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l1nds's review against another edition
3.0
I was so excited to get an advance copy of this because I absolutely love the authors' previous collaboration on the Dash and Lily books and Nick and Nora's Infinite Playlist. I expected something in the same vein - warm, amusing, slightly quirky, well rounded characters, and two distinct voices narrating (chapters alternate between the two main characters) but sadly I didn't get it.
The premise was interesting, twins Sam and Ilsa (boy and girl) throw one last dinner party for an odd assortment of their friends and acquaintances before their grandmother's beautiful rent controlled apartment is sold. I just felt like the magic is missing from this one. The two main characters didn't feel as distinct as usual - a few times I had to go back and check which character was narrating, and the main personality trait of most of the guests seemed to be obnoxious. Apart from the one who communicated solely via sock puppet who was frankly annoying, and all my sympathy was with the guest who wrestled the puppet off and tried to dispose of it. Sadly he wasn't successful.
The whole thing just felt very superficial, I never felt like we scratched beneath the surface - in Britain we would say it's all fur coat no knickers but I don't know how well that expression travels!
*ARC from Netgalley for an honest opinion*
The premise was interesting, twins Sam and Ilsa (boy and girl) throw one last dinner party for an odd assortment of their friends and acquaintances before their grandmother's beautiful rent controlled apartment is sold. I just felt like the magic is missing from this one. The two main characters didn't feel as distinct as usual - a few times I had to go back and check which character was narrating, and the main personality trait of most of the guests seemed to be obnoxious. Apart from the one who communicated solely via sock puppet who was frankly annoying, and all my sympathy was with the guest who wrestled the puppet off and tried to dispose of it. Sadly he wasn't successful.
The whole thing just felt very superficial, I never felt like we scratched beneath the surface - in Britain we would say it's all fur coat no knickers but I don't know how well that expression travels!
*ARC from Netgalley for an honest opinion*
theoutsidersbookshelf's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
2.0
beksbal's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
1.0
trisha_thomas's review
4.0
"There comes a time, long before the accident, when you decide how many lifeboats the Titanic should have. That’s what we need to do - in many ways, it’s the only thing we can do. Make sure we have plenty of lifeboats.”
Another amazing story by these two amazing authors. But I can see why others might not love it. On the face of it, the story is a dinner party with a very strange group of characters. The siblings, on the surface, are hard to like and the party premise is confusing.
But this story is so much deeper than that. It touches on the insecurities and anxiety and panic a lot of young adults are feeling (let's be honest, adults too!). It's the realization that they are 18, about to enter the real world and they don't really know who they are. And they don't have to - they can still be whoever they want to be!
I wrote a line above but that was not my favorite quote. My favorite was "You must find your allies." This line speaks so loudly to me. Find your allies - they aren't always family and friends. Sometimes they are people you haven't let in yet, or haven't let close because of fear and anxiety. Open your eyes, look for them - they are there and they want to see you too!
I know the Caspian and Frederyk characters were tough for many to wrap their heads around. I loved this character. I saw pieces of both my children in them and I wanted to cry and to hug them. They are every kid who thinks they are different and wants to embrace that different but no one actually wants them to. I love that Sam saw and he understood. They just wanted to be who they were, even if it was different from everyone else.
Keep writing, you two. Our young adults need these stories.
Another amazing story by these two amazing authors. But I can see why others might not love it. On the face of it, the story is a dinner party with a very strange group of characters. The siblings, on the surface, are hard to like and the party premise is confusing.
But this story is so much deeper than that. It touches on the insecurities and anxiety and panic a lot of young adults are feeling (let's be honest, adults too!). It's the realization that they are 18, about to enter the real world and they don't really know who they are. And they don't have to - they can still be whoever they want to be!
I wrote a line above but that was not my favorite quote. My favorite was "You must find your allies." This line speaks so loudly to me. Find your allies - they aren't always family and friends. Sometimes they are people you haven't let in yet, or haven't let close because of fear and anxiety. Open your eyes, look for them - they are there and they want to see you too!
I know the Caspian and Frederyk characters were tough for many to wrap their heads around. I loved this character. I saw pieces of both my children in them and I wanted to cry and to hug them. They are every kid who thinks they are different and wants to embrace that different but no one actually wants them to. I love that Sam saw and he understood. They just wanted to be who they were, even if it was different from everyone else.
Keep writing, you two. Our young adults need these stories.