Reviews

Wonders of the Invisible World by Christopher Barzak

hannsjsjwkkqkq's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

fastandfurriest's review against another edition

adventurous emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A

3.75

songwind's review against another edition

4.0

Aidan is floating through life, mostly ignored by the people around him. Then an old friend he doesn't even remember comes back to their school, and Aiden's life is turned upside down.

This story weaves a few threads together to form a complex and breathing tapestry. Family and disillusionment with your parents is a major theme. So are interpersonal relationships. Identity and its relationship to memory are another major point. Barzak also paints a well detailed world behind the scenes, where some people can affect the world around them through mystical powers.

The book is well written, and draws you into all these developments. Seeing Aiden learn the truth about himself, his family, his friend, and the life he has led is gripping, most of the time. I think perhaps the author spent a bit too much time rehashing similar points from Aiden's point of view, which bogs the flow down a bit here and there.

dennis_j's review against another edition

1.0

Painfully melodramatic. If the plot was supposed to be an allegory for coming out, the story suffered for it. A lot. The platitudes. The lazy imagery. The dreary inner monologue.

One thing I did like was the "origin story" featuring Eva the babushka. It was the most original thing in there. But it also felt completely out of place. Which is kinda not good for a central plot twist. Like finding an apple core inside a banana.

I just finished it, and 1 is the highest rating I can imagine myself giving this book. Maybe when the frustration settles I might be able to reconsider. 1.5 stars perhaps?

onemamareads's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Read my full review here: https://onemamassummer.weebly.com/book-reviews/wonders-of-the-invisible-world

jessicadoom's review against another edition

5.0

THIS BOOK...was not what I expected! It far exceeded all expectations and I am just left in awe of its beauty.

I fell in love with Aidan and Jarrod straight away, rooting for them and their lost then refound connection. And then came the twists and turns and all the magic. Both in the literal sense of magic and the metaphorical.

The book was coming to an end and I was so unsure how it would all be resolved. But by the time I hit the last page, I felt so secure in how it all ended.

Perfect. Just perfect.

alprnt's review against another edition

4.5

"Are you telling your own story, or are you being told?"

What do you mean it's over? I need five more books in this world with these characters!

moomints's review

adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious sad tense 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? Yes

5.0

satter_cw's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious

4.75

hbbw's review against another edition

4.0

Thoroughly enjoyable, I liked this book very much, it’s low fantasy magical, gay, got a good mystery, and well written. Good stuff. Explores family issues and the potential consequences of well intended actions