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3.48 AVERAGE
3.48 AVERAGE
I picked up this book because it was my library's "Big Library Read" and 1. the premise sounded really cool and 2. a review called it "joyously, riotously queer" and I was immediately intrigued LOL.
I was really hooked on the story! It's not my favorite book ever, but it was super imaginative and I really appreciate that. I wasn't a huge fan of Kane's hostility towards everyone for most of the book, that was annoying and it took me out of the story a bit to be mad at Kane's reactions. Also not sure how I feel about the lack of resolution over what Kane's life was pre-amnesia? I wanted some more backstory with that, to get a fuller picture of his relationship with Dean and his friends. The ending was still very cute though!
This is one of those books where you *really* have to just "go with it" - as in, since magic is involved, there are no rules! For example, even though there is the threat of death in the reveries, it seems none of our cast can actually die! They have essentially unlimited power, but sometimes they get tired :/
But overall all the reveries were beautifully written and this was very fun to listen to!
I was really hooked on the story! It's not my favorite book ever, but it was super imaginative and I really appreciate that. I wasn't a huge fan of Kane's hostility towards everyone for most of the book, that was annoying and it took me out of the story a bit to be mad at Kane's reactions. Also not sure how I feel about the lack of resolution over what Kane's life was pre-amnesia? I wanted some more backstory with that, to get a fuller picture of his relationship with Dean and his friends. The ending was still very cute though!
This is one of those books where you *really* have to just "go with it" - as in, since magic is involved, there are no rules! For example, even though there is the threat of death in the reveries, it seems none of our cast can actually die! They have essentially unlimited power, but sometimes they get tired :/
But overall all the reveries were beautifully written and this was very fun to listen to!
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I always struggle with amnesia troupes but I was hoping the queerness and magical realism would win me over. It didn’t quite achieve that BUT let’s talk about what I loved:
- The concept of world-building off of strangers fears and insecurities. Genius. Very “inception”.
- Poesy. In ALL her beautiful nuance.
- By the end of this story, it felt like a love letter to every queer person who has ever daydreamed of a better, safer world.
- The concept of world-building off of strangers fears and insecurities. Genius. Very “inception”.
- Poesy. In ALL her beautiful nuance.
- By the end of this story, it felt like a love letter to every queer person who has ever daydreamed of a better, safer world.
The book’s concept, that Kane, who doesn’t remember who he is, and his friends must unravel the conglomerate of magical mini realities before a sinister force consumes the world, grabbed me immediately. It unfortunately it fell off halfway. The concept of the Reveries was fascinating. They are described as miniature realities with their own plots, rules and perils that are born when person’s imagined world becomes real. The people in the reveries do not know that that they are in them as their brains accept their new surroundings as truth. Another aspect of the reveries that I found interesting were the plot twists that occur when the rules are not followed. This was done well in the beginning. It was also clever when in one of the reveries subtitles appeared in front of Kane to translate what the people were chanting. I could use something like that!
Things I didn’t like:
1. Part of the plot simply fades from existence once the reverie adventures commence. The whole police investigation is forgotten about by the midway with no explanation other than Posey talked to them. However, at that point we only really know her as a “therapist” and are left to assume what she did to the police after her identity is later revealed.
2. Kane never talks to his sister about anything that is happening. In fact, I did not like how he treated her period. Constantly brushing her off even after all the help she gave him every time she had to cover for him at home. I understand Kane was going through some stuff but she deserved answers. Especially after she got pulled into one of the reveries.
3. Kane was not nice to his friends. He was unfairly abrasive when they were trying to help him.
4. By the end I was so confused about all the different twists and reveals that I had a hard time grasping what was happening.
I would still recommend the book because while it may not have been for me it could be for someone else.
Things I didn’t like:
1. Part of the plot simply fades from existence once the reverie adventures commence. The whole police investigation is forgotten about by the midway with no explanation other than Posey talked to them. However, at that point we only really know her as a “therapist” and are left to assume what she did to the police after her identity is later revealed.
2. Kane never talks to his sister about anything that is happening. In fact, I did not like how he treated her period. Constantly brushing her off even after all the help she gave him every time she had to cover for him at home. I understand Kane was going through some stuff but she deserved answers. Especially after she got pulled into one of the reveries.
3. Kane was not nice to his friends. He was unfairly abrasive when they were trying to help him.
4. By the end I was so confused about all the different twists and reveals that I had a hard time grasping what was happening.
I would still recommend the book because while it may not have been for me it could be for someone else.
adventurous
funny
inspiring
mysterious
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
reverie is a world that i would definitely love to live in
adventurous
mysterious
relaxing
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Good YA LGBT fantasy book. Found the book to be overwhelming in some areas and dry in others. Plot was good but missing and wishing for more character development and background. Was pretty bland in that since.
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I’m kind of torn on this one. There are so many elements that I loved - the premise, some of the foundations to the relationships, the memory loss trope was fun and some well here. The book just at times felt more like a series of 1 shots about the different reveries, rather than a coherent narrative. That’s not to say that there isn’t the foundations of such a narrative here - in fact, I think at least part of the problem is that this should have been more than one book. There’s not enough room at the moment for the characters to really grow naturally, so some of it feels a bit forced/out of no where. What I really want out of this is more, so that the interesting parts could be explored with more depth and nuance.
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
What a ride. This book really drew me in from the beginning. So many twists and surprises but an easy read. Hits on some real 2021 problems for young adults.