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cgreaderbee's reviews
469 reviews
The Midnight Star by Marie Lu
4.0
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this series. I grew very attached to the characters, both "good" and "bad." The more I learned about the characters, the more hazy and gray that distinction became.
I was a bit disappointed at how much ... shorter this book was in comparison to the first and second. I wanted more out of it. The second half of the first book and a good portion of the second book is packed with adventure and mystery and character / world building - enticing and enchanting. This book lacked those things; the whole story was focused on "the end." Ultimately, it did fulfill its purpose of explaining and concluding things. But it felt like that's all there was to this book; there wasn't a whole lot of meat. I would have been much happier if this entire book comprised the ending 50-75% of "Book Three". But instead, the storyline immediately began it's march towards conclusion. I'm probably exaggerating this to a degree; but that was my lasting impression.
I did not see the ending coming, so I found myself a bit heart broken.
Still highly recommend this book and this series to all!
I was a bit disappointed at how much ... shorter this book was in comparison to the first and second. I wanted more out of it. The second half of the first book and a good portion of the second book is packed with adventure and mystery and character / world building - enticing and enchanting. This book lacked those things; the whole story was focused on "the end." Ultimately, it did fulfill its purpose of explaining and concluding things. But it felt like that's all there was to this book; there wasn't a whole lot of meat. I would have been much happier if this entire book comprised the ending 50-75% of "Book Three". But instead, the storyline immediately began it's march towards conclusion. I'm probably exaggerating this to a degree; but that was my lasting impression.
I did not see the ending coming, so I found myself a bit heart broken.
Still highly recommend this book and this series to all!
Crank by Ellen Hopkins
2.0
1-2 out of 5 stars.
I just was not a fan of this book.
In this story, we find Kristina, a nice girl with a nice family and nice friends who does well in school, and who apparently does not like herself very much. When she is shipped away to spend a few weeks with her absent, troubled Father, Bree is unveiled - Kristina’s “alter-ego” of sorts, who is reckless, confident, and who we find is going to make some extremely bad decisions. She gets caught up with the bad boy next door, and while “falling in love” gets introduced to The Monster - Crank aka drugs aka meth (I believe). Kristina/Bree’s existence just spirals from this point, extending into her life when she does return home. She has now fallen victim to the monster’s hold.
I found the beginning of this book to be a negative factor. We are not given any time in which to know Kristina, to see her downfall and angst pre-Bree formation. I found that made it really hard for me to care at all about Kristina, and gave me no insight as to why Kristina made the choices she did, and therefore I really had no compassion for her as a character. It is also not clear as to why she has to go to visit her Father in the beginning of the book; some sort of “court order” is mentioned. It is explained some in the after note from the author. Ultimately, I wish we were able to get to know Kristina a little more, to establish more of a foundation with her before she immediately just starts making all these bad choices.
Also, while I do enjoy the lyrical/verse writing style of the author, it further distances the reader from the character, another factor that makes it hard for me to care about her and the things she’s going through.
The rest of the story goes through Kristina’s downfall and the thriving/struggling formation of Bree. It was interesting to be exposed to this unfortunate but all too realistic world of addiction. I appreciated that the author was open and gave her personal take on the novel at the end, explaining that this book was written after she went through a similar type experience with her own daughter. This gave it the meaning to me that the book itself overall lacked.
I just was not a fan of this book.
In this story, we find Kristina, a nice girl with a nice family and nice friends who does well in school, and who apparently does not like herself very much. When she is shipped away to spend a few weeks with her absent, troubled Father, Bree is unveiled - Kristina’s “alter-ego” of sorts, who is reckless, confident, and who we find is going to make some extremely bad decisions. She gets caught up with the bad boy next door, and while “falling in love” gets introduced to The Monster - Crank aka drugs aka meth (I believe). Kristina/Bree’s existence just spirals from this point, extending into her life when she does return home. She has now fallen victim to the monster’s hold.
I found the beginning of this book to be a negative factor. We are not given any time in which to know Kristina, to see her downfall and angst pre-Bree formation. I found that made it really hard for me to care at all about Kristina, and gave me no insight as to why Kristina made the choices she did, and therefore I really had no compassion for her as a character. It is also not clear as to why she has to go to visit her Father in the beginning of the book; some sort of “court order” is mentioned. It is explained some in the after note from the author. Ultimately, I wish we were able to get to know Kristina a little more, to establish more of a foundation with her before she immediately just starts making all these bad choices.
Also, while I do enjoy the lyrical/verse writing style of the author, it further distances the reader from the character, another factor that makes it hard for me to care about her and the things she’s going through.
The rest of the story goes through Kristina’s downfall and the thriving/struggling formation of Bree. It was interesting to be exposed to this unfortunate but all too realistic world of addiction. I appreciated that the author was open and gave her personal take on the novel at the end, explaining that this book was written after she went through a similar type experience with her own daughter. This gave it the meaning to me that the book itself overall lacked.
I'll Give You the Sun by Jandy Nelson
5.0
Just. Wow. This will be going down as one of my all time favorite books.
This book was just powerful; powerfully emotive. I felt such an intense array of emotions while reading this book.
I could understand why the writing style could throw some people off. Initially, it took a little getting used to. There's a lot of metaphor and hyperbole that makes you stop for a second and think - "Wait, did that really just happen?" But no, it didn't. It is written without any holding back, raw honest thoughts from a young mind; the weird, exaggerated things we think or imagine from time to time. Read it; it'll make sense.
The story is presented in alternating view points from twins : Noah and Jude. Jude is 16 yo and we hear her side of the story from the "present tense." Noah ranges from 13-14 yo and we slowly begin to piece together what happened in the years between that tore them apart. Tore their family apart, tore their dreams apart. How all the characters are related and come together in such a big way. But I digress.
There is so much to consider in this book: the dynamics between siblings, between family; the regrets and selfish mistakes that even loved ones can make; the unsure, naive, but powerful thoughts and feelings of youth; the jaded, damaged, yet hopeful thoughts and feelings of adulthood.
I loved all the little, weird, special things about each character. I felt so much for all of them. I was devastated for them, afraid for them, happy for them, mad at them...
Please just read this book.
This book was just powerful; powerfully emotive. I felt such an intense array of emotions while reading this book.
I could understand why the writing style could throw some people off. Initially, it took a little getting used to. There's a lot of metaphor and hyperbole that makes you stop for a second and think - "Wait, did that really just happen?" But no, it didn't. It is written without any holding back, raw honest thoughts from a young mind; the weird, exaggerated things we think or imagine from time to time. Read it; it'll make sense.
The story is presented in alternating view points from twins : Noah and Jude. Jude is 16 yo and we hear her side of the story from the "present tense." Noah ranges from 13-14 yo and we slowly begin to piece together what happened in the years between that tore them apart. Tore their family apart, tore their dreams apart. How all the characters are related and come together in such a big way. But I digress.
There is so much to consider in this book: the dynamics between siblings, between family; the regrets and selfish mistakes that even loved ones can make; the unsure, naive, but powerful thoughts and feelings of youth; the jaded, damaged, yet hopeful thoughts and feelings of adulthood.
I loved all the little, weird, special things about each character. I felt so much for all of them. I was devastated for them, afraid for them, happy for them, mad at them...
Please just read this book.
Not If I See You First by Eric Lindstrom
4.0
Maybe 3.5 stars but I will round up to 4.
For a while I did not really expect to like this book. But by the end, I found myself appreciating the following:
- How well the author was able to get me all caught up in the drama and emotions; I could relate so well to the deep sinking pitting feelings that Parker experienced at so many different points. My heart was ripping out of my chest at all the right moments.
- I appreciated that Parker was sarcastic and cynical and flawed. I thought she could be witty and funny, while also selfish and kind of awful at times. She had doubts and fears and pride. An enjoyable mix of rational and irrational.
- I appreciated all the side characters. The dynamics were entertaining, full of the roller coaster ride of friendship, the good and the bad. I loved how they all had Parkers back, looking out for and standing up for her.
It made me miss high school and old friendships. I long for the time I was tucked safely in the safe dreamlike stage before you realize the adult world is waiting to smother you.
Ahem. I did not appreciate that ending though. I wanted more.
For a while I did not really expect to like this book. But by the end, I found myself appreciating the following:
- How well the author was able to get me all caught up in the drama and emotions; I could relate so well to the deep sinking pitting feelings that Parker experienced at so many different points. My heart was ripping out of my chest at all the right moments.
- I appreciated that Parker was sarcastic and cynical and flawed. I thought she could be witty and funny, while also selfish and kind of awful at times. She had doubts and fears and pride. An enjoyable mix of rational and irrational.
- I appreciated all the side characters. The dynamics were entertaining, full of the roller coaster ride of friendship, the good and the bad. I loved how they all had Parkers back, looking out for and standing up for her.
It made me miss high school and old friendships. I long for the time I was tucked safely in the safe dreamlike stage before you realize the adult world is waiting to smother you.
Ahem. I did not appreciate that ending though. I wanted more.
The Ocean at the End of the Lane by Neil Gaiman
4.0
After reading a few of Gaiman's works, I can safely say I am a lifetime fan. While I wasn't necessarily as swept away in this story line, as I was in Neverwhere, there is just no denying this author has a true gift. His craft of words is masterful.
This book is both a dream and a nightmare. It is fantasy and reality. It is being a child and also an adult. He perfectly creates a sense of nostalgia and wonder.
"Nothing's ever the same," she said. "Be it a second later or a hundred years. It's always churning and roiling. And people change as much as oceans."
This book is both a dream and a nightmare. It is fantasy and reality. It is being a child and also an adult. He perfectly creates a sense of nostalgia and wonder.
"Nothing's ever the same," she said. "Be it a second later or a hundred years. It's always churning and roiling. And people change as much as oceans."