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3.82 AVERAGE
3.82 AVERAGE
fast-paced
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
reflective
sad
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:
No
CLOSURE. GLORIOUS. CLOSURE. This book was even better written then if i stay!!
This book and I didn't get along very well at first. Somehow I managed to know nothing about it and the first thing that threw me off was that it's told from Adam's perspective. Don't get me wrong, I like Adam, but I was expecting a continuation of Mia's story—her recovery, how she deals with her world being turned upside down, etc. Instead I not only get Adam, but also a "three years later" jump, and I really don't like when that happens—I tend to view time jumps as plot patching for not knowing how to get from point A to point B. Now, later in the book everything is explained and just like in the first book there are plenty of flashbacks, but I still never felt quite satisfied.
So here is the deal: three years later Adam is this rockstar with raging emotional issues. Picture your stereotypical jaded and depressed celebrity: girls, pills, drama within the band, and rocky interviews—that's Adam for you. And apparently Mia dropped him like a hot potato once she moved to New York. Then, surprise: they meet—what a coincidence. Can you tell how "excited" I was about this plot?
What brought this together for me was, once again, Gayle Forman's writing—just as excellent as it was in If I Stay. And I'll admit, Where She Went grew on me a lot in the second half of it, particularly because Adam's experience with the accident and the way he was reworking his feelings was an interesting angle to see the story from. I wasn't into all of the details about the band, but once the book got on with Mia's story and working through past and present feelings (not a spoiler—you KNOW it's coming), I was on board. If you're looking from closure after the first book, you will not be disappointed—the story gets wrapped up in a nice little bow.
Even though I eventually warmed up to Where She Went, I'm still not entirely sure it was necessary to continue the story this way. The way I see it, If I Stay is a standalone book and can be enjoyed on its own, but Where She Went is definitely a "follow-up" novel that didn't really have a big impact on me. Maybe I'm just not into emo boys and damaged goods stories?
So here is the deal: three years later Adam is this rockstar with raging emotional issues. Picture your stereotypical jaded and depressed celebrity: girls, pills, drama within the band, and rocky interviews—that's Adam for you. And apparently Mia dropped him like a hot potato once she moved to New York. Then, surprise: they meet—what a coincidence. Can you tell how "excited" I was about this plot?
What brought this together for me was, once again, Gayle Forman's writing—just as excellent as it was in If I Stay. And I'll admit, Where She Went grew on me a lot in the second half of it, particularly because Adam's experience with the accident and the way he was reworking his feelings was an interesting angle to see the story from. I wasn't into all of the details about the band, but once the book got on with Mia's story and working through past and present feelings (not a spoiler—you KNOW it's coming), I was on board. If you're looking from closure after the first book, you will not be disappointed—the story gets wrapped up in a nice little bow.
Even though I eventually warmed up to Where She Went, I'm still not entirely sure it was necessary to continue the story this way. The way I see it, If I Stay is a standalone book and can be enjoyed on its own, but Where She Went is definitely a "follow-up" novel that didn't really have a big impact on me. Maybe I'm just not into emo boys and damaged goods stories?
So what was even the point of this book?
Getting Adam’s perspective was interesting, but this book made me dislike him unfortunately. He’s basically whining and complaining about 80% of this book about how he got dumped. And that was 3 years ago?? It just felt too unrealistic for me that he never found happiness without Mia.
Please don’t hate me but this just felt unnecessary? This book ends just like if I stay - nothing has really changed.
Getting Adam’s perspective was interesting, but this book made me dislike him unfortunately. He’s basically whining and complaining about 80% of this book about how he got dumped. And that was 3 years ago?? It just felt too unrealistic for me that he never found happiness without Mia.
Please don’t hate me but this just felt unnecessary? This book ends just like if I stay - nothing has really changed.
Definitely not as good as the first. This time around the male is the narrator and he is not as believable of a voice.
emotional
reflective
I read Gayle Forman's first book, If I Stay, earlier this year... and it has stayed with me over the past few months. It's a touching story of life, love, and the grief that comes when you are left behind. So here I should issue a warning that if you have not read the first book in the series, reading this review will definitely reveal some SPOILERS for you. MAJOR SPOILERS. Okay, take a breath and here we go!
Where She Went takes place a few years after the first book, after Mia has gone to school in New York and Adam has made it famous as a rock star. After being separated for that time, their lives intersect for one night in New York. Secondary to losing Mia, Adam lost all joy in life, despite his apparent success. Reading from Adam's perspective is so compelling, and your heart breaks for him as you read his story. You follow him through the loss and pain after the accident with Mia's family, through her recovery and his life without her, and finally to the moment when they come together and face everything between them. My review? I love this book. I read it in under four hours, and was completely consumed by the world that exists around Mia and Adam. These books are so beautiful, and draw the reader in so completely, that I feel like giving a copy to everyone I know. They're written for a young adult audience, but deal with such complex issues that I am confident readers of all ages will find something to love.
Where She Went takes place a few years after the first book, after Mia has gone to school in New York and Adam has made it famous as a rock star. After being separated for that time, their lives intersect for one night in New York. Secondary to losing Mia, Adam lost all joy in life, despite his apparent success. Reading from Adam's perspective is so compelling, and your heart breaks for him as you read his story. You follow him through the loss and pain after the accident with Mia's family, through her recovery and his life without her, and finally to the moment when they come together and face everything between them. My review? I love this book. I read it in under four hours, and was completely consumed by the world that exists around Mia and Adam. These books are so beautiful, and draw the reader in so completely, that I feel like giving a copy to everyone I know. They're written for a young adult audience, but deal with such complex issues that I am confident readers of all ages will find something to love.