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bmlowry8's review
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
drridareads's review
1.0
What are the rules of this book? Are there any rules? This book straight up felt like it was from the nonsensical worlds mentioned in Wayward Children.
If I were describe this book in one word I'd say frustrating.
There is so much back and forth with timelines, lots of repetition on maths and words and the doctrine. But at the end of the day I don't think it added much to the plot; cause I still have no idea why Reed was doing what he was doing. It sort of starts making sense by the end but then it's just too little too late.
I felt absolutely no emotional connection to any of the characters since they felt way more like caricatures; a girl with maths, a boy with words and the monologuing mysterious villain.
I have to add I absolutely hated the audio-book; it was terrible and just made me hate this book even more.
I can see that most people who read this loved it; so I accept that maybe it just wasn't my cup of tea.
CW: graphic suicide scene.
_______________________________________
When the GR Choice Awards 2019 nominees came out I chose to read a book from a few genres.
Fantasy: Middlegame
Science Fiction: Recursion
Fiction: Normal People
Mystery and Thriller: My Sister, the Serial Killer
_______________________________________
I'm not sure what I think of this book right now. It was longer and more confusing than I had expected.. full RTC
If I were describe this book in one word I'd say frustrating.
There is so much back and forth with timelines, lots of repetition on maths and words and the doctrine. But at the end of the day I don't think it added much to the plot; cause I still have no idea why Reed was doing what he was doing. It sort of starts making sense by the end but then it's just too little too late.
I felt absolutely no emotional connection to any of the characters since they felt way more like caricatures; a girl with maths, a boy with words and the monologuing mysterious villain.
I have to add I absolutely hated the audio-book; it was terrible and just made me hate this book even more.
I can see that most people who read this loved it; so I accept that maybe it just wasn't my cup of tea.
CW: graphic suicide scene.
_______________________________________
When the GR Choice Awards 2019 nominees came out I chose to read a book from a few genres.
Fantasy: Middlegame
Science Fiction: Recursion
Fiction: Normal People
Mystery and Thriller: My Sister, the Serial Killer
_______________________________________
I'm not sure what I think of this book right now. It was longer and more confusing than I had expected.. full RTC
katieinca's review
4.0
One of those intentionally twisty books where I sometimes felt clever for figuring things out, and sometimes felt it was too clever for me and I just wanted to see what happened without having to figure things out. The mood was a little more into the horror-goth aesthetic that I remember from Every Heart a Doorway than what you see in, say, her InCryptid books. Not really my thing. But (some of) the characters and the racing around and the Bay Area scenery definitely were.
Looking back a couple months after finishing it, I waver between 3 and 4, but I'll go with 4 because I dug the ending.
Looking back a couple months after finishing it, I waver between 3 and 4, but I'll go with 4 because I dug the ending.
kblum15's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.5
rosemallow's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
mysterious
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
5.0
paula7's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
rballenger's review against another edition
3.0
Type of read: Commuter Read.
What made me pick it up: I read the Wayward Children series by McGuire and wanted to give some of their other books a go...sort of a second chance after a relationship gone bland. We'll see if this is the last book/series I read of theirs.
Overall rating: Right off the bat I was mad at myself for reading this as an audiobook over print. There are a lot of 'extras' at the beginning of chapters, which I'm sure (or at least I'd hope) in the printed version are more clearly differentiated from the book itself. I had to keep reminding myself what book I was reading and very closely listen to make sure I wasn't adding unnecessary story to an already twisty tale. Second, WHY ON GOD'S GREEN EARTH IS THIS AUDIO BOOK 17 HOURS LONG?!?!?! I didn't pay much attention when I was borrowing it, but the minute I started reading and saw 17 hours worth of story I immediately get crawly. Most of the time, 17 hours books do not need to be 17-hour books. Personally, it helps that I listen at 1.5x speed, but dang...that's a long book.
After getting over all of that...I did actually enjoy the story (obviously if I finished a giant honker of a book like this in two days). I like the characters and their journeys; however, I got a bit lost with the timeline jumping. This goes back to my earlier point of reading it in print versus audio. I find it's easier to follow difficult timelines in print. In the end, I'm not invested enough in the characters and this Alchemical Journeys world that McGuire created to continue the series but I'm not mad that I read Middlegame and I would probably suggest it to certain audiences who I know enjoy twisty turny, mind-use heavy books.
I'd like to add that after reading the Wayward Children series and starting the Alchemical Journeys series, I think McGuire is a great writer and has a true knack for creating stories, characters, and the worlds we get lost in as we turn pages. I just think I need to venture into some other authors and maybe revisit their works at a later date. Everything gets a little mushy and convoluted when you read too much all at once. Maybe I'll revisit 'Middlegame' in print next year.
Reader's Note: 'Middlegame' includes themes of violence, suicide - including failed suicide attempts, and self harm. Additionally, with any of my qualms of reading this as an audiobook versus in print, I've got to give it to the narrator, Amber Benson, they did an amazing job.
What made me pick it up: I read the Wayward Children series by McGuire and wanted to give some of their other books a go...sort of a second chance after a relationship gone bland. We'll see if this is the last book/series I read of theirs.
Overall rating: Right off the bat I was mad at myself for reading this as an audiobook over print. There are a lot of 'extras' at the beginning of chapters, which I'm sure (or at least I'd hope) in the printed version are more clearly differentiated from the book itself. I had to keep reminding myself what book I was reading and very closely listen to make sure I wasn't adding unnecessary story to an already twisty tale. Second, WHY ON GOD'S GREEN EARTH IS THIS AUDIO BOOK 17 HOURS LONG?!?!?! I didn't pay much attention when I was borrowing it, but the minute I started reading and saw 17 hours worth of story I immediately get crawly. Most of the time, 17 hours books do not need to be 17-hour books. Personally, it helps that I listen at 1.5x speed, but dang...that's a long book.
After getting over all of that...I did actually enjoy the story (obviously if I finished a giant honker of a book like this in two days). I like the characters and their journeys; however, I got a bit lost with the timeline jumping. This goes back to my earlier point of reading it in print versus audio. I find it's easier to follow difficult timelines in print. In the end, I'm not invested enough in the characters and this Alchemical Journeys world that McGuire created to continue the series but I'm not mad that I read Middlegame and I would probably suggest it to certain audiences who I know enjoy twisty turny, mind-use heavy books.
I'd like to add that after reading the Wayward Children series and starting the Alchemical Journeys series, I think McGuire is a great writer and has a true knack for creating stories, characters, and the worlds we get lost in as we turn pages. I just think I need to venture into some other authors and maybe revisit their works at a later date. Everything gets a little mushy and convoluted when you read too much all at once. Maybe I'll revisit 'Middlegame' in print next year.
Reader's Note: 'Middlegame' includes themes of violence, suicide - including failed suicide attempts, and self harm. Additionally, with any of my qualms of reading this as an audiobook versus in print, I've got to give it to the narrator, Amber Benson, they did an amazing job.
damarareads's review
3.0
2.5/75 it really wasn’t for me but I loved the twin aspect and it was intriguing
ketutar's review
4.0
Now... this was a bit muddled by the fact that I have been reading this book on and off for a couple of months, and I have been reading a lot of other books together with it. This one should be read by itself, and rather quickly.
Now I understand the cover, though I don't think it's a good choice.
I found the alchemy part fascinating. Seanan made it sound real, and I like that.
I also like the fact that she opened the door for further adventures while finishing the story. I love how Seanan McGuire makes me expect things I don't expect :-D I mean, she has a unique way of seeing things. Most solutions aren't obvious. The conclusions and choices the characters make aren't predictable. Most of the time. I like that. She also widens the concept of a "happy ending". Seanan McGuire's books aren't rosy and unicorn farts. They are pretty dark and some very horrible things happen. But it's not necessarily bad. Or, of course, it's bad, but one can have a happy ending, be content and enjoy life and see the beauty of it, even though some very horrible things have happened. I believe that is important because that's what human life is. Everyone suffers in some ways, and experiences pain and disappointment and depression and "bad things", even though one could argue some people's "pain" is nothing compared to some other people's pain. It's all relevant, isn't it? Anyway, that's not all there is, and life is beautiful, and Seanan McGuire makes me remember it. I love her books.
Now I understand the cover, though I don't think it's a good choice.
I found the alchemy part fascinating. Seanan made it sound real, and I like that.
I also like the fact that she opened the door for further adventures while finishing the story. I love how Seanan McGuire makes me expect things I don't expect :-D I mean, she has a unique way of seeing things. Most solutions aren't obvious. The conclusions and choices the characters make aren't predictable. Most of the time. I like that. She also widens the concept of a "happy ending". Seanan McGuire's books aren't rosy and unicorn farts. They are pretty dark and some very horrible things happen. But it's not necessarily bad. Or, of course, it's bad, but one can have a happy ending, be content and enjoy life and see the beauty of it, even though some very horrible things have happened. I believe that is important because that's what human life is. Everyone suffers in some ways, and experiences pain and disappointment and depression and "bad things", even though one could argue some people's "pain" is nothing compared to some other people's pain. It's all relevant, isn't it? Anyway, that's not all there is, and life is beautiful, and Seanan McGuire makes me remember it. I love her books.