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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
This ended up breaking my heart into a million pieces
I was a huge fan of [b:The Beginning of Everything|13522285|The Beginning of Everything|Robyn Schneider|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1366395005s/13522285.jpg|19082966], so I was super excited to dive into Extraordinary Means . While it sounds a lot like [b:The Fault in Our Stars|11870085|The Fault in Our Stars|John Green|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1360206420s/11870085.jpg|16827462], I promise, it's not. Well, maybe it has some John Green vibes, but Robyn Schneider seriously has her own voice and flavor, so don't be scared!
One thing that I was simultaneously confused about and loved was the idea that tuberculosis has suddenly become this new pandemic. At first, I thought that these sanatoriums were real things (oops, silly me moment!) but then I realized that Schneider had fictionalized a world where MDR-TB has become a major problem in the western hemisphere. It really caught my attention because of the stigma that the rest of the world has on these kids because of the disease's infectious nature. I also thought the idea of bringing back sanatoriums was fascinating.
Lane and Sadie felt real and authentic to me, but I'll admit that part of it was the dual-perspective narration. Props to Schneider for that, because I think the novel ran the risk of pulling a Manic Pixie Dream Girl ala [b:Looking for Alaska|99561|Looking for Alaska|John Green|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1394798630s/99561.jpg|919292] if it had only been Lane's perspective. But we get Sadie's, so it really evens it out and gives the reader a taste of her motivations and emotions.
The romance began a little unusually, as we are told that Lane and Sadie knew each other from camp when they were young. I'm not sure if this part was necessary to their romance, but it did prolong the romance and ensure that the romance wasn't instalove. Lane and Sadie are adorable together, and they really create a believable relationship.
I think the ending was done really well. There are some great philosophical thoughts about how to live life, and the ending there is bittersweet. I love that there is some room for interpretation and some questions left unanswered.
One thing that I was simultaneously confused about and loved was the idea that tuberculosis has suddenly become this new pandemic. At first, I thought that these sanatoriums were real things (oops, silly me moment!) but then I realized that Schneider had fictionalized a world where MDR-TB has become a major problem in the western hemisphere. It really caught my attention because of the stigma that the rest of the world has on these kids because of the disease's infectious nature. I also thought the idea of bringing back sanatoriums was fascinating.
Lane and Sadie felt real and authentic to me, but I'll admit that part of it was the dual-perspective narration. Props to Schneider for that, because I think the novel ran the risk of pulling a Manic Pixie Dream Girl ala [b:Looking for Alaska|99561|Looking for Alaska|John Green|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1394798630s/99561.jpg|919292] if it had only been Lane's perspective. But we get Sadie's, so it really evens it out and gives the reader a taste of her motivations and emotions.
The romance began a little unusually, as we are told that Lane and Sadie knew each other from camp when they were young. I'm not sure if this part was necessary to their romance, but it did prolong the romance and ensure that the romance wasn't instalove. Lane and Sadie are adorable together, and they really create a believable relationship.
I think the ending was done really well. There are some great philosophical thoughts about how to live life, and the ending there is bittersweet. I love that there is some room for interpretation and some questions left unanswered.
Overlooking the medical inaccuracies it was a quick read and I'd give it 3.5 stars. As most ya can be, the romance was awkward and at times tortured.
3.5 stars. Quick read and interesting premise--what if TB and the sanatorium movement returned? Not as good as her other book.
Hi feelings. Glad to see you in such large quantities.
Extraordinary Means is hard to classify genre-wise. It's set in the modern day world, and very much a coming-of-age/romance/quirky teen novel, but set at a sanatorium for a disease that has hit pandemic levels that doesn't actually exist. Lane is diagnose with total drug resistant tuberculosis, and is sent to Latham, a modern day sanatorium. There, he runs into Sadie, a girl he used to know. Sadie has been at Latham for well over a year, not getting worse, but not getting well enough to go home. Sadie teaches Lane how to actually live his life, rather than just sticking to the plan. But, being sick, there are obviously obstacles to living that life.
This reminded me a lot of The Fault in Our Stars and Looking for Alaska. Kind of a combo of the two. Sadie's group of fearless friends and Lane, the shy over achiever, were characters that I have definitely read before, but I still liked them. I like that the story focused more on the realistic fiction rather than the disease. I also liked that the disease was contagious, which added an interesting aspect of exile to the story. Rather than people rallying around a sick teen, like you get in a lot of of sick teen books, people are afraid of these kids, and they are completely cut off.
I didn't gain anything from the story being told in two points of view. I really wish that when authors did that, they would make a larger effort to differentiate the voices of the two characters. I wish some of the other characters had been explored more in-depth, like Charlie, who always seemed to be in the background.
I just really liked this. I loved the gut punches that you would get reading this. My kids will probably really like it too. Bonus: it's pretty clean. There are mentions of teenagers drinking and some sex stuff, but it a different take on the romance, which I think they will like.
Extraordinary Means is hard to classify genre-wise. It's set in the modern day world, and very much a coming-of-age/romance/quirky teen novel, but set at a sanatorium for a disease that has hit pandemic levels that doesn't actually exist. Lane is diagnose with total drug resistant tuberculosis, and is sent to Latham, a modern day sanatorium. There, he runs into Sadie, a girl he used to know. Sadie has been at Latham for well over a year, not getting worse, but not getting well enough to go home. Sadie teaches Lane how to actually live his life, rather than just sticking to the plan. But, being sick, there are obviously obstacles to living that life.
This reminded me a lot of The Fault in Our Stars and Looking for Alaska. Kind of a combo of the two. Sadie's group of fearless friends and Lane, the shy over achiever, were characters that I have definitely read before, but I still liked them. I like that the story focused more on the realistic fiction rather than the disease. I also liked that the disease was contagious, which added an interesting aspect of exile to the story. Rather than people rallying around a sick teen, like you get in a lot of of sick teen books, people are afraid of these kids, and they are completely cut off.
I didn't gain anything from the story being told in two points of view. I really wish that when authors did that, they would make a larger effort to differentiate the voices of the two characters. I wish some of the other characters had been explored more in-depth, like Charlie, who always seemed to be in the background.
I just really liked this. I loved the gut punches that you would get reading this. My kids will probably really like it too. Bonus: it's pretty clean. There are mentions of teenagers drinking and some sex stuff, but it a different take on the romance, which I think they will like.
2.5 stars. I didn't enjoy Extraordinary Means. This saddens me, because I had been looking forward to reading it. The concept was clever, and I liked that the author utilized her medical background, but the story itself was overly sentimental (I mean, I get that it's talking about a terminal illness, but...) and everything just seemed overdone. I'm not going to say it's a John Green knock-off, but I suppose there are a few similarities in the writers' styles.
What I disliked the most about it was the characters. I found myself yelling at them while reading (yes, out loud) and loudly ranting about how stupid some of their decisions were. The plot was predictable and overwrought. One example of the characters being reckless and stupid: when Lane and Sadie crash the Fall Festival. What the hell was that?? They know they have a highly contagious disease--but that's okay, because true love. Speaking of which, they had no chemistry at all.
Overall, not my cup of tea. I still want to read The Beginning of Everything though, because I feel like Schneider has some talent, but didn't demonstrate it well with this novel.
What I disliked the most about it was the characters. I found myself yelling at them while reading (yes, out loud) and loudly ranting about how stupid some of their decisions were. The plot was predictable and overwrought. One example of the characters being reckless and stupid: when Lane and Sadie crash the Fall Festival. What the hell was that?? They know they have a highly contagious disease--but that's okay, because true love. Speaking of which, they had no chemistry at all.
Overall, not my cup of tea. I still want to read The Beginning of Everything though, because I feel like Schneider has some talent, but didn't demonstrate it well with this novel.
Good book, a lot of recycled themes from The Beginning of Everything, though...
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
4.5/5
a book i read on a plane in 2015 revisited. 5 stars then. still great i think im just different. one of the better YA books ive read <3
a book i read on a plane in 2015 revisited. 5 stars then. still great i think im just different. one of the better YA books ive read <3
Honestly, I just loved everything about this. Or almost everything, there was a lot of ugly crying towards the end there.
Whatever Robyn writes next, I will 100% buy and devour.
Whatever Robyn writes next, I will 100% buy and devour.