For the past years, every time I try to open a book, I end up not finishing them. This one? It took me only two days HOLY SHIT, GIMME BOOK 2, STAT!!!!
For the past years, every time I try to open a book, I end up not finishing them. This one? It took me only two days to get to the end. And boy, this book made my heart soar like a bird. I love space stories so much, and this one was a real treat! <3 <3
I might post a review later, but for now, let it be known it has Faye's Stamp of Approval \o/...more
First book read this year, and it was quite an underwhelming read.
Unfortunately, I didn't get too invested in it so I probably won't be giving a hardcFirst book read this year, and it was quite an underwhelming read.
Unfortunately, I didn't get too invested in it so I probably won't be giving a hardcore, gif-infested, raging review, but here's basically it:
BOOOORIIIIIIIING.
I'm not sure if it was simply the writing, or if it's just the main character's voice that kept repeating their sentiments with the same words in different patterns every time. You know, when they feel this ONE SPECIFIC THING, but they just had to go about it dramatically for pages x infinity. I feel like it was trying to be emotional, but at a certain point, it felt more monotonous because of how they kept going back to it over and over.
Plus, there's a love triangle that sent me on a yawning spree.
The climax was also quite underwhelming, and the resolution too short and abrupt... Unsatisfying ?
Too bad, too, cause space operas are totally my jam. Insert crying gif here....more
As always, these two authors delivered with an amazing scifi thriller finish. AIDAN's complexity was the best thing in this book though - not any of tAs always, these two authors delivered with an amazing scifi thriller finish. AIDAN's complexity was the best thing in this book though - not any of the three romances (which, I still agree, were pretty decent). There is still something about teenagers spearheading a space battle that kind of weirds me out (I mean, realistically speaking, that shit won't fly in any organization UNLESS THERE IS TRULY NO OTHER CHOICE. And realistically speaking, it's hard to imagine that they're the only ones capable out of THOUSANDS).
But all in all, it was a good finish. I just wish the ending wasn't so cheesy ^^;; That + the stuff I stated above marks one star off my rating. AIDAN however is just <3 <3 <3
If you're wondering if you should get this series, totally. There's no doubt about it. GET ALL OF IT NOW!...more
I think this is the book that revived my love for reading this time around. Intriguing premise, simple yet beautifully-worded prose, Wow. Just... wow.
I think this is the book that revived my love for reading this time around. Intriguing premise, simple yet beautifully-worded prose, fantastic characters, plots twistier than some I've seen thus far, and so, so, so thought-provoking. It was honestly such a refreshing read.
You guys need to read this. Like, totes. ASAP....more
A bit different from the first books by the author prose-wise. There are some parts I like about it, but it feels a little too ambitious in terms of sA bit different from the first books by the author prose-wise. There are some parts I like about it, but it feels a little too ambitious in terms of story-line and world-building. It is the first book of a series, though, so we'll see how it goes....more
This had none of the urgency that you would expect from a story that's about rich kids being kidnapped anThis was supposed to be an exciting thriller?
This had none of the urgency that you would expect from a story that's about rich kids being kidnapped and held hostage by guerillas and terrorists in the Colombian jungle - not especially when most of the time, they're all smooching, flirting, and making each other jealous. Seriously, you have guns and rifles pointed at your heads, and you're all wondering who kissed who and who cheated on who?! Goddamn. Priorities....more
Beta read it. Very cool concept, and I kinda loved the relationship that develops between the characters. You guys will have a blast once it's polisheBeta read it. Very cool concept, and I kinda loved the relationship that develops between the characters. You guys will have a blast once it's polished to perfection :D...more
A very high 3.5, like maybe 3.899999999. As much as I enjoyed this book and thought it had a decent ending (rather cliché and a bit too Hollywood for A very high 3.5, like maybe 3.899999999. As much as I enjoyed this book and thought it had a decent ending (rather cliché and a bit too Hollywood for me, but I understand the symbolism and significance, although I wish it was something less... cheesy), it didn't give me the FEEEEELINGS as Red Rising and Golden Son did. Those two made me howl in laughter and adrenaline and sadness and anger, this one? Underwhelmed, for the most part.
A Young Adult book with high-intensity action, drugs, and catching villains in the metropolitan city in the US of A. That sounds like a pretty good prA Young Adult book with high-intensity action, drugs, and catching villains in the metropolitan city in the US of A. That sounds like a pretty good premise, don't you think? Reminds me of all those superhero books we all adore, except this one has young teenagers taking drugs to give them superstrength/speed/and whatever super-what-have-you. Reading this book a few weeks ago, it actually was pretty enjoyable...
...until it didn't.
Here's the thing: this book had potential. The first seventy percent was such an amazing ride. Here we are, introduced to a main character who is supposedly the best runner in her department. Her job as a teenage tool of the government? To use the Tetra (which is the drug, if the cliché drug name itself wasn't self-explanatory enough) to catch people using knock-offs of the drug to rob banks and risk public security. I loved the main character, Alana West, because she was so relatable - she wasn't the dreaded goody-two-shoes heroine, nor was she an annoying, reckless girl who thought the world revolved around her. She was level-headed, and at the same time, she was oozing with personality and had enough insecurities and self-loathing to balance her character (and no, I am not being sarcastic, she was pretty well-rounded), and trust me I JUST LOVED READING ALL OF IT. I GOBBLED IT ALL UP. I loved the intensity of the first seventy percent in the book, and I loved how in the middle part there was this internal struggle between using the drug to do good and using the drug because you're addicted to the drug and the 9 minutes of euphoria it gives you. I'm not sure how exactly accurate it was, but I felt like it was somehow a sneak peek into the mind of an addict and how much they justified using illegal drugs. It felt so real and so intimate and so disturbing all at the same time how the hero became a zero all because of a drug (and of course, some political shit, but hey, that's for you to find out by reading the book, right?) and I just LOVED IT.
And then the last thirty percent came, and it all went to shit.
I don't know what happened with the book, but for some reason, the last thirty percent flushed down all the complexity, all the rawness of the narrative, all the GOOD THINGS, down the toilet and it become inconssitent, predictable, and just downright insufferable. I wish I could expand more on this, but that would mean spoilers, and I really don't want to spoil you guys, but let's just say it felt like there was a change of authors because it became so ridiculous. From a very complex story about users using drugs with government conspiracies at the side, it became a story of some girl who fell head over heels in love with a dude she just met who contradicted herself every time she had a chance, with a cheesy villain coming out which was totally foreseen-able twenty miles away.
Long story short:
First seventy percent: AWESOME AS BEANS Last thirty percent: I NEED MY LAST TWO HOURS OF MY LIFE BACK PLEASE.
The deepest smile on my face, the lightest feeling I've had for the longest while, a warmness surrounding my heart... these were the things I've felt while AND after reading this book. I went from "Hmmm, this is interesting!" to "OMFG THIS IS THE CUTEST!!! MY HEART!!! ASDFGHJKL;" in like a fraction of a second once the book reeled me in its grasp. And trust me, it didn't even try. It was just absolutely, 100% effortless.
In other words: this book is a bloody gem.
I've loved so many books in the past years, a fair amount of them contemporaries. And many of the contemporaries I've super enjoyed - like Faking Normal, Emily and Oliver, What We Saw - the best I could give them were4 stars. The 5 stars that I've awarded is reserved for books like Anatomy of a Misfit - books with such amazing narration that feels not only real but also so very authentic to the point that the teenage me of yesterday comes out of her hidden depths just to cry out, "This character is so me. Her feelings, her fears, her insecurities are so me. SHE IS ME!"
Tell Me Three Things is that, in a nutshell. I love this book so much like you all wouldn't believe. I honestly was a little hesitant at first, but then, as I read 5 pages, the narration made me chuckle. Then I started enjoying it, nodding my head and giggling every few minutes and going, "Holy heck, this narration is so deep and genuine and teenagery and not pretentious at all!" Then I started feeling it, loving it, adoring it, along with my teenage self that, once again, has wished that she read this kind of book when she was still trying fit herself in a world she could hardly begin to understand. And to top it all off? It was all of these things and it was such a light-hearted and cute story, to boot. I resonated with the characters AND felt incredibly giddy about everything, too.
The romance, the character and relationship development, the hows and whys of online connections... man. How do I even begin?
I already mentioned about how the narration was top-notch (it really is. I wish I could highlight pretty much every word here because they're just so awesome), but I'd also like to reiterate and emphasize how the narration as well made the issues being tackled here so very real and authentic. There's just something so simple and yet so melodic about Jessie's voice that makes her feel like she could be your friend or your neighbor or simply yourself (I'm not even a funny person when I was a teenager [and Jessie is, effortlessly, even if her humor is more self-deprecating than anything else], and yet!!!!), talking about out her fears and concerns as you would have talked about them, too. This is the number one reason (plus her bring adorably funny) that makes this book so close to my heart, and it's so hard to find a narration like that - something that doesn't pretend to be "lyrical" and "real" but is just effortlessly is.
Imagine yourself as the new kid on the block, surrounded by people you don't know, far away from your best friend. You have a new mom who you're not yet ready to accept just yet, a new brother who wants to forget your existence, and your dad is way too busy "trying to move on" with his life without your real mom to understand the things you're going through. And then someone anonymously sends you a message, wanting to be the person to guide you through this new life you've stumbled yourself into, and as you get to know each other, you form a bond with someone you've never seen, never heard, never held. And you wonder, is this right?
Imagine that now with the most amazing narration... ever.
The aspect with the anonymous friend over the internet was seriously so well-done. I know how there are books out there with text messaging and social media involved in their stories, but none felt so "connecting" and "right" as the one here. I love how it showed how on the internet, we can be anyone we want to be, in a sort of way. In real life, you limit yourself to the kind of person you think you can survive as (as the elusive kid who ignores everyone, for example) but once online, you're so happy-go-lucky and vibrant, because the shadow of anonymity gives us the sort of freedom to show the real us to the people we want to reveal ourselves to. And I love how this was tastefully done, and how it was a big part of the book's suspense, and how it made the story so cuter and exciting on top of being so funny, authentic, and real.
PLUS, DID I MENTION HOW IT'S SO DARN CUTE?! I WAS SMILING SO WIDELY BY THE END OF THE STORY, DAMNIT.
This book surprised me in the best way possible. I don't regret accepting the review request even one bit because it was so very worth it. Julie Buxbaum is now an insta-buy for me, and I have no doubt she will be an insta-buy for you guys as well once you get a dose of this beautiful, funny, cute, light-hearted story.
Disclaimer: this wasn't a scary book. When we say 'scary', that's something I would give to the likes of Daughters Unto Devils by Amy Lukavics and GirDisclaimer: this wasn't a scary book. When we say 'scary', that's something I would give to the likes of Daughters Unto Devils by Amy Lukavics and Girl from the Well + The Suffering by Rin Chupeco. This wasn't even a mind-fuck of a book a la Dangerous Girls
However, that doesn't mean my mind didn't reel from it. Even though this didn't have the quiet or the jumpy horror I am well fond of, how this book delivered a kickass psychological paranormal thriller made me shiver in my boots.
1. Unreliable narrator? Check. 2. A book majorly in a dairy format, showing us the thought processes of our heroine, therefore giving us an intense sneak peek of the insanity of the situation? Check. 3. Notes, transcription of videos, medical reports, letting us also see other sides of the story, that may or may not be challenging the authenticity of the narrator's end of events? Double check.
This is what made this book amazing to me - the fact that we are seeing one side of the story from one person, and at the same time, we get to see another side of the story from other sources, and how they pretty collide in our own minds. Yes, in the grander scheme of things, the thriller aspect here was kind of predictable, but at the same time, the journey to getting there was incredible. This is the kind of book that allows the reader to interpret the flow of events, the form their own conclusions based on what they have read and what evidences have been presented. It never confirms or denies anything - it's simply a cast of characters talking about their own side of a particularly messy situation.
And that my friends, is its beauty. Because even though it is one, a little predictable, and two, not-so-scary in a DEMON! GHOSTS! MURDERER ON THE LOOSE! kind of way, how we were able to get the story made it exciting and thrilling. It would make you wonder who is telling the truth: is it the girl and her friends and the doctor is just blinded by her own bias? Or is the doctor and her team of specialists and our friends are simply stuck in their own out-of-this-world delusion?
How about you read this book, my friends, and tell me what you think?...more
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