Reviews

A Million to One by Adiba Jaigirdar

jillselwyn's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious tense fast-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? No

3.75

The second book of 2023, complete! I just have to start with saying about half way in I got scared there was about to be a bury your gays trope, and it would have almost been hilarious because I was using my Illumicrate TBR reading prompt cards, and chose "favorite trope" because of the heist. Anyway there wasn't, but I still sobbed my goddamn eyes out and my cat kept almost like... checking on me?

I loved how short the chapters were! This was a reasonably over 300 paged book, and it felt less than, because each chapter I don't think was more than honestly five pages, and the countdown til the ship sank was really great and was an amazing tool to stir up extreme anxiety in the reader. I really liked the diversity, the characterization and personalities and how Ocean's 8 really was the perfect comp title for this one. I tabbed so much of this book, let's just say thank god I have another set of tabs from literally, Albertson's of all places. Heists will not soon be no longer my favorite trope/plot and I can thank Six of Crows originally for that, and now A Million to One for securing it. 

Amazing job and I'll have to see if Adiba Jaigirdar will be coming out with anything else soon.

unwise_samwise's review against another edition

adventurous emotional tense 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? No

5.0

owlslibrary's review against another edition

3.75

I would round up to 3.95 cus this was a fun read

stdl_teen_library's review against another edition

A heist on the Titanic with a powerhouse cast of characters.  

emjen16's review against another edition

adventurous medium-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? No

3.5

fangirl325's review against another edition

adventurous emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

leakaroo's review against another edition

2.75

Very fast read, but doesn't necessarily mean it was a great one. Very simplistic language and descriptions are used, which is fine for YA but there is no personality to the writing. Most of it was definitely telling not showing. I also felt the plot became unbelievable to the point of comical sometimes. I considered dropping this book every time Wallis appeared, and after learning that matron Wallis was a real victim of the Titanic, it felt weird that she was made out to be a villain (even with the slapped-on redemption arc at the end).

I am always interested in the Titanic tragedy and love the movie, so this book should have been more enjoyable. But even then, I don't think the sinking plotline was handled well and the plot veered in directions that didn't make sense or were highly boring to me

Especially with how the August problem is solved. Josefa says "lets just stop fighting and put this behind us" AND HE LISTENS!? I felt that it made no sense that he would just let her go with the Rubaiyat.

Also felt there weren't any stakes since every problem solves itself after like 2 or 3 pages. I think if I put all my critiques into one sentence it would be that this story lacked dimension or any sort of interesting elements, despite having such a good set-up that should have guaranteed it success.

Anyways it wasn't the worst thing, and it was still quite alright, so rating it 2.75.

ladyalbion's review against another edition

adventurous emotional informative medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.5

maisiemoo's review against another edition

adventurous dark tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

annineamundsen's review against another edition

4.0

4.5 ⭐
A heist on Titanic with sapphic characters just had to be good! It also had to be a little sad, of course. I really liked the characters and heists are fun.

There were some sentences that were repeated almost word for word, which I think the editors should have catched. And a lot more running away from people than planned backup plans than I prefer.