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colorfulleo92's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars. Not quite what I had thought it to be but an interesting story overall. Wasn't as invested in the characters as I had hoped
zellm's review against another edition
3.0
Although this was an adult book, it felt very YA - lots of existential angst, the characters felt pretty shallow.... I thought the idea was interesting, and I liked Astrid's fortune telling, but I would have liked a book centered more around that. It hints at magical realism, with her readings, and I would have loved a book that went that direction instead. It covers big topics, but not deeply enough to really make a statement. This ended up being a quick read, but not one that really spoke to me.
renaplays's review against another edition
3.0
Well-written first person narrative of a perhaps-glamorous, but certainly tragic period in NYC pop-history; hard to experience the blow-by-blow stupid decisions of the principle character.
andreanourse's review against another edition
3.0
If I were to picture a novel that portrayed the excess and dangers of stereotypical 1980s NYC, it would be Astrid Sees All.
Drugs. A little rock & roll. Clubs. A random serial killer, because, why not?
Yes, it was a lot and a bit over the top. Did I still enjoy it? I think so. I couldn’t put it down. I found myself rooting for Pheobe and loving her a little more with every page. Was the perfect? Nope. She was flawed and real.
Drugs. A little rock & roll. Clubs. A random serial killer, because, why not?
Yes, it was a lot and a bit over the top. Did I still enjoy it? I think so. I couldn’t put it down. I found myself rooting for Pheobe and loving her a little more with every page. Was the perfect? Nope. She was flawed and real.
heather425's review against another edition
4.0
Astrid Sees All takes place in NYC in the early 1980s. Phoebe is a recent college grad, who is not sure what she wants to do with her life. She does know she wants to be friends with Carmen, a college classmate. Phoebe wants to associate with people who are famous or at least rich. However, she is also grieving the loss of her father whom she adored.
I enjoyed the writing style and most of the story. There are times things were outlandish. The events in the end were a bit much to believe, but I know part of it was based on real events in NYC. It was Phoebe's role in it that didn't seem possible. I never felt I knew the characters more than surface level. Overall it was a quick and interesting read.
If you enjoy references to 80s culture, stories in NYC, and studies of female friendships this is a good book for you. Look for it on April 6th when it hits shelves!
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the eARC!
I enjoyed the writing style and most of the story. There are times things were outlandish. The events in the end were a bit much to believe, but I know part of it was based on real events in NYC. It was Phoebe's role in it that didn't seem possible. I never felt I knew the characters more than surface level. Overall it was a quick and interesting read.
If you enjoy references to 80s culture, stories in NYC, and studies of female friendships this is a good book for you. Look for it on April 6th when it hits shelves!
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for the eARC!
bookapotamus's review against another edition
3.0
I just love anything 80s. The decade was equal parts grit and glitter. Especially in NYC - such a different city then. But trying to find your way in the world as a vulnerable 20-something? Timeless.
There’s a bit of a mystery and romance, but the drama runs thick in this one. Fascinating and flashy characters steal the show as Phoebe escapes to NYC - and becomes Astrid, a fortune teller who dishes out life advice via a box of movie ticket stubs to celebrities and artists in the underground club Plutonium.
But when her best friend Carmen goes missing she’s forced to face what she’s been running from, and it takes some unexpected and heartbreaking turns.
Full of some fun 80’s nostalgia mixed with intoxicating darkness and grief, Astrid Sees All is a raw and desperate atmospheric struggle to find your place, while hoping that place doesn’t end up swallowing you whole.
There’s a bit of a mystery and romance, but the drama runs thick in this one. Fascinating and flashy characters steal the show as Phoebe escapes to NYC - and becomes Astrid, a fortune teller who dishes out life advice via a box of movie ticket stubs to celebrities and artists in the underground club Plutonium.
But when her best friend Carmen goes missing she’s forced to face what she’s been running from, and it takes some unexpected and heartbreaking turns.
Full of some fun 80’s nostalgia mixed with intoxicating darkness and grief, Astrid Sees All is a raw and desperate atmospheric struggle to find your place, while hoping that place doesn’t end up swallowing you whole.
kaitras10's review against another edition
2.0
I really did not start enjoying this book until the last 15%. The story felt underwhelming and the characters felt underdeveloped. I was really hoping to enjoy this book but unfortunately I didn’t
softclquds's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
akshaya07's review against another edition
4.0
"New York isn't going anywhere, she said.
She was mistaken: New York is always charging forward and threatening to leave you behind. It is going somewhere, always".
One thing to know about me is that if there is a book and the story takes place in New York, I am sold. I will read it, nevertheless, despite knowing the story. Adding to that 80s or 90s New York vibes? Okay, no more questions. Just give the book, that's all. And that is exactly the reason why this book was added to my TBR.
Astrid Sees All follows the typical glamorous lives in New York City, juggling to earn money to keep up with the luxury side that the city demands amidst the sex, drugs, politics, culture and celebrities. The story follows Phoebe and Carmen, two friends in their early twenties, one from Baltimore and the other from a rich, well-known family of celebrities. Even though the story revolves around many things that life in New York offers, it is more of this recollection of Phoebe about Carmen, whom she loves and admires and wants to be like. And due to this notion, Phoebe often leads a life being a shadow to Carmen, so there is this exploration of complicated female friendships and how sometimes people cope with grief differently. Phoebe has lost her dad recently and is still mourning his death without coming to terms with it. She copes with this through an unhealthy lifestyle trying to be someone else. Therefore, the main character is unreliable and unlikeable.
I enjoyed this book more than I expected. The writing kept me hooked, and I was thrilled to pick it up and continue with the book whenever possible. There was also a mystery involved towards the end, which I never expected, and it went in a different direction than I anticipated, but I didn't hate it. This book reminded me of Happy Hour by Marlowe Granados due to the mention of clubs and glamorous parties and Conversations With Friends by Sally Rooney because of the complex female friendship that the main lead has with her friend.
Overall I really enjoyed it. I know this is this author's first adult novel (if I am not wrong), but if she comes with more in the future, I want to check them out for sure. This one is not for everyone, but it is super underrated, and I wish more people who will love this kind of book gets to read it.
She was mistaken: New York is always charging forward and threatening to leave you behind. It is going somewhere, always".
One thing to know about me is that if there is a book and the story takes place in New York, I am sold. I will read it, nevertheless, despite knowing the story. Adding to that 80s or 90s New York vibes? Okay, no more questions. Just give the book, that's all. And that is exactly the reason why this book was added to my TBR.
Astrid Sees All follows the typical glamorous lives in New York City, juggling to earn money to keep up with the luxury side that the city demands amidst the sex, drugs, politics, culture and celebrities. The story follows Phoebe and Carmen, two friends in their early twenties, one from Baltimore and the other from a rich, well-known family of celebrities. Even though the story revolves around many things that life in New York offers, it is more of this recollection of Phoebe about Carmen, whom she loves and admires and wants to be like. And due to this notion, Phoebe often leads a life being a shadow to Carmen, so there is this exploration of complicated female friendships and how sometimes people cope with grief differently. Phoebe has lost her dad recently and is still mourning his death without coming to terms with it. She copes with this through an unhealthy lifestyle trying to be someone else. Therefore, the main character is unreliable and unlikeable.
I enjoyed this book more than I expected. The writing kept me hooked, and I was thrilled to pick it up and continue with the book whenever possible. There was also a mystery involved towards the end, which I never expected, and it went in a different direction than I anticipated, but I didn't hate it. This book reminded me of Happy Hour by Marlowe Granados due to the mention of clubs and glamorous parties and Conversations With Friends by Sally Rooney because of the complex female friendship that the main lead has with her friend.
Overall I really enjoyed it. I know this is this author's first adult novel (if I am not wrong), but if she comes with more in the future, I want to check them out for sure. This one is not for everyone, but it is super underrated, and I wish more people who will love this kind of book gets to read it.