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avanicole's review against another edition
4.0
Surprisingly wonderful!! So often it is the case that books about high schoolers come off to me personally as if the author has not spent enough time with teenagers as of late. Especially with theatre being involved, I was all prepared to cringe at clichés, but Pixley did not disappoint. She was able to capture the true spirit of teenagers, painting them as intelligent, independent, and adventurous. She also depicted the feeling of being in a play so well: the trust, togetherness, hard hitting emotions, and collective pride. Her theatre kids weren’t outcasts or geeks, they were just real people. I personally loved that all the characters were allowed to have realistic problems and complex relationships. The author avoided unrealistic drama or misunderstandings blown out of proportion for the sake of plot. For a YA novel, that feels like a big compliment. Max felt so real, especially in his imaginative copy mechanism for grief. I felt like I was really inside his mind! Overall, Ready to Fall was a nice easy read which still managed to pull heartstrings and have a strong message.
readbykristyn's review against another edition
5.0
Wonderful!
I absolutely loved this book! Max’s experience is beautifully articulated and I think anyone that has ever been an teenager will be able to relate. Would definitely recommend to anyone that has ever been a teenager.
I absolutely loved this book! Max’s experience is beautifully articulated and I think anyone that has ever been an teenager will be able to relate. Would definitely recommend to anyone that has ever been a teenager.
auntie_goose's review against another edition
5.0
This book was one of my favorites of 2017. Ending the year on a high note!
I felt connected (if only vaguely) to almost all of Max's circumstances.
I'm a Christian who has celebrated Jewish holidays with my best friend (who is Messianic Jewish) almost all my life. It's a huge part of my life.
I've been immersed in the arts since as long as I can remember (especially drawing, writing, and theater). They are a part of who I am (I've thought of pursuing every one as a career).
And I have known the tragedy of cancer far too often, never as close as a parent (thank the Lord) but I've felt and seen the pain it brings to those who are closest to the one fighting it.
This book felt almost like home. Even the voice of the main character felt familiar. Max processed things like I would. Through story and imagery. And it felt believable!
This book was amazing. Especially for me.
I felt connected (if only vaguely) to almost all of Max's circumstances.
I'm a Christian who has celebrated Jewish holidays with my best friend (who is Messianic Jewish) almost all my life. It's a huge part of my life.
I've been immersed in the arts since as long as I can remember (especially drawing, writing, and theater). They are a part of who I am (I've thought of pursuing every one as a career).
And I have known the tragedy of cancer far too often, never as close as a parent (thank the Lord) but I've felt and seen the pain it brings to those who are closest to the one fighting it.
This book felt almost like home. Even the voice of the main character felt familiar. Max processed things like I would. Through story and imagery. And it felt believable!
This book was amazing. Especially for me.
lifeofpippa's review
2.0
Did not finish. I thought this book would be right up my street, however I felt it was too predictable and 'stereotypical' to hold my interest: as soon as I knew the story featured an arts school, I could have guessed there would be an MC with dyed hair and a troubled past. However, there were interesting elements and heartfelt moments that I'm sure others will enjoy.
lucychanning's review
3.0
Trigger warnings: suicide/Suicidal ideation (mild)
This book was purely okay for the most part for me. The characters were okay, the plot was okay and the writing was okay.
I didn't find myself loving Max, our protagonist, but by no means did I hate him. I think my problem with him was actually because of the tumour. It was like the tumour occupied so much of him I didn't really have a sense of Max as a character. However, I didn't lower my rating because of this. I completely respect this, as I do feel like it shows how much the tumour occupied his head. I did find myself liking Max more when he was with his friends and the tumour seemed to be put aside. I also felt like he grew as a character as the book went on.
Another problem I found with Max, as well as the girl, Fish, is sometimes they seemed younger than they were. I don't know if this was a personal problem where I was just imagining them younger for some reason or whether the writing of them influenced me feeling like this.
As for his friends, I actually quite liked them for the most part. I didn't love them completely, but I didn't mind them. Fish I really liked at the start but I did find her a tiny bit annoying at times. I don't know, I just felt at times it was a try-hard attempt at trying to make someone who was different. However, there was one sketch she done which was described and I do wish I could have found out why she had done this particular sketch. It's not the end of the world or anything and my rating hasn't been lowered because of this, but it's just a personal thing that I feel like I would have liked an explanation at some point in the book. Though, she did do a different sketch and we got an explanation for that so I don't feel like all the sketches were left a bit unconcluded.
The plot didn't really stand out to me too much to be quite honest. The main thing that really did stand out to me was the Max believing he's got his mother's tumour. I also did like the whole 'creativity school' thing going on too. I haven't read about something like that and it was nice to read about creative classes rather than the usual kind of classes. The theatre part of this book came in much later than I was expecting. It came in about halfway when I was expecting it to come in just after Max joined Baldwin. Again, the theatre part was okay. It didn't stand out to me like theatre groups in other books did. When it came down to the actual play, I felt the descriptions were sometimes a bit on the long-winded side and I found myself skim reading these parts.
I did feel like the whole tumour things came to a bit of an abrupt ending. Like the problem was solved pretty instantly. It wasn't rushed as such, just abrupt. I was kind of hoping for a bit more when it came to that.
And as I said, the writing was okay. I can't really think of much description other than that. I felt sad at times, but not as sad as I'd expect to be for a book like this. And as I mentioned above, I'm not sure if it was the writing that made the characters feel younger than they were.
However, despite the negatives (or the okayness), I did still really enjoy this book at the same time. I felt the pacing was good, I didn't find it dragged or that it was rushed and I was engrossed enough with finding out how the tumour thing played out and some other bits that go on.
Would I recommend it?
I wouldn't immediately say yes, but I wouldn't say no either. I definitely think this book has potential to be loved by some people, but personally wasn't a book I adored. I think if the synopsis appeals to you, it's worth giving it a try to form your own opinion on, but at the same time, if you have far too many books to read, I wouldn't necessarily rush to read it. But like I said, if you're interested, I think sometimes that counts more than someone's review because we will all have different opinions and what someone might dislike , others might love. I did still enjoy this book and is one I'll be keeping on my shelf as I do think it could be a potential book I might reread some day in the future.
This book was purely okay for the most part for me. The characters were okay, the plot was okay and the writing was okay.
I didn't find myself loving Max, our protagonist, but by no means did I hate him. I think my problem with him was actually because of the tumour. It was like the tumour occupied so much of him I didn't really have a sense of Max as a character. However, I didn't lower my rating because of this. I completely respect this, as I do feel like it shows how much the tumour occupied his head. I did find myself liking Max more when he was with his friends and the tumour seemed to be put aside. I also felt like he grew as a character as the book went on.
Another problem I found with Max, as well as the girl, Fish, is sometimes they seemed younger than they were. I don't know if this was a personal problem where I was just imagining them younger for some reason or whether the writing of them influenced me feeling like this.
As for his friends, I actually quite liked them for the most part. I didn't love them completely, but I didn't mind them. Fish I really liked at the start but I did find her a tiny bit annoying at times. I don't know, I just felt at times it was a try-hard attempt at trying to make someone who was different. However, there was one sketch she done which was described and I do wish I could have found out why she had done this particular sketch. It's not the end of the world or anything and my rating hasn't been lowered because of this, but it's just a personal thing that I feel like I would have liked an explanation at some point in the book. Though, she did do a different sketch and we got an explanation for that so I don't feel like all the sketches were left a bit unconcluded.
The plot didn't really stand out to me too much to be quite honest. The main thing that really did stand out to me was the Max believing he's got his mother's tumour. I also did like the whole 'creativity school' thing going on too. I haven't read about something like that and it was nice to read about creative classes rather than the usual kind of classes. The theatre part of this book came in much later than I was expecting. It came in about halfway when I was expecting it to come in just after Max joined Baldwin. Again, the theatre part was okay. It didn't stand out to me like theatre groups in other books did. When it came down to the actual play, I felt the descriptions were sometimes a bit on the long-winded side and I found myself skim reading these parts.
I did feel like the whole tumour things came to a bit of an abrupt ending. Like the problem was solved pretty instantly. It wasn't rushed as such, just abrupt. I was kind of hoping for a bit more when it came to that.
And as I said, the writing was okay. I can't really think of much description other than that. I felt sad at times, but not as sad as I'd expect to be for a book like this. And as I mentioned above, I'm not sure if it was the writing that made the characters feel younger than they were.
However, despite the negatives (or the okayness), I did still really enjoy this book at the same time. I felt the pacing was good, I didn't find it dragged or that it was rushed and I was engrossed enough with finding out how the tumour thing played out and some other bits that go on.
Would I recommend it?
I wouldn't immediately say yes, but I wouldn't say no either. I definitely think this book has potential to be loved by some people, but personally wasn't a book I adored. I think if the synopsis appeals to you, it's worth giving it a try to form your own opinion on, but at the same time, if you have far too many books to read, I wouldn't necessarily rush to read it. But like I said, if you're interested, I think sometimes that counts more than someone's review because we will all have different opinions and what someone might dislike , others might love. I did still enjoy this book and is one I'll be keeping on my shelf as I do think it could be a potential book I might reread some day in the future.
kie's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I think this book needed to focus on the main character's development more. It felt like it all just changed after one big incident instead of actual acceptance.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cancer, Death of parent, and Suicide attempt
thebobsphere's review
3.0
As readers of this blog know, I am a huge fan of small presses as I believe they are able to push boundaries, regardless of genre. Readers of this blog also know that I am not especially a huge fan of YA literature. I feel that the same tropes are repeated constantly: feelings are blown up to melodramatic levels, constant mentions of popular culture, use of deus ex machina and then the happy ending. However Ready to Fall is published by indie publisher Pushkin Press as part of their YA branch so I was curious to see if indie publisher YA differs from material coming out from the more mainstream presses.
It turns out that my theory is correct. Ready to Fall is, indeed, a very good book even to someone who does not like YA. Topics such as mental health and cancer are discussed. So is the concept of the social outcast and we get a dose of Shakespeare as well.
Although comparisons are cheap, I was reminded of John Green at times, except without the smugness. Pixley has a breezy flowing style and manages to actually go deep into the topic. In this case it is main protagonist Max, who believes that he has inherited the tumor that killed his mother. This phantom tumor is the root of all of Max’s problems, his bad grades, his inability to interact with his peers and when his dad transfers him to a more artsy school his problems still occur.
Max is a fully realised character, who has his good moments and bad ones but the other people in the novel are just as ‘real’ there’s Max’s love interest Fish, a girl who has a murky past and The Monk, a boy who helps Max come out of his shell but also has his own problems and there’s creative writing teacher, Mr. Cage who also tries to get Max to overcome is problems albeit in rather unconventional ways.
Obviously Max has to start to face reality and Pixley pulls this off well. The first way is through a steampunk rendition of Hamlet but then the ‘proper’ reveal is a moment filled with emotion and is well crafted. Unlike most YA novels there isn’t closure so I was pleased to see how the novel ended.
For a book of this genre I was impressed. Ready to Fall is an enjoyable read that avoids a good number of YA tropes and it further cements proof of how small presses are the future of innovative publishing.
It turns out that my theory is correct. Ready to Fall is, indeed, a very good book even to someone who does not like YA. Topics such as mental health and cancer are discussed. So is the concept of the social outcast and we get a dose of Shakespeare as well.
Although comparisons are cheap, I was reminded of John Green at times, except without the smugness. Pixley has a breezy flowing style and manages to actually go deep into the topic. In this case it is main protagonist Max, who believes that he has inherited the tumor that killed his mother. This phantom tumor is the root of all of Max’s problems, his bad grades, his inability to interact with his peers and when his dad transfers him to a more artsy school his problems still occur.
Max is a fully realised character, who has his good moments and bad ones but the other people in the novel are just as ‘real’ there’s Max’s love interest Fish, a girl who has a murky past and The Monk, a boy who helps Max come out of his shell but also has his own problems and there’s creative writing teacher, Mr. Cage who also tries to get Max to overcome is problems albeit in rather unconventional ways.
Obviously Max has to start to face reality and Pixley pulls this off well. The first way is through a steampunk rendition of Hamlet but then the ‘proper’ reveal is a moment filled with emotion and is well crafted. Unlike most YA novels there isn’t closure so I was pleased to see how the novel ended.
For a book of this genre I was impressed. Ready to Fall is an enjoyable read that avoids a good number of YA tropes and it further cements proof of how small presses are the future of innovative publishing.
ravenousbookeater's review
5.0
This book was absolutely beautiful and amazing. This book is spectacular and memorable.
samwlabb's review
4.0
This was another of my Can't-Wait Wednesday picks, and I when I looked back at the all the reasons for why I wanted to read this book, I have to admit, I would highlight all those things as "pros", because they are some of the elements I really liked, but there were additional things that made this a great reading experience for me as well.
•Pro: The way Pixley handled Max's grief was so real, yet so odd. He exhibited all the common symptoms - withdrawal, weight loss, anger - but his grief also took the form of an imaginary tumor, which he believed transferred from his mother to him, and the interactions with the "tumor" though quite strange, had a lot of real emotion attached to them. It was interesting and different, and it added an extra dimension to Max's grief, which he had to work through.
•Pro: This book was filled with some intriguing and complicated characters. Fish, Ms. Pruitt, The Monk, the twins, Grandma Jean, Dad, Mr. Cage, and Ms. Grossman all added something special to the story. I was especially fond of Fish, because she and Max shared that common bond of having "lost" their mothers, and she was an important stepping stone to his healing process.
•Pro: Speaking of mothers. The tears!!! Every time Max shared something about his mom, I got a little verklempt. He shared beautiful and tender moments with me, but he also shared some final and painful moments. The love and adoration he had for his mother was unquestionable, but I knew, that he knew, he was very loved by her too.
•Pro: This school was as awesome as I thought it would be, and Pixley did an incredible job weaving a tapestry of pain and grief that included Kafka and Hamlet.
•Con: Though hopeful, the ending left me with some loose ends, and I like rather tidy endings. I was not too frustrated though, so minor con.
•Pro: The title comes from a trust exercise, which Max and the other thespians engaged in, and I really think it was quite brilliant to use this as the litmus test for where Max was on his healing journey.
•Pro: I was impressed by the story and the writing. Pixley loaded this book with vivid imagery and whip smart dialog. The words grabbed me and pulled me right in.
•Pro: I cared so much for Max, Dad, Grandma, and Fish. I wanted them all to find some happiness and healing, and I reveled in every good thing that happened to them.
Overall: The pain, grief, and loss that Max was wrestling with brought tears to my eyes, as did the joy and peace he eventually found.
*I would like to thank the publisher for the review copy of this book.
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•Pro: The way Pixley handled Max's grief was so real, yet so odd. He exhibited all the common symptoms - withdrawal, weight loss, anger - but his grief also took the form of an imaginary tumor, which he believed transferred from his mother to him, and the interactions with the "tumor" though quite strange, had a lot of real emotion attached to them. It was interesting and different, and it added an extra dimension to Max's grief, which he had to work through.
•Pro: This book was filled with some intriguing and complicated characters. Fish, Ms. Pruitt, The Monk, the twins, Grandma Jean, Dad, Mr. Cage, and Ms. Grossman all added something special to the story. I was especially fond of Fish, because she and Max shared that common bond of having "lost" their mothers, and she was an important stepping stone to his healing process.
•Pro: Speaking of mothers. The tears!!! Every time Max shared something about his mom, I got a little verklempt. He shared beautiful and tender moments with me, but he also shared some final and painful moments. The love and adoration he had for his mother was unquestionable, but I knew, that he knew, he was very loved by her too.
•Pro: This school was as awesome as I thought it would be, and Pixley did an incredible job weaving a tapestry of pain and grief that included Kafka and Hamlet.
•Con: Though hopeful, the ending left me with some loose ends, and I like rather tidy endings. I was not too frustrated though, so minor con.
•Pro: The title comes from a trust exercise, which Max and the other thespians engaged in, and I really think it was quite brilliant to use this as the litmus test for where Max was on his healing journey.
•Pro: I was impressed by the story and the writing. Pixley loaded this book with vivid imagery and whip smart dialog. The words grabbed me and pulled me right in.
•Pro: I cared so much for Max, Dad, Grandma, and Fish. I wanted them all to find some happiness and healing, and I reveled in every good thing that happened to them.
Overall: The pain, grief, and loss that Max was wrestling with brought tears to my eyes, as did the joy and peace he eventually found.
*I would like to thank the publisher for the review copy of this book.
BLOG | INSTAGRAM | BLOGLOVIN | FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS
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