of thinking about life and death, but it was overwhelming to read. I wanted to be hooked on her choice between the life she chose and the life she left behind and I wanted to find beauty in the writing about her past ans present self, but I couldn’t get past the tone of the novel and the feeling that I was taking a grad school course on Egyptian culture.

This book, where to I even start? The book starts right off with a plane crash, so we know that Dawn, our main character is on a plane crash and she survives. But from there? We go back and forth, back to her past self and forth to some part of her future, but this back and forth? We don't really have dates of them, so what do we know? We know that she is telling us part of the past past, part of still past? And then part of her present? We won't know what the present is until...well you will have to read to find out or I will spoil you.

But, let's talk about so of the things that I did like and found interesting in the book. I really enjoyed and learned about Egypt and Egyptology and learning about Dawn when she was just a college student, where she was fascinated by all things Egyptology and how she ended up in Egypt and the best time of her life. Where she was just pretty much starting her life, find lost tombs and find pharaohs and learning all about Egypt life from thousands of years ago. And about The Book of Two Ways, something she has always been wanting to find out more about it. But one thing she didn't think it would happen was also finding love while there, and with the boy that she hated at first. Both were young and students and stupid in love and thought that the whole world were theirs to see and learn together, however things don't always work out the way we want and Dawn learned it on the worse way possible. One day she got a call that she never thought she would and her whole world and life changed and she never looked back. Until many years later, when her life is as simple and complicated as a normal life can be. And sometime simple changed everything for her this time and she decided to take charge and see it through this time.

This book is not an easy book to read, you need to pay attention, you need to have patience with it, but in my opinion, if you ask me if it was worth it? Yes, it was, yes for sure. I loved the history part of the book. I loved the complicated part of Dawn's life and how she was struggling with it and let's be honest, it's how we all fell. Life is not as easy as a book or a movie shows us all the time, and I loved how this book for once made a character as uneasy as Dawn, so unsure of herself and not knowing all the time if she was making the right the decision. So, with that been said, was it a perfect book? No, it was still confusing at times with back and forth and not know which part of the characters life we were reading.

Overall, still a solid 4 stars reading and I totally recommend it. I'm still thinking all thinks Egypt and want to travel there more than ever now lol.

I think the redeeming storyline in this book was in the relationship between Dawn and her client, Win and to a certain extent with her daughter. But I felt like her ethics and professionalism as a death doula failed to carry over to her personal life. The premise of the book was promising and I appreciated the ways the author draws on Egyptology though it was way too dense .,.. Picoult’s research is usually a bit more embedded into the story but in this book I just found myself wading through it as my mind wandered. The use of time and place was intriguing but got a little confusing. And the plot turns just weren’t that surprising. I hate giving a low rating but this book just didn’t flow well and the story and main character irritated me.

You can always count on the author to create an interesting read with strong characters. Fans of Picoult won't be disappointed. However, new readers may be turned off by her long diatribes on Egyptology and the science of unearthing ancient artifacts.

This was a good book. Her writing is excellent and well researched and the topic was interesting. There’s a lot of back and forth with characters which can be confusing, but I would recommend this book.

Thank you for the opportunity to review this book . I found it difficult to get into which is unusual. I know there will be some that will enjoy this but I was not one of them.

2.5 stars, right in the middle which seems to be apt for The Book of Two Ways.

I usually appreciate Jodi Picoult's unique writing and the way she takes chances with her books. I've read every novel of hers and while there's been some misses, overall they are enjoyable reads.

The Book of Two Ways has wonderfully written characters which are the shining stars of this book and what saves it from itself in my opinion. I loved the story of the people so, so, so much. Not only the main characters of Dawn, Brian and Wyatt but everyone else from Win to Felix and everyone in between.

The downfall of this novel is the details. If you LOVE Egyptology AND Quantum Physics this will be your jam. If you don't want the nitty gritty of those genres with a huge dose of death culture you may be really put off. The Egypt stuff I ended up broadly skipping because it's something I just don't care about. Same with the quantum physics. A deep dive into one or the other would have been maybe enough but the massive doses of both was just too much of a downfall for me.

I did enjoy reading about Dawn's work as a death doula, especially since I've had that role for quite a few people in my life without realizing it was a thing. You can tell that Jodi did her research there as everything she describes is accurate - so much it brought tears to my eyes.

Overall the bare bones story about Dawn's story was beautifully woven (save for the ending, not a fan). It's the saving grace of the book.

Thank you to Net Galley and Random House/Ballantine for an eARC copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

I wish to thank Net Galley and Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine Books for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book. I have voluntarily read and am reviewing this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I have always been a fan of Jody Picoult’s books and really looked forward to reading this one. That said, I had a really difficult time with this one. It is a story told in basically several parts. It is a love story; it is an historical archeological excavation story about the Egyptian ruins then it moves on to Boston where Dawn’s husband is a quantum physicists which was way over my head. I found the Egyptian history interesting but, for me, it was way too lengthy and lost me over and over again. I found myself skipping parts that went on too long. Then the love story kicked back in and returned me to the story. Less of the Egyptian parts would have increased this to a 10 star story.

The characters in the story were marvelous and you had to love all of them. Dawn is a woman with a past to which she longs to return. Her husband and daughter know nothing about this past and as she watches her marriage hit the rocks she feels the need to return to Egypt and reconnect with Wyatt. All our lives are full of what ifs and the readers can relate to questions and wonder at her decisions. I wanted more of this segment and less of the Egyptian history.

I sincerely hope that Jodi will continue this story and tell us more in a sequel.I appreciate all the research that went into the writing of this book. I did learn a lot but it was complicated by far too many twists and turns which took away from this reader’s enjoyment. The part of the story about Dawn becoming a Death Doula is another story all by itself. I found that part fascinating and would love to see her explore this topic in future books.

You don’t read Jodi Picoult if you are looking for a beach read. I have read almost, if not all, of her books. They are filled with emotion and controversy. They make you think. The Book Of Two Ways was no different. Two stories in one. One set in Egypt amongst the glorious setting of Ancient Egypt and one set near Boston. While I have a mild interest in Ancient Egypt, at times I found myself glossing over this section, more curious about the parts in Boston. However, lovers of Ancient Egypt will love how magnificiently Jodi was able to weave it into the story line.

Thank you so much for allowing me to read this book as an early review! I am a Jodi Picoult fan and never disappointed with her wildly entertaining and heart warming stories. The characters are enjoyable and likable, the plot is interesting and the relationships that ensue are highly entertaining. This story is about love and loss, life and death, and answering the nagging question of "what if." Dawn Edelstein is our main character and is working on a project in Egypt when she is notified that her mother is dying and she needs to come home. Dawn then assumes the role of raising her younger brother and leads a typical life. However, upon leaving Egypt in a bit of a hurry, she left behind a man who could have been (the "what if") her future path. IF her life had assumed a different path, it would have been quite different. The choices she makes throughout are unique and entertaining to ponder. Through this story, which goes back and forth in time, and between choices of Dawn's life, we see the struggle that she makes with her decisions and life path. This story made me think. It made me reflect on things I have never thought of. It may seem to be a bit confusing based on the setup of the plot, but I assure you it is written in a manner that is superb and comes together in a beautiful sense. Picoult is the master of storytelling and conveys her material in a way that brings even the most difficult content to life. I highly recommend this entertaining read as it will not disappoint!

Thank you so much for the opportunity to have read this Netgalley!

Another fascinating book by Jodi Picoult. I loved this book just like I have loved all of her other ones. The story of Dawn, a death doula who questions the path her life has taken after she survives a terrible plane crash. When Dawn walks away virtually unscathed she feels a pull to pick up where her life was 15 years ago, instead of where it currently is with her husband and family. Beautiful writing and fascinating details of Egypt make this book a must read. Highly recommend.

I requested to read and review this book from Random House. This is the first book I have read by Jodi Picoult. This book wow you will go through some many emotions, happy, sad, shock angry and then some more emotions. It has a lot of info on Egyptian pyramids and different Egyptians kings and other royalty. And just when you think that you have it figured out bam you get thrown through a loop. You will want to keep eye on Wyatt, Dawn, Meret and Brian. Can't wait to see if there is a next one!!

I'm a big fan of Jodi Picoult's work, and there were parts of her new book that I liked and parts that really fell flat for me. I enjoyed the parts about Dawn's work as a death doula. That fascinated me deeply, and there was much of Jodi's trademark wisdom and meaningful insight woven through the novel.

What fell flat for me was the jolting back and forth across time, as well as the strange behavior of the main character, Dawn. I just couldn't understand her indecision, her leaving her daughter...etc. I also couldn't understand her anger at her husband towards the beginning. Maybe it's just me... ?

I skimmed over most of the very tediously long passages about the Egyptians, hieroglypics, and death practices...etc. I found it interesting, but way overdone.

Thanks to NetGalley, the author and publisher, for an advanced reading copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Who amongst us, hasn’t wondered what their life would look like if they had chosen a different path when they hit that proverbial fork in the road? Who hasn’t pondered the paths traveled and mused about those that were not? And who hasn’t struggled with their share of choices, losses, and regrets? In her latest novel, “The Book of Two Ways,” author Jodi Picoult puts these concepts under the microscope, as we follow one woman’s journey of discovery along two distinctly different roads.

While I loved the characters and overall premise, the extreme emphasis on the factual details was a bit off putting. I found myself skimming those heavily comprehensive portions in favor of the one-on-one human interactions. And while not totally unexpected, I found the ambiguous ending an anticlimactic conclusion to an otherwise riveting story. Yet, despite the disappointing execution, I still found that “The book of Two Ways” an interesting and thought-provoking read.

I would like to thank Netgalley and Ballantine for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Jodi Picoult is a queen and I am never disappointed when I pick up one of her books. Saying that I did have a hard time getting through this one. My problem with this book is that there was just so much information and so much going on at once. Egyptology to Quantum Physics. Going from her past to her future could be a little confusing and I would have to go back a few pages to see if she was in the past or real time. Hieroglyphs, while interesting, was a little much for a book that you just want to sit and get lost in. Oh, and that ending!!

Ok, on to what I liked. The relationships were spot on. The characters were likable and also relatable. I love Dawns job and am interested to learn if there are people out there who are death coaches. The love triangle killed me because I couldn't decide between Brian or Wyatt myself.

Overall, I did love the characters. I loved the mother- daughter relationship. I loved the plot twist(it was big). I loved the idea of choice and how our actions can change our future. I love that are people out there who can help you through death and I love second chances. I love Jodi Picoult and how she can make you think. You may have a stance on a subject and she can take that and make you see the other side.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC and provide honest feedback. I've read other books by this author and have enjoyed them, so I had my hopes up for this one but it fell short for me. I rarely don't finish a book but this one went way too far into Egyptian details and just dragged on. The author clearly put a lot of research and effort to make the story as accurate as possible, but I felt it took away from the overall story.

I tried to read a few pages of this book and it did not grab my attention enough to want to finish it. I very rarely DNF a book but this one made the list.

A deeply passionate store of love and loss, life and death, and the question of "what it"!

25 year old Dawn Edelstein is working on a project in Egypt, a project central to her career plans, when she gets the call: her mother is dying and Dawn needs to come home. Rather than spending her day at ancient burial sites, Dawn takes on the role of mother to her younger brother, and eventually marries and has a child. But when Dawn left Egypt in a rush she left behind a man who could have been in her future, if things had been different. Instead of becoming an Egyptologist, Dawn becomes a death doula, someone who helps the critically ill have a meaningful end of life.

Fifteen years later, Dawn survives a plane crash. Given the option of a ticket to wherever she wants, Dawn opts to go back to Egypt rather than home to Boston, to see if the choices she has made are the right ones. Because when Dawn left Egypt, she not only left behind a promising career, but also a man who might have been her soul mate...

The story goes back and forth in time, and between possibilities, as Dawn struggles not only with her own choices, but with helping her patients through their choices. And Dawn's work at burial sites in Egypt has brought her into contact with The Book of Two Ways. Unlike modern uncertainty about what happens after Death, The Book of Two Ways describes in detail what ancient Egyptians should do and expect in death.

Jodi Picoult always does an amazing amount of research, but The Book of Two Ways transcends everything that she has before. You will find yourself reviewing your life and your decisions, and asking yourself "what if?". Sometimes a bit confusing, but always thought provoking, The Book of Two Way is a book that should not be missed.

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3398718307

I always seem to find Jodi Picoult’s books at the perfect time, and this was no exception. Her main character, Dawn, is a death doula - and this read was deeper for me because I recently lost my grandfather.

Her wonderful research is again apparent, touching on Egyptology and physics, the basis of the story connecting mirror universes and the Book of Two Ways as if they have always been self reflective... masterful.

I was very worried I’d be upset with Dawn’s choice at the end, but - no spoilers - even that worked out like a beautifully written poem.