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jade_ls_lee's review against another edition
4.0
"The thing about having no eyes is that you can never close them."
"Heh - you're superpowered, I'm powerless."
"Between the two of us, perhaps we can spread the misery a bit thinner."
Lieliska grāmata, kas aizgāja negaidītā virzienā. Apraksts uzdeva toni, ka būs džongrīnīga friendship un viegls YA neparastākā mērcē. Kā tad. Tas viss izvērtās par diezgan spēcīgu (un arī kvalitatīvu) sci-fi, ar šur tur esošu m/m piesitienu, bet galvenā vērtība tomēr paliks cilvēcīgajās attiecībās un draudzības veidošanā. Kā viens otru uztveram, kā iztulkojam viens otram teikto. Pilnīga reālā dzīve pa vidu sci-fi dzīvei.
"Heh - you're superpowered, I'm powerless."
"Between the two of us, perhaps we can spread the misery a bit thinner."
Lieliska grāmata, kas aizgāja negaidītā virzienā. Apraksts uzdeva toni, ka būs džongrīnīga friendship un viegls YA neparastākā mērcē. Kā tad. Tas viss izvērtās par diezgan spēcīgu (un arī kvalitatīvu) sci-fi, ar šur tur esošu m/m piesitienu, bet galvenā vērtība tomēr paliks cilvēcīgajās attiecībās un draudzības veidošanā. Kā viens otru uztveram, kā iztulkojam viens otram teikto. Pilnīga reālā dzīve pa vidu sci-fi dzīvei.
bluebeereads's review
5.0
Istyria book blog ~ B's world of enchanted books
I'm going to start this very long review with a question. Recently I read a book and I was very indifferent about it because it bored me. It was the same thing as all the other works from that author. And in that review I also said I would have liked it better if I hadn't been so spoiled with great contemporary books this year. Now here's the question: why would I read a book that tells the same old story with the same cliche characters when I can read a brilliant book like this?
Because You'll Never Meet Me is the story of two boys who will probably never meet. One of them is Ollie, he lives somewhere in the middle of a forest in Michigan. He's allergic to electricity and he lives his life mostly alone with his mother there in that cabin in the forest. One day he writes a letter to someone his mother and doctor said is very similar to him. That boy is Moritz. He lives in Germany. Moritz was born without eyes. Where we have eyes, eyelids and eyebrows, he has nothing more than skin. He also has a pacemaker. If these two boys were ever to meet, they'd most likely kill each other. But they become friends and a lifeline to each other.
This wonderful story is told in alternating POV's. Told through the letters these two boys send each other. This way of storytelling may not seem very new when I say it like that, but I assure you, this book is very new. I have never read anything like it. I have never read two different POV's, told through letters, with such distinct personalities to them. I didn't need anything telling me which one was writing the letter because I could tell from every first sentence. I knew which chapters were from Ollie and which ones were from Moritz. That, I'm sure you know, is not an easy thing to accomplish. Needless to say, the writing is nothing short of perfect.
I have never felt so much while reading a book. And I have read plenty of books that gave me all the feels. But this one raised it to another level. One page I was laughing, the next I was crying. I have never updated my status on Goodreads as much as I did in the first half of this book. I couldn't in the second half because I was speechless. I didn't know what to say other than "the feels!". I was already gushing about this book when I was only 10% in. I knew then that this book would be excellent.
Before I tell you about these two wonderful characters, I want to make sure that you know this is not another 5-star rating to me. This book is a True Five Star Book. I rate with my feels. I always have and I probably always will. But if I were to use the Rating Report and rate each category there is to a book separately, this book right here would still come out as a 5-star book. It's perfect on every level.
I do feel like this won't be for everyone. It doesn't have all the unnecessary angst and drama you see so much off in books these days. It's very quiet and some may think of it as boring. Though I don't know how. I'd ask those people if they were reading the same book because I was not bored for a second while reading this. I was glued to the pages and had to rip myself apart from them forcefully to go to sleep at 3.30am. It was that good. And that's all because of these two characters.
I can find myself in each of these boys. They're both very much unique but also kind of the same. I fell in love with both of them instantly. Ollie at first seems like a ray of sunshine. Positive, upbeat and constantly babbling. But the more we read, the deeper we get to know him. And I felt so much for Ollie. I loved his bond with his mother and with Liz. Though I did not like her sometimes. Then we have Moritz, who's very reserved and doesn't really trust anyone. I can't blame him after reading all of his story, which unfolds throughout the book like Ollie's does. I felt his struggle and I wanted very much to hug him silly. Both of them for that matter. Also, though Mo may not have eyes, he can see. He kind of sees like Toph in Avatar: The Last Airbender. With his ears and sonic waves and stuff. Like Daredevil. It's the coolest thing.
I think it speaks for itself by this point that the friendship between these two is nothing short of brilliant. The bromance, seriously. It's off to a rough start but I love how their bond grew and how they became each other's lifelines. After a while I even shipped these two, though I know that may never happen. One can dream, right? Also, some may find some things about the ending a bit far-fetched, or it ruins the rest of the story, but I didn't. Because it was explained very well and told in a way that made it very realistic to me. The author herself describes this book as speculative fiction, though I'm not completely sure what that is exactly, haha. I really liked it though. Don't go into this expecting a normal contemporary.
If you are a fan of contemporary, this one has to be on top of your TBR. If you aren't, this book should still be on top of your TBR. I recommend this to everyone and I hope all of you will love it as much as I did. Because, and listen to me closely when I say this because I have never said this before in my life about any book, Because You'll Never Meet Me is without a doubt, the best book I have read in my whole life.
This review is also (or -soon- will be) posted on Istyria book blog.
I'm going to start this very long review with a question. Recently I read a book and I was very indifferent about it because it bored me. It was the same thing as all the other works from that author. And in that review I also said I would have liked it better if I hadn't been so spoiled with great contemporary books this year. Now here's the question: why would I read a book that tells the same old story with the same cliche characters when I can read a brilliant book like this?
Because You'll Never Meet Me is the story of two boys who will probably never meet. One of them is Ollie, he lives somewhere in the middle of a forest in Michigan. He's allergic to electricity and he lives his life mostly alone with his mother there in that cabin in the forest. One day he writes a letter to someone his mother and doctor said is very similar to him. That boy is Moritz. He lives in Germany. Moritz was born without eyes. Where we have eyes, eyelids and eyebrows, he has nothing more than skin. He also has a pacemaker. If these two boys were ever to meet, they'd most likely kill each other. But they become friends and a lifeline to each other.
This wonderful story is told in alternating POV's. Told through the letters these two boys send each other. This way of storytelling may not seem very new when I say it like that, but I assure you, this book is very new. I have never read anything like it. I have never read two different POV's, told through letters, with such distinct personalities to them. I didn't need anything telling me which one was writing the letter because I could tell from every first sentence. I knew which chapters were from Ollie and which ones were from Moritz. That, I'm sure you know, is not an easy thing to accomplish. Needless to say, the writing is nothing short of perfect.
I have never felt so much while reading a book. And I have read plenty of books that gave me all the feels. But this one raised it to another level. One page I was laughing, the next I was crying. I have never updated my status on Goodreads as much as I did in the first half of this book. I couldn't in the second half because I was speechless. I didn't know what to say other than "the feels!". I was already gushing about this book when I was only 10% in. I knew then that this book would be excellent.
Before I tell you about these two wonderful characters, I want to make sure that you know this is not another 5-star rating to me. This book is a True Five Star Book. I rate with my feels. I always have and I probably always will. But if I were to use the Rating Report and rate each category there is to a book separately, this book right here would still come out as a 5-star book. It's perfect on every level.
I do feel like this won't be for everyone. It doesn't have all the unnecessary angst and drama you see so much off in books these days. It's very quiet and some may think of it as boring. Though I don't know how. I'd ask those people if they were reading the same book because I was not bored for a second while reading this. I was glued to the pages and had to rip myself apart from them forcefully to go to sleep at 3.30am. It was that good. And that's all because of these two characters.
I can find myself in each of these boys. They're both very much unique but also kind of the same. I fell in love with both of them instantly. Ollie at first seems like a ray of sunshine. Positive, upbeat and constantly babbling. But the more we read, the deeper we get to know him. And I felt so much for Ollie. I loved his bond with his mother and with Liz. Though I did not like her sometimes. Then we have Moritz, who's very reserved and doesn't really trust anyone. I can't blame him after reading all of his story, which unfolds throughout the book like Ollie's does. I felt his struggle and I wanted very much to hug him silly. Both of them for that matter. Also, though Mo may not have eyes, he can see. He kind of sees like Toph in Avatar: The Last Airbender. With his ears and sonic waves and stuff. Like Daredevil. It's the coolest thing.
I think it speaks for itself by this point that the friendship between these two is nothing short of brilliant. The bromance, seriously. It's off to a rough start but I love how their bond grew and how they became each other's lifelines. After a while I even shipped these two, though I know that may never happen. One can dream, right? Also, some may find some things about the ending a bit far-fetched, or it ruins the rest of the story, but I didn't. Because it was explained very well and told in a way that made it very realistic to me. The author herself describes this book as speculative fiction, though I'm not completely sure what that is exactly, haha. I really liked it though. Don't go into this expecting a normal contemporary.
If you are a fan of contemporary, this one has to be on top of your TBR. If you aren't, this book should still be on top of your TBR. I recommend this to everyone and I hope all of you will love it as much as I did. Because, and listen to me closely when I say this because I have never said this before in my life about any book, Because You'll Never Meet Me is without a doubt, the best book I have read in my whole life.
This review is also (or -soon- will be) posted on Istyria book blog.
bibisuzanne's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
inquiring_minds_saugerties's review against another edition
5.0
If it seems unrealistic, that's because it is. But it's also... awesome. This was the type of book which had sadness that was difficult to differentiate from my own. Though not one of my favorites, I can point out next to no flaws with this book. Every other line is quotable, and even that which isn't quite realistic is given the exact explanation it deserves. Okay, maybe it could be a *little* bit more realistic, but all in all, Because You'll Never Meet me was a great book. A lovely experience through and through, and will have a special place in my heart as well as on my shelf.
-Matt
-Matt
kim_j_dare's review
2.0
An interesting concept, and I tried to feel a connection to Ollie or Moritz and to suspend my disbelief over the way their friendship developed through their letters-- but I just couldn't do it.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the digital ARC.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the digital ARC.
bobbishives's review against another edition
4.0
I don’t normally read this kind of book, but I really enjoyed it. I loved the two boys friendship and was quite suprised when Mortiz shared his feelings for Ollie. I was upset that Ollie’s mother died, because I did not see the point in that and wished she would of lived. I am very happy with how this book went and the small plot twists that kept me on my toes.
ashction's review
5.0
Wow. I just... there's no words for how I feel right now.
I really, really didn't expect this book to be like this? I know the cliche to "never judge a book by its cover" is a thing, but I can't think of any book's cover that has misled me so much since I read Anna and the French Kiss when I was 15. I thought, initially, this was a book about a boy and a girl falling in love, never to meet each other until some miracle. In ways, I'm write; there are some smaller miracles, and there is some love, but it's all quite muddy. And most importantly, it's not a boy and a girl, but a boy and a boy, both of whom grow and learn and change for what seems like an optimistic future. I'm so emotional over the entire journey; even more so, I'm emotional because there's a sequel, and it's even better rated on this site, and I'm going to face it soon. But, for now, I want to face this book and deal with the emotions I have and the gratefulness that there's a book like this masquerading as only one genre when it encompasses so many things within YA Lit that I love.
I'd decided pretty early on that Ollie and Moritz were now my adopted sons; Ollie, who appears bright, cheerful, and energetic, and Moritz, my sulky, depressed, closed-off son. Each boy seemed so special almost immediately, and I was enjoying the lightness of the story until, suddenly, it faded a bit. And in turn, we see lots of different aspects of (a potentially fantastical) adolescence; Ollie "faking the happy" and Moritz's distrust, and those aspects of anxiety and fear and depression which are all more difficult and common than I think we ever imagine they are in reality.
I wish I could go on pages of ranting for this book; I'm not as deft with words as either Moritz or Ollie, and I think that the book should speak for itself. Words hold their own power, as Moritz explains to Ollie; I think this novel will show you magic and reality in a way that I'm not sure I've seen the two blended before.
Looking forward to the next novel - but for now, I'm going to savor this one. Definitely a YA book that's special and has affected me, and perhaps that, too, is for the better.
I really, really didn't expect this book to be like this? I know the cliche to "never judge a book by its cover" is a thing, but I can't think of any book's cover that has misled me so much since I read Anna and the French Kiss when I was 15. I thought, initially, this was a book about a boy and a girl falling in love, never to meet each other until some miracle. In ways, I'm write; there are some smaller miracles, and there is some love, but it's all quite muddy. And most importantly, it's not a boy and a girl, but a boy and a boy, both of whom grow and learn and change for what seems like an optimistic future. I'm so emotional over the entire journey; even more so, I'm emotional because there's a sequel, and it's even better rated on this site, and I'm going to face it soon. But, for now, I want to face this book and deal with the emotions I have and the gratefulness that there's a book like this masquerading as only one genre when it encompasses so many things within YA Lit that I love.
I'd decided pretty early on that Ollie and Moritz were now my adopted sons; Ollie, who appears bright, cheerful, and energetic, and Moritz, my sulky, depressed, closed-off son. Each boy seemed so special almost immediately, and I was enjoying the lightness of the story until, suddenly, it faded a bit. And in turn, we see lots of different aspects of (a potentially fantastical) adolescence; Ollie "faking the happy" and Moritz's distrust, and those aspects of anxiety and fear and depression which are all more difficult and common than I think we ever imagine they are in reality.
I wish I could go on pages of ranting for this book; I'm not as deft with words as either Moritz or Ollie, and I think that the book should speak for itself. Words hold their own power, as Moritz explains to Ollie; I think this novel will show you magic and reality in a way that I'm not sure I've seen the two blended before.
Looking forward to the next novel - but for now, I'm going to savor this one. Definitely a YA book that's special and has affected me, and perhaps that, too, is for the better.
llamyllama's review against another edition
4.0
3.75 star
Not the best but not the worst, it's more of a light read than a heavy one. Even though there are a few interesting information and general knowledge hear and there, the author manage to make the mood light-hearted. Praise to the author.
But I do not enjoy the romance between Liz and Ollie. In fact, I skip a couple of pages when Ollie explain his story with Liz. Ugh Ollie's lovesick makes me wanna tear my hair.
The thing that makes me manage to finish the whole book is Moritz. His background is an enigma and I'm drawn to it.
A nice read and praise to the author. Nice job.
Not the best but not the worst, it's more of a light read than a heavy one. Even though there are a few interesting information and general knowledge hear and there, the author manage to make the mood light-hearted. Praise to the author.
But I do not enjoy the romance between Liz and Ollie. In fact, I skip a couple of pages when Ollie explain his story with Liz. Ugh Ollie's lovesick makes me wanna tear my hair.
The thing that makes me manage to finish the whole book is Moritz. His background is an enigma and I'm drawn to it.
A nice read and praise to the author. Nice job.
annieni's review against another edition
4.0
4.4 stars. I don't even know where to begin.
I bought this book on impulse because I was bored and wanted to read something and it was on sale. It left me with 2.15$ in my account and tears in my eyes. I literally cried so much reading this book, you don't understand. I was up at 2am reading this on my phone and tearing up.
I love Oliver so so much. This kid is a walking meme. Exhibit A (and my only exhibit because I don't have anymore quotes on hand): "you complete ass. of all the stupid--sorry, stoopid--things to say" This kid is sunshine if it was a person. He is just so cute and happy and like an excited puppy! He lives isolated away from everyone but his mom, his doctor, and Liz. He has knowledge about the most random things and he's memorized the whole human anatomy. He's downright adorable.
And I love love Moritz. I gotta say, I didn't like him at first. He was so depressing and pessimistic, and it makes sense why because he's born with no eyes and has a weak heart and needs a pacemaker to keep it going. But he snuck up on me and grabbed hold of my heart. His words, man. He writes so beautifully for a 16 year old (which was a bit unbelievable at first but it grew on me).
The moment I realized that I had mentally adopted these two kids was when Mo learned to read. I was smiling like an idiot at my phone. Then chapter 16 came, and I started crying because gotdamn Mo, your prose. Your love and care for this boy.
And I loved the story about Oliver's 13th birthday. Liz gave Oliver what he couldn't have: electricity and a glimpse at a normal life with tv's and fridges and humidifiers. Liz was such a nice character, and I loved her and saw her in the way that Oliver wanted me to. But then I read Mo's opinion of her and his interpretation of the party, and I saw where he came from. It made me realize how in all of Oliver and Liz's friendship, Liz was always trying to "fix" him and was always mentioning the things that he couldn't have. Trying to make him "normal," and that sucked. I still like Liz, I'm just not as enamored as I was before.
Please give these dumb boys a chance. They are great people. If you're coming here to see some romance, you'll be disappointed, unfortunately. There's some romance but it won't leave you fulfilled if you're looking for two impossibles to love each other. It's bittersweet, but their bromance is cute.
This book might be slow to some, so if you like character-driven stories, this is for you. I can't tell you the plot because there is no clear endgame when you start this book. It's just two kids trying to get better, and they do. There is so much hope in this book. So much.
I bought this book on impulse because I was bored and wanted to read something and it was on sale. It left me with 2.15$ in my account and tears in my eyes. I literally cried so much reading this book, you don't understand. I was up at 2am reading this on my phone and tearing up.
I love Oliver so so much. This kid is a walking meme. Exhibit A (and my only exhibit because I don't have anymore quotes on hand): "you complete ass. of all the stupid--sorry, stoopid--things to say" This kid is sunshine if it was a person. He is just so cute and happy and like an excited puppy! He lives isolated away from everyone but his mom, his doctor, and Liz. He has knowledge about the most random things and he's memorized the whole human anatomy. He's downright adorable.
And I love love Moritz. I gotta say, I didn't like him at first. He was so depressing and pessimistic, and it makes sense why because he's born with no eyes and has a weak heart and needs a pacemaker to keep it going. But he snuck up on me and grabbed hold of my heart. His words, man. He writes so beautifully for a 16 year old (which was a bit unbelievable at first but it grew on me).
The moment I realized that I had mentally adopted these two kids was when Mo learned to read. I was smiling like an idiot at my phone. Then chapter 16 came, and I started crying because gotdamn Mo, your prose. Your love and care for this boy.
And I loved the story about Oliver's 13th birthday. Liz gave Oliver what he couldn't have: electricity and a glimpse at a normal life with tv's and fridges and humidifiers. Liz was such a nice character, and I loved her and saw her in the way that Oliver wanted me to. But then I read Mo's opinion of her and his interpretation of the party, and I saw where he came from. It made me realize how in all of Oliver and Liz's friendship, Liz was always trying to "fix" him and was always mentioning the things that he couldn't have. Trying to make him "normal," and that sucked. I still like Liz, I'm just not as enamored as I was before.
Please give these dumb boys a chance. They are great people. If you're coming here to see some romance, you'll be disappointed, unfortunately. There's some romance but it won't leave you fulfilled if you're looking for two impossibles to love each other. It's bittersweet, but their bromance is cute.
This book might be slow to some, so if you like character-driven stories, this is for you. I can't tell you the plot because there is no clear endgame when you start this book. It's just two kids trying to get better, and they do. There is so much hope in this book. So much.
chloeenk's review against another edition
5.0
This book was absolutely AMAZING. This was a book that I got halfway through, then got distracted by other books and school. I finally picked it up again, and I can say that it is one of those books where you remember what's happened quite easily. I finished it just a couple of days ago, and during the period of time where I was finished it I teared up 3 times!! I must say that Because You'll Never Meet Me is a book I would recommend to EVERYONE. I could never really seem to put it down. And, let's be real, a fictional book that brings you to tears three times? A fantastic read.