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3.45 AVERAGE
3.45 AVERAGE
This book should have been perfect for me. I love a funny book, and I love a good heist, so the synopsis sounded great to me. And there was an aroace main character.
Granted, the aroace rep is great. The rest of the book, not so much. I really didn't like the writing style, and because of that, the rest of the book didn't work for me either.
CWs: slutshaming, bullying, aphobia
Granted, the aroace rep is great. The rest of the book, not so much. I really didn't like the writing style, and because of that, the rest of the book didn't work for me either.
CWs: slutshaming, bullying, aphobia
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Not a bad book, characters took awhile to develop and a lot of time was spent making each character unique. The addition of a definite aroace character was nice.
4.5
When this hold came in at the library, I couldn't remember why I had placed it. It looked good, but I didn't know what about this book had made me place a hold instead of just adding it to the TBR.
Then I got to the ace character, and I remembered.
An entertaining and thought-provoking book about a group of high school seniors who come up with a plan to get one of their number the money she needs for MIT.
I greatly enjoyed the characters in this book. They felt real and complicated, passionate and driven by what they believe in but also still learning about themselves and the world around them. I found myself growing very attached, especially to Reese.
I would have liked a bit ~more~ of everything; I described this to a coworker as "Six of Crows but without the fantasy" and it didn't quite live up to the depth of that book.
Highly recommend to anyone looking for modern, strong young adult characters and a bit of heisty fun.
When this hold came in at the library, I couldn't remember why I had placed it. It looked good, but I didn't know what about this book had made me place a hold instead of just adding it to the TBR.
Then I got to the ace character, and I remembered.
An entertaining and thought-provoking book about a group of high school seniors who come up with a plan to get one of their number the money she needs for MIT.
I greatly enjoyed the characters in this book. They felt real and complicated, passionate and driven by what they believe in but also still learning about themselves and the world around them. I found myself growing very attached, especially to Reese.
I would have liked a bit ~more~ of everything; I described this to a coworker as "Six of Crows but without the fantasy" and it didn't quite live up to the depth of that book.
Highly recommend to anyone looking for modern, strong young adult characters and a bit of heisty fun.
*3.5 This was good but I don’t Think I’ll reread anytime soon. There was some annoying things but whatever
(Disclaimer: I received this free book from Netgalley. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
A MC IS ACE AND ARO AND THIS WAS FABULOUS TO READ K THNX
Immoral Code is one of those books that charms you. Not because it is always shiny, but because there's something so endearing in its pages. In these characters, their secrets, and the ways these friends dance around each other. You fall in love with each of them in turn. And then when they enter together, the whole world bursts into color. If you love books with friendship, with teens who hold their friends accountable, and the last moments of high school, then you have to check out Immoral Code.
full review: https://utopia-state-of-mind.com/review-immoral-code-by-lillian-clark/
A MC IS ACE AND ARO AND THIS WAS FABULOUS TO READ K THNX
Immoral Code is one of those books that charms you. Not because it is always shiny, but because there's something so endearing in its pages. In these characters, their secrets, and the ways these friends dance around each other. You fall in love with each of them in turn. And then when they enter together, the whole world bursts into color. If you love books with friendship, with teens who hold their friends accountable, and the last moments of high school, then you have to check out Immoral Code.
full review: https://utopia-state-of-mind.com/review-immoral-code-by-lillian-clark/
After working for years and finally achieving her dream of MIT, Bellamy thought she was shut out, because her estranged father was too wealthy limiting her financial aid, and he had not offered to help with tuition. Nari hoped to right this wrong using her hacking skills, as she and the rest of their friends embarked on this morally grey mission.
I am starting with a warning: This book features five points of view. I see many readers lament about too many POVs, but I thought Clark did a good job keeping them distinct. There was only one chapter, where I thought Reese didn't sound like herself, but other than that, I easily distinguished between each character, and I must say, this was quite an interesting bunch of people.
I loved how they all brought something unique to the table. From a desire to explore space to Olympic dreams, I found myself wanting to learn more about these teens. And, they were also dealing with common issues - divorce, parental expectations, panic about the future, romantic relationships, and such. I liked that these things were included, and felt like they were woven into the overall story quite well.
From the synopsis, you would think this book was all about the Ocean's 11 style heist, and it did occupy quite a bit of the book, but what drew me in and kept me there, was the beautiful friendship shared between them. How many of your friends would commit a felony for you? That's some fierce loyalty.
Another thing I really liked was the outcome of the mission. They went into it, ready to get the MIT money, but each of them gained something intangible as a result of this challenge. All of them changed in some way, and so did the group dynamic, and I think all the changes were very positive.
Overall: A solid debut highlighted by a fierce friendship.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
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I am starting with a warning: This book features five points of view. I see many readers lament about too many POVs, but I thought Clark did a good job keeping them distinct. There was only one chapter, where I thought Reese didn't sound like herself, but other than that, I easily distinguished between each character, and I must say, this was quite an interesting bunch of people.
I loved how they all brought something unique to the table. From a desire to explore space to Olympic dreams, I found myself wanting to learn more about these teens. And, they were also dealing with common issues - divorce, parental expectations, panic about the future, romantic relationships, and such. I liked that these things were included, and felt like they were woven into the overall story quite well.
From the synopsis, you would think this book was all about the Ocean's 11 style heist, and it did occupy quite a bit of the book, but what drew me in and kept me there, was the beautiful friendship shared between them. How many of your friends would commit a felony for you? That's some fierce loyalty.
Another thing I really liked was the outcome of the mission. They went into it, ready to get the MIT money, but each of them gained something intangible as a result of this challenge. All of them changed in some way, and so did the group dynamic, and I think all the changes were very positive.
Now, we're gathered here today in the name of the Family You Choose, to cement this union with the most lasting and strongest of glues, shared guilt and criminal activity.
Overall: A solid debut highlighted by a fierce friendship.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
BLOG | INSTAGRAM |TWITTER | BLOGLOVIN | FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS
★★★★☆
A cute (and kinda hard hitting?) contemporary friendship with a dash of hacker heist.
Alright representation time. Latinx boy with expectant parents (with a twist?); divorced parents queer kid; Japanese American; raised by a single mom. Most of these aren't the focus of the story but they are tied in, not just mentioned and thrown away. I'm not represented by these so I can't give it a passing grade for representation, but it looks pretty good from my privileged eyes.
The characters are the shining star of this book.
They’re WRITTEN differently. They don’t just narrate differently, they are written that way I’m not sure how else to explain it. They have THOUGHTS and FEELINGS
There are self aware teenagers (not all of them) and I always always enjoy reading those because I too am self aware.
Sometimes it does feel a little like the characters are oversimplified. Bellamy is Science, Reese is Angry Art, San is Sport Dreamer, Nari is Computer Whiz, and Keagan is Voice of Doubt. I still do genuinely like all of them, and as you progress through the book, a layer of depth is added. Honestly though, Keagan is my main man (which I cringe as a write because Keagan is... such a bad name.)
I say that there are consequences for their actions and act surprised. That’s not fair to other books, because a lot of other books also have consequences of actions. However, with many many other books it’s written incredibly dramatic or with a disproportionate response. And maybe that’s how YA is written, or maybe it’s just the books I read. But so often it feels like every action a character takes could end in death, serious injury, or losing the affection of their LI. And Immoral Code just pleasantly surprised me with its accurate portrayal of anxiety over an action, and the involvement of parents, and a seemingly proportionate (word check) consequence.
As much as I'm singing these praises, the reader's enjoyment of this book does likely hinge on whether or not they can relate to the characters, because it's such a character driven book. So really it's up to you.
A cute (and kinda hard hitting?) contemporary friendship with a dash of hacker heist.
Alright representation time. Latinx boy with expectant parents (with a twist?); divorced parents queer kid; Japanese American; raised by a single mom. Most of these aren't the focus of the story but they are tied in, not just mentioned and thrown away. I'm not represented by these so I can't give it a passing grade for representation, but it looks pretty good from my privileged eyes.
The characters are the shining star of this book.
They’re WRITTEN differently. They don’t just narrate differently, they are written that way I’m not sure how else to explain it. They have THOUGHTS and FEELINGS
There are self aware teenagers (not all of them) and I always always enjoy reading those because I too am self aware.
Sometimes it does feel a little like the characters are oversimplified. Bellamy is Science, Reese is Angry Art, San is Sport Dreamer, Nari is Computer Whiz, and Keagan is Voice of Doubt. I still do genuinely like all of them, and as you progress through the book, a layer of depth is added. Honestly though, Keagan is my main man (which I cringe as a write because Keagan is... such a bad name.)
I say that there are consequences for their actions and act surprised. That’s not fair to other books, because a lot of other books also have consequences of actions. However, with many many other books it’s written incredibly dramatic or with a disproportionate response. And maybe that’s how YA is written, or maybe it’s just the books I read. But so often it feels like every action a character takes could end in death, serious injury, or losing the affection of their LI. And Immoral Code just pleasantly surprised me with its accurate portrayal of anxiety over an action, and the involvement of parents, and a seemingly proportionate (word check) consequence.
As much as I'm singing these praises, the reader's enjoyment of this book does likely hinge on whether or not they can relate to the characters, because it's such a character driven book. So really it's up to you.
*3.5 This was good but I don’t Think I’ll reread anytime soon. There was some annoying things but whatever