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3.28 AVERAGE
3.28 AVERAGE
This is so beautifully bizarre. One you have to let sink in. The writing? Incredible. Some of the most stirring passages.
Full review here: http://www.stackedbooks.org/2011/06/dual-review-imaginary-girls-by-nova-ren.html
Full review here: http://www.stackedbooks.org/2011/06/dual-review-imaginary-girls-by-nova-ren.html
I'm the daughter of an alcoholic and I know Ruby far, far, far too well. And if I were the older sibling, I'd have been a Ruby faster than I could think.
A really interesting book about an underwater city, small town sisters, a fuck boy with a good heart, and a bunch of dead people. Eerie but really good. I wouldn’t hate reading more books about the town of Olive that’s for sure.
!!!Spoilers .P. Lots and lots of them.
Okay, maybe I'm just narrow minded, but big chunks of this book made no sense to me. It didn't clarify what the people/things in the lake were, why OR how Ruby has/got her powers. Well, it pretty much clarified nothing on the supernatural end of things. It didn't make much sense, and I got extremely lost.
I also hated Owen. I was super hyped with the prospect of his character right up until the scene where he told her to get out of the car, and then I didn't understand. Not in the way I was talking about above, but because I was so bewildered how he could be so mean so suddenly. And why he got got to live and Ruby didn't (maybe. I thought that was a little unclear. She obviously got dragged into the lake, but Chloe acted like she was going to come back at any minute, and I wasn't sure if that was because she was greiving (which, if she was, it was heartbreaking) or if there was some kind of supernatural lake creature Ruby had become.)
In general, this book mistified me. I probably would've given it a two star if it wasn't for Ruby.
But Ruby. Ah, Ruby. I know it's how she's supposed to be, larger than life, but she was like a sun among stars. I got her character so perfectly clear, and she was more real than just about any other character I've ever seen (Maggie Stiefvater and Cassandra Clare's are better in the long term, I think, especially when you consider they're still brilliant and there's more than one). She was so real, physically and mentally, that I just about died when she went out in the rowboat alone. I wanted Chloe to go and die, honestly I did. I wanted her to stay alive that badly. Chloe seemed to unimportant in comparison. Maybe that's how it's supposed to be. I don't know. But it was brilliant. Even when I wanted to hate her for being so controlling and stringing Pete and Jonah along like they didn't matter in the slightest. It was cruel, but her all-consuming love for her sister made up for it, just a little. She was just so dynamic.
So, I hated how confusing the plot was, but Ruby brought this book back from the brink just like she did Chloe. And I couldn't bring myself to give it a two star with her character in it. So it get's a four. I'm such a push over for phenomenal characters =)
Okay, maybe I'm just narrow minded, but big chunks of this book made no sense to me. It didn't clarify what the people/things in the lake were, why OR how Ruby has/got her powers. Well, it pretty much clarified nothing on the supernatural end of things. It didn't make much sense, and I got extremely lost.
I also hated Owen. I was super hyped with the prospect of his character right up until the scene where he told her to get out of the car, and then I didn't understand. Not in the way I was talking about above, but because I was so bewildered how he could be so mean so suddenly. And why he got got to live and Ruby didn't (maybe. I thought that was a little unclear. She obviously got dragged into the lake, but Chloe acted like she was going to come back at any minute, and I wasn't sure if that was because she was greiving (which, if she was, it was heartbreaking) or if there was some kind of supernatural lake creature Ruby had become.)
In general, this book mistified me. I probably would've given it a two star if it wasn't for Ruby.
But Ruby. Ah, Ruby. I know it's how she's supposed to be, larger than life, but she was like a sun among stars. I got her character so perfectly clear, and she was more real than just about any other character I've ever seen (Maggie Stiefvater and Cassandra Clare's are better in the long term, I think, especially when you consider they're still brilliant and there's more than one). She was so real, physically and mentally, that I just about died when she went out in the rowboat alone. I wanted Chloe to go and die, honestly I did. I wanted her to stay alive that badly. Chloe seemed to unimportant in comparison. Maybe that's how it's supposed to be. I don't know. But it was brilliant. Even when I wanted to hate her for being so controlling and stringing Pete and Jonah along like they didn't matter in the slightest. It was cruel, but her all-consuming love for her sister made up for it, just a little. She was just so dynamic.
So, I hated how confusing the plot was, but Ruby brought this book back from the brink just like she did Chloe. And I couldn't bring myself to give it a two star with her character in it. So it get's a four. I'm such a push over for phenomenal characters =)
Gosh this book is really good. I couldn't put it down. As a personal preference, I try not to be too analytical and critical when I read books unless it screams "THIS IS TERRIBLE WRITING" or "THE BIGGEST PLOT HOLE OF THE YEAR" kind of thing. This book didn't do any of that at all. It had some issues but its a beautiful book with a different sort of twist than you normally see in these types of books. The writing itself was dumbed down a little bit more than I would have hoped but it makes up for it by being SO DANG GORGEOUS. And the hover!? Its perfect. Just as beautiful as the book. I seriously recommend this book to any YA reader. I'm not at all conservative with age ratings, so take it with a grain of salt, but any mature reader 10 or 11 years old and up should read this. Its paranormal but it teeters on the edge of "Is this paranormal or what I have no idea what to think whats going on" in the best way. Seriously just go get this book and read it, its so damn gorgeous.
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Originally rated 5 stars, but changed after reread.
*********************************
I really love the whole idea behind Imaginary Girls; it's a story I won't forget for a long, long time. Imagine a completely unique story with unexpected twists and turns, astounding characters, and beautiful writing, then bring it to life. This novel is what you would get.
There is so much I could say about this book, words that would lengthen this review and make it hundreds of sentences long. I loved practically everything about it, from the characters to the writing to the setting. I'm not going to say all that though, instead I'll just give you my word that it was truly wonderful.
Despite all the greatness of this book, there is one thing I can't get past: Imaginary Girls is one of those books you have to pay complete and total attention to, which means reading in a quiet place when you don't have much on your mind. Of course, I'm saying this because that happened to me.
I'm currently in the middle of rereading it, in hopes of understanding more and catching things I missed the first time around. The truth is, while I loved the writing, the plot, the characters, even the cover, I found myself confused at times and was left with that sort of feeling once finished with the novel. Overall, I'd say I enjoyed this book. I'd still recommend it, even with the flaw that kept it from being one of my favorites.
*********************************
I really love the whole idea behind Imaginary Girls; it's a story I won't forget for a long, long time. Imagine a completely unique story with unexpected twists and turns, astounding characters, and beautiful writing, then bring it to life. This novel is what you would get.
There is so much I could say about this book, words that would lengthen this review and make it hundreds of sentences long. I loved practically everything about it, from the characters to the writing to the setting. I'm not going to say all that though, instead I'll just give you my word that it was truly wonderful.
Despite all the greatness of this book, there is one thing I can't get past: Imaginary Girls is one of those books you have to pay complete and total attention to, which means reading in a quiet place when you don't have much on your mind. Of course, I'm saying this because that happened to me.
I'm currently in the middle of rereading it, in hopes of understanding more and catching things I missed the first time around. The truth is, while I loved the writing, the plot, the characters, even the cover, I found myself confused at times and was left with that sort of feeling once finished with the novel. Overall, I'd say I enjoyed this book. I'd still recommend it, even with the flaw that kept it from being one of my favorites.
Real talk: I didn't like this book.
But I finished it.
Why did I do that?
I think the mystery of it hooked me.
There were a few things I liked. (And I hate giving an entirely negative review.)
ONE. The author does a great job with details. Really. The details create an eerie quality essential to the book. Things like the feel of the reservoir when it floods its banks, when Chloe discovers an inhuman talent of another character... It's surreal and creepy and gives the book a haunting mood that made me not want to give up.
TWO. There are some really great characters. I love Pete -- a guy hopelessly in love with Ruby even though she barely gives him the time of day, who you can relate to someone in your life. And just the lives of the young people -- London's friends mostly -- and the way they relate to each other seemed very realistic to me. Hanging out on the green or in a graveyard because where else are teenagers supposed to go to be free from parental inspection?
Things that bothered me included:
ONE. There is a HUGE mystery (which I'll not reveal here because maybe you still want to read it and maybe you'll love it because lots of people on Goodreads do). And one of the things that bothers me most is that Chloe, the main character, doesn't really seem to care. It doesn't bother her at all. She's content just going around buyin sunglasses and eatin popsicles as if something insane and impossible isn't happening.
TWO. Also: Ruby sucks. Chloe looks up to her and always talks about how Ruby is the only one who cares about her and would do anything for her. But from my point of view, Ruby only cares about herself, and the qualities Chloe admires are that Ruby can get people to do what she wants them to and that she's beautiful. So I didn't believe Chloe's admiration or gratefulness, and I wished the author would give us a little more to buy into.
THREE. Oh, and the Ruby is pretty and can get anyone to do anything she wants? Yeah, you really, really get beat over the head with that message. Apparently this is very important and the author did not want us to admit it. Which is ironic because...
FOUR. I needed the author to come out and tell me a lot of things that she just hinted at instead. I felt like I was missing parts of the book, or that I should know something I didn't. It was a very frustrating reading experience.
Once again, I don't know why I kept reading it, since I have no problem putting down most books if I don't enjoy them. I guess I hoped it would get less frustrating and I would get some answers. (Spoiler: I didn't.)
But I finished it.
Why did I do that?
I think the mystery of it hooked me.
There were a few things I liked. (And I hate giving an entirely negative review.)
ONE. The author does a great job with details. Really. The details create an eerie quality essential to the book. Things like the feel of the reservoir when it floods its banks, when Chloe discovers an inhuman talent of another character... It's surreal and creepy and gives the book a haunting mood that made me not want to give up.
TWO. There are some really great characters. I love Pete -- a guy hopelessly in love with Ruby even though she barely gives him the time of day, who you can relate to someone in your life. And just the lives of the young people -- London's friends mostly -- and the way they relate to each other seemed very realistic to me. Hanging out on the green or in a graveyard because where else are teenagers supposed to go to be free from parental inspection?
Things that bothered me included:
ONE. There is a HUGE mystery (which I'll not reveal here because maybe you still want to read it and maybe you'll love it because lots of people on Goodreads do). And one of the things that bothers me most is that Chloe, the main character, doesn't really seem to care. It doesn't bother her at all. She's content just going around buyin sunglasses and eatin popsicles as if something insane and impossible isn't happening.
TWO. Also: Ruby sucks. Chloe looks up to her and always talks about how Ruby is the only one who cares about her and would do anything for her. But from my point of view, Ruby only cares about herself, and the qualities Chloe admires are that Ruby can get people to do what she wants them to and that she's beautiful. So I didn't believe Chloe's admiration or gratefulness, and I wished the author would give us a little more to buy into.
THREE. Oh, and the Ruby is pretty and can get anyone to do anything she wants? Yeah, you really, really get beat over the head with that message. Apparently this is very important and the author did not want us to admit it. Which is ironic because...
FOUR. I needed the author to come out and tell me a lot of things that she just hinted at instead. I felt like I was missing parts of the book, or that I should know something I didn't. It was a very frustrating reading experience.
Once again, I don't know why I kept reading it, since I have no problem putting down most books if I don't enjoy them. I guess I hoped it would get less frustrating and I would get some answers. (Spoiler: I didn't.)
While reading this book I would forget what was happening. To be honest this book was confusing. I don’t really know what happened or nor could I give you a recount of it.