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therainbowshelf's review
adventurous
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This is a quirky one! It was fun seeing all of the crowdsourcing that powers the Carls mystery. That is a very fun element of this read. The social and political commentary is also interesting as opposing groups form to challenge the Carl situation. I didn't like April very much, sadly. She seemed like someone wasn't sure what 20 year olds are like and used YouTube and Instagram to research
📘The Gist 📘: April May is down on her luck until she and her friends make a video about a mysterious art instillation in New York. She becomes a quick success after that, and is embroiled in an international crowdsourcing puzzle and incident.
📒Representation📒: bi mc, bipoc mc
💕 For readers looking for 💕: a quirky read, crowdsourcing, social media, social commentary, aliens, giant robots, shared dreams
📘The Gist 📘: April May is down on her luck until she and her friends make a video about a mysterious art instillation in New York. She becomes a quick success after that, and is embroiled in an international crowdsourcing puzzle and incident.
📒Representation📒: bi mc, bipoc mc
💕 For readers looking for 💕: a quirky read, crowdsourcing, social media, social commentary, aliens, giant robots, shared dreams
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Lesbophobia, Medical content, Murder, Sexism, Violence, and Xenophobia
Terrorismbaponthecob's review
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Honestly I wasn't initially that compelled by a first contact story, but I became really invested in the plot and characters??? April May felt so real. She's kind of a shit, but that's the point. I relate to the parts of her that are impulsive and want to sabotage her relationships and are overly prideful to hide how she's deeply insecure. She wasn't some kind of hero; she was just. A person.
I love how she had to learn that she couldnt do everything by herself. She had to let go of her pride and allow herself to be vulnerable, and to admit that she needs help.
The writing style threw me off at first bc it was so casual, but I ended up liking it. Hearing it on an audiobook made it feel like something a regular person actually documented. Kind of refreshing compared to what I've read lately
The pacing was fast for me, but it didnt bother me too much. Maybe some of April's traits could have been built up to instead of her kind of info dumping before something happened. But overall, not a big deal
That cliffhanger at the end should be illegal though 😔 jail
I love how she had to learn that she couldnt do everything by herself. She had to let go of her pride and allow herself to be vulnerable, and to admit that she needs help.
The writing style threw me off at first bc it was so casual, but I ended up liking it. Hearing it on an audiobook made it feel like something a regular person actually documented. Kind of refreshing compared to what I've read lately
The pacing was fast for me, but it didnt bother me too much. Maybe some of April's traits could have been built up to instead of her kind of info dumping before something happened. But overall, not a big deal
That cliffhanger at the end should be illegal though 😔 jail
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Gun violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Biphobia, Homophobia, Medical content, and Sexual content
scruffie's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
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
An absolutely remarkable book. Loved the plot, loved the writing style, couldn't stop once I started reading it. Five stars from me, without any reservations whatsoever. I hope the second book in the series is just as good!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Blood, Confinement, Death, Gore, Gun violence, Hate crime, Grief, Violence, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Murder
Minor: Medical content
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
kylieqrada's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
4.0
I didn't expect to like this as much as I did. I didn't even intend to ever read it, really. I like the Green brothers, who doesn't! But I've never really vibed with John's books, and I figured Hank's were going to be more of the same. But An Absolutely Remarkable Thing is not just more John Green YA contemporary romance, in a few ways: 1) This is not YA. It is adult. Granted, new-ish adult, the characters are in their early 20s, but it is very much not YA. 2) This is not contemporary romance. It's contemporary, but more like speculative/sci-fi in a real-world setting with dashes of satire. 3) Hank definitely has his own voice, and I LOVE that voice. It's edgy, and meta, and self-aware, and very raw. I do not think it is for everyone, but it was perfect for me, especially the humor. I also deeply enjoyed listening to this on audio. If I continue the series, I will certainly do so via audiobook, because Kristen Sieh IS April May, and quite honestly her voice reminds me a little bit of my friend Chessa, which I loved, but I digress. This book also had some parallels to life in America in the 2020s that were weirdly apt. It's like, there are no giant robots named Carl on our city streets, but the way people are acting, you would think that there were. I don't want to spoil anything, but essentially, July 13th has an eerie real-world analog that hit close to home.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Blood, Bullying, Death, Gore, Grief, Kidnapping, Medical content, Sexism, Sexual content, and Violence
empathephant's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
So the first time I read this I ate it up. I was sick, it was like a two day read, and all I cared about was the plot and the mystery. At times I kind of rolled my eyes a little bit as I thought Hank was definitely using the book to insert some vlogbrothers-style essay musings on life, which, while interesting pulled me out of the story a little as the voice felt more like Hank than the narrator. But I liked it enough to immediately suggest it as a book I could read aloud to my husband.
In forcing myself to slow down and read it I realized that I never really bonded with the characters. April is kind of annoying as hell. She has "flaws", but they don't seem to get in her way nor does she ever grow past being an impulsive entitled asshole towards people she theoretically should care about. And while the cast is "diverse," they are all gorgeous, ridiculously smart/talented women. Which doesn't feel relatable to me. These people are becoming more and more famous and are literally never self-conscious? Never think about their bodies? Maybe I'm wrong and most women around me are shining beams of confidence in every moment, but...
All of that said, I'd still recommend this book. I think many of its flaws are ones that can easily be ascribed to a first time author who had a pretty quick avenue to getting published, and Hank has an amazing imagination and I can't wait to see him grow as an author. And even more importantly, this book is super timely in the questions it makes you ask yourself about society, politics, and the dynamics of healthy debate on the internet. The idea ofThe Dream was delightful, and I loved every moment I got to spend in it. I grew from reading the book despite not connecting with the characters, which to me says the ideas it contains are pretty smart.
(Also, I'm finding the second book a lot better in terms of character development, and it has a compelling story, so it's worth it to read this just to get to that.)
In forcing myself to slow down and read it I realized that I never really bonded with the characters. April is kind of annoying as hell. She has "flaws", but they don't seem to get in her way nor does she ever grow past being an impulsive entitled asshole towards people she theoretically should care about. And while the cast is "diverse," they are all gorgeous, ridiculously smart/talented women. Which doesn't feel relatable to me. These people are becoming more and more famous and are literally never self-conscious? Never think about their bodies? Maybe I'm wrong and most women around me are shining beams of confidence in every moment, but...
All of that said, I'd still recommend this book. I think many of its flaws are ones that can easily be ascribed to a first time author who had a pretty quick avenue to getting published, and Hank has an amazing imagination and I can't wait to see him grow as an author. And even more importantly, this book is super timely in the questions it makes you ask yourself about society, politics, and the dynamics of healthy debate on the internet. The idea of
(Also, I'm finding the second book a lot better in terms of character development, and it has a compelling story, so it's worth it to read this just to get to that.)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Gun violence, and Confinement
Moderate: Violence, Xenophobia, Murder, and Medical content
Minor: Homophobia and Toxic relationship
The final chapters contain some pretty graphic and intense descriptions ofgracecleo's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Grief, Gun violence, Xenophobia, Violence, and Kidnapping
Minor: Biphobia, Gore, Homophobia, Religious bigotry, and Medical content
nomatophobia's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
THIS IS A GREAT BOOK FOR PEOPLE WHO DON'T LIKE TO READ
Whomst,,, who gives him the right to break my heart like that. What a fucking rennaissance man Hank Green is. Just read it. Seriously.
I could not put this book down. It's so fast-paced I couldn't even tell it takes place over a year. I love stories that dive into humanity and look at it like the glorious thing that it is. AAA idk how to write a book review but just,, 5,000,000,000/5 stars
Whomst,,, who gives him the right to break my heart like that. What a fucking rennaissance man Hank Green is. Just read it. Seriously.
I could not put this book down. It's so fast-paced I couldn't even tell it takes place over a year. I love stories that dive into humanity and look at it like the glorious thing that it is. AAA idk how to write a book review but just,, 5,000,000,000/5 stars
Content Warnings
Moderate: Biphobia, Blood, Body horror, Death, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Medical content, Medical trauma, Physical abuse, and Violence
jet's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Gore, and Medical content
Minor: Homophobia
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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