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3.68 AVERAGE
3.68 AVERAGE
I read this book a while back, and I genuinely loved it. It was creative, and a background character was thrown in the spotlight.
I related to a lot of this character because he isn't wanting to be the MC, the famous one; he just wants to live his life, get into a good college, and spend the time he can with friends.
What more could you ask from life?
I related to a lot of this character because he isn't wanting to be the MC, the famous one; he just wants to live his life, get into a good college, and spend the time he can with friends.
What more could you ask from life?
This has a unique feel that I Really enjoy but it didn’t wow me.
A clever premise that falls a little flat. The book follows a group of characters who would not be the main characters in YA other books. They would be the ones sitting two tables away from the hero in the cafeteria or in the classroom next door. The ordinary, everyday, non chosen ones. It immediately made me think of the Buffy episode "The Zeppo". Each chapter opens with a short paragraph summarising the apocalyptic events of a YA fantasy adventure involving the "indie kids" before moving on to the lives of the the main characters who are on the sidelines of these events.
However whilst they're not the chosen ones this time, they're not just ordinary kids with ordinary lives, since a book about those kids would be pretty boring. There's a mix of mental health disorders, disappearances, deaths, car crashes and inherited traits that make them more than ordinary. These characters just haven't had the apocalypse they're destined to avert yet. This was the main problem I found with this book.
The characters were just as angst-ridden, just as alternately self-involved and self-less and suffering from the same unrequited love as any other YA heroes and as a result I found myself wanting to read more of the book being summarised in the chapter openings. There is some fun in working out which books and series are being lampooned and some great writing, at one point the "indie kids" are described as all having been "dying beautifully of cancer".
Ultimately, this is a clever idea that needed a little more cleverness to make the characters interesting without still making them the YA tropes the author is poking fun at.
However whilst they're not the chosen ones this time, they're not just ordinary kids with ordinary lives, since a book about those kids would be pretty boring. There's a mix of mental health disorders, disappearances, deaths, car crashes and inherited traits that make them more than ordinary. These characters just haven't had the apocalypse they're destined to avert yet. This was the main problem I found with this book.
The characters were just as angst-ridden, just as alternately self-involved and self-less and suffering from the same unrequited love as any other YA heroes and as a result I found myself wanting to read more of the book being summarised in the chapter openings. There is some fun in working out which books and series are being lampooned and some great writing, at one point the "indie kids" are described as all having been "dying beautifully of cancer".
Ultimately, this is a clever idea that needed a little more cleverness to make the characters interesting without still making them the YA tropes the author is poking fun at.
adventurous
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-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
This is one of those books that you have to read to fully understand what it's about. It's so difficult to explain when you first start it but once you've read it you understand it on so many levels.
I love that the main characters weren't the heroes, but heroes in another way. I also love that it deals with some fantasy elements but also real life problems (mental health in this case).
Just like all Ness' books: this one blew me away.
I love that the main characters weren't the heroes, but heroes in another way. I also love that it deals with some fantasy elements but also real life problems (mental health in this case).
Just like all Ness' books: this one blew me away.
the sibling dynamic in this is 5 stars alone - i also would love to see a cheesy teen comedy film made out of this, i think it’s such a perfect concept
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
It's funny and weird and has its sad moments but unfortunately it just didn't click with me although the paralell story with the Indie Kids is parody gold.
This book is essentially a summary of all the reasons why Patrick Ness is one of my favorite authors. Yes, he can be overly blunt or otherwise problematic, but he has an amazing ability to capture something genuine even in the most absurd of premises.
For me, especially, this book was important in the "I needed this book to exist" type way. Definitely recommend any of Patrick Ness's books, but this one is especially good.
For me, especially, this book was important in the "I needed this book to exist" type way. Definitely recommend any of Patrick Ness's books, but this one is especially good.
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced