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refrejarator's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
sad
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? It's complicated
5.0
One of my favourite romances at the moment - tense and mysterious in all the right places, and a tear-jerking, emotional whirlwind. Plus the love triangles are so fun, and have an interesting dynamic.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation
Minor: Cancer, Confinement, Drug use, Adult/minor relationship, Suicide, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Blood, Body horror, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Gun violence, Gore, War, Self harm, Medical content, Alcohol, and Death
fjordpingvin's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Confinement, Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, and Colonisation
Moderate: Blood and Cancer
agatha_hopkins's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content and Confinement
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Xenophobia, Genocide, Emotional abuse, and Death
Wanderer/Melanie almost die of dehydration in the middle of nowhere.jodiemarie_xox's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Injury/Injury detail, Confinement, Blood, and Kidnapping
Moderate: Death, Grief, and Cancer
Minor: Torture, Adult/minor relationship, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, and Suicidal thoughts
cowboylikestoread43's review
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Significant age gap between protagonist and love interest, 17-26. Pedophilia.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation, Gore, Grief, Stalking, Injury/Injury detail, Drug use, Violence, Death, Medical content, and Pedophilia
alyssa_reads_747's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
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? Yes
5.0
I read this book for the first time nearly 10 years ago to the very day, right before the movie came out in 2013. This book has stuck with me through the years, and despite moving houses many times, I’ve always carried my battered copy to my new house just in case I decided to read it again one day.
Flash forward to a couple weeks ago, when I decided that I wanted to read it again. I wondered, if after all this time, I would still feel the same about the book.
I just finished it today and I can say that it still holds the same place in my heart as it did back then. In fact, I feel I love it even more being older now.
When I was nearing the end of the final chapter I was so happy that they found a new body for Wanda. I had forgotten that she didn’t just disappear so it was a happy surprise.. nonetheless though, part of me was a bit disappointed that I wouldn’t get to see Mel reuniting with Jared. After all, I feel like she was right there from the very beginning. I had grown fond of her bond with Wanda, and now I wouldn’t get to see her reunion with Jared or how she feels about Wanda being gone… but there was a surprise waiting for me at the end of the digital version of the book (I’d been reading a digital copy because it’s easier to access at work). An excerpt from Mel’s perspective after she wakes up!! This wasn’t in my original copy of the book, as Stephanie Meyer only added it just in case they wanted to add it into the movie (which I believe they did not). The excerpt was a perfect ending to the story. Finally getting to see Jared and Mel reunite, but also see Mel’s love for Wanda and her decision to search for the perfect new body for her.
I’m so happy that I gave this book another chance, and I know it will always remain an old favourite.
Flash forward to a couple weeks ago, when I decided that I wanted to read it again. I wondered, if after all this time, I would still feel the same about the book.
I just finished it today and I can say that it still holds the same place in my heart as it did back then. In fact, I feel I love it even more being older now.
I’m so happy that I gave this book another chance, and I know it will always remain an old favourite.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Violence, and Death
housedesignerking's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-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? No
3.0
I am...astonished. I had a love/hate relationship with this book. A friendship ended because me talking about this book (guy was childish). Sometimes, I found it (the book) unsettling. The unsettling bits were not disturbing, but they were just really deep. That's the only way I can describe it. After reading this, I just can't agree with those who make fun of this author. I thought I was gonna hate this book, but I actually love it. At one point, I had almost given up on reading it, but in the end, a part of me just had to know what happened to Melanie/Wanderer. So I'm glad I kept reading this book.
I can't remember when I first heard of this book. I just remember hearing that it had something to do with aliens and thought, "Meh. Alien books and movies are usually lame." It probably was around the time I started up my Goodreads and added Meyer's first Twilight book to my to-read shelf. This is a book I never thought I'd read, but then a friend decides to suggest it to me so we could go see the movie together. "Great...." I thought. I have only read a couple books that go beyond 500 pages because the others I've attempted reading, usually made me slam the book shut. Apparently, that bad luck streak may be coming to an end. Don't quote me on that though. I may end up reading a book and end up giving up 1 star. This one gets 5.
At first, I felt like I was reading about a split personality. The implantation of Wanderer at the beginning of the story didn't disturb me. What bothered me about this book is how the people in the cavern called her an 'It.' Or a 'Worm.' And just the way they were treating her. I found myself being empathetic with Wanderer.
Other parts of this book that bothered me were how I kept wanting Wanderer to not have to deal with a lot of the stuff. Which made it slow paced. There were a few chapters where I couldn't believe the routines she was going through. A love/hate deal with the slow pace of it.
And I won't say much more about the book. It goes against the reviews you may have gotten used to on here. Reviews where I give a basic synopsis. Doesn't really make me feel like I'm doing the book justice. Seems like it's so....what's the word?..routine. Changing my reviews to where I stop what I've done and just give my random thoughts feels like I'm giving the books justice because I enjoyed the books enough to not just follow that...routine.
Anyway, I saw the movie trailers. I had been avoiding them just like I did when I was reading 'The Hunger Games.' Which was also another part of this love/hate relationship. I reckon it's kinda fun to read the book and avoid all outside interpretations/opinions of it. Not so much while avoiding the trailers when the movie version is about to be released, but afterwards. It's very rewarding. Makes me enjoy the books more too, I notice.
The trailer reminds me of parts of 'The Hunger Games'. As in the special effects and the show of the futuristic technology. So I think the movie will be good.
This version of the book has a bonus chapter. I opted not to read it so it's like I read the original release. The bonus chapter was only written after there were plans to make this book into a movie. I just wanna have a little surprise when I see the movie. Since I've read the book, I know what's basically gonna happen. So that part of the surprise is a little diminished, but nevertheless, I will definitely be going to see the movie.
Just goes to show ya. When you think you're gonna hate a book, you end up loving it. Plus, I love how much more rewarding it is to avoid the trailers, like I said. I only watched them AFTER finishing the book (minus the bonus chapter). So this will be as rewarding as when I saw 'The Hunger Games.'
By the way, to the friend who borrowed me this book: Since you gave it 2 stars, I don't think you'll get this book back! :P I'll buy it from you if I have to. You may not want to see what the book looks like now anyway lol. I'm kind of a rough reader when it comes books beyond 500 pages.
5 out of 5 stars.
Edit: 7/17/2019: I eventually read the bonus chapter and I can see why it didn't really make it into the movie. It isn't boring, but it isn't really necessary to have two nearly identical scenes. Also, I have since read the first two books in the Animorph's series. Unfortunately, the type of alien in this story is too similar to the Yeerk's in the Animorph's series. Because Animorph's came out first AND because of how difficult it was for me to continue reading this book, I am reducing the rating by two stars.
My Notes:
March 19, 2013:
Pg 40, 6.45% "Okay, at first, I was reading with an incredulous stare. Now I"m actually really curious to see where this 619 page book goes with the story."
March 21, 2013:
Pg 99, 15.97% "I'm about 100 pages in and curious. Very curious. The whole point of reading this is because i'm gonna go see the movie. So far, it's slow paced, but not as boring as I thought it would be. It's ... interesting."
March 22, 2013:
Pg 201, 32.42% "After an exhaustive amount of chapters regarding a capture, we finally seem to be inching somewhere."
March 27, 2013:
Pg 447, 72.45% "Really not sure how much I am liking or hating this book. It's almost like a love/hate relationship. I'm not too fond of how the main character is treated, I'm not too fond of the cavern. I'm not too fond of how this is the slowest paced book I've ever read.And by slow pace, I mean that the exciting bits take so many pages to get to from the last exciting moment. but I like that it's FINALLY getting somewhere."
March, 28, 2013:
Pg 516, "101 pages left. Feels like i'm arriving at a home stretch...yeah I reckon that's an okay description."
I can't remember when I first heard of this book. I just remember hearing that it had something to do with aliens and thought, "Meh. Alien books and movies are usually lame." It probably was around the time I started up my Goodreads and added Meyer's first Twilight book to my to-read shelf. This is a book I never thought I'd read, but then a friend decides to suggest it to me so we could go see the movie together. "Great...." I thought. I have only read a couple books that go beyond 500 pages because the others I've attempted reading, usually made me slam the book shut. Apparently, that bad luck streak may be coming to an end. Don't quote me on that though. I may end up reading a book and end up giving up 1 star. This one gets 5.
At first, I felt like I was reading about a split personality. The implantation of Wanderer at the beginning of the story didn't disturb me. What bothered me about this book is how the people in the cavern called her an 'It.' Or a 'Worm.' And just the way they were treating her. I found myself being empathetic with Wanderer.
Other parts of this book that bothered me were how I kept wanting Wanderer to not have to deal with a lot of the stuff. Which made it slow paced. There were a few chapters where I couldn't believe the routines she was going through. A love/hate deal with the slow pace of it.
And I won't say much more about the book. It goes against the reviews you may have gotten used to on here. Reviews where I give a basic synopsis. Doesn't really make me feel like I'm doing the book justice. Seems like it's so....what's the word?..routine. Changing my reviews to where I stop what I've done and just give my random thoughts feels like I'm giving the books justice because I enjoyed the books enough to not just follow that...routine.
Anyway, I saw the movie trailers. I had been avoiding them just like I did when I was reading 'The Hunger Games.' Which was also another part of this love/hate relationship. I reckon it's kinda fun to read the book and avoid all outside interpretations/opinions of it. Not so much while avoiding the trailers when the movie version is about to be released, but afterwards. It's very rewarding. Makes me enjoy the books more too, I notice.
The trailer reminds me of parts of 'The Hunger Games'. As in the special effects and the show of the futuristic technology. So I think the movie will be good.
This version of the book has a bonus chapter. I opted not to read it so it's like I read the original release. The bonus chapter was only written after there were plans to make this book into a movie. I just wanna have a little surprise when I see the movie. Since I've read the book, I know what's basically gonna happen. So that part of the surprise is a little diminished, but nevertheless, I will definitely be going to see the movie.
Just goes to show ya. When you think you're gonna hate a book, you end up loving it. Plus, I love how much more rewarding it is to avoid the trailers, like I said. I only watched them AFTER finishing the book (minus the bonus chapter). So this will be as rewarding as when I saw 'The Hunger Games.'
By the way, to the friend who borrowed me this book: Since you gave it 2 stars, I don't think you'll get this book back! :P I'll buy it from you if I have to. You may not want to see what the book looks like now anyway lol. I'm kind of a rough reader when it comes books beyond 500 pages.
5 out of 5 stars.
Edit: 7/17/2019: I eventually read the bonus chapter and I can see why it didn't really make it into the movie. It isn't boring, but it isn't really necessary to have two nearly identical scenes. Also, I have since read the first two books in the Animorph's series. Unfortunately, the type of alien in this story is too similar to the Yeerk's in the Animorph's series. Because Animorph's came out first AND because of how difficult it was for me to continue reading this book, I am reducing the rating by two stars.
My Notes:
March 19, 2013:
Pg 40, 6.45% "Okay, at first, I was reading with an incredulous stare. Now I"m actually really curious to see where this 619 page book goes with the story."
March 21, 2013:
Pg 99, 15.97% "I'm about 100 pages in and curious. Very curious. The whole point of reading this is because i'm gonna go see the movie. So far, it's slow paced, but not as boring as I thought it would be. It's ... interesting."
March 22, 2013:
Pg 201, 32.42% "After an exhaustive amount of chapters regarding a capture, we finally seem to be inching somewhere."
March 27, 2013:
Pg 447, 72.45% "Really not sure how much I am liking or hating this book. It's almost like a love/hate relationship. I'm not too fond of how the main character is treated, I'm not too fond of the cavern. I'm not too fond of how this is the slowest paced book I've ever read.And by slow pace, I mean that the exciting bits take so many pages to get to from the last exciting moment. but I like that it's FINALLY getting somewhere."
March, 28, 2013:
Pg 516, "101 pages left. Feels like i'm arriving at a home stretch...yeah I reckon that's an okay description."
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Violence, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, and Death
dylpickles's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Grief, Toxic relationship, Colonisation, Confinement, Death, Kidnapping, and Violence
Moderate: Body horror, Mental illness, Medical content, Adult/minor relationship, Dysphoria, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Medical trauma, Toxic relationship, and Suicide attempt
rosegoldrose's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Finally re-read this book after 6 years or so. I didn't remember much of the details, so it felt like a brand new experience even though I was already familiar with the plot. I fell in love with the (at times, frustrating) characters, they truly started to feel like a family to me and it was hard to let them go at the end.
This book made me tense with worry, giggle at the lighthearted moments, wipe the seemingly endless stream of tears... It made me feel and most importantly; think, about what it is exactly that makes someone human.
This book is the only exception to my hatred toward love triangles, even though I still have my opinions on this one.
Some of the author's... decisions, were definitely questionable at best, and immoral at worst - therefore the 4 star rating even though I really enjoyed this book. It's definitely problematic, considering the targeted audience.
I'd love to read a sequel as I really wanted to see some of characters interact more and there are definitely more stories to be told, but that probably won't be happening.
This book made me tense with worry, giggle at the lighthearted moments, wipe the seemingly endless stream of tears... It made me feel and most importantly; think, about what it is exactly that makes someone human.
This book is the only exception to my hatred toward love triangles, even though I still have my opinions on this one.
Some of the author's... decisions, were definitely questionable at best, and immoral at worst - therefore the 4 star rating even though I really enjoyed this book. It's definitely problematic, considering the targeted audience.
I'd love to read a sequel as I really wanted to see some of characters interact more and there are definitely more stories to be told, but that probably won't be happening.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Colonisation and Adult/minor relationship
Moderate: Grief, Murder, Death, Gun violence, and Bullying
Minor: Cancer and Death of parent
aribook's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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? N/A
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Medical content, Blood, Death, Gun violence, Gore, Kidnapping, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Self harm, and War
Minor: Adult/minor relationship