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3.6 AVERAGE
3.6 AVERAGE
It was fine. I was kind of thinking there would be some explanation for why she had her condition and
*SPOILERS* why the other character with her condition ended up the way he did. It really took a different turn than what I expected, which was fine, it was just weird. I'm glad I read it though. It was perfectly fine.
*SPOILERS* why the other character with her condition ended up the way he did. It really took a different turn than what I expected, which was fine, it was just weird. I'm glad I read it though. It was perfectly fine.
I continue to be a big Claire North fan. I still think her first (writing under this name), The First Fifteen Lives of Harry August, was my favorite, but I have enjoyed all three of her books, the second being Touch, which I also heartily recommend.
This novel follows the formula of being about a person with special abilities, who eventually discovers other people with the same special abilities, and there's some nefarious plot that needs to be addressed. But even with the similaries, these books are compelling, entertaining, and thoroughly enjoyable. North is also a really good writer, which would redeem any reservations you might have about the similarity of her plots.
In this one, the main character, Hope, is forgettable. Literally forgettable. People don't remember her, their interactions with her, or anything else about her. Every time she meets someone, it's as if they're meeting her for the first time. This makes her a great thief, but a pretty lonely one.
I know this author has written some young adult books under another name, and if I stumble across one I might read it, but I almost don't want to ruin the magic of having enjoyed everything published by Claire North. I don't know that this is a life-changing book, but North's fiction collectively has definitely left its mark on me.
This novel follows the formula of being about a person with special abilities, who eventually discovers other people with the same special abilities, and there's some nefarious plot that needs to be addressed. But even with the similaries, these books are compelling, entertaining, and thoroughly enjoyable. North is also a really good writer, which would redeem any reservations you might have about the similarity of her plots.
In this one, the main character, Hope, is forgettable. Literally forgettable. People don't remember her, their interactions with her, or anything else about her. Every time she meets someone, it's as if they're meeting her for the first time. This makes her a great thief, but a pretty lonely one.
I know this author has written some young adult books under another name, and if I stumble across one I might read it, but I almost don't want to ruin the magic of having enjoyed everything published by Claire North. I don't know that this is a life-changing book, but North's fiction collectively has definitely left its mark on me.
3.5 stars. I felt like the book kept on wandering away.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
adventurous
medium-paced
3.5 Classic Claire North, a fantastical What If that's tertiary to a mystery / investigation + exploring ideas about modern day society. In this one that felt a bit preachy at times, yeah we're all letting social media and apps tell us how to appear perfect, but managed to do it without being judgey?
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
My only advice is: Don’t listen to this book while falling asleep. The storyline goes all over the place and I found it hard to get back on track. But it was a great book once I started listening to it during the day!
4.5
I really did enjoy this one. This being my third Claire North read in a row, I've certainly picked up on her style and can't help but compare to Harry August and Touch. Overall, I think Touch is still my favorite just because of the emotional impact it had on me towards the end, but Hope made it to number 2 for sure.
Hope's story is a tragic one, indeed. While anyone could imagine all the antics and bucket-list dreams that could be achieved with her "ability," Hope shows us how quickly that wears off. Loneliness is a powerful tone of this story, and I even found myself needing to walk away from being in Hope's head to go spend time with someone. Comparison: I sympathized with Hope more than Harry August.
I struggled a little with Perfection. At first, it seemed a little unrealistic and just seemed like a way to use the book to attack an aspect of society. However, as Hope explored the intentions, consequences, morality, and every other potential aspect of this program, I began to see it on a different level. Perhaps my skepticism is an unwillingness to believe that humanity as we know it could be reduced to something like the "106," elite users of the Perfection program. In this way, Claire North got me thinking which I say is another author success.
My only real lasting issue with this book is the same as my issues with the others, indicating it's just how North writes. These books are slow for me. It's been taking me weeks just to read one book by Claire North, which has put me way behind on my summer reading goals. The books are long, and they're not quick reads in the slightest. I love that feeling of flying through a story and flipping through pages from morning till night, and I just never had that favored reading experience. Perhaps a fault with the author, perhaps a fault with me.
Regardless, I kept coming back for more Claire North. Her stories are 100% worth all the trouble of reading. I'd like to think I've had some revolutionary reading experiences that have changed how I think, read, perceive, etc. Claire North is an intelligent woman.
In fact, The Sudden Appearance of Hope is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED to fans of random facts and trivia. Goodness gracious the fact dumps Hope uses to distract her mind are extensive, but rather interesting. I even kept track of some of my favorites so I can sound smart in conversation one day! :)
Thanks for the experiences with Harry, Touch, and Hope, Claire North! It's been a great ride, and I'll definitely be keeping tabs on your future work!
I really did enjoy this one. This being my third Claire North read in a row, I've certainly picked up on her style and can't help but compare to Harry August and Touch. Overall, I think Touch is still my favorite just because of the emotional impact it had on me towards the end, but Hope made it to number 2 for sure.
Hope's story is a tragic one, indeed. While anyone could imagine all the antics and bucket-list dreams that could be achieved with her "ability," Hope shows us how quickly that wears off. Loneliness is a powerful tone of this story, and I even found myself needing to walk away from being in Hope's head to go spend time with someone. Comparison: I sympathized with Hope more than Harry August.
I struggled a little with Perfection. At first, it seemed a little unrealistic and just seemed like a way to use the book to attack an aspect of society. However, as Hope explored the intentions, consequences, morality, and every other potential aspect of this program, I began to see it on a different level. Perhaps my skepticism is an unwillingness to believe that humanity as we know it could be reduced to something like the "106," elite users of the Perfection program. In this way, Claire North got me thinking which I say is another author success.
My only real lasting issue with this book is the same as my issues with the others, indicating it's just how North writes. These books are slow for me. It's been taking me weeks just to read one book by Claire North, which has put me way behind on my summer reading goals. The books are long, and they're not quick reads in the slightest. I love that feeling of flying through a story and flipping through pages from morning till night, and I just never had that favored reading experience. Perhaps a fault with the author, perhaps a fault with me.
Regardless, I kept coming back for more Claire North. Her stories are 100% worth all the trouble of reading. I'd like to think I've had some revolutionary reading experiences that have changed how I think, read, perceive, etc. Claire North is an intelligent woman.
In fact, The Sudden Appearance of Hope is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED to fans of random facts and trivia. Goodness gracious the fact dumps Hope uses to distract her mind are extensive, but rather interesting. I even kept track of some of my favorites so I can sound smart in conversation one day! :)
Thanks for the experiences with Harry, Touch, and Hope, Claire North! It's been a great ride, and I'll definitely be keeping tabs on your future work!