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laurie_p's review against another edition
3.0
Hmm... I have to admit, after loving Pike's Wings series as much as I do, this was a bit of a disappointment. It's not the writing style, or the plot really, or the characters, but just... Okay, let's take a walk through all the things that bothered me.
It starts early on. Actually, most of it is early on. We meet Tavia and she's alright, I think. But then we meet the love interests. Now, I'll admit that I am the kind of person who likes to build their romances painstakingly slowly. So I notice pretty easily when a romance is normally paced, and I definitely know when it's fast. The ones in here? Way too fast. With Benson I could still kind of get behind it because he and Tavia have been friends and she's had a crush on him for a while already at the start of the book. I still would have preferred a bit more introduction - I mean, they kiss I think the second time we even see Benson? - but it was logical enough. But then there's Quinn, who she basically falls in love with from the second time she sees him?? (Keep in mind that they have not exchanged a word at this point.) I get that she thinks he's hot. I even get having a bit of a crush on a complete stranger. But love? It was just weird. And the dichotomy of the smart, sweet best friend/crush and the mysterious guy who sets your insides on fire and makes you throw away all caution is just so cliché. Pike even already used it with David and Tamani. (Even the colors of their eyes are the same, like come onnnn...) Thank god for the plot twist at the ending that kind of broke away from this.
What else? Well, actually pace might be just the right problem in the rest of the book too, not just in the romance parts. I'm even having trouble remembering specific examples because a lot of it felt so chaotic. Sure, that's one way to create an atmosphere but it just makes this book a lot to take in. Only about halfway through I started to feel like things were clicking into place. And then I don't mean plotwise with the secrets that Tavia is discovering which make clear exactly why all of the stuff before has happened but the actual reading experience itself. Because I did like the ending! I liked the plot twists and the climax and I really am curious about what will happen next! But the first half was a hot mess.
It starts early on. Actually, most of it is early on. We meet Tavia and she's alright, I think. But then we meet the love interests. Now, I'll admit that I am the kind of person who likes to build their romances painstakingly slowly. So I notice pretty easily when a romance is normally paced, and I definitely know when it's fast. The ones in here? Way too fast. With Benson I could still kind of get behind it because he and Tavia have been friends and she's had a crush on him for a while already at the start of the book. I still would have preferred a bit more introduction - I mean, they kiss I think the second time we even see Benson? - but it was logical enough. But then there's Quinn, who she basically falls in love with from the second time she sees him?? (Keep in mind that they have not exchanged a word at this point.) I get that she thinks he's hot. I even get having a bit of a crush on a complete stranger. But love? It was just weird. And the dichotomy of the smart, sweet best friend/crush and the mysterious guy who sets your insides on fire and makes you throw away all caution is just so cliché. Pike even already used it with David and Tamani. (Even the colors of their eyes are the same, like come onnnn...) Thank god for the plot twist at the ending that kind of broke away from this.
What else? Well, actually pace might be just the right problem in the rest of the book too, not just in the romance parts. I'm even having trouble remembering specific examples because a lot of it felt so chaotic. Sure, that's one way to create an atmosphere but it just makes this book a lot to take in. Only about halfway through I started to feel like things were clicking into place. And then I don't mean plotwise with the secrets that Tavia is discovering which make clear exactly why all of the stuff before has happened but the actual reading experience itself. Because I did like the ending! I liked the plot twists and the climax and I really am curious about what will happen next! But the first half was a hot mess.
kirstysbookshelf's review against another edition
2.0
I thought this book was quite confusing. There were a lot of things going on within the book which made it confusing and difficult to keep up with. There was a complicated love triangle between the main character and two other guys; one that was real and one that was a ghost.
This story followed a lot of the usual YA plot lines which made it very predictable and boring in places. I didn't particularly like the main character and at times I found her very annoying.
I don't think I will be continuing with the series as I found it confusing, predictable and I didn't like the characters.
This story followed a lot of the usual YA plot lines which made it very predictable and boring in places. I didn't particularly like the main character and at times I found her very annoying.
I don't think I will be continuing with the series as I found it confusing, predictable and I didn't like the characters.
ahobbitsreadinglist's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
chevreads's review against another edition
5.0
Kept me engaged from the beginning... I was searching for answers, and there is a twist that I did not expect! I will certainly be reading the next book in this series!
valerie_lostmylifetobooks's review against another edition
2.0
I'm a bit conflicted after this read. I'm still trying to figure out wether I want to read the sequel or not. The Benson-thing at the end kind of made me curious to know.
We shall see.
I would just like to add that I liked Pike's other series (Wings, Spells, Illusions, Destiny) better, for now. Maybe if I decide to read the sequel, I will have to change my mind (but not likely...)
We shall see.
I would just like to add that I liked Pike's other series (Wings, Spells, Illusions, Destiny) better, for now. Maybe if I decide to read the sequel, I will have to change my mind (but not likely...)
cherrywood's review against another edition
1.0
Sadly, I have to say that this is one of those books that I probably will never finish. It is just to... I don't really know what to say. I guess one of the parts that really bothers me is that she is dating and kissing this guy that she doesn't really know and at the same time she is kissing this other guy that she likes too. I am sorry, but I do not like girls who cheats on their boyfriend. Also, I feel like most of the book is all about kissing, there really isn't much of any content in it at all. Like turn the page, she kissing him again. To be honest, it really makes me very uncomfortable since I don't even really know that guy. Seriously, the book doesn't tell you anything about him and how she came to love him. It is just one of those books that she is already dating and kissing this guy before the book even started. That is why I don't think that I will ever finish this book and I am also regretting buying this book.
tiareleine's review against another edition
2.0
I should have known. I should have known I wouldn't like it. I didn't like Aprilynne Pike's other series, Wings, but I finished it anyway. Because of that, when Earthbound came out I'd filed Aprilynne Pike under "Authors I've Read" in my head. And when I've read something by an author, I basically automatically buy their subsequent books.
That was a mistake. And one I will not be making again.
The book follows Tavia. She hasan extreme case of special snowflake syndrome been in an accident and her life has been turned upside down. And to make it worse, strange things have started happening around her. A mysterious boy in 1800's garb appears, there are strange triangles only she can see, ChapStick is appearing in her pockets.
Sounds interesting, right?
Well, it would have been interesting if it weren't for the romance. Insta-love and a love triangle. I've managed to get away from both of these for a long stretch of books, but they're back. With a vengeance. I knew, going in, that there was a love triangle. I knew what that meant when it came to an Aprilynne Pike book (the love triangle in Wings was one of the most overpowering and persistent I've ever read) but this was worse than I imagined.
Tavia has the same arrangement Laurel had in Wings. There's one guy (Benson) she met soon after moving and instantly became friends with, and he is her tie to the human world. The other guy (Quinn) is mysterious and intriguing, and it feels like they know each other. He is her tie to the paranormal world. (She's also "supposed" to be with him and feels an incredibly strong emotional attachment to him, but she tries to date the other guy anyway. She's not emotionally faithful). Both of them instantly fall for her, and put up with all of her "I'm in love with two guys" shit. (I mean, Benson protested and complained about Quinn, but never took any action, like, say, breaking off his relationship with her because he just loved her too much.)
The insta-love was the worst. Not only was Tavia instantly in love with Quinn, Benson was instantly in love with Tavia. They'd known each other for maybe a couple of months, and they started dating one day before he helped her steal a car and run away with no destination in mind. And once they were on the run, they said they loved each other about twice a page. At first I thought maybe I just wasn't enough of a romantic for this book, but as it wore on I realized that their relationship was too much too fast. There was never any build-up. They were friends one second and in love the next.
Also, what the hell kind of name is Benson?
Normally, you'd think a relationship-centric book like this one would have a flimsy main character, and actually you'd be wrong. Tavia wasn't flimsy. She annoyed me, but she wasn't weak. But she had a hard time thinking of anyone but herself.
Look, I'm all for being selfish (and I don't just mean me, I mean everyone. Humans are inherently selfish) but seriously, sometimes characters in YA books astound me. Like Tavia, Also, she made terrible decisions! She spent the whole book on the run from the only people who could give her any answers about what she was, and she complained the whole time about not knowing anything! There's an easy solution; listen to them!
Although, as much as Tavia annoyed me and as much as I didn't agree with most of her decisions, I liked that she thought about things. She recognized that a lot of her decisions were questionable, and even though she made them she understood that maybe they weren't exactly what she should have done. I really appreciate this. It doesn't make up for the fact that they were stupid decisions, but at least she knew.
In the end, I think this book was just too ambitious. It tried to have this big mystery about secret societies, and an epic love story, and an all-powerful teenager, and love and loss and betrayal. It was too much. All of it felt half-baked. If the love story had been toned down, I think the paranormal aspect would have worked much better. Unfortunately, it felt like the relationship stuff was long and slow and the paranormal stuff was short and rushed.
I'm not going to finish the series, because by the end of the book in didn't care what happened. I forced myself to finish it (although I read the last 50 pages at double speed and half paying attention) and not sure I want to sign myself up for that one or two times more. I need to learn when to walk away from a series, and I think this might be it.
That was a mistake. And one I will not be making again.
The book follows Tavia. She has
Sounds interesting, right?
Well, it would have been interesting if it weren't for the romance. Insta-love and a love triangle. I've managed to get away from both of these for a long stretch of books, but they're back. With a vengeance. I knew, going in, that there was a love triangle. I knew what that meant when it came to an Aprilynne Pike book (the love triangle in Wings was one of the most overpowering and persistent I've ever read) but this was worse than I imagined.
Tavia has the same arrangement Laurel had in Wings. There's one guy (Benson) she met soon after moving and instantly became friends with, and he is her tie to the human world. The other guy (Quinn
Spoiler
who we later learn is now named Logan, so in the next book it'll be Logan playing this partThe insta-love was the worst. Not only was Tavia instantly in love with Quinn, Benson was instantly in love with Tavia. They'd known each other for maybe a couple of months, and they started dating one day before he helped her steal a car and run away with no destination in mind. And once they were on the run, they said they loved each other about twice a page. At first I thought maybe I just wasn't enough of a romantic for this book, but as it wore on I realized that their relationship was too much too fast. There was never any build-up. They were friends one second and in love the next.
Also, what the hell kind of name is Benson?
Normally, you'd think a relationship-centric book like this one would have a flimsy main character, and actually you'd be wrong. Tavia wasn't flimsy. She annoyed me, but she wasn't weak. But she had a hard time thinking of anyone but herself.
Look, I'm all for being selfish (and I don't just mean me, I mean everyone. Humans are inherently selfish) but seriously, sometimes characters in YA books astound me. Like Tavia,
Spoiler
who refused to go with Liz, Sammi, and Mark to be reunited with her soul mate, which they told her was necessary to unlock memories she had that would cure a virus and save the human race (and btw I think it's really stupid that her choice of boyfriend is so important to human survival. I mean, jfc, dramatic much?) And she said no! She said she'd rather stay with Benson--which would entail being on the run forever and ruining his life (but that's cool, because he said he's okay with that).Although, as much as Tavia annoyed me and as much as I didn't agree with most of her decisions, I liked that she thought about things. She recognized that a lot of her decisions were questionable, and even though she made them she understood that maybe they weren't exactly what she should have done. I really appreciate this. It doesn't make up for the fact that they were stupid decisions, but at least she knew.
In the end, I think this book was just too ambitious. It tried to have this big mystery about secret societies, and an epic love story, and an all-powerful teenager, and love and loss and betrayal. It was too much. All of it felt half-baked. If the love story had been toned down, I think the paranormal aspect would have worked much better. Unfortunately, it felt like the relationship stuff was long and slow and the paranormal stuff was short and rushed.
I'm not going to finish the series, because by the end of the book in didn't care what happened. I forced myself to finish it (although I read the last 50 pages at double speed and half paying attention) and not sure I want to sign myself up for that one or two times more. I need to learn when to walk away from a series, and I think this might be it.
the_bookbasket's review against another edition
4.0
4.8/5
1st read: Aprilynne Pike manages to grip the reader from the start. Her character development is astounding and the plot twists were one I never saw coming.
2nd read: I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and knowing what the ending would be, I focused more on the hidden tidbits one does not see during their first read. Because this is in first person, you do, however, get deceived by some good and bad people due to perspective. I did enjoy the reading experience, even if the main character started giving me whiplash with her love life - it all makes sense once you read the book (hence why I didn't mind the whiplash).
1st read: Aprilynne Pike manages to grip the reader from the start. Her character development is astounding and the plot twists were one I never saw coming.
2nd read: I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and knowing what the ending would be, I focused more on the hidden tidbits one does not see during their first read. Because this is in first person, you do, however, get deceived by some good and bad people due to perspective. I did enjoy the reading experience, even if the main character started giving me whiplash with her love life - it all makes sense once you read the book (hence why I didn't mind the whiplash).
maddiestar's review against another edition
3.0
I remember reading this fairly quickly. I didn't enjoy it as much as the Wings series, but I had fun with it at times.
charonlrdraws's review against another edition
3.0
So the first few chapters of Earthbound were great, then well it took a nose dive and I lost interest after that why do books with such a good premise wind not actually working out yeah this is disappointing I was debating if I should give two stars but I decided not to in the end.
I will read book two at somepoint, just not anytime soon.
A summery for Earthbound:
If love can survive death, are soul-mates eternal?
Eighteen-year-old Tavia is the only survivor of a plane crash that killed her parents. Grieving and lonely, she starts having strange visions; of a boy she's never met but feels compulsively drawn to. A boy who tells her to do things she never dreamed of.
Tavia begins to suspect that secrets are being kept from her, and that her kindly aunt and uncle know more than they are letting on. Was the plane crash really an accident? Or is Tavia part of something bigger than she ever imagined?
With only her instincts and long-time crush, Benson, to rely on, Tavia must decide where her destiny lies, and who with.
Yeah my first Aprilynne Pike book wasn't that great which is a shame as I really wanted to enjoy this book as well, but fell short of actually being good which sucked.
I will read book two at somepoint, just not anytime soon.
A summery for Earthbound:
If love can survive death, are soul-mates eternal?
Eighteen-year-old Tavia is the only survivor of a plane crash that killed her parents. Grieving and lonely, she starts having strange visions; of a boy she's never met but feels compulsively drawn to. A boy who tells her to do things she never dreamed of.
Tavia begins to suspect that secrets are being kept from her, and that her kindly aunt and uncle know more than they are letting on. Was the plane crash really an accident? Or is Tavia part of something bigger than she ever imagined?
With only her instincts and long-time crush, Benson, to rely on, Tavia must decide where her destiny lies, and who with.
Yeah my first Aprilynne Pike book wasn't that great which is a shame as I really wanted to enjoy this book as well, but fell short of actually being good which sucked.