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indecisivesailorscout's review against another edition
5.0
I'm glad I stayed up extra late to read this even though I should have gone to sleep and it made me cry really hard. It's good to read books like this to remind ourselves to not forget all the good that happens around us and because of us even when the bad things feel so much stronger.
pantsreads's review
4.0
I was pleasantly surprised at how this book mixes serious issues with fluffy swoon.
Check out my full review on FYA.
Check out my full review on FYA.
inkstndfngrs's review
4.0
I'm not a particularly athletic girl, but I DO enjoy reading novels that revolve around sports. And this was a timely release with the CSLP summer reading theme (sports/fitness) of 2016.
The rundown is this: Maguire believes she's cursed after a series of unfortunate accidents. These accidents primarily include the deaths of three family members (and her being left unscathed), a roller coaster car jumping it's tracks, injuring many people (and again, she's relatively unscathed), and finally: food poisoning taking out an entire birthday party...except her. So, at age 12: Maguire lock herself up in a bubble, resigned to never having friends, never having a social life, and living a life of seclusion.
Until the house fire.
And now, her mother has convinced her attend therapy sessions where she meets a boy. Of course.
General feel of the book --while this is obviously a touch of romance, I think this is a very contemporary read that any gender would enjoy. The book is more about the teens involved and their own particular brands of unease. Maguire believes she's cursed and Jordy can't tell whether he's his own person or the person his parents have tried to -make- him. And they compliment each other nicely.
The only real let down I have to this book though was the ending. It was a little sappy. I'm kind of dark and almost wish someone would have died... I know, I know: morbid! But the story lends itself to that. What WOULD have happened if.... SPOILERS!
Over all, this was a great read. I wouldn't say it was edge-of-your-seat-unputdownable, but...I didn't put it down. And I did tear up a couple of times. I would suggest it to anyone who likes good characterizations, strong emotional plots, and of course: tennis. Or the idea of tennis ('cause lord knows you'll never find me on a court!).
The rundown is this: Maguire believes she's cursed after a series of unfortunate accidents. These accidents primarily include the deaths of three family members (and her being left unscathed), a roller coaster car jumping it's tracks, injuring many people (and again, she's relatively unscathed), and finally: food poisoning taking out an entire birthday party...except her. So, at age 12: Maguire lock herself up in a bubble, resigned to never having friends, never having a social life, and living a life of seclusion.
Until the house fire.
And now, her mother has convinced her attend therapy sessions where she meets a boy. Of course.
General feel of the book --while this is obviously a touch of romance, I think this is a very contemporary read that any gender would enjoy. The book is more about the teens involved and their own particular brands of unease. Maguire believes she's cursed and Jordy can't tell whether he's his own person or the person his parents have tried to -make- him. And they compliment each other nicely.
The only real let down I have to this book though was the ending. It was a little sappy. I'm kind of dark and almost wish someone would have died... I know, I know: morbid! But the story lends itself to that. What WOULD have happened if.... SPOILERS!
Over all, this was a great read. I wouldn't say it was edge-of-your-seat-unputdownable, but...I didn't put it down. And I did tear up a couple of times. I would suggest it to anyone who likes good characterizations, strong emotional plots, and of course: tennis. Or the idea of tennis ('cause lord knows you'll never find me on a court!).
amelia_herring's review
3.0
Not a book I normally would have chosen, but it came with my Uppercase box subscription. I really enjoyed reading this book that sensitively and accurately portrays life with crippling anxiety and the process of taking your life back. It was perhaps a bit rosy, in that Maguire progresses at what seems like lightning speed, but I'll forgive that since it was such a hopeful and normalized portrayal. The romance was interestingly paced, and I enjoyed the complexity of the characters. Good choice for 7th/8th graders who enjoy both "issue" books and romance.
courtknee_bee's review
4.0
This just doesn't seem like a book I would normally pick up on my own (I pass on contemporary romances), but since I got a signed copy from my Uppercase Box subscription...
We'll see.
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3.5
5/30: Well, color me surprised because I actually really enjoyed this one. It was sweet, cute and pretty inspiring, too.
Of course the love interest helped - Jordy is basically the perfect guy that definitely does not exist at the high school level. Unlike most teen romances, though, where so much emphasis is put on the perfect guy, I actually cared about our female heroine more. Watching her go from a scared, ritual obsessed loner to a brave, kick-ass woman was really moving. I found myself tearing up a little at her growth.
It's not a perfect book. There's some cheesiness and cliches that can only happen in teen contemporary romances, but I really enjoyed it.
We'll see.
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3.5
5/30: Well, color me surprised because I actually really enjoyed this one. It was sweet, cute and pretty inspiring, too.
Of course the love interest helped - Jordy is basically the perfect guy that definitely does not exist at the high school level. Unlike most teen romances, though, where so much emphasis is put on the perfect guy, I actually cared about our female heroine more. Watching her go from a scared, ritual obsessed loner to a brave, kick-ass woman was really moving. I found myself tearing up a little at her growth.
It's not a perfect book. There's some cheesiness and cliches that can only happen in teen contemporary romances, but I really enjoyed it.
bookswritingandmore's review
5.0
This is one of those books that you can't wait to tell your friends about! It is such a good story that will grab any readers interest right from the beginning. Girl Against the Universe is hands down my favorite novel by Paula Stokes and I'm completely honored that I got a copy to read before the release.
Maguire lost her brother and father in a terrible car accident years ago. She was in the car too and was the only survivor. Then she starts being in the wrong place at the right time and quickly decides she is bad luck. She has been over obsessed with protecting everyone around her. She is now in therapy trying to work through her obsession with the idea that she is quicksand.
Jordy is the boy that is in therapy after Maguire leaves everyday. He is the boy that gets her to talk about herself and even gets her to smile a little but Maguire will not let herself go. She can't be friends with him. She simply can't. She needs to stay away from everyone she cares about or else they will disappear just like her dad and bother did years ago.
This is a tear jerker in parts but it is also surprisingly funny and light hearted as well. I'd say read it for yourself and then don't forget to tell everyone how you feel about it. It is just one of those reads you can't keep to yourself.
Maguire lost her brother and father in a terrible car accident years ago. She was in the car too and was the only survivor. Then she starts being in the wrong place at the right time and quickly decides she is bad luck. She has been over obsessed with protecting everyone around her. She is now in therapy trying to work through her obsession with the idea that she is quicksand.
Jordy is the boy that is in therapy after Maguire leaves everyday. He is the boy that gets her to talk about herself and even gets her to smile a little but Maguire will not let herself go. She can't be friends with him. She simply can't. She needs to stay away from everyone she cares about or else they will disappear just like her dad and bother did years ago.
This is a tear jerker in parts but it is also surprisingly funny and light hearted as well. I'd say read it for yourself and then don't forget to tell everyone how you feel about it. It is just one of those reads you can't keep to yourself.
smzhou's review
4.0
https://justalittlemiss.wordpress.com/2016/06/21/girl-against-the-universe-by-paula-stokes/
kty11's review
5.0
This book was great! If you decide to read you better have tissues ready. Maguire was such a great character and I loved that she overcame her fears herself. She did have people supporting her but she ultimately had to push everything and make sure she found happiness. Overall this book was fantastic
e_funk44's review
5.0
Love love love love!!!! This book was amazing!!!
The perfect light fun summer read. This book had me smiling and laughing but it also caught me off guard at points! I really loved the progression and character building. I feel like you could really connect with the main character.
As a psych major I also really enjoyed the positive light this book shines on therapy.
One of my favorite reads of this year.
The perfect light fun summer read. This book had me smiling and laughing but it also caught me off guard at points! I really loved the progression and character building. I feel like you could really connect with the main character.
As a psych major I also really enjoyed the positive light this book shines on therapy.
One of my favorite reads of this year.
allibruns's review against another edition
5.0
This is my favorite contemporary ya of 2016 so far. I loved all the characters, especially Maguire and Jordy. Maguire's journey felt very real to me. I was so in her head that none of behaviors or fears felt irrational to me instead I understood why she felt the way she did. Jordy was just perfect; he's cute, sweet and absolutely cares for Maguire. Their relationship made me swoon. All in all this is the perfect contemporary ya.