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sam_hartwig's review
4.0
I really liked Rev in the first book and I was so interested to read his story. Unfortunately this one didn't live up to the first book, but it was still a really great read!
Emma was what let the book down for me. I didn't particularly like her, and couldn't connect with her character. I only liked her when I was reading from Rev's POV. And reading this made me love Rev, not just like him. Such a lost soul! I really wanted to give him a hug, but luckily he got plenty from lots of people.
What also let the book down slightly was one twist I kind of saw coming, but was still very creepy and had me gasping and my heart pumping. Another twist about Rev's father I didn't see coming at all, and I'm so glad with what we find out. That cruel man definitely got what was coming to him.
Speaking of parents, they play such a huge role in this book. On one side there's Rev's absolutely awesome Mum and Dad (foster parents) who are so loving and supportive. I almost cried when I was reading a moment between Rev and his Mum, when she spoke about why they adopted him. Was a beautiful and sad moment. On the other side is Emma's parents who are selfish and distant. Her mother does redeem herself by the end, and I kind of felt sorry for her. Then there's Declan's dad. We know all about the story from the first book, but I'm glad we got to delve further and find out more about him.
I also liked the different messages through out the book. What Rev learned about being tested by God, and Emma realising it's not just with gaming that girls deal with sexism, it's everywhere and as woman we shouldn't have to put up with it.
I'm looking forward to reading more by Brigid Kemmerer.
Emma was what let the book down for me. I didn't particularly like her, and couldn't connect with her character. I only liked her when I was reading from Rev's POV. And reading this made me love Rev, not just like him. Such a lost soul! I really wanted to give him a hug, but luckily he got plenty from lots of people.
What also let the book down slightly was one twist I kind of saw coming, but was still very creepy and had me gasping and my heart pumping. Another twist about Rev's father I didn't see coming at all, and I'm so glad with what we find out. That cruel man definitely got what was coming to him.
Speaking of parents, they play such a huge role in this book. On one side there's Rev's absolutely awesome Mum and Dad (foster parents) who are so loving and supportive. I almost cried when I was reading a moment between Rev and his Mum, when she spoke about why they adopted him. Was a beautiful and sad moment. On the other side is Emma's parents who are selfish and distant. Her mother does redeem herself by the end, and I kind of felt sorry for her. Then there's Declan's dad. We know all about the story from the first book, but I'm glad we got to delve further and find out more about him.
I also liked the different messages through out the book. What Rev learned about being tested by God, and Emma realising it's not just with gaming that girls deal with sexism, it's everywhere and as woman we shouldn't have to put up with it.
I'm looking forward to reading more by Brigid Kemmerer.
nikkigribuste's review
5.0
the book not only made me fall in love with declan more , but i have now cancelled all online friendship cause of ew ethan xxxxx
natalieyanka's review against another edition
inspiring
relaxing
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
5.0
larbytheworm's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
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? Yes
4.75
readwithkiekie's review
5.0
4.5 stars
I didn't know if this would pan out how it did, especially since I loved 'Letters to the Lost' so much, however, I really loved this book. Rev's story broke my heart completely and seeing him break down because of his past really hit me in the feels, he's just someone a reader wants to love and protect. My main issue was Emma. She was too over dramatic at times and kept comparing her issues of her parents divorcing to someone who's been abused, burned and tortured by their own father as worse. If anything I would have rooted for Matthew and Rev instead.
I didn't know if this would pan out how it did, especially since I loved 'Letters to the Lost' so much, however, I really loved this book. Rev's story broke my heart completely and seeing him break down because of his past really hit me in the feels, he's just someone a reader wants to love and protect. My main issue was Emma. She was too over dramatic at times and kept comparing her issues of her parents divorcing to someone who's been abused, burned and tortured by their own father as worse. If anything I would have rooted for Matthew and Rev instead.
alos3478's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
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
5.0
votesforwomen's review
2.0
EDIT: Taking this down to 2 stars because I really can't justify three xD
*cries* This started out so good, too!
I'm sick of something, and it is this:
I WANT TO SEE CHURCH PEOPLE DEPICTED IN YA WHO ARE NOT OUT TO TWIST SCRIPTURE AND HURT PEOPLE.
Rev's dad was a horrible person, it's true. Men like him exist. Many, many people out there have been hurt by the church. I'VE been hurt by the church. And yet, I've pushed through. I know many, many people who have pushed through.
I'm so frustrated by the lack of good people within the church represented in YA, or in fiction in general. At the beginning it seemed like that book might fix that. But...IT DIDN'T AND I'M HURT BY THAT.
There are good pastors out there. There are pastors and church members who:
-Stand AGAINST child abuse
-Foster and adopt children the world calls "unwanted"
-Preach the truth in love
-Don't compromise, but are not cruel
-would never, NEVER resort to TORTURE to "help" people
-Aren't out to FORCE YOU TO CHANGE but just want you to grow closer to God and will gently guide you in that direction
CAN WE PLEASE SEE SOME OF THAT????
That was my main issue with this book, and it's less a problem with the book itself than a frustration I have with fiction as a whole. However, add to that a character like Emma, who I understand was going through a tough time but was still majorly a jerk; a TON of language including basically the worst word there is written out; the glory of insta-love; and really, really disturbing cyber-bullying, I'm thinking I can't really give this higher than 2.5 stars. Which sucks, it really does.
Boo.
*cries* This started out so good, too!
I'm sick of something, and it is this:
I WANT TO SEE CHURCH PEOPLE DEPICTED IN YA WHO ARE NOT OUT TO TWIST SCRIPTURE AND HURT PEOPLE.
Rev's dad was a horrible person, it's true. Men like him exist. Many, many people out there have been hurt by the church. I'VE been hurt by the church. And yet, I've pushed through. I know many, many people who have pushed through.
I'm so frustrated by the lack of good people within the church represented in YA, or in fiction in general. At the beginning it seemed like that book might fix that. But...IT DIDN'T AND I'M HURT BY THAT.
There are good pastors out there. There are pastors and church members who:
-Stand AGAINST child abuse
-Foster and adopt children the world calls "unwanted"
-Preach the truth in love
-Don't compromise, but are not cruel
-would never, NEVER resort to TORTURE to "help" people
-Aren't out to FORCE YOU TO CHANGE but just want you to grow closer to God and will gently guide you in that direction
CAN WE PLEASE SEE SOME OF THAT????
That was my main issue with this book, and it's less a problem with the book itself than a frustration I have with fiction as a whole. However, add to that a character like Emma, who I understand was going through a tough time but was still majorly a jerk; a TON of language including basically the worst word there is written out; the glory of insta-love; and really, really disturbing cyber-bullying, I'm thinking I can't really give this higher than 2.5 stars. Which sucks, it really does.
Boo.
yaeltarsi's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review
5.0
5/5
Ok wow! I loved this series so freaking much! At first I was on the fence about this one, not wanting to read it because of the size but it was so worth it. I loved the characters and at times I was so nervous for Emma! I loved getting to know Rev more too.
Ok wow! I loved this series so freaking much! At first I was on the fence about this one, not wanting to read it because of the size but it was so worth it. I loved the characters and at times I was so nervous for Emma! I loved getting to know Rev more too.
laureltree13's review
4.0
Geoff doesn’t let go of me. “It’s okay.”
And then I’m crumpling, falling against him.
He catches me. He holds on.
Because he’s not my father. He’s my dad.
Rating 4.5
More Than We Can Tell is told from two perspectives: Gamer Emma and Outcast Rev.
Individually, they’ve got a lot going on— Rev with his traumatic past making a return and Emma with the sudden slew of awful messages from a gamer she can’t seem to shake.
But talking about it doesn’t seem to be an option.
Understandably, Rev doesn’t want to ruin the comfortable world he's managed to piece together after being adopted for so many years. While, Emma, feels she can’t bring up the cyberbullying to her parents without letting them in on the game she’s created but has yet to perfect.
It’s this silent common ground that allows them to hit it off when they run into one another for the first time. That, and Emma’s adorable dog, Texas. (Dogs and babies fix everything, People!)
These 400 pages are a definite emotional rollercoaster.
It’s a pretty heavy book at times— the relationship between Rev and Emma taking a bit of back seat as opposed to other things— but, it was nice. I didn’t mind it at all.
In fact, the relationship between Rev and his adoptive family is one of my favorites in the entire book. [Chapters twenty-four and twenty-five are fantastic examples.]
Nothing that takes place seems overly fictionalized. There was no insta-love; it was all very realistic. Even, “The Event” that happens in the last few chapters— although, I didn’t feel like it was necessary. (You’ll know when you read it.) Or, in the very least, I would have expected far more of a reaction from the characters— apart from Emma and Rev, that is. Everything was just so calm and collected surrounding it. Whereas, I can only imagine what it would be like to be a family member or friend in that situation. I would be an absolute mess. During "The Event" and after... I'd like to go on, but that’s all I can really say without giving up major spoilers!
All in all, I really enjoyed it.
And, if you're interested in:
-A relatively quick read (for a 400 pg. book)
-Emotional ups and downs
-Bi-Racial families
-Adoption/Foster care storylines
-Family dynamics
-Great friendships
-First love
You're in for a treat!
WARNING. Triggers below:
-Physical, sexual and emotional abuse
-Bullying
-PTSD