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onecandace's review against another edition
3.0
I think this is a book I will like more as I continue to think about it, which I most certainly will. The story is intriguing, funny, depressing and amazingly well-crafted. It dives headfirst into questions about humanity, technology, survival and control. I was left feeling extremely unsettled but oddly satisfied.
booksies_booksies's review against another edition
4.0
Very clever, I love the dark humor. There were some bits that were crude. As a mother of a teenage son, didn't bother me so much. Some people may not care for it.
foreveryoungadult's review against another edition
Graded By: Mandy W.
Cover Story: Could Be Better
BFF Charm: Let Me Love You
Swoonworthy Scale: 0
Talky Talk: Carry These Stories
Bonus Factors: Culture Shock, Summer Camp, Weird Science
Relationship Status: Taking the Leap
Read the full book report here.
Cover Story: Could Be Better
BFF Charm: Let Me Love You
Swoonworthy Scale: 0
Talky Talk: Carry These Stories
Bonus Factors: Culture Shock, Summer Camp, Weird Science
Relationship Status: Taking the Leap
Read the full book report here.
chocolateparis's review against another edition
5.0
Kind of in the same vein as Grasshopper Jungle as far as raunchy and Kurt Vonnegut-like, but I like this one a lot better. Less far-out, more depth. Masterfully written.
xan_van_rooyen's review against another edition
4.0
What a weird and random read. While it was definitely different and intriguing and I did enjoy reading it, I think I might've preferred Ariel's story without all the other bizarro stuff. Also, I had hoped the titular crow would feature more prominently.
amandapearl2's review against another edition
1.0
TW: On page & fairly graphic gang rape of a 14 year old boy.
So. Let me get my rant out of the way. The rape scene in this book was unexpected and unnecessary. I was pretty horrified and it absolutely could have been alluded to or not mentioned at all. It happened to a boy in a refugee camp in some unnamed war-torn (middle eastern?) country. But there was no reason for it, Ariel's back story was horrible enough without that, and the book wasn't making some kind of statement about war or advocating for refugee/immigrant rights. In fact this book had a lot of words but never actually said anything.
There were many different plot lines that were fairly interesting and I was eager to see how they were all connected, but to me this book utterly failed to bring everything together in a meaningful way. It just, kind of ended. In every way [b:Grasshopper Jungle|18079719|Grasshopper Jungle|Andrew Smith|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1373059909l/18079719._SX50_.jpg|19209831] succeeds, this book fails. How disappointing.
So. Let me get my rant out of the way. The rape scene in this book was unexpected and unnecessary. I was pretty horrified and it absolutely could have been alluded to or not mentioned at all. It happened to a boy in a refugee camp in some unnamed war-torn (middle eastern?) country. But there was no reason for it, Ariel's back story was horrible enough without that, and the book wasn't making some kind of statement about war or advocating for refugee/immigrant rights. In fact this book had a lot of words but never actually said anything.
There were many different plot lines that were fairly interesting and I was eager to see how they were all connected, but to me this book utterly failed to bring everything together in a meaningful way. It just, kind of ended. In every way [b:Grasshopper Jungle|18079719|Grasshopper Jungle|Andrew Smith|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1373059909l/18079719._SX50_.jpg|19209831] succeeds, this book fails. How disappointing.
mrwyzlic's review against another edition
2.0
Given how many reviews call this book "genius," it probably is. But it was not for me. I love Andrew Smith's realistic fiction. His surreal stuff is just not my cup of tea.
cbashore's review against another edition
5.0
Andrew Smith continues to be one of my favorite authors for these reasons.
1. He's not a copy cat. His work is the most originally I have read in like five years. Also thanks for not writing an apocalyptical novel striving to be Katniss.
2. HI I AM A GIRL AND WAS NOT OFFENDED BY THIS.
Remember the part when the book said women didn't need men and that men would go extinct?
Hellooooo, who runs the world, girls? Basically saying we can do it. I view that as a subliminal compliment.
3. This book is filthy and perfect. Thank you.
I can't keep ipad,typing. Pretend there are more compliments here.
1. He's not a copy cat. His work is the most originally I have read in like five years. Also thanks for not writing an apocalyptical novel striving to be Katniss.
2. HI I AM A GIRL AND WAS NOT OFFENDED BY THIS.
Remember the part when the book said women didn't need men and that men would go extinct?
Hellooooo, who runs the world, girls? Basically saying we can do it. I view that as a subliminal compliment.
3. This book is filthy and perfect. Thank you.
I can't keep ipad,typing. Pretend there are more compliments here.
tyheronthorn's review against another edition
4.0
there was a moment, while reading this, where i realized that this book's themes went much, much, deeper than teenage boys and euphemisms for masturbation. all i can say is andrew smith is really good at writing books that seem to be bawdy and hilarious, and then turn on you with a punch in the gut.
all in all, a very good book.
all in all, a very good book.