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elizabethstrachan's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I've never read a book that my childhood self would've related to so much. I love that Willow had people around her who encouraged and helped her with her special interests. I felt so bad that she lost both her parents, but I'm glad she had so many people who rallied around her and made sure she kept on living.
jenmangler's review against another edition
4.0
The description of this book does not do it justice. At all. As I read the first few chapters I actually went back twice to read the description, because the book was just not what I expected to be. And I mean that in the best possible way. I expected to connect with Willow, but I did not expect that there would be several other main characters I would connect with on just as deep a level: Mai, Pattie, Quang-ha, Dell, and Jairo. All of them. This book isn't just about Willow. It's about all of these unusual, wonderful people who somehow, without meaning to, become a beautiful family.
general_riegan's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
It’s been a long time since I’ve been truly excited for the end of a book. Not in the “I’m so glad this is over” way, but in the “I can’t wait to see what happens next”.
The plot gives you a deep story without anything dark that typically comes with books aimed at older audiences. It’s a beautiful story about found family and I loved how loud the main character’s mind was. It’s always lovely to see alternative thought processes!
The plot gives you a deep story without anything dark that typically comes with books aimed at older audiences. It’s a beautiful story about found family and I loved how loud the main character’s mind was. It’s always lovely to see alternative thought processes!
victoria_08's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
stephaniesteen73's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book! Willow Chance is one of the most memorable characters I've read. This story was sweet, touching and redemptive. Don't be fooled by its exterior as a quick "middle grade" read...there is so much depth in such a simple story. Can't wait to read more of Sloan's books!
allicatca's review against another edition
3.0
I'm debating between 2 and 3 stars. The writing style of this book bugged me SO MUCH.
All of the asides (some in parentheses). Annoying!
"... he has a new swagger in his step. I don't see anything anymore but I can't help but notice.".
I finished the book and I liked the overall story.
The fact that Willow enjoyed counting BY 7s and then stopped but still liked 7 as a number... it wasn't enough of a theme to warrant the title of the book, imho.
More than anything else, the switch between 1st person chapters and 3rd person chapters drove me crazy.
I wish the book could be reworked somehow.
All of the asides (some in parentheses). Annoying!
"... he has a new swagger in his step. I don't see anything anymore but I can't help but notice.".
I finished the book and I liked the overall story.
The fact that Willow enjoyed counting BY 7s and then stopped but still liked 7 as a number... it wasn't enough of a theme to warrant the title of the book, imho.
More than anything else, the switch between 1st person chapters and 3rd person chapters drove me crazy.
I wish the book could be reworked somehow.
sumayyaha's review against another edition
5.0
Rating - 4.5 Stars
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I really loved the story overall and all the tiny bits and pieces.
The only thing I have to say about it is that sometimes there would be sentences that I wouldn't get, like I wasn't in on the joke that everyone else got. I feel like I was supposed to get what it meant but I didn't. Exhibit A: "I think Dell liked the word nasty." That was the entire sentence and even reading the sentence before it over again, I didn't understand it. But I moved past those small instances and looked at the bigger picture and it was heart-wrenchingly good.
____________________________________
I really loved the story overall and all the tiny bits and pieces.
The only thing I have to say about it is that sometimes there would be sentences that I wouldn't get, like I wasn't in on the joke that everyone else got. I feel like I was supposed to get what it meant but I didn't. Exhibit A: "I think Dell liked the word nasty." That was the entire sentence and even reading the sentence before it over again, I didn't understand it. But I moved past those small instances and looked at the bigger picture and it was heart-wrenchingly good.
ejnations's review
emotional
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
4.0
reader4evr's review against another edition
3.0
I liked this but I didn't love it as much as I thought I would. Willow is definitely that odd but lovable character. I just felt like the story was a little out there and not really believable.
kng_writes's review against another edition
4.25
Super fast paced. Among the best middle grade YA books I’ve ever read. Even as an adult, I was wrapped all the way in. My only issue was with the audiobook narrators pronunciation of the last name “Nguyen” as Noo-Win. Come on. How did that make it through editing?