I read this last year, but I guess I didn't think to mark it on here since it was something I downloaded from Armstrong's website. Anyway, I liked it!I read this last year, but I guess I didn't think to mark it on here since it was something I downloaded from Armstrong's website. Anyway, I liked it! It's fun to fill in some of those blanks....more
I liked this a lot. It felt very recognizable, in a way most YA I read these days doesn't. I talked like these characters did, dreamed like they did, I liked this a lot. It felt very recognizable, in a way most YA I read these days doesn't. I talked like these characters did, dreamed like they did, FELT like they did. (And, well, that doesn't need to be past tense! I may be 10 years older than them, but it's still relatable.)
Slight spoiler! (view spoiler)[I'm not sure I entirely bought--or maybe understood?--their relationship. It felt like a friendship and I thought that was the point, but . . . then it seemed to be something more? (hide spoiler)]
But good. I'd recommend it, especially if you're like me and maybe a little burned out on current YA....more
Huh. I'm not entirely sure. I started out liking it more than I expected (because I wasn't a fan of American Gods), but, in the end, the emotional impHuh. I'm not entirely sure. I started out liking it more than I expected (because I wasn't a fan of American Gods), but, in the end, the emotional impact fell short for me.
On the other hand, I at first didn't like how many different story threads there were, but eventually liked how they fall fit together? (Even if I saw it coming.)
Anyway, I read this for a community and I'm glad I finally gave it a try, but I think Neil Gaiman probably isn't for me. Even liking this okay, there's something about his writing that doesn't seem to click for me. (Or maybe that's just my general lack of focus right now?)...more
4/11/12: Bumping this up to 5 stars after reading Beth Shulman's review and being reminded of how much I liked this book.
4.5 stars.
Very, very strong b4/11/12: Bumping this up to 5 stars after reading Beth Shulman's review and being reminded of how much I liked this book.
4.5 stars.
Very, very strong book.
Just . . . very competently written. There would be things brought up and it was so nice to feel confident that they would be paid off. Not a lot of books give me that feeling these days.
And certainly the idea of an immersive internet experience is a) appealing and b) relatable. I mean, spending much more time online than in the real world? I know that one. The idea of internet friends being "real" friends? Oh yeah.
And it's 80's nostalgia, but it's virtually all stuff where I at least recognize the references, even if I don't know them intimately. (Probably because it's pop culture stuff, mostly with a geeky bent!)
And it's FUN, but there's also actual consequences and GOING THERE, which is one of my big complaints about dystopian books. (Though I don't know if I'd really call it dystopian? Or, well, I suppose it is, but it's the kind of dystopian that very much comes out of the problems our world is currently experiencing. So it feels much more familiar and real that most dystopias I've read.)
I really liked this! I wasn't sure whether or not I would (I don't know. I'm prejudiced against non-fiction sometimes), but yeah. It was very enjoyablI really liked this! I wasn't sure whether or not I would (I don't know. I'm prejudiced against non-fiction sometimes), but yeah. It was very enjoyable and relatable....more
I thought this was largely worth the hype. Well-written and GREAT world building. I could've loved the characters more, but an overall good read.I thought this was largely worth the hype. Well-written and GREAT world building. I could've loved the characters more, but an overall good read....more
Not my favorite book ever, but enjoyable. I guess the romantic premise isn't really one of my tropes. And some of the plotlines weren't my favorite. (Not my favorite book ever, but enjoyable. I guess the romantic premise isn't really one of my tropes. And some of the plotlines weren't my favorite. (view spoiler)[I kind of side-eyed the ghost, especially at how real it became? And I really, really could've done without the stalking. (hide spoiler)]
But I'm looking forward to the next two! Interested in both those couples!...more
Eeeeeee, There's just something about a five star book, a physical feeling it gives me.
This is well-written and this pretty much is the marriage of coEeeeeee, There's just something about a five star book, a physical feeling it gives me.
This is well-written and this pretty much is the marriage of convenience novel I've wanted for a while now. For one, it's a TRUE marriage of convenience; They get married because he needs her money and they both CHOOSE this and go into it KNOWING this. They don't expect to fall in love, but they expect it to be a good marriage and they work at it. And they don't just work at their marriage, they work at their responsibilities as land owners (I'm not sure I've seen this before in a romance). Plus, the issue of sex is dealt with largely how I felt like it should in a marriage of convenience? (I almost tried to describe this more, but SPOILERS!)
And there are interesting side characters and side stories and READ IT!...more
I liked this a lot! For the most part, it flowed really well and I liked that it was set in the modern world, but also has a bit of a nostalgic feel? I liked this a lot! For the most part, it flowed really well and I liked that it was set in the modern world, but also has a bit of a nostalgic feel? And, of course, a touch of magic.
Will probably check out more by the author. Eventually....more
I guess I thought this didn't have enough depth, which it really needed, given the subject matter? It didn't make me care.I guess I thought this didn't have enough depth, which it really needed, given the subject matter? It didn't make me care....more
I'm still liking these a lot! These books are just so SOLID. And I liked a lot of the character stuff in this one. (view spoiler)[Dancer/Cat! I had myI'm still liking these a lot! These books are just so SOLID. And I liked a lot of the character stuff in this one. (view spoiler)[Dancer/Cat! I had my eye on them from their first exchange. And nice to see Han and Raisa spend significant time together. I mean, I could tell the books were building towards that, so I've been waiting for it! (hide spoiler)]
I enjoyed this! I read it straight through, which isn't something I've been doing a lot of lately (I keep picking books up and down). I liked the charI enjoyed this! I read it straight through, which isn't something I've been doing a lot of lately (I keep picking books up and down). I liked the characters and I'm excited to read more in the series.
Re-read 8/25/12: Even better on re-read! Start the next one soon, Grace! :D...more
I actually liked this more than the first one. It felt a lot more confidently written. Or maybe it's just that it's a sequel, so I have more affectionI actually liked this more than the first one. It felt a lot more confidently written. Or maybe it's just that it's a sequel, so I have more affection for the characters now. But OH THE MISUNDERSTANDINGS! And the awful things people did! It's the kind of frustrating experience you sometimes get watching a tv show where so much energy is put into keeping people apart. (It's an odd kind of love triangle when the problem isn't really her choosing between the two guys, it's that there are obstacles to BOTH relationships.)
But anyway. I did like this a lot and I'm looking forward to the next one. It's set in college AND third person, two things I want so much more of!...more
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