Scan barcode
catpanda1's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
nklosty's review
4.0
The sequel was a bit of a let down. I had a difficult time getting into the book. Maybe it was too long between readings. I did like the addition of other Blunderkinder and how those stories were weaved into the story of Ollie and Moritz. 89
cinna_bon's review
emotional
funny
reflective
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? Yes
5.0
Absolutely loved this book, and the second one. Probably my favorites.
missy_evanko's review
2.0
I didn't really think this needed a sequel, but it didn't even answer any of the remote questions left from the first book that I thought it would. Very heavy on metaphors, to the point when I didn't know what was happening. Way more ridiculous than the first one. You meet more of the lab kids, Ollie goes on a road trip to the outside world for the first time ever, and Moritz goes to a new school and struggles with new and old relationships. Nothing much actually happens that isn't completely ridiculous.
charlotterow's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
ryanpfw's review
5.0
Spoilers to follow.
I was concerned for a bit about Nowhere Near You. I tend to polish off a book this size in about three or four days, but I got slogged down in a second book and life got in the way, so it took me over a month. I feared my desire to get back on track would manifest with me blaming the book for slowing me down, coupled with the difficulties in duplicating the magic from Because You'll Never Meet Me.
It was the ending that parked it.
Because You'll Never Meet Me was the second book I've read with a declarative title that boxes in the narrative, and I loved it. Ollie and Moritz can never meet due to Moritz's heart condition and Ollie's electric allergy. That's it. Since Ollie is reliant on paper letters, we can't have a moment where they FaceTime or otherwise use technology to alleviate the boundaries set by the plot. I loved the setup and am drawn to stories that tell me in advance where it's going, but not why.
First, the complaints they ultimately didn’t do any lasting harm. While I give Nowhere Near You credit for bringing the storyline to broader heights, I am a bit miffed by that final scene, as perfect as it otherwise was. It wasn't supposed to be possible, and Nowhere Near You didn't even take advantage of the lack of boundaries from the last book with Ollie and Moritz. As Ollie gains more and more experience being around electricity, for example, there's no real reason Moritz couldn't use technology to expand on their interactions.
The boldness of the plot gets full credit for growing the story and doing it so well, despite glossing over what made the first in the series so great. We went from a quiet book about two boys who desperately needed each other and bonded exclusively through words, to Nowhere Near You, which gives each separate but loud physical and emotional journeys uncoupled from past restrictions. Ollie meets a new cast of children from the lab, questions old loyalties even more than he already had, and ultimately faces down a truly terrible truth that was staring the reader in the face the entire time. And it’s not solved. I love that. It sucks, and maybe something can be done, but probably not, and we’ll deal with it. I love that.
Moritz befriends his own pack, thankfully holds onto Feike, and comes out of the shadows perfectly. She’s one of the standout characters from the first book and is used perfectly here, whether breaking and entering or describing herself as delicate. Liz was abandoned, eventually purposefully, and I’m so glad Feike was not.
Where Because was quiet, Nowhere is loud. It works. Both boys find family, and the ending leaves both of their journeys unfinished. There's room for a third book, but I doubt we'll get one. Life always continues, and there's always room for one more.
I was concerned for a bit about Nowhere Near You. I tend to polish off a book this size in about three or four days, but I got slogged down in a second book and life got in the way, so it took me over a month. I feared my desire to get back on track would manifest with me blaming the book for slowing me down, coupled with the difficulties in duplicating the magic from Because You'll Never Meet Me.
It was the ending that parked it.
Because You'll Never Meet Me was the second book I've read with a declarative title that boxes in the narrative, and I loved it. Ollie and Moritz can never meet due to Moritz's heart condition and Ollie's electric allergy. That's it. Since Ollie is reliant on paper letters, we can't have a moment where they FaceTime or otherwise use technology to alleviate the boundaries set by the plot. I loved the setup and am drawn to stories that tell me in advance where it's going, but not why.
First, the complaints they ultimately didn’t do any lasting harm. While I give Nowhere Near You credit for bringing the storyline to broader heights, I am a bit miffed by that final scene, as perfect as it otherwise was. It wasn't supposed to be possible, and Nowhere Near You didn't even take advantage of the lack of boundaries from the last book with Ollie and Moritz. As Ollie gains more and more experience being around electricity, for example, there's no real reason Moritz couldn't use technology to expand on their interactions.
The boldness of the plot gets full credit for growing the story and doing it so well, despite glossing over what made the first in the series so great. We went from a quiet book about two boys who desperately needed each other and bonded exclusively through words, to Nowhere Near You, which gives each separate but loud physical and emotional journeys uncoupled from past restrictions. Ollie meets a new cast of children from the lab, questions old loyalties even more than he already had, and ultimately faces down a truly terrible truth that was staring the reader in the face the entire time. And it’s not solved. I love that. It sucks, and maybe something can be done, but probably not, and we’ll deal with it. I love that.
Moritz befriends his own pack, thankfully holds onto Feike, and comes out of the shadows perfectly. She’s one of the standout characters from the first book and is used perfectly here, whether breaking and entering or describing herself as delicate. Liz was abandoned, eventually purposefully, and I’m so glad Feike was not.
Where Because was quiet, Nowhere is loud. It works. Both boys find family, and the ending leaves both of their journeys unfinished. There's room for a third book, but I doubt we'll get one. Life always continues, and there's always room for one more.
pthornbury05's review
medium-paced
5.0
I loved the first book in this series and the sequel did not disappoint! The author does an amazing job at keeping consistent and I was on the edge of my seat by the ending. A great read!
cojack's review
3.0
This sequel to Because You'll Never Meet Me is much like the first book, for good and for bad. It is slow to develop and dull in parts. Ollie and Moritz are still great characters, though, and their friendship is sweet and charming. Read my full review on Common Sense Media: https://www.commonsensemedia.org/book-reviews/nowhere-near-you
faithl's review
5.0
A friendship we've read previously blossoms even further in this sequel as Moritz and Ollie find refuge in each other's words from the harsh reality out there. It's a bittersweet, heart-warming story about the power of friendship, love, kindness and the written word.
Ollie and Auburn-Stach take on the road as they meet other 'blunderkids'. I really admire Ollie's resolve and determination to tell these kid's stories. He does it with such a pure hearted and innocent nature that you literally want to jump into the story and give him a big hug. I imagine that he's so huggable! His humour is also so very childish but also hilarious. It's not crude or derogatory in any way, just very simple and effective. But Olle isn't always isn't this bundle of positive energy, this book ensure that we get to know Ollie in a much deeper way, delving into his insecurities and absolute fear of hurting anyone which is why he finds it hard to control his 'power.' It's here that I really admired to Ollie. At the beginning he seems weirdly joyous after losing his mother in the previous novel but we then understand that this is his coping mechanism. Optimism and story-telling is how he deals with his grief, burying it all under a facade of smiles and laughs. It really makes you admire him even more.
Onto Moritz now. If Ollie is the sun in this dynamic duo, Moritz is the moon - more mysterious but equally as admirable. Moritz encounters his own troubles, attending a liberal arts college, becoming friends with the girl who tried to drown him when he was younger and ironically, she isn't even a problem. What Moritz must confront is his own insecurities about his eye (or lack thereof), the actions of his mother and how that influences how he interacts with others and how he sees himself. I really loved how in this book, we begin to see a shift of Moritz being just as important as Ollie. I feel like Ollie takes the spotlight a lot of the time (rightfully so) and we see Ollie as Moritz's saving light but in this story, its revealed how Moritz is also Ollie's.
We meet new 'blunderkids', the term given to those who are like Ollie and Moritz - extra - special. Molly, Arthur and Bridget were such fantastic new characters - so emotional and complex. Molly has two mouths. One at the front and the other at the back except the latter seems to have a mind of its own, revealing the truth behind what comes out of her normal mouth. She was a feisty character, witty and sharp but also very compassionate in the most unexpected ways. It's because of her that Moritz comes out of his shell and defends himself. In addition, Arthur has the ability to heal (regrow bones, rejoin joints) at a super fast rate whilst also have very brittle and delicate bones. He has the same sort of boisterous personality as Ollie but with a much drier humour and more mature attitude. Nevertheless, still loved him with all my heart. Bridget, oh Bridget. What a complicated but amazing person was she. She probably had the most weirdest ability - being able to take her heart out of herself to avoid feeling. She had the most troubling past and as she gets used to removing her heart in the most confronting times, she begins to not want her heart anymore. A lot of Ollie's grief was not only his personal and internal problems but also his constant yearning to want the best for other people, especially Bridget. Ahh Ollie. I loved seeing how these three characters added to Moritz and Ollie's character development - letting them know that they are far from alone.
All in all, 'Nowhere Near You' is such a fantastic story about how friendship and kindness overcomes all. There such great messages ingrained in the story itself, so much so that this will be a story you'll hardly forget.
Ollie and Auburn-Stach take on the road as they meet other 'blunderkids'. I really admire Ollie's resolve and determination to tell these kid's stories. He does it with such a pure hearted and innocent nature that you literally want to jump into the story and give him a big hug. I imagine that he's so huggable! His humour is also so very childish but also hilarious. It's not crude or derogatory in any way, just very simple and effective. But Olle isn't always isn't this bundle of positive energy, this book ensure that we get to know Ollie in a much deeper way, delving into his insecurities and absolute fear of hurting anyone which is why he finds it hard to control his 'power.' It's here that I really admired to Ollie. At the beginning he seems weirdly joyous after losing his mother in the previous novel but we then understand that this is his coping mechanism. Optimism and story-telling is how he deals with his grief, burying it all under a facade of smiles and laughs. It really makes you admire him even more.
Onto Moritz now. If Ollie is the sun in this dynamic duo, Moritz is the moon - more mysterious but equally as admirable. Moritz encounters his own troubles, attending a liberal arts college, becoming friends with the girl who tried to drown him when he was younger and ironically, she isn't even a problem. What Moritz must confront is his own insecurities about his eye (or lack thereof), the actions of his mother and how that influences how he interacts with others and how he sees himself. I really loved how in this book, we begin to see a shift of Moritz being just as important as Ollie. I feel like Ollie takes the spotlight a lot of the time (rightfully so) and we see Ollie as Moritz's saving light but in this story, its revealed how Moritz is also Ollie's.
We meet new 'blunderkids', the term given to those who are like Ollie and Moritz - extra - special. Molly, Arthur and Bridget were such fantastic new characters - so emotional and complex. Molly has two mouths. One at the front and the other at the back except the latter seems to have a mind of its own, revealing the truth behind what comes out of her normal mouth. She was a feisty character, witty and sharp but also very compassionate in the most unexpected ways. It's because of her that Moritz comes out of his shell and defends himself. In addition, Arthur has the ability to heal (regrow bones, rejoin joints) at a super fast rate whilst also have very brittle and delicate bones. He has the same sort of boisterous personality as Ollie but with a much drier humour and more mature attitude. Nevertheless, still loved him with all my heart. Bridget, oh Bridget. What a complicated but amazing person was she. She probably had the most weirdest ability - being able to take her heart out of herself to avoid feeling. She had the most troubling past and as she gets used to removing her heart in the most confronting times, she begins to not want her heart anymore. A lot of Ollie's grief was not only his personal and internal problems but also his constant yearning to want the best for other people, especially Bridget. Ahh Ollie. I loved seeing how these three characters added to Moritz and Ollie's character development - letting them know that they are far from alone.
All in all, 'Nowhere Near You' is such a fantastic story about how friendship and kindness overcomes all. There such great messages ingrained in the story itself, so much so that this will be a story you'll hardly forget.