Take a photo of a barcode or cover
I have mixed feelings on this one.
On one hand, there were a lot of things I enjoyed about this book. I liked the characters and their sarcastic humor, and the details that Schneider includes about their lives and their interests. I thought the premise was intriguing from the get-go. And I'm always a sucker for a novel with alternating perspectives, when it's executed well.
BUT...the ending of this felt a little too rushed. Everything just sort of happened in the last few pages in a way that just didn't sit well with me. And by that point I was already a little frustrated with the trajectory of the romantic relationship between Sadie and Lane.
So, overall, this was a 3-star, middle of the road book for me. I definitely think my teen readers will love it, though.
On one hand, there were a lot of things I enjoyed about this book. I liked the characters and their sarcastic humor, and the details that Schneider includes about their lives and their interests. I thought the premise was intriguing from the get-go. And I'm always a sucker for a novel with alternating perspectives, when it's executed well.
BUT...the ending of this felt a little too rushed. Everything just sort of happened in the last few pages in a way that just didn't sit well with me. And by that point I was already a little frustrated with the trajectory of the romantic relationship between Sadie and Lane.
So, overall, this was a 3-star, middle of the road book for me. I definitely think my teen readers will love it, though.
i liked this book, but i felt nothing while reading it. am i dead inside?
Robyn Schneider is definitely an author to watch! Another great book!
**changed my rating from a 4 to a 3 after sitting on it for a few days. I've had more time to think about the issues I had with it and after discussing it with April, I've realized that they bugged me more than I first realized. Okay original review starts....now!:
Currently crying in public. I'M NOT OKAY :(
This book snuck up on me and hit me right in the feels. I did have some issues with it, but over all, it was so, so enjoyable. I definitely recommend for fans of John Green or Stephanie Perkins.
Currently crying in public. I'M NOT OKAY :(
This book snuck up on me and hit me right in the feels. I did have some issues with it, but over all, it was so, so enjoyable. I definitely recommend for fans of John Green or Stephanie Perkins.
Extraordinary Means follows the story of Lane as he begins to attend Latham House, a sanatorium for those with drug-resistant tuberculosis.
I think for many people this book can be really amazing. But I felt there was a lack of connection and spark between me and the book for me to fully love it. The traumatic and specifically "sad" parts of the book were undoubtedly sad, but they didn't receive the emotional response the book demanded and I think if you can't connect with the characters and story, the meaning and enjoyment of the book is kind of lost on you.
I also felt really weird about Sadie and Lane's relationship; they started on a bad note because of this unfounded rumour Sadie believed for years-- not only is the fact that she held a grudge on the guy for years with no proof weird for me, it was the fact that they almost immediately started dating as soon as it was all cleared up. I'm well aware that things move a little quicker with the fact that you're all dying and all, but really? Their relationship and its childish middle-school dramatics also took away from any meaningful plot development. I wanted more life and death philosophy talk and overall bonding moments and as much as we did definitely receive a good share, I think I could've spared their dramatic relationship for a little bit more of it.
There were a lot of scenes throughout the novel that felt unnecessary and didn't bring much to the book and felt out of place. The book is short and takes only a sitting or two to read, so it wasn't that much of a flaw, but it didn't have that feeling of a book where everything feels so deeply important and every scene pieces together to emphasize a greater meaning. There was tons of unsatisfying comedic relief.
This review has been awfully negative but I promise the book isn't THAT bad. I think there is a really nice underlying message and the book can be emotional and hard-hitting if you're not yours truly. Maybe I just don't vibe with Robyn Schneider's writing because I can very much see myself enjoying a movie based off the book because of its eccentric characters and teenage discovery storylines. But alas, I didn't love it nearly as much as I wanted to.
I think for many people this book can be really amazing. But I felt there was a lack of connection and spark between me and the book for me to fully love it. The traumatic and specifically "sad" parts of the book were undoubtedly sad, but they didn't receive the emotional response the book demanded and I think if you can't connect with the characters and story, the meaning and enjoyment of the book is kind of lost on you.
I also felt really weird about Sadie and Lane's relationship; they started on a bad note because of this unfounded rumour Sadie believed for years-- not only is the fact that she held a grudge on the guy for years with no proof weird for me, it was the fact that they almost immediately started dating as soon as it was all cleared up. I'm well aware that things move a little quicker with the fact that you're all dying and all, but really? Their relationship and its childish middle-school dramatics also took away from any meaningful plot development. I wanted more life and death philosophy talk and overall bonding moments and as much as we did definitely receive a good share, I think I could've spared their dramatic relationship for a little bit more of it.
There were a lot of scenes throughout the novel that felt unnecessary and didn't bring much to the book and felt out of place. The book is short and takes only a sitting or two to read, so it wasn't that much of a flaw, but it didn't have that feeling of a book where everything feels so deeply important and every scene pieces together to emphasize a greater meaning. There was tons of unsatisfying comedic relief.
This review has been awfully negative but I promise the book isn't THAT bad. I think there is a really nice underlying message and the book can be emotional and hard-hitting if you're not yours truly. Maybe I just don't vibe with Robyn Schneider's writing because I can very much see myself enjoying a movie based off the book because of its eccentric characters and teenage discovery storylines. But alas, I didn't love it nearly as much as I wanted to.
I had been really enjoying this book. It's portrayal of what it's like to being young and geeky, but then finally find a group you feel like you belong in was really excellent and real feeling.
But then, it did the thing I hate most in young adult fiction. Romantic relationships always seem to trump friendships. It's so annoying, in a book that was supposed to be about Lane finding himself, it was more about finding a girl. Sad.
But then, it did the thing I hate most in young adult fiction. Romantic relationships always seem to trump friendships. It's so annoying, in a book that was supposed to be about Lane finding himself, it was more about finding a girl. Sad.
Ah I KNEW the ending was going to be heartbreaking.
Some things were a little predictable though and I unfortunately felt some of the characters fell flat.
but I really loved the setting and the subject matter, and I did quite like the main characters as well!
Be prepared to shed some tears though
Some things were a little predictable though and I unfortunately felt some of the characters fell flat.
but I really loved the setting and the subject matter, and I did quite like the main characters as well!
Be prepared to shed some tears though
An interesting light read. Although I did not know it at the time of reading, Kazuo Ishiguro's atmosphere is felt strongly in the book. The plot twists were quite predictable, but gripping nonetheless.