Reviews

We Didn't Ask for This by Adi Alsaid

adrzeck's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

Teens at an international school are physically locked into school, during the yearly lock in party, by students protesting a list of environmental demands. Told from various perspectives. Will the students band together or fall to their baser desires. Told over two days.

lightqueer's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

this book is hauntingly beautiful.

8cht's review against another edition

Go to review page

1.0

Mag den Erzählstil nicht

aminaelisa's review against another edition

Go to review page

2.0

Once again, I am asking for half stars.
That being said, this was a 2.5.
I couldn’t connect with the writing and although I appreciate a lot of what this book did (it also got better towards the end), how do you write an entire book without telling us what country it is set in??

jennifermreads's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

Actual rating 3.5 stars
Received advanced reader copy from publisher at PLA 2020

Lock-in night at Central International School always is epic and memorable. Big things happen for many attendees: making a friend, winning a contest, finding the courage to kiss a crush. But one student decides that this year’s lock-in will be something else: the setting for her protest. Marisa and her friends chain themselves to the doors, trapping hundreds of students from elite families who will be held hostage until her list of demands is met.

What intrigued me most about this story was that it seems so unique to me. I’m not sure that I’ve seen or read a YA book with a peaceful protest about the environment at its core. Even if you know nothing about the harms our ocean’s reefs are experiencing, enough details are provided to educate without you knowing you are being educated. The large cast of characters will endear themselves to readers as you are eased through complicated scenarios and demands.

The unlikeliness of so much of the story dropped the rating for me. While this could be described as realistic fiction (that is the booklist it will go on at my library), so many pieces are unrealistic. Windows that don’t open? Classes going on while the protest continues?
SpoilerSo many of the demands being met? Though, I suppose that the elite school setting populated with students of CEOs, ambassadors, politicians, and other VIPs makes the possibilities of success much higher.


Still, I see the value in putting this story on the library’s shelves. The characters are diverse and multi-faceted. It is unique plot. It is quite current in its real-world importance. It could light a spark for a reader to find solutions for big issues that are impacting their futures.

siebensommer's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny reflective slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.0

cute, also i really liked the imagery (theres a secret party room under the koi pond and there’s a description of a night when the moon was full and filled the room with a soft light ✨ )

struggled to get emotionally involved because there’s a loot of characters idk

slimbooks's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging informative inspiring slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

stellulu's review against another edition

Go to review page

2.5

 I really did like some parts but all around I didn’t really enjoy reading it

dream_write_read's review against another edition

Go to review page

3.0

3/5 Stars

I loved the concept, I just don’t feel it connected with me as much as I hoped. The amount of characters sort of had me lost, and when I thought I had it down I realized I didn’t. This left with no connection to any of the characters really.

Is is odd that I like her writing by didn’t connect to it? I liked the style, but the POV’s chosen seemed like too much.

I think this book could be really good and a favorite for some readers. It wasn’t a bad book my any means, just didn’t stand out.

ozcar's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous hopeful informative inspiring tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5