This book started off on a good note and was interesting for the first 20 - 30 pages or so. After that, it seemed to merely be an attempt by Rubio to show that she could write descriptively, ad infinitum, without contributing anything to a real plot. Icy's story became boring quickly. Many of the characters Rubio introduced served little purpose and simple events were granted far more description than warranted. Some of those events were valueless to the story.

The aim of the book, (exploring Tourette's Syndrome) missed its mark. Icy Sparks is a forgettable character as were most of the characters in this story. Peppering a story with multiple characters for the sake of merely having a large cast does not serve the reader except to confuse and frustrate.

However, since this was Rubio's first attempt, I intend to read more by her in the hope that she's honed her craft. She certainly displays a strong potential to be a very good author.

Icy Sparks by Gwyn Hyman Rubio was a good book but it did not leave a lasting impression on me. The main character suffers from Tourette's Syndrome which causes the young girl to have bouts and fits of twitching and cursing. Parts of this book are beautifully written but the characters besides Icy are one-dimensional and unlikeable. Icy Sparks tackles an important issue but the outcome is somewhat disappointing.

The character Icy Sparks brought tears and laughter as I rooted for her to overcome many insecurities. Through Icy, Mantanni and Pantanni's characters, the author taught lessons about selfishness, judgment, vanity, imperfection, acceptance, jealousy, self-esteem and most importantly a lesson about LOVE. The characters were developed so well that I could feel Icy's need for acceptance. People are so cruel and judgmental that I feared for Icy and her possible loss of her closest relatives and friends. I thought if she lost them, she'd be stuck in those back woods forever.

The ending however, was disappointing because of the preachy sermon that was used to wrap up the story. Surely, there had to be a better way to deliver the message of accepting God. I could have read a T.D. Jakes self-help novel if I wanted to hear a long sermon.

I was intrigued by Icy Sparks and her interesting life. This book was an easy read that I didn't want to end.

This was a really good book, so good in fact that I've read it over again. A lot of reviews are so focused on the depiction of Tourette's Syndrome that they lose the whole point of the book. It's not so much as the disease but how Icy "controls" or tries to control it and what happens to her. If what you are looking for is an accurate depiction of T syndrome...get an informational book. Looking for an interesting read...try Icy.

I really did enjoy this book. Number one, I do agree that Rubio probably doesn't have the most extensive knowledge on Tourrette Syndrome (sp?) in the world. At the same time, most people reading a novel don't want a medical explanation of this disorder. So maybe it could have been more accurate, but give the writer a break. Someone said if you want real information on the disorder, don't read this novel. Not to push any buttons but....why would you?! Second, yes, Icy didn't get 'real' treatment at the asylum she was in, and it didn't really help her all THAT much. But, the things she learned there and the people she met had a huge impact on her life. If you read the epilogue, it says in college she finally got a diagnosis. In the final chapters I think that the point was that she was BEGINNING to find ways of dealing with her inner issues, and she was BEGINNING to really discover the world. If some don't agree that Jesus Christ can help with inner issues, then OK, but don't condemn the book because something you may not agree with is praised in it. I just wish people would read this like they would any other novel. I hold true sympathies for people who know firsthand about Tourrettes, and it's too bad that those people didn't get anything out of the book. But I enjoyed it. I thought it was about MUCH more than just Tourrettes. That was what was on the surface. But so much more was inside.

Very strange that some reviewers wanted this book to be a more of a manuel for a disorder rather than the fictional story it's meant to be. The author's colorful use of language and characters paints a picture of goodness of the heart vs those that are just rotten to the core. (much like the apples Icy's mother ate while pregnant!). I loved the pace of the story and thought each chapter was a gem. Watching Icy try to deal with her mysterious and baffling affliction is both heatbreaking and heartwarming.

The interesting part of this novel was the attempt to hide the problem. I was left wondering whether this was an accurate dipiction of tourettes, from the reviews found here, it appears that it wasn't.

I'm surprised to see the dichotomy of reviews for this book. I loved it. I can understand the disappointment of those who picked it up because it appears to deal with Tourett Syrndrome; in fact, it's more a story about a young girl trying to fit in than a disease.

But that's clear early in the book. The story as a whole is about people who don't conform to society's guidelines and their struggle to be happy with themselves. That's where Icy comes in. She's a bright, fiery young girl who learns too early to keep secrets and what those secrets can do when trapped inside one's heart. She lives in a deftly painted rural Kentucky world, full of lazy beauty and interesting characters. Icy's experiences are both painful and amusing at times, and she learns with each one, all except for the most important lesson -- learning to love oneself.

I admit, the last few chapters felt initially like a 90 degree turn. Once you've gotten to know independent, headstrong Icy, it's hard to believe a back country church service would shed light in her life. But this isn't a community of therapists and researchers and in the end, Icy doesn't need to name her affliction so much as find love for herself. Suddenly, in one gathering spot and with one selfless purpose she finds all the neighbors who themselves have struggled, alienated others, been cruel and held secrets and she finally realizes that love is what sets people free.

I found this to be an engaging book with a memorable characters at its center. It's not a therapy book, it's not about a disease; it's the story of a girl learning to be herself, no matter what it takes.

This is the first novel I have read in about 15 years. I am really not into reading novels. I prefer non-fiction, however I was going on vacation and chose this book to read as a time filler. It was interesting but very long winded and too much detail in some of the chapters. I found myself skimming through to get to the relevent parts. I could have stopped reading it in the last few chapters and not even wondered how it ended. Not what I would call a "can't put it down" book. I did finish it and felt glad to be done with it. I really cannot recommend.

Not much research had been done by the writer part with regards to Tourette syndrome. It was briefly discussed in this book. I could not helped myself from ommiting the last few chapters of the book.It seems to me that the writer had directed all his/her attention in discussing chapters and chapters on how the church services had helped icy sparks in her recovering process. Had this amount of effort being directed on the topic on "Tourette syndrome", it would be definately be a much better book to invest your time and money on.

The book Icy Sparks was excellent in every way that could be possible. I enjoyed it for numerous reasons. The first reason is that this book shows the true heart and compassion of a young girl suffering from Tourette syndrome. Icy's willingness to succeed in her rural Kentucky lifestyle stood out to me. Finally cherishing your friends was important in this story because rough patches were around every corner.
Overall Icy Sparks was very realistic in a sensible fashion. Rubio portrays a tragic and heart-warming tale that has inspired me to be thankful in many ways for the things I have. I thought this book was wonderful and exquisite to the highest degree and would recommend it to all.

I just did not believe the story. While I enjoyed some of the use of language, overall I was very disappointed.

I really liked this book. Seeing as how I'm a writer myself, I was paying close attention to da styyyyle. This writing style was magnificent; it definitely sounded like a little girl shouting out her feelings. I finished it in 2 or 3 days, and several weeks after reading it, it's still in my mind. I just love how the writer described everything in details that were either sensual, charismatic, or frightening. The church seen at the end where everybody acted like they were suffering from Tourette's syndrome was the best part. The style was good, and so was where all the moments took place. Great ending too. What can I say, this writer was wonderful.

Tourette syndrome is only an incidental part of this novel. It has nothing to do with the disability. Rubio is simply preaching about the healing power of the Pentacostal church and how those who think it's crazy should be open to it, although this isn't apparent until the last three chapters. The major part of the book leading up to this divine conclusion is mediocre at best. For readers looking for help in dealing with or understanding Tourrette syndrome, or any other disability, avoid this book. You'll find no help here.

I bought this book before a week-long vacation and had to force myself to read it. I thought it was absolutely miserable. I felt no compassion whatsoever for the main character. I normally like memoir-type or first-person point of view books, but Icy Sparks did not interest me whatsoever. I wasn't fond of the writing style. This book proved to me that you can slap an Oprah's Book Club label on any garbage, but it doesn't make it worth reading!

This book really draws you into the life of a troubled child. Captivating, fun, at times hilarious and hard to put down, I enjoyed this book!

I liked this author's writing style and felt like I knew the characters. The Revival part became a little annoying as it seemed to go on for too long in the story. I enjoyed reading about Icy as a young girl, turning into a young woman and falling in love for the first time. I am not upset that there wasn't a whole lot of info regarding TS in this book as it takes place in the 1950s and evidently in this backwoods part of Kentucky, nothing was really known about it then, which is why Icy ended up in a mental institution for children. It might have been nice if the MD at the institution could have diagnosed this and gave more info regarding this condition, but I won't hold it against the book.

Dissenters that I have read tend to take one of three views:
1) Gwyn didn't talk about Tourette syndrome enough or deal with it to their satisfaction
2) they were disappointed in the end or in the characters' approach to life and specifically their religion
3) they didn't understand the 1st person view and the need to deal with how Icy saw things

Well......this novel, I feel, was so very positive about life and about life's possiblilities and shortcomings that it's hard for me to understand why anyone could not like it.

For those who have a problem with how it dealt with TS....go find a gov't handout, folks. Don't read a novel.

And for anyone to have negative feelings about fundemental religion and relate it to this book....all I can say is, wake up and smell the coffee. Gwyn's story dealt very realistically with mountain life. It wasn't meant to be a directive for your life or a support of your views. It dealt with a girl's and woman's very real and degrading and forlorn strugglings with rejection and strong personal courage and real stuff involving that part of our united states. That in the end she found happiness through the Lord in her own way only adds to the 'realness' of Icy's story. I am not very good at writing but can you get the gist of what I am talking about? Can you dissidents understand the emotional truth in the writing? I thought I understood. I hope others will. I don't believe in God but I believe Icy did and I know the end of Icy didn't disappoint me. It only sustained my belief in us. In our good will. In humanity. In love.

This is such a captivating story. You will fall instantly in love with the main character, Icy Sparks. She goes through a rough patch in her young life, but she has the most loving grandparents who get her through it, although you may not think so at first but they do only what they know to be best for her. Not to mean to be a spoiler, but the ending will not disappoint.

This book claims to be about an tourette child and tempts the reader by offering insight into her life. What this novel really is is a coming of age novel of the blandest outline. Any depth of discovery into tourettes is brief and repetitive.

The closing chapters were of the utmost disappointment. Rather than having the character find a therapist competent enough to diagnose the illness the author introduces the church and through Icy's new faith she musters the strength to persevere and the acceptance she has long desired.

Though I don't doubt the power of faith, I think it demonstrates a lack of research on the author's behalf. People with psychological disorders have been failing at this approach for centuries.

I do not agree with several of the "it's just okay" reviews! Come on folks. This little book was a great read. I couldn't wait to get into bed at night and see what Icy was doing. It's an easy read, too. I needed this little refreshing book after the more serious one I just finished. You will fall in love with Icy, her grandparents, Miss Emily, and the whole cast of characters this author has introduced you to. I was cheering for sweet Icy in the end!

I first read Icy Sparks when I was a teenager and fell quickly in love with everything in the book. The locations are vividly described, the main character charming and complex, and the story gripping and fun.
I'm now in my 20's and am re-reading it. I find it is just as fun as the first time, and worth re-reading. It is a very good book that I would recomend to anyone.