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theheartofabookblogger's review
4.0
This review and more can be found at The Heart of a Book Blogger.
I had the lovely privilege of beta-reading Liz Norris' When I Wake. Guys, you are going to want to be on the lookout for this one. It was wonderful. There's rich world-building and great characters and a swoony romance. I can't wait to read the final version!
I had the lovely privilege of beta-reading Liz Norris' When I Wake. Guys, you are going to want to be on the lookout for this one. It was wonderful. There's rich world-building and great characters and a swoony romance. I can't wait to read the final version!
spearly's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
So... I'm not sure this book will ever get released. Lol. I had the pleasure to Beta read this in 2016 and opted not to leave a review before I had the chance to read the final draft.
I do not remember all the details, obviously. I remember leaving lengthy notes in the Mori app as I read, and some final notes when I was done that presumably went to Norris herself, but evidently I did not write them here. I remember a bit of my critique so... spoilers i guess? in case When I Wake ever does come out?
REVIEW
My main issue was that, while the world building was pretty cool (the novel is set in an alternate timeline where prohibition never ended, so all alcohol/drugs/etc is still illegal in the US), it didn't feel relevant to the story, since the plot of the novel really starts when Charlie's family moonshine business veers more into drugs and meth, which is illegal whether we're in a prohibition alternate timeline or not.
What was the point, then, of setting the whole story in this prohibition era world if the main conflict of the story was going to be about drugs? It ended up being an unnecessary detail that didn't make much sense to me.
Also, I'm realizing how much I HATE the kiss-in-the-dark trope. There is something really sleezy about the idea of having a complete stranger just up and kiss you in the dark, when you haven't seen them, probably don't even know them (as is the case in this book). I hardly doubt sparks would ever fly if this happened in real like, but it sure happens a lot in YA land.
Anyway. Why am I coming back to a review i wrong 5 years ago about a book I barely even remember? That is an excellent question.
I do not remember all the details, obviously. I remember leaving lengthy notes in the Mori app as I read, and some final notes when I was done that presumably went to Norris herself, but evidently I did not write them here. I remember a bit of my critique so... spoilers i guess? in case When I Wake ever does come out?
REVIEW
My main issue was that, while the world building was pretty cool (the novel is set in an alternate timeline where prohibition never ended, so all alcohol/drugs/etc is still illegal in the US), it didn't feel relevant to the story, since
What was the point, then, of setting the whole story in this prohibition era world if the main conflict of the story was going to be about drugs? It ended up being an unnecessary detail that didn't make much sense to me.
Also, I'm realizing how much I HATE the kiss-in-the-dark trope. There is something really sleezy about the idea of having a complete stranger just up and kiss you in the dark, when you haven't seen them, probably don't even know them (as is the case in this book). I hardly doubt sparks would ever fly if this happened in real like, but it sure happens a lot in YA land.
Anyway. Why am I coming back to a review i wrong 5 years ago about a book I barely even remember? That is an excellent question.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Violence, and Gun violence
Moderate: Sexism
Minor: Sexual assault
debbiesilkserif's review
4.0
Although I didn't get to read the ending while beta reading because the app behaved oddly on my cell,I loved this book. When I Wake is a unique world with pretty fantastic character development.
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