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alongreader's review
3.0
Not nearly as good as I was hoping, I'm afraid. A book that builds up a huge mystery should really deliver on it, not wimp out with 'sometimes weird stuff just happens, I guess'. If this had been just about Stella and Galliard, without any of the strange stuff, I probably would have liked it; as is, it's just disappointing. A real shame.
misterintensity's review
4.0
Galliard thinks about the commune where he grew up when he’s passed over for resident artist. While outside he meets Stella, the sister of Phoenix, the person who was chosen. With the weird happenings going on will there even be an outside world to go to if he decides to leave. Told from the alternating viewpoints of Galliard and Stella this is the story of two teens who feel stuck where they're at. 1977 Slater, Kansas where a series of environmental abnormalities are taking place is the impetus for these two to start exploring the possibility of doing something other than what's expected of them. That's a theme a lot of teens could relate to which may convince teens who are reluctant to read "historical fiction." Setting the book in 1977 after the release of Star Wars actually makes this book accessible to teens since Star Wars is still culturally relevant. Ormsbee perfectly captures the voices of her young characters although her adults, particularly those from the commune, are a bit two-dimensional. This book is a good gateway into YA historical fiction for those who enjoy realistic fiction and could handle a touch of magical realism in their fiction. This is a good book for those libraries who want to expand their YA historical fiction offerings.
readswritesdrinks's review
5.0
Set in the town of Slater, Kansas in the 70s, the book follows the intertwining stories of Stella and Galliard. Stella struggles with her mother’s suicide and helps raise her sister. Galliard has Tourette’s and lives at the local commune with his community. Their paths cross and they begin a quirky, intimate friendship that, coupled with some strange things happening in Slater, changes both their lives. I love that the author focuses on their respective self-discoveries. Recommend.
Read if you like: Carry On by Rainbow Rowell
Read if you like: Carry On by Rainbow Rowell
dlrosebyh's review
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Stella aspires to be a space engineer. Stella is forced to bring her aspirations down to reality after her mother commits suicide and her brother flees to Red Sun, the neighboring hippie commune, to care for her sister, Jill.
Galliard has only known life within Red Sun. They tolerate his Tourette's syndrome there. But when he is denied Red Sun's resident artist position, which he assumed he was destined for, he begins to fantasize about a life outside the compound's walls.
Something is in the air in Stella and Galliard's little village on the day they meet. Literally. Then weeks of pink lightning, bloodred rain, and strange storms begin, and a mysterious countdown clock rises over the town hall. With the clock ticking down to some big unknown end, they'll each have to make a decision.
When you read the premise, you generally expect something strange to happen or the book to be chaotic, but this book was anything but that. It follows Stella's personal storyline, and as an older sibling, I found her point of view to be quite relatable and interesting—but also very boring.
Stella and Galliard are both well-developed characters, however the author failed to capture my attention. I felt like skimming through the book, wondering when things would take up and when would the novel improve. Unfortunately, the book got repetitious, making the entire work flat.
thekipling's review
4.0
3.5 stars
Hmmm... I did enjoy it. The atmosphere and strange apocalyptic happenings (like the pink lightning) were very cool. I really liked Stella as a character, and enjoyed reading her POVs a lot. I also though the character arcs and growth of both of the main characters was well done, and the ending felt satisfying in that way.
The rest of the ending was a bit unsatisfactory though? I honestly don’t know how the whole apocalypse plot could have been wrapped up better, but I think I would have appreciated a little more closure.
Honestly the main thing that annoyed me the most about the book was just Galliard himself, and all his POV chapters. I feel like the writing quality decreased significantly in his POVs compared to Stella’s. Also he spent a large chunk of the book complaining about how selfish Phoenix was applying for the job Galliard wanted, but he never stopped to think that maybe he was being selfish too? Like maybe Galliard wasn’t entitled to the Resident Artist job just because he wanted it so badly? And maybe shunning Phoenix, just because Phoenix wanted a chance to do a job he enjoyed too, was kind of hypocritical. Smh
Overall though, it was an enjoyable story, and I’m glad I read it.
CW: a good deal of swearing, especially in Galliard’s POVs, some smoking of marijuana, a few sexual references and a kiss.
TW: Talks often about suicide and its effects on family and friends, including two different past suicides being described.
Hmmm... I did enjoy it. The atmosphere and strange apocalyptic happenings (like the pink lightning) were very cool. I really liked Stella as a character, and enjoyed reading her POVs a lot. I also though the character arcs and growth of both of the main characters was well done, and the ending felt satisfying in that way.
The rest of the ending was a bit unsatisfactory though? I honestly don’t know how the whole apocalypse plot could have been wrapped up better, but I think I would have appreciated a little more closure.
Honestly the main thing that annoyed me the most about the book was just Galliard himself, and all his POV chapters. I feel like the writing quality decreased significantly in his POVs compared to Stella’s. Also he spent a large chunk of the book complaining about how selfish Phoenix was applying for the job Galliard wanted, but he never stopped to think that maybe he was being selfish too? Like maybe Galliard wasn’t entitled to the Resident Artist job just because he wanted it so badly? And maybe shunning Phoenix, just because Phoenix wanted a chance to do a job he enjoyed too, was kind of hypocritical. Smh
Overall though, it was an enjoyable story, and I’m glad I read it.
CW: a good deal of swearing, especially in Galliard’s POVs, some smoking of marijuana, a few sexual references and a kiss.
TW: Talks often about suicide and its effects on family and friends, including two different past suicides being described.
maiwen18's review
5.0
This book is insides altering, mind bending, heart wrenching, heart filling, inspiring and beautiful. Meet two lifelong misfits, Stella and Galliard. Both struggling to find their own paths in life when it seems that the world around them has already laid their paths. Throw in some creepy occurrences, a mysterious countdown, gorgeous writing, insightfully flawed and inspiring characters and you get the amazing experience of “The Great Unknowable End.” This book so thoroughly sucks you into the 70s and the unique lives of the characters that I felt like I’d grown up in the 70s by the end of it. I didn’t want the book to ever end and I already am imagining what Stella and Galliard are doing now and wondering what their futures hold.