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indigoblue777's review against another edition
4.0
This is an unique book that I really enjoyed reading.
tatyanavogt's review against another edition
4.0
Probably a 3.75 so I rounded up.
This was a graveyard pick for me, a book I'd planned on unhauling several times. But I decided to pick it up and give it a try and boy am I glad. It was a fun time. In a world where strange spheres randomly showed up all around the world that give people enhanced abilities when used how would that effect the people? Our main character is a poor kid who sells the spheres to make a quick buck, mostly dabbling in cheap common spheres he is desperate to make some cash so when he meats up with a sphere hunter he decides to help her out for a small cut of her profit. Of course... things aren't quite as they seem and him and his friends end up on a wild adventure.
I didn't looooovvvee the direction it went but it makes sense and ended up being fine. I guess part of me was just hoping it did somethings a little differently.
This was a graveyard pick for me, a book I'd planned on unhauling several times. But I decided to pick it up and give it a try and boy am I glad. It was a fun time. In a world where strange spheres randomly showed up all around the world that give people enhanced abilities when used how would that effect the people? Our main character is a poor kid who sells the spheres to make a quick buck, mostly dabbling in cheap common spheres he is desperate to make some cash so when he meats up with a sphere hunter he decides to help her out for a small cut of her profit. Of course... things aren't quite as they seem and him and his friends end up on a wild adventure.
I didn't looooovvvee the direction it went but it makes sense and ended up being fine. I guess part of me was just hoping it did somethings a little differently.
freadomlibrary's review against another edition
3.0
Actual rating 3.5 stars
This review was originally posted at https://freadomlibrary.wordpress.com/
I received an e-ARC of this book from Delacorte Press and Random House Children’s via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Critically
Plot – 3 out of 5 stars
First off I have to say that this book was definitely not what I imagined it was going to be. There was some action and it was generally kind of creepy, especially toward the end. There was mystery and traveling. There were parts that were boring and it kind of dragged but overall it was enjoyable.
Writing – 3 out of 5 stars
It was simple and very descriptive. It took some time for it to absorb me and really catch my attention but that may have been the combination with the plot as well. It was very slow paced which I don’t usually mind but in this book it was a bit annoying. Because of it, the writing felt dull and it kind of lacked that extra umph to suck you into the story.
Characters – 3 out of 5 stars
Unfortunately this was one of those books where I would’ve rather had a different narrator than there was. The main character, Sully, is a boy who was cheated by a big time millionaire and is kind of obsessed with the fact and all the bad things that happened to him afterward. He’s desperate to make money and while sweet and helpful to the general plot, he was kind of dull. He fell flat to me. I never really connected with him and his motivations. It was more like alright kid, let’s see where you go. He was super easy going and chill most of the time which is a contrast to his story. Hunter, the female protagonist, was so amazing! I would’ve loved to have seen this story from her point of view. She’s stubborn and determined. She is such a survivor in life and so so strong. She’s just as desperate as Sully but because of her personality it comes off in a different way. I probably would’ve loved this book if she would’ve been the one to tell the story.
Emotionally
The plot is interesting but not exciting. We follow Sully who sells spheres to make ends meet. Spheres showed up on Earth out of nowhere and when you “burn” them, they enhance something about you. No one knows where they came from, or how they do what they do. He meets Hunter, and they create a partnership to find spheres to sell. This is the gist of it. It takes half of the book to get to what the synopsis talks about, no joke. The beginning just felt like a waste of time. There was nothing driving the plot, it was just monotone day to day kind of things. It could’ve been shortened a lott more to make the story much faster and more engaging. Once we finally to the part where the blurb comes in, it was not what I was expecting. I was a bit more invested in what was happening but still disappointed. I thought I was going to be reading an action-packed, science fiction thriller with a hot pursuit and that’s not what I got. The reveal at the end about this mystery of the spheres was intriguing and really freaking creepy but by then it was over too soon and wrapped up too quickly. If the beginning was shorter and the end longer, I would’ve enjoyed this book a lot more than I did.
Sully was okay too. I mean, it was very hard to connect with him and to feel his motivations. He just fell flat. There were things to like. He’s very family and friend oriented, he would do anything for them. He’s genuine and strong and honest. He does the best he can with the things that happen to him. But my reaction to him was just like um, okay. There was no feeling towards me. I didn’t feel any connection at all. Which is awful because he’s the narrator.
I’ll say it again, Hunter would’ve been a way better narrator. Not only because of her backstory but because of the role she plays in the plot. They side characters are great and I am happy to say that there is diversity represented.
One point that really bothered me was a specific plot point in which a betrayal happened. I was shocked and outraged but it was never resolved in anyway between the characters involved. It doesn’t move the plot in anyway but if you’re going to add it in at least take the time to finish it up.
Overall, an average read for me. Not bad but not great either. I recommend that you read it for yourself to see what you think. You might enjoy it more if you’re a bigger fan of science fiction than I am.
This review was originally posted at https://freadomlibrary.wordpress.com/
I received an e-ARC of this book from Delacorte Press and Random House Children’s via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Critically
Plot – 3 out of 5 stars
First off I have to say that this book was definitely not what I imagined it was going to be. There was some action and it was generally kind of creepy, especially toward the end. There was mystery and traveling. There were parts that were boring and it kind of dragged but overall it was enjoyable.
Writing – 3 out of 5 stars
It was simple and very descriptive. It took some time for it to absorb me and really catch my attention but that may have been the combination with the plot as well. It was very slow paced which I don’t usually mind but in this book it was a bit annoying. Because of it, the writing felt dull and it kind of lacked that extra umph to suck you into the story.
Characters – 3 out of 5 stars
Unfortunately this was one of those books where I would’ve rather had a different narrator than there was. The main character, Sully, is a boy who was cheated by a big time millionaire and is kind of obsessed with the fact and all the bad things that happened to him afterward. He’s desperate to make money and while sweet and helpful to the general plot, he was kind of dull. He fell flat to me. I never really connected with him and his motivations. It was more like alright kid, let’s see where you go. He was super easy going and chill most of the time which is a contrast to his story. Hunter, the female protagonist, was so amazing! I would’ve loved to have seen this story from her point of view. She’s stubborn and determined. She is such a survivor in life and so so strong. She’s just as desperate as Sully but because of her personality it comes off in a different way. I probably would’ve loved this book if she would’ve been the one to tell the story.
Emotionally
Spoiler
This book was just kind of average to me. It didn’t blow me away but it did keep me interested and reading.The plot is interesting but not exciting. We follow Sully who sells spheres to make ends meet. Spheres showed up on Earth out of nowhere and when you “burn” them, they enhance something about you. No one knows where they came from, or how they do what they do. He meets Hunter, and they create a partnership to find spheres to sell. This is the gist of it. It takes half of the book to get to what the synopsis talks about, no joke. The beginning just felt like a waste of time. There was nothing driving the plot, it was just monotone day to day kind of things. It could’ve been shortened a lott more to make the story much faster and more engaging. Once we finally to the part where the blurb comes in, it was not what I was expecting. I was a bit more invested in what was happening but still disappointed. I thought I was going to be reading an action-packed, science fiction thriller with a hot pursuit and that’s not what I got. The reveal at the end about this mystery of the spheres was intriguing and really freaking creepy but by then it was over too soon and wrapped up too quickly. If the beginning was shorter and the end longer, I would’ve enjoyed this book a lot more than I did.
Sully was okay too. I mean, it was very hard to connect with him and to feel his motivations. He just fell flat. There were things to like. He’s very family and friend oriented, he would do anything for them. He’s genuine and strong and honest. He does the best he can with the things that happen to him. But my reaction to him was just like um, okay. There was no feeling towards me. I didn’t feel any connection at all. Which is awful because he’s the narrator.
I’ll say it again, Hunter would’ve been a way better narrator. Not only because of her backstory but because of the role she plays in the plot. They side characters are great and I am happy to say that there is diversity represented.
One point that really bothered me was a specific plot point in which a betrayal happened. I was shocked and outraged but it was never resolved in anyway between the characters involved. It doesn’t move the plot in anyway but if you’re going to add it in at least take the time to finish it up.
Overall, an average read for me. Not bad but not great either. I recommend that you read it for yourself to see what you think. You might enjoy it more if you’re a bigger fan of science fiction than I am.
lizbiz2513's review against another edition
challenging
funny
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
meegsc's review against another edition
3.0
Despite getting me in with a fantastic and completely original concept for a YA novel, the execution of the story at points was underdeveloped. I had quite a few issues with this book. There was a lack of explanation at points, like the fact that needing two spheres to "burn" them would've been worth noting before talking about it as if the reader already knows. The fact that the author alternated calling them 'spheres' and 'marbles' (which gave me very different mental pictures) was strangely frustrating.
Any sort of love story he tried to carve out as subplots were about as shallow as a puddle, with zero substance, and they also felt a little like a teenager writing how they'd imagine an adult relationship to be. It was like a couple of teenagers pretending to be in a mature relationship. The awkward innocence of young relationships was completely missing, despite the fact that that subplot was secondary to the main action. Why bother including it if it can't be done with the same amount of care as other subplots?
It was often hard to tell where or when the characters were doing something as often a new paragraph would jump to a completely new scene without any sort of lead, and it often took me a couple of re-reads to figure it out. Characters would randomly appear or disappear from a scene, their presence or lack thereof written off with barely a sentence.
There were a lot – I mean A LOT – of cultural references that will date (some that already have) the book very quickly. Many that were unnecessary to the story or any sort of character development. When a song plays on the radio, the song name and artist are mentioned for some reason I still can't figure out. It reminds me of those people we all know who like to tell everyone the cool indie artist they started listening to before everyone else.
Then there was the ending. Oh geez, that got strange. It felt so rushed compared to other parts in the book (oh the pages wasted on the secret party in the water tank) and a better developed ending would've improved this story so much.
This book has such a strong concept, but it's really let down by things that a much tougher edit could have improved. Three stars because the basic premise is so good, the two stars lost because of how many times I cringed when Sully tried to act cool or romantic.
Okay I'm done.
Any sort of love story he tried to carve out as subplots were about as shallow as a puddle, with zero substance, and they also felt a little like a teenager writing how they'd imagine an adult relationship to be. It was like a couple of teenagers pretending to be in a mature relationship. The awkward innocence of young relationships was completely missing, despite the fact that that subplot was secondary to the main action. Why bother including it if it can't be done with the same amount of care as other subplots?
It was often hard to tell where or when the characters were doing something as often a new paragraph would jump to a completely new scene without any sort of lead, and it often took me a couple of re-reads to figure it out. Characters would randomly appear or disappear from a scene, their presence or lack thereof written off with barely a sentence.
There were a lot – I mean A LOT – of cultural references that will date (some that already have) the book very quickly. Many that were unnecessary to the story or any sort of character development. When a song plays on the radio, the song name and artist are mentioned for some reason I still can't figure out. It reminds me of those people we all know who like to tell everyone the cool indie artist they started listening to before everyone else.
Then there was the ending. Oh geez, that got strange. It felt so rushed compared to other parts in the book (oh the pages wasted on the secret party in the water tank) and a better developed ending would've improved this story so much.
This book has such a strong concept, but it's really let down by things that a much tougher edit could have improved. Three stars because the basic premise is so good, the two stars lost because of how many times I cringed when Sully tried to act cool or romantic.
Okay I'm done.
squirrelsohno's review against another edition
3.0
this book made absolutely no sense but it was a quick, fun read. when I say no sense, though, I really mean it.
paperwitch's review against another edition
4.0
Amazing concept, I must admit it took me a while to open this book but im certainly glad I did, Never did I stumbled upon a part in the book and expect it to happen, it was all full of surprises, action and great imagery. It reminded me a little bit of the maze runner in a sense.
michalice's review against another edition
1.0
I liked the idea behind this book but after finishing it I really couldn't tell you much about it. I kept reading to see what the spheres were all about, it was reading to get to the end of the book, and not really paying attention to what was happening.
The ending was a disappointment for me.
The ending was a disappointment for me.
in_and_out_of_the_stash's review against another edition
3.0
Interesting premise that went a way I wasn't expecting.