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3.45 AVERAGE
3.45 AVERAGE
DNF. Holy fuck this book is word vomit. Not just for one character but several.
This book is probably one of the worst books I've read all year.
Do you want to know why? There is so much word vomit from not one, but several characters. Actually, every single character word vomits throughout the whole chapter that you literally stall the plot to hear them discuss an episode of Game of Thrones or something non-important for a page and a half (sometimes less, but for real). Or they have inner monologues that go on, and on, and on!
Now, I had an ARC but I went to Barnes and Noble and flipped through the book to see if someone took an editor to the book. NOPE. Still the same word vomit.
I gave up at about 45 pages into it. I couldn't take it anymore.
This book is probably one of the worst books I've read all year.
Do you want to know why? There is so much word vomit from not one, but several characters. Actually, every single character word vomits throughout the whole chapter that you literally stall the plot to hear them discuss an episode of Game of Thrones or something non-important for a page and a half (sometimes less, but for real). Or they have inner monologues that go on, and on, and on!
Now, I had an ARC but I went to Barnes and Noble and flipped through the book to see if someone took an editor to the book. NOPE. Still the same word vomit.
I gave up at about 45 pages into it. I couldn't take it anymore.
The world, and life, generally isn't fair but most of us have come to terms with the fact that you can't always do something about it. But if you could do something about it but it is considered morally reprehensible, as in Lillian Clark's Immoral Code, would you?
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Five friends with different ambitions bring together their unique skills for an unbelievable heist: Nari is cultivating her hacking and coding skills to be of use at one of the larger tech companies in the future; her calm boyfriend Keegan is happy to go where she leads, but tries his best to balance out her domineering personality; Reese is an adventurous and creative person, unafraid to take chances, assert herself, and stand up for her friends; Santiago is loyal and has dreams of diving in the Olympics while attending Stanford on a scholarship, despite his parents' objections to it; and Bellamy is a physics genius accepted into MIT, but her rich and uninvolved father has ruined her chances of obtaining the financial aid she so desperately needs in order to attend. These five high school friends, spurned on by Nari's determination to seek justice on their own, come up with and/or offer the support they can for a plan to siphon off enough money of her father's vastly wealthy company for Bellamy to be able to attend MIT and pursue her goals.
A swiftly-moving story, the narrative unfolds quickly and the story is propelled forward with the inventive ideas and associated actions of the group. The premise requires a significant amount of suspension of disbelief, yet if you're able to it does offer an entertaining tale. The text provided readers with the perspectives of each of the five friends involved in the heist, allowing for a variety of characters, whose stories and backgrounds are introduced, that readers could relate to; although I found that their voices, though occasionally distinct, were on the whole rather similar, to the point of being nearly indistinguishable, particularly as they shared a sense of humor (which was quite relatable and enjoyable since it also meshed with mine).
Overall, I'd give it a 3.5 out of 5 stars.
To read this, and other book reviews, visit my website: http://makinggoodstories.wordpress.com/.
Five friends with different ambitions bring together their unique skills for an unbelievable heist: Nari is cultivating her hacking and coding skills to be of use at one of the larger tech companies in the future; her calm boyfriend Keegan is happy to go where she leads, but tries his best to balance out her domineering personality; Reese is an adventurous and creative person, unafraid to take chances, assert herself, and stand up for her friends; Santiago is loyal and has dreams of diving in the Olympics while attending Stanford on a scholarship, despite his parents' objections to it; and Bellamy is a physics genius accepted into MIT, but her rich and uninvolved father has ruined her chances of obtaining the financial aid she so desperately needs in order to attend. These five high school friends, spurned on by Nari's determination to seek justice on their own, come up with and/or offer the support they can for a plan to siphon off enough money of her father's vastly wealthy company for Bellamy to be able to attend MIT and pursue her goals.
A swiftly-moving story, the narrative unfolds quickly and the story is propelled forward with the inventive ideas and associated actions of the group. The premise requires a significant amount of suspension of disbelief, yet if you're able to it does offer an entertaining tale. The text provided readers with the perspectives of each of the five friends involved in the heist, allowing for a variety of characters, whose stories and backgrounds are introduced, that readers could relate to; although I found that their voices, though occasionally distinct, were on the whole rather similar, to the point of being nearly indistinguishable, particularly as they shared a sense of humor (which was quite relatable and enjoyable since it also meshed with mine).
Overall, I'd give it a 3.5 out of 5 stars.
The premise of this one grabbed me at once: five high school seniors plan a heist, to get money for one of their number to go to college.
The book is short on action and heavy on teen dialogue, which might make it a strong plus for its intended readership. The narrative style is broken into chapters from each of the five characters' POVs. The kids come across as extremely intelligent; the three girls' chapters came alive for me more than the two boys' chapters. Overall there was a sameness to the intense, clever talkiness to the prose, but then tight teen friendship circles can talk like each other, so I figured, fair cop.
Within their chapters, we learn that each teen has different issues, or a different perspective: there is diversity here, and one teen has moral qualms about the heist, but--as teens will do--is reluctant to speak.
I thought Clark did an excellent job with the emotional rollercoaster of senior year, and how even smart teens cannot see all the consequences of their actions, as their worlds are still revolving around them. Also in navigating the pitfalls of friendship, relationship, and communication.
Altogether a clever, absorbing read, if not exactly action-packed overall.
Copy provided by NetGalley
The book is short on action and heavy on teen dialogue, which might make it a strong plus for its intended readership. The narrative style is broken into chapters from each of the five characters' POVs. The kids come across as extremely intelligent; the three girls' chapters came alive for me more than the two boys' chapters. Overall there was a sameness to the intense, clever talkiness to the prose, but then tight teen friendship circles can talk like each other, so I figured, fair cop.
Within their chapters, we learn that each teen has different issues, or a different perspective: there is diversity here, and one teen has moral qualms about the heist, but--as teens will do--is reluctant to speak.
I thought Clark did an excellent job with the emotional rollercoaster of senior year, and how even smart teens cannot see all the consequences of their actions, as their worlds are still revolving around them. Also in navigating the pitfalls of friendship, relationship, and communication.
Altogether a clever, absorbing read, if not exactly action-packed overall.
Copy provided by NetGalley
This book is basically a YA retelling of Office Space. Cleaned up, of course, for the kiddos, and no red Swingline staplers.
Pre-ordered this as it sounded interesting, may have been recommended from somewhere.
Should be suspenseful with a nice interesting hack. But it is so far not.
Currently looks to me like a DNF. Too many mc's with too much background, which really is not that interesting to me.
Paid full price for it, and now I ask myself why, it was above 10 Eur, which is more than I am usually willing to spend, except for well researched books or to me well known series/authors. And even then I tend to wait till the price sinks. But as I ordered this I was in the mood for good hack.
Should be suspenseful with a nice interesting hack. But it is so far not.
Currently looks to me like a DNF. Too many mc's with too much background, which really is not that interesting to me.
Paid full price for it, and now I ask myself why, it was above 10 Eur, which is more than I am usually willing to spend, except for well researched books or to me well known series/authors. And even then I tend to wait till the price sinks. But as I ordered this I was in the mood for good hack.
2/5
There are so many things that made me not enjoy this book. I felt as if I was reading a book for geniuses for the first hundred pages or so, then something about a fake camping trip, and then the actual heist. And the heist had be confused as well. I like heist books! I don’t know why I couldn’t understand what the story was but I know I can either blame it on being really late as of this time when I’m typing up this review or I could just be overall drained from work this week. I wish I could have enjoyed the characters but I feel like there was so much information at once and the writing was harder to follow. One of the things I did like about this book was that the teens were doing a good thing. Wrong thing for a good reason sort of plot. Like in The Young Elites or Artemis Fowl.
There are so many things that made me not enjoy this book. I felt as if I was reading a book for geniuses for the first hundred pages or so, then something about a fake camping trip, and then the actual heist. And the heist had be confused as well. I like heist books! I don’t know why I couldn’t understand what the story was but I know I can either blame it on being really late as of this time when I’m typing up this review or I could just be overall drained from work this week. I wish I could have enjoyed the characters but I feel like there was so much information at once and the writing was harder to follow. One of the things I did like about this book was that the teens were doing a good thing. Wrong thing for a good reason sort of plot. Like in The Young Elites or Artemis Fowl.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
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
lighthearted
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Very well-thought-out characters and fun story. I was definitely left wanting more details in the conclusion.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abandonment
Minor: Blood, Acephobia/Arophobia
Too 'teen speak' for my taste and I skimmed a bit, also reminded me way too much of Office Space, plot wise.
This was such a fun, masterful, heart warming YA take on a heist novel! I adored Nari, Bellamy, Reese, Santiago, and Keagan as narrators, each with their own unique voice and hopes and dreams. This took a few unexpected turns and kept me hooked until the last page.