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tgilmore's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing
honeyhistory103's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
My expectations going into this book were, admittedly, high - I love following Hank Green and the commitment to both education and creativity that he has. This book has delivered impeccably: despite the premises being both being done by numerous people before (the rise to fame and alien invasion alike), Hank's take on the story those two things would create was well-done and still unique.
More notable than anything, I think, was how April May was written. I hold great respect for an author that can write a character that, beyond just flawed, makes downright unlikable choices throughout nearly the entirety of the novel, and still create a character that is enjoyable to read. Possibly, this was helped by an addictive plot - I wanted to know the mystery of the Carls as much as April, or anyone else in this world, did.
One thing that did occasionally take me out of the story was its overall observation and quiet critique of the way that things are politicized around the world (particularly the US, but internationally regardless). Gently allegorical, Hank's reminder to readers that humanity must solve problems together sometimes felt disingenuous coming from April, who seemed to get so sucked into the political pundit part of life. But then, perhaps that was part of his message entirely.
Overall, this was an excellent read. And man oh man, did the cliffhanger at the end have me immediately looking to place a hold on the second book in the series.
More notable than anything, I think, was how April May was written. I hold great respect for an author that can write a character that, beyond just flawed, makes downright unlikable choices throughout nearly the entirety of the novel, and still create a character that is enjoyable to read. Possibly, this was helped by an addictive plot - I wanted to know the mystery of the Carls as much as April, or anyone else in this world, did.
One thing that did occasionally take me out of the story was its overall observation and quiet critique of the way that things are politicized around the world (particularly the US, but internationally regardless). Gently allegorical, Hank's reminder to readers that humanity must solve problems together sometimes felt disingenuous coming from April, who seemed to get so sucked into the political pundit part of life. But then, perhaps that was part of his message entirely.
Overall, this was an excellent read. And man oh man, did the cliffhanger at the end have me immediately looking to place a hold on the second book in the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Cursing
eamily's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder, Kidnapping, Grief, Outing, Medical content, Biphobia, Toxic relationship, Gore, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail, Addiction, Xenophobia, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Police brutality, Cursing, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, and Confinement
Minor: Bullying, Infidelity, Sexual content, Classism, and Excrement
cheye13's review
adventurous
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I think this book most upsets be because I wanted to like it so badly.
I enjoy the writing style and think the book is well-crafted. I liked the strength of voice and characterization, and the premise is unique and interesting. The conflict and drama were evocative and I was easily invested in the story.
Yet overall, I... didn't enjoy it. I hated April May, but probably not in the way intended. I have no problem with unlikeable or problematic main characters, and her decisions made sense. But, as a 20something bi woman/lib arts grad in this internet fame climate myself, I found it nearly impossible to relate to her, and not just on a personal level, but on any level at all. I couldn't reconcile her with any other real person I know, and that consistently troubled me.
April May herself also seemed to be a very thin veil for the author (of whom I do consider myself a fan) to moralize on a specific view of fame and politics and the human condition, and while these weren't wholly meaningless points, they were treated as though only The Great April May had ever considered them. I tuned in for some fun aliens and instead got a morality lecture about internet fame that had me thinking "it's not that deep" for a good 90% of the book.
I enjoy the writing style and think the book is well-crafted. I liked the strength of voice and characterization, and the premise is unique and interesting. The conflict and drama were evocative and I was easily invested in the story.
Yet overall, I... didn't enjoy it. I hated April May, but probably not in the way intended. I have no problem with unlikeable or problematic main characters, and her decisions made sense. But, as a 20something bi woman/lib arts grad in this internet fame climate myself, I found it nearly impossible to relate to her, and not just on a personal level, but on any level at all. I couldn't reconcile her with any other real person I know, and that consistently troubled me.
April May herself also seemed to be a very thin veil for the author (of whom I do consider myself a fan) to moralize on a specific view of fame and politics and the human condition, and while these weren't wholly meaningless points, they were treated as though only The Great April May had ever considered them. I tuned in for some fun aliens and instead got a morality lecture about internet fame that had me thinking "it's not that deep" for a good 90% of the book.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Biphobia, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Medical trauma, and Violence
Minor: Blood, Gore, and Grief
regarding fire:5teverin0's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was a quick, easy, but enjoyable read. It contains a serious message about the nature of fame and what it means to be famous, wrapped in a fast-paced, science fiction-tinged action adventure story. The characters, especially protagonist April May, are well-drawn and relatable. The story moves at a rapid pace, with a few unexpected turns. Overall, it was a fun story, and I am eager to read the follow-up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing
Moderate: Death
lalu's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
tense
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
read for the second time in 2021 - 5 stars
This book is amazing on so many levels!
This book is amazing on so many levels!
- The protagonist is completely relatable, even in these absurd events
- social media is implemented convincingly (I mean Hank Green does have some experience on that topic)
- the "defenders" are prime examples of 2020's conspiracy theorists
- a bunch of characters just casually belong to of minorities, without it feeling forced
- we have stakes
- and things are scientifically acurate (I think)
Honestly, I love this story so much!
read for the first time in 2018 - 5 stars
Auf der ganzen Welt tauchen aus dem Nichts riesige, identische Metallstatuen in Großstädten auf. Die junge Grafikdesignerin April May ist die erste, die die Skulptur in New York entdeckt und dreht sofort ein YouTube-Video über "Carl", welches über Nacht viral geht. Besessen vom Social Media-Fame und der Überzeugung, dass die Carls keine Bedrohung darstellen, wird sie zur weltbekannten Advokatin der scheinbar extraterrestrischen Besucher und macht sich damit nicht nur Freunde.
Eine tolle, spannende und nicht vorhersehbare Story. So gern und ohne mich selbst daran erinnern zu müssen, habe ich schon lange nicht mehr gelesen... Nur der Cliffhanger am Ende macht mich fertig!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Addiction and Medical content
Minor: Biphobia and Cursing
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