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4.0 AVERAGE
4.0 AVERAGE
A sweet and touching YA novel about friendship, loss, and finding yourself on the John Muir trail. Sure, it’s a lot like “Wild,” but I thought it was expertly crafted with a minimum of plot holes (in a lot of YA lit you have to suspend your disbelief and go along for the ride.) I gave it five stars because it was the best YA book I’ve ever read, and I’m nowhere near the target audience for it.
4.5 stars.
I could have done without the love interest but it chilled out in the end and wasn't sickening like most YA novels. Otherwise, I loved this. This book is about learning to trust yourself, love your company, and do things even when you think they are crazy because that's when you grow the most. Eventually I would love to hike a trail like this but camping gear is so damn expensive and who the hell gets that much vacation time?
I could have done without the love interest but it chilled out in the end and wasn't sickening like most YA novels. Otherwise, I loved this. This book is about learning to trust yourself, love your company, and do things even when you think they are crazy because that's when you grow the most. Eventually I would love to hike a trail like this but camping gear is so damn expensive and who the hell gets that much vacation time?
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book was incredibly emotional, and I teared up several times throughout this book.
My favorite things: I liked the balance between descriptions of nature and the development of the plot. I feel kind of inspired to take a nature journey of my own. I also loved the friendships developed between Mari and the others, but particularly with Vanessa. It felt really special and real to me. I loved the writing too, it wasn’t overly flowery, which made the special moments even more special.
My not so favorite things: The way Mari’s fake online life was described felt incredibly cliche to me and it feels like that’s how all influencers online are, or at least I’ve heard the same narrative repeated several times. The entire introduction of the book made it very difficult for me to want to continue the book… I also wished the book would’ve focused more on the relationship between Mari and her mom and aunt, although I can also somewhat understand why she couldn’t bring herself to talk to them. I also got bored several times throughout this book, and my attention kept getting drawn to other things.
Overall, I definitely got what I wanted through this book, a tear jerker that gives you a new perspective on life. There were some parts that simply weren’t for me, and that’s okay. Would still recommend to anyone that is intrigued by the premise of the story.
My favorite things: I liked the balance between descriptions of nature and the development of the plot. I feel kind of inspired to take a nature journey of my own. I also loved the friendships developed between Mari and the others, but particularly with Vanessa. It felt really special and real to me. I loved the writing too, it wasn’t overly flowery, which made the special moments even more special.
My not so favorite things: The way Mari’s fake online life was described felt incredibly cliche to me and it feels like that’s how all influencers online are, or at least I’ve heard the same narrative repeated several times. The entire introduction of the book made it very difficult for me to want to continue the book… I also wished the book would’ve focused more on the relationship between Mari and her mom and aunt, although I can also somewhat understand why she couldn’t bring herself to talk to them. I also got bored several times throughout this book, and my attention kept getting drawn to other things.
Overall, I definitely got what I wanted through this book, a tear jerker that gives you a new perspective on life. There were some parts that simply weren’t for me, and that’s okay. Would still recommend to anyone that is intrigued by the premise of the story.
It took me a little bit to write this review because, by the time I ended this book, I was sobbing and shaking.
I got this books after seeing on BN, I was coming back to my friend's house from our trip to Yosemite (first time I ever went there!) and we found it funny the MC name's was my nickname. I picked up this book expecting it to be a light read but oh boy, I was so wrong. I picked up and I couldn't put it down, I think I finished it in less than 24 hours, I can't remember the last time I was so invested in a book, it made want to quit my job and go hiking (I am planning a hiking trip next year, thanks to this book.) It's emotional, is beautiful and it speaks to you. Without a doubt this book became one of my favorites books ever.
I got this books after seeing on BN, I was coming back to my friend's house from our trip to Yosemite (first time I ever went there!) and we found it funny the MC name's was my nickname. I picked up this book expecting it to be a light read but oh boy, I was so wrong. I picked up and I couldn't put it down, I think I finished it in less than 24 hours, I can't remember the last time I was so invested in a book, it made want to quit my job and go hiking (I am planning a hiking trip next year, thanks to this book.) It's emotional, is beautiful and it speaks to you. Without a doubt this book became one of my favorites books ever.
One of those YA novels that had me clurching the book to me after every fluffy romantic encounter. The main character was wonderfully written and the adventure beautiffuly described. A must read for outdoorsy girls and YA fans alike!
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
This book follows Mari, who has escaped from real life into the – deceptively – perfect world of an online existence. While dealing with the death of her cousin Bri who she used to be so close with when they were younger, she decides to break away from the online life, and follow Bri’s plans to hike the John Muir Trail – despite having no experience or knowledge. I highly enjoyed this book – it deals with grief and finding yourself by being by yourself. It’s a gentle wake up call to remind us all that in the end what’s online at the end of the day does not matter, isn’t and shouldn’t be your whole life – and how worthwhile it can be to break free and go out in the nature. This book really made me want to go out and explore, actually go on a hike but I am very out of shape and would probably die! I’ve got a small hike planned on my holiday in two weeks, and I will definitely be reminiscing this book while I’m soaking up the nature!
After Mari’s cousin Bri dies she receives Bri’s hiking gear in the mail on their 18th birthday and has an epiphany that she needs to hike the John Muir Trail in Bri’s place. A fellow nature lover and hiker myself, I expected a beautiful novel detailed with nature and self-discovery. Instead I read about a whiny character stupidly deciding to hike a 210-mile trail with zero athletic or hiking experience/knowledge while making new BFFs and an instant love boyfriend.
I disliked Mari from the first chapter. She has multiple social media platforms where she posts her daily activities and perfect life for her thousands of followers to like, comment, and give her attention. Besides being skinny, pretty, being coddled with attention 24/7, and receiving free clothes and items from sponsors, Mari is still unhappy. She misses her cousin Bri who died a few months prior. They used to be close when they were younger, but one day Mari decided to ditch her cousin and become a social media star. She ignored her cousin for years and currently spends her time sulking and whining about missing Bri. I had zero sympathy for this character since it was her decision to not be a part of her family and chase attention and fame.
So then we get to the next point where Mari’s aunt mails her Bri’s hiking bag and boots. Mari leaves in the middle of the night and drives hours to Yosemite where she decides to attempt to hike a portion of the trail in Bri’s memory. Sounds nice, right? She leaves her mom and never checks in during her 30+ days on the trail besides sending 2 (if I can remember correctly) texts saying she’s hiking. Can you imagine how worried and angry her mother is over Mari’s careless actions? Her phone also dies on the first day and somehow the next morning it has magically rejuvenated itself in the middle of the woods since she takes selfies and pictures of the mountains and lakes and trees for the next week.
What I wanted was for Mari to redeem herself on a solo hike with just her thoughts and a few interactions with fellow hikers. Instead she meets a group of eighteen year olds and they take her in for the majority of the hike where upon arrival two guys note how hot she is and one falls madly in love with her after a few exchange of words. Mari and Josh end up sharing a sleeping bag because of Mari’s zero hiking/athletic experience/abilities (which I will detail in a moment) and then making out. She hangs with this group for a bit until they find out who she really is (a fallen social media star who misses her cousin) so Mari runs away from them and ends up getting lost and then meets back up with them for emotional support/attention.
This novel would have been believable if Mari had athletic experience and hiking knowledge. She somehow carries a heavy pack, adjusts to hiking boots, and makes it across the John Muir Trail despite zero experience or knowledge. I was honestly expecting her to fall off a cliff or be attacked by a mountain lion and have to be saved by Josh because of how blinded she went into this impetuous decision. He does end up “saving” her when she slips when crossing a raging river. During the hike she moans about missing Bri and describes her surroundings (which was the only incentive to reading this story), but she never improves as a person. She only wants to be better so her new friends don’t think she’s fake, including Josh.
Thanks Edelweiss for the ARC.
I disliked Mari from the first chapter. She has multiple social media platforms where she posts her daily activities and perfect life for her thousands of followers to like, comment, and give her attention. Besides being skinny, pretty, being coddled with attention 24/7, and receiving free clothes and items from sponsors, Mari is still unhappy. She misses her cousin Bri who died a few months prior. They used to be close when they were younger, but one day Mari decided to ditch her cousin and become a social media star. She ignored her cousin for years and currently spends her time sulking and whining about missing Bri. I had zero sympathy for this character since it was her decision to not be a part of her family and chase attention and fame.
So then we get to the next point where Mari’s aunt mails her Bri’s hiking bag and boots. Mari leaves in the middle of the night and drives hours to Yosemite where she decides to attempt to hike a portion of the trail in Bri’s memory. Sounds nice, right? She leaves her mom and never checks in during her 30+ days on the trail besides sending 2 (if I can remember correctly) texts saying she’s hiking. Can you imagine how worried and angry her mother is over Mari’s careless actions? Her phone also dies on the first day and somehow the next morning it has magically rejuvenated itself in the middle of the woods since she takes selfies and pictures of the mountains and lakes and trees for the next week.
What I wanted was for Mari to redeem herself on a solo hike with just her thoughts and a few interactions with fellow hikers. Instead she meets a group of eighteen year olds and they take her in for the majority of the hike where upon arrival two guys note how hot she is and one falls madly in love with her after a few exchange of words. Mari and Josh end up sharing a sleeping bag because of Mari’s zero hiking/athletic experience/abilities (which I will detail in a moment) and then making out. She hangs with this group for a bit until they find out who she really is (a fallen social media star who misses her cousin) so Mari runs away from them and ends up getting lost and then meets back up with them for emotional support/attention.
This novel would have been believable if Mari had athletic experience and hiking knowledge. She somehow carries a heavy pack, adjusts to hiking boots, and makes it across the John Muir Trail despite zero experience or knowledge. I was honestly expecting her to fall off a cliff or be attacked by a mountain lion and have to be saved by Josh because of how blinded she went into this impetuous decision. He does end up “saving” her when she slips when crossing a raging river. During the hike she moans about missing Bri and describes her surroundings (which was the only incentive to reading this story), but she never improves as a person. She only wants to be better so her new friends don’t think she’s fake, including Josh.
Thanks Edelweiss for the ARC.