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bookbrig's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted more from this book than it gave me.
I wanted super seekrit conspiracy theories about the Ours and creepy, big brotheresque, drugs-in-the-drinking-water, evil mind rays that affected the east and west coasts’ perceptions of one another.
I wanted fairies to be a government cover-up for weird military related drug trials.
I wanted Larbalestier (whose blog I love) to stop using words like doos and doxhead and pulchy because it made me want to punch characters in the face, and violence is wrong. You can’t see me, but I just nodded sagely as I typed that.
I wanted more. Clearly.
But I’m giving it two stars because maybe if you don’t want all those things it’s a better novel. I am too biased by my need for deep dark secrets to judge it fairly.
I wanted super seekrit conspiracy theories about the Ours and creepy, big brotheresque, drugs-in-the-drinking-water, evil mind rays that affected the east and west coasts’ perceptions of one another.
I wanted fairies to be a government cover-up for weird military related drug trials.
I wanted Larbalestier (whose blog I love) to stop using words like doos and doxhead and pulchy because it made me want to punch characters in the face, and violence is wrong. You can’t see me, but I just nodded sagely as I typed that.
I wanted more. Clearly.
But I’m giving it two stars because maybe if you don’t want all those things it’s a better novel. I am too biased by my need for deep dark secrets to judge it fairly.
heykellyjensen's review against another edition
2.0
2.5
The story was face paced at times and really dragged through other parts. Overall, it's cute and those interested in "other worlds" and magic would like this read.
However, the "other world" is poorly constructed. The invented language is not done well and not interesting (in fact, it's just frustrating to read since it's so poorly done). The characters are hit and miss, and I didn't find myself caring a bit about Charlie. I thought she was a bit of a whiner. Perhaps most irritating, though, were the lists starting each chapter. It was like Briget Jones and even the Georgia Nicolson series, but, it had no purpose and no introduction. It was trying to be trendy and fell flat. Larbalestier's writing and story telling leave a lot to be desired, but the concept is enough to hold readers. Although it could have been moralistic and in a sense did get that way (in thinking that what someone else has is better than what you have), she avoids it at the end with some other strange lesson akin to if you whine enough, you'll get what you want without repercussion. Hmmm...
The story was face paced at times and really dragged through other parts. Overall, it's cute and those interested in "other worlds" and magic would like this read.
However, the "other world" is poorly constructed. The invented language is not done well and not interesting (in fact, it's just frustrating to read since it's so poorly done). The characters are hit and miss, and I didn't find myself caring a bit about Charlie. I thought she was a bit of a whiner. Perhaps most irritating, though, were the lists starting each chapter. It was like Briget Jones and even the Georgia Nicolson series, but, it had no purpose and no introduction. It was trying to be trendy and fell flat. Larbalestier's writing and story telling leave a lot to be desired, but the concept is enough to hold readers. Although it could have been moralistic and in a sense did get that way (in thinking that what someone else has is better than what you have), she avoids it at the end with some other strange lesson akin to if you whine enough, you'll get what you want without repercussion. Hmmm...
mal_grace's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
danielaserban's review against another edition
2.0
2 stars for the idea of everyone getting a fairy, but the whole thing was rather meh. I didn't end up caring for any of the characters, except the one hated in the beginning. Also, one of the characters does something at some point and no one comes up to stop him, until the police arrives. What kind of people are these..? Anyway, I think maybe a younger me would've appreciated this more. It's like a highschool romcom sort of. Also, that highschool sounds like hell.
sop17hie's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
5.0
flyingsails's review against another edition
3.0
This book got a LOT of very positive reviews, so I was looking forward to it. While I really did like the whole world Ms. Larbalestier created, and the idea of everyone having their own fairy, the story was kind of predictable. How many times have characters longed for something that just HAS to be better than what they've got, and then when they get it they're so thrilled. But their friends aren't because they see how it really is. Eventually the main character does, too.
nightfalltwen's review against another edition
2.0
I really hate when authors use too much of their own made up lingo that you have to keep flipping to the back of the book to keep up with what the characters are saying.
The book was okay. But just a little too full of itself and the ending felt slapped on. Like the author forgot to have her plot climax and threw everything into the last chapter to make up for it.
Two stars was generous.
The book was okay. But just a little too full of itself and the ending felt slapped on. Like the author forgot to have her plot climax and threw everything into the last chapter to make up for it.
Two stars was generous.
jennybeastie's review against another edition
3.0
This book is an odd one -- but plunging into the quirky world building and sudden, unexpected slang of another place is always entertaining. New Avalon, and it's obsessive schools (this one for sports), and it's luck-fairies, and the verbal play reminds me of the Flora Secunda books. The only thing to do is dive right in.
On the whole, I enjoyed it. I was frustrated at the cardboard cutout adults, and the fact that even when she was being physically kidnapped Charlie didn't bother to ask for help. It went too far! She shouldn't have to handle stuff like that on her own! It's stupid and dangerous, and she chose to go with a stupid and dangerous way of handling it and there were no real repercussions. C'mon now, that's a crappy message to send. But it's a funny book, and a light book, and I guess that makes it ok?
On the whole, I enjoyed it. I was frustrated at the cardboard cutout adults, and the fact that even when she was being physically kidnapped Charlie didn't bother to ask for help. It went too far! She shouldn't have to handle stuff like that on her own! It's stupid and dangerous, and she chose to go with a stupid and dangerous way of handling it and there were no real repercussions. C'mon now, that's a crappy message to send. But it's a funny book, and a light book, and I guess that makes it ok?