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3.58 AVERAGE
3.58 AVERAGE
What an odd but charming little book. I can certainly see why some love and some hate it. I enjoyed the characters, especially that 1/3 of them were animals.
Recommended for people that hate predictable books and also for people who enjoy explicitly unsexy sex scenes.
Recommended for people that hate predictable books and also for people who enjoy explicitly unsexy sex scenes.
challenging
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Reminds me of [b:Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore|13538873|Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore (Mr. Penumbra's 24-Hour Bookstore, #1)|Robin Sloan|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1345089845s/13538873.jpg|6736543]. It's got a little magic, a little sci-fi, and a little romance.
Interesting story of the tension between science and magic ( or nature and technology). There were plenty of interesting thoughts and points of view. Overall it was a good book, but I had a couple of big problems. First, with the ridiculously horrible adults in the first part of the book. The bullying and neglect was so bad it was almost cartoonish. Add in the heaps of coincidences, and the book loses some of its glow.
Juvenile idea is originality where random stupid uses are deemed creative.
No understanding of science, tech or machine learning--they're are described as what might as well be magic. The assassin was ludicrous.
No understanding of science, tech or machine learning--they're are described as what might as well be magic. The assassin was ludicrous.
This is a nearly perfect book. I enjoyed it immensely. It started very strong with a strange, magical experience in the childhood of one of our two main characters, Patricia. Magic is no more a common practice in the world of this book than it is in our world — that is to say, Patricia lives in the real world of present-day Earth, just about. (There are some differences, besides the magic.) Eventually she grows up, and then there is more magic. But first, she meets Laurence, a bullied, nerdy boy who is nonetheless likable. Laurence is the kind of kid who builds his own computer — not something Patricia would ever do, but in eighth grade they become friends, outcasts who have no one else.
While they're still kids, there's a villain trying to do them in because of a vision he had of the future. They don't realize it, because he is their guidance counselor. There's also an AI — and Patricia is the one who speaks with it, not Laurence. The AI might seem like a cute sidebar, but don't be fooled: author Charlie Jane Anders puts nothing into this story that is not wholly and completely intended to be there.
I wasn't sure whether Patricia and Laurence would ever become adults in the story, but they do. Before that, they grow completely apart, and then they reconnect in San Francisco, and many, many things happen. This is the kind of story I don't want to describe or summarize because it unfolds so beautifully, and you never know what's going to happen next.
Highly recommended. I think I will probably reread this.
.
While they're still kids, there's a villain trying to do them in because of a vision he had of the future. They don't realize it, because he is their guidance counselor. There's also an AI — and Patricia is the one who speaks with it, not Laurence. The AI might seem like a cute sidebar, but don't be fooled: author Charlie Jane Anders puts nothing into this story that is not wholly and completely intended to be there.
I wasn't sure whether Patricia and Laurence would ever become adults in the story, but they do. Before that, they grow completely apart, and then they reconnect in San Francisco, and many, many things happen. This is the kind of story I don't want to describe or summarize because it unfolds so beautifully, and you never know what's going to happen next.
Highly recommended. I think I will probably reread this.
.
I liked the premise but once the story jumped from the characters as children to early adults, I really lost interest.
"Patricia is a witch who can communicate with animals. Laurence is a mad scientist and inventor of the two-second time machine."
Who would have thought a book with this setting could turn out to be this boring? Definitely didn't expect to skip half of the pages and end in the middle of some relationship drama. Needless to say I was very disappointed. This just wasn't a book for me.
Who would have thought a book with this setting could turn out to be this boring? Definitely didn't expect to skip half of the pages and end in the middle of some relationship drama. Needless to say I was very disappointed. This just wasn't a book for me.
4.5 stars--I loved the first 3/4 of the book especially but the ending was pretty satisfying. The book is well written and I cared about the characters. Good world building too.