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homulucy's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Reading this about 3 years after the Covid pandemic & subsequent lockdown, it still hits fairly close to home. Going Viral was a relatively accurate portrayal of living in lockdown and not being able to go outside. The way the chapters were half real life and half online posts was an effective way of showing how the lines between Claire’s real life and story start to blur. At times, I even forgot that the blog posts were not real.
But, for all of the good parts of this book, there are just as many, if not more, flaws. Claire is a pretty unlikeable character throughout the story and she doesn’t seem to really improve herself even at the end of the book. Her and Vanessa (Claire’s girlfriend)’s constant fights over text and/or video call never have a proper resolution in the moment, with the argument just getting swept under the rug. They never address the problems on their relationship
The dynamic between Sadie and Claire is never really present throughout the book, they talk a few times, but besides that there was nothing there in terms of relationship. The eventual blowup between Claire and Sadie felt like it was long time coming and should have happened chapters earlier. Every bad thing that happened to Claire wouldn’t of happened if she had been honest with Vanessa and Claire about the posts
Overall, Going Viral was not bad, but not good either. The basic structure and plot of the book is interesting, but the execution wasn’t the best I’ve seen. Hopefully some better books set during Covid will be published, because it’s important to cover events we all went through.
But, for all of the good parts of this book, there are just as many, if not more, flaws. Claire is a pretty unlikeable character throughout the story and she doesn’t seem to really improve herself even at the end of the book.
The dynamic between Sadie and Claire is never really present throughout the book, they talk a few times, but besides that there was nothing there in terms of relationship.
Overall, Going Viral was not bad, but not good either. The basic structure and plot of the book is interesting, but the execution wasn’t the best I’ve seen. Hopefully some better books set during Covid will be published, because it’s important to cover events we all went through.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Medical content and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Death
zinelib's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The early days of the pandemic are the backdrop for this Brooklyn fire escape romance. Claire is navigating quarantine from her girlfriend of six months, Vanessa, when in her loneliness and confusion, is drawn to her mysterious across-the-street neighbor, whom she first sees sitting radiant-haired on a fire escape.
I wonder if it's still a little soon for pandemic novels like this one, where the memory is so recent that I judge the characters for living it differently than I did. Total home grocery deliveries? No thoughts of helping others? Homemade masks seeming novel? And tbh, I'm still not over being frustrated with people who made the pandemic all about themselves, thinking it was only happening to them. Not that that's totally the scenario is this novel. Clearly Claire's fear is much of what drives her decisions. The unexpected change in objects of affection isn't that unexpected, and the fire escape girl has that perfect YA boyfriend vibe.
I wonder if the author is queer or not. It certainly works better with all girls than it might have if the SO and new love interest were boys because power dynamics would have played more of a role. The girls' sexuality was easily accepted by everyone involved, and there weren't any in-culture jokes or concerns, and no thoughts about women's colleges as they discussed where they wanted to go. Brooklyn didn't seem super authentic either, with no references to the neighborhood. I can't imagine being able to talk to my across-the-street neighbor fire escape to fire escape where I lived in BK in March 2020.
As I write this, I'm becoming more annoyed with the novel, and marked it down half a point. Proceed at your own risk!
I wonder if it's still a little soon for pandemic novels like this one, where the memory is so recent that I judge the characters for living it differently than I did. Total home grocery deliveries? No thoughts of helping others? Homemade masks seeming novel? And tbh, I'm still not over being frustrated with people who made the pandemic all about themselves, thinking it was only happening to them. Not that that's totally the scenario is this novel. Clearly Claire's fear is much of what drives her decisions. The unexpected change in objects of affection isn't that unexpected, and the fire escape girl has that perfect YA boyfriend vibe.
I wonder if the author is queer or not. It certainly works better with all girls than it might have if the SO and new love interest were boys because power dynamics would have played more of a role. The girls' sexuality was easily accepted by everyone involved, and there weren't any in-culture jokes or concerns, and no thoughts about women's colleges as they discussed where they wanted to go. Brooklyn didn't seem super authentic either, with no references to the neighborhood. I can't imagine being able to talk to my across-the-street neighbor fire escape to fire escape where I lived in BK in March 2020.
As I write this, I'm becoming more annoyed with the novel, and marked it down half a point. Proceed at your own risk!
arilikesbookss's review
2.0
Don’t expect fancy language from me.
I already had bad expectations for this book. Not sure why, but I did. So, I wasn’t surprised when I rated it 2/5.
First off, the writing style. If I’m being honest, it sounded like a fourth grader wrote it. There’s no fantastic vocabulary, like, why is everyone speaking “brightly?” I also hate the way it takes place during “present/modern” times with Covid, even though that’s like the main thing of the book. The way the slang is used bothers me. I also hate when the author made characters say “Soooo…..”
Secondly, the characters. I HATED CLARISSA. She was this annoying cocky girl and she was so ungrateful for everyone she had. Honestly, Vanessa DID deserve better. I don’t get what she sees in Claire, but whatever. Personally, Claire was a creepy stalker towards Sadie, a bratty daughter towards her parents, and an annoying girlfriend towards Vanessa. I find it difficult to enjoy books in which I dislike the main character.
Finally, the plot. It’s an interesting plot, Ill give it that. I was really interested to see what would happen, but the execution…
It just wasn’t for me. Maybe one of you loved the way it used slang and was during Covid-19 times so it was relatable. You do you!
Overall, I’m not surprised I didn’t enjoy this book. Thanks for reading
I already had bad expectations for this book. Not sure why, but I did. So, I wasn’t surprised when I rated it 2/5.
First off, the writing style. If I’m being honest, it sounded like a fourth grader wrote it. There’s no fantastic vocabulary, like, why is everyone speaking “brightly?” I also hate the way it takes place during “present/modern” times with Covid, even though that’s like the main thing of the book. The way the slang is used bothers me. I also hate when the author made characters say “Soooo…..”
Secondly, the characters. I HATED CLARISSA. She was this annoying cocky girl and she was so ungrateful for everyone she had. Honestly, Vanessa DID deserve better. I don’t get what she sees in Claire, but whatever. Personally, Claire was a creepy stalker towards Sadie, a bratty daughter towards her parents, and an annoying girlfriend towards Vanessa. I find it difficult to enjoy books in which I dislike the main character.
Finally, the plot. It’s an interesting plot, Ill give it that. I was really interested to see what would happen, but the execution…
It just wasn’t for me. Maybe one of you loved the way it used slang and was during Covid-19 times so it was relatable. You do you!
Overall, I’m not surprised I didn’t enjoy this book. Thanks for reading
thewritetofight's review
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.5
It was a really confusing book, the main character was awful and didn’t deserve her girlfriend, I know covid was a difficult time by like. What was that? <Spoiler>
yapha's review
4.0
Taking place in the first few months of the "Safer at Home" time period, this novel captures the mixed emotions of the beginning of lockdown. Claire is in the spring of her junior year when they are sent home for the two weeks that we all know stretched into a year. Stuck in an apartment with her parents, separated from her friends, her girlfriend, her school except for screens, she grows increasingly anxious about what the future holds. When she sees an unfamiliar girl on the fire escape across the way, she begins to post about her online. Her posts gain traction and she has to deal with the demands of her readers as well. This is only the second book I've read taking place during our current pandemic. It is exceptionally well done, capturing the range of reactions and emotions in the early months. Recommended for grades 7 & up.
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss
eARC provided by publisher via Edelweiss
ainsley_j5's review
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
booksjl's review
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
icegoddess09's review
emotional
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
I found the writing style too jarring and not comfortable
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gaslighting and Emotional abuse