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bluejaybooks's review
4.0
While this book and the second book in this series feature the classic YA love triangle and are rather heavy handed with its theme of destiny regarding true love, something about reading it brings me joy. I can't quite say why it makes me so happy. Perhaps it is the fact that it follows the parallel world plotline, something I am already inclined to enjoy. Or, the fact that some of the book's settings and some conversational topics have unexpected relevance to my current life. Or even that I've just really missed reading books for pleasure.
In any case, these books are fast-paced, quick reads.
In any case, these books are fast-paced, quick reads.
ineslts's review against another edition
5.0
Putting it very simply, I LOVED this book! So sad I don't have the next one in my hands yet, but hey, story of my life.
A couple of surprises, a couple of foreseeable things (what makes it so very satisfying when it's confirmed after you've been rambling about it since chapter one!), but overall awesome! I feel kind of cheated in a way, because there is a universe where her other self has a life I would ADORE to read a whole novel on, even if it ended the same and I ended up crying about it for a week, heck, ESPECIALLY if that were the case! So, Claudia Gray, please, if you're reading this by some miracle, all I'm saying is Russia. Alright? Just as is, I don't like to give spoilers on my reviews (even if this is more of a love letter than a review), but yeah, if possible.
But back to the book that actually happened!
I adore the concept itself and that Fate/Destiny is actually a very complex mathematical equation where there are some variables and where there are constants. I simply adored the fact that despite it constantly referencing mathematics and physics and stuff, it never feels like too much for someone less mathematically inclined (such as myself). I love the dynamics between the characters even more when we see them across dimensions, with a bunch of little changes but still basically the same. I hope this doesn't count as a spoiler, but how she mourns the loss of her other lives even as she has her own. Just... Perfect!
When all is said and done, maybe you'll get visited by another dimension you today. Do you remember why you walked into the kitchen?
A couple of surprises, a couple of foreseeable things (what makes it so very satisfying when it's confirmed after you've been rambling about it since chapter one!), but overall awesome! I feel kind of cheated in a way, because there is a universe where her other self has a life I would ADORE to read a whole novel on, even if it ended the same and I ended up crying about it for a week, heck, ESPECIALLY if that were the case! So, Claudia Gray, please, if you're reading this by some miracle, all I'm saying is Russia. Alright? Just as is, I don't like to give spoilers on my reviews (even if this is more of a love letter than a review), but yeah, if possible.
But back to the book that actually happened!
I adore the concept itself and that Fate/Destiny is actually a very complex mathematical equation where there are some variables and where there are constants. I simply adored the fact that despite it constantly referencing mathematics and physics and stuff, it never feels like too much for someone less mathematically inclined (such as myself). I love the dynamics between the characters even more when we see them across dimensions, with a bunch of little changes but still basically the same. I hope this doesn't count as a spoiler, but how she mourns the loss of her other lives even as she has her own. Just... Perfect!
When all is said and done, maybe you'll get visited by another dimension you today. Do you remember why you walked into the kitchen?
blazeshira's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
christineponkey's review against another edition
4.0
This was more of a 3 star book but I added another star just for the wonderful cover.
The romance was a bit rushed but I really enjoyed the concept of it and how the different dimensions are. ITS ALL SO BEAUTIFUL.
The romance was a bit rushed but I really enjoyed the concept of it and how the different dimensions are. ITS ALL SO BEAUTIFUL.
_ottavia_'s review
1.0
The idea at the base of this book is actually pretty good. Altough I have yet to read it, it reminds me of A Darker Shade of Magic, but maybe I'm completely wrong. What is missing from this book is the evolution o that idea. Granted, it's something that you read in two days, full of revelations and twists but it's not like twists build a solid plot. In fact, in the end, I found the plot empty and stereotypical.
But the major problem for me was the writing. This book is just badly written. And I know, YA are not Pulitzer'winners but still.. to enjoy a book I need for it to be at least fairly good. But no, the writing is the one of a high school student, and I'm not exaggerating, I wrote that way I high school.
And yes, lately I can't find anything that I like, so my reviews get incredibly harsh. I know. I'm hoping to find something good to read expect for university books.
But the major problem for me was the writing. This book is just badly written. And I know, YA are not Pulitzer'winners but still.. to enjoy a book I need for it to be at least fairly good. But no, the writing is the one of a high school student, and I'm not exaggerating, I wrote that way I high school.
And yes, lately I can't find anything that I like, so my reviews get incredibly harsh. I know. I'm hoping to find something good to read expect for university books.
thrscldrn's review
5.0
I'm at a loss for words for this book. The adventure of reading it was all together exciting, scary and wonderful. Wow! I can't wait for the sequel!
P.S. The cover is an altogether amazing joy to look at. It's beautiful!
P.S. The cover is an altogether amazing joy to look at. It's beautiful!
stargirllxo's review
5.0
This book was so amazing. It had plot twist after plot twist which made it so suspensful, full of surprises and a page-turner that I could not put down.
I love the characters in this book and the little romance it had. I also thought that her and Theo would be together but...
I loved the ending and can't wait to read the next book!
I love the characters in this book and the little romance it had. I also thought that her and Theo would be together but...
I loved the ending and can't wait to read the next book!
kwthor's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: War, Sexual content, Cursing, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death of parent
jonisbookquest's review
2.0
I can't really point out why, but there was very little about this book that made me want to pick it up again. In fact, every time I picked it up, I coudn't wait to put it down again. Not the worst of the worst as far as I went, but just really not the kind of sci-fi story I want to read. DNF'ed at 23%
protoman21's review
4.0
I feel like this book failed to live up to its potential. Gray has a great concept with dimensional jumping and taking over different versions of yourself, but instead of having Meg jump from place to place and discover lots of interesting worlds with small or large differences from her own, instead she gets stuck in one world for a very large portion of the book and lives a rather ordinary life. It also bothers me that the Paul that she grows close to is not her Paul and although I think it was handled well, it also makes me feel bad for the real Paul and I feel awkward about any potential relationship Meg might have with him.
I also felt like it was way too obvious from the beginning that Paul was not who Theo was suggesting. It always bothers me in books when we the author is too heavy handed with the foreshadowing and continues to build upon a false premise that we all know is not reality. In this case, as soon as Meg suspects that Paul isn't her father's killer, the reader absolutely knows 100% that he isn't her father's killer. Her having doubts about it while at the same time thinking sexily about him makes it painfully obvious that he isn't evil, and therefore whoever is accusing him must be evil instead. What would have been amazing is if Gray had played off of that and have Paul initially cleared, but then later reveal that he was in fact the one who did it.
I still gave it four stars, but it was close. I am not excited about a sequel, but I'm being generous by not docking stars for failed potential.
I also felt like it was way too obvious from the beginning that Paul was not who Theo was suggesting. It always bothers me in books when we the author is too heavy handed with the foreshadowing and continues to build upon a false premise that we all know is not reality. In this case, as soon as Meg suspects that Paul isn't her father's killer, the reader absolutely knows 100% that he isn't her father's killer. Her having doubts about it while at the same time thinking sexily about him makes it painfully obvious that he isn't evil, and therefore whoever is accusing him must be evil instead. What would have been amazing is if Gray had played off of that and have Paul initially cleared, but then later reveal that he was in fact the one who did it.
I still gave it four stars, but it was close. I am not excited about a sequel, but I'm being generous by not docking stars for failed potential.