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beccabooplp's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
classiestcass's review against another edition
2.0
I really, really, really hate to give this book 2 stars, but I feel like I had to do it.
It wasn't necessarily bad, but it did that thing where the description sounded so so so so good, but the actual content of the book didn't quite live up to the hype. I'm not sure if it was because I was expecting so much having read some of Graudin's other books (Wolf by Wolf, Blood for Blood, The Walled City) or if it's because that just seems to be the theme of books I've been reading lately or what. And I read the acknowledgments at the end of Invictus, so yes, I know that this book started off as a short story and was supposed to be a break from the intensity that came from the Wolf by Wolf books.
I think, ultimately, it just didn't feel like it went deep enough for me. I liked all of the characters, but some definitely felt more shallow than others. The pov chapters tend to be sporadic, so we'll have maybe like 10 chapters from Far's pov, 5 from Priya's, and then like a single pov from Gram. These are just examples and not exactly how many pov chapters each character gets. But it definitely felt way too sporadic for me to really feel attached. Again, I understand that this book started off as a short story and wasn't meant to be as intense as some of Graudin's other books, but I honestly felt like it was a little too lighthearted for me to really care.
Even the villain(s?) in the story don't have much depth to them. It's hard for me to genuinely dislike them and care whether or not the good guys beat them. Even though there was so much at stake in this book, I didn't really feel it. I couldn't connect to it for whatever reason. And this could totally be just me. Maybe I was all hyped up because I love Graudin's other works, read the description of Invictus, and was expecting the same kind of intense, obsessive reading. That could totally have been it and that would be my bad.
The book isn't bad, honestly. The plot was interesting, the characters were unique, and the author is great. I just kept essentially skimming through the book, the way you do when nothing is really happening and you're waiting for something good to come around. I believe that this story could have been so much...more. It could have delved deeper, could have meant more, and it could have just been better. I don't regret reading it or anything, but I also probably won't be recommending it much.
It wasn't necessarily bad, but it did that thing where the description sounded so so so so good, but the actual content of the book didn't quite live up to the hype. I'm not sure if it was because I was expecting so much having read some of Graudin's other books (Wolf by Wolf, Blood for Blood, The Walled City) or if it's because that just seems to be the theme of books I've been reading lately or what. And I read the acknowledgments at the end of Invictus, so yes, I know that this book started off as a short story and was supposed to be a break from the intensity that came from the Wolf by Wolf books.
I think, ultimately, it just didn't feel like it went deep enough for me. I liked all of the characters, but some definitely felt more shallow than others. The pov chapters tend to be sporadic, so we'll have maybe like 10 chapters from Far's pov, 5 from Priya's, and then like a single pov from Gram. These are just examples and not exactly how many pov chapters each character gets. But it definitely felt way too sporadic for me to really feel attached. Again, I understand that this book started off as a short story and wasn't meant to be as intense as some of Graudin's other books, but I honestly felt like it was a little too lighthearted for me to really care.
Even the villain(s?) in the story don't have much depth to them. It's hard for me to genuinely dislike them and care whether or not the good guys beat them. Even though there was so much at stake in this book, I didn't really feel it. I couldn't connect to it for whatever reason. And this could totally be just me. Maybe I was all hyped up because I love Graudin's other works, read the description of Invictus, and was expecting the same kind of intense, obsessive reading. That could totally have been it and that would be my bad.
The book isn't bad, honestly. The plot was interesting, the characters were unique, and the author is great. I just kept essentially skimming through the book, the way you do when nothing is really happening and you're waiting for something good to come around. I believe that this story could have been so much...more. It could have delved deeper, could have meant more, and it could have just been better. I don't regret reading it or anything, but I also probably won't be recommending it much.
whatthehelliknow's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
fast-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? No
4.0
matiel72's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely loved this book! I cannot wait to write a full review!
ravenclawkate's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Although the premise was kind of interesting, the book was a little boring for me. The first half of the book was too long and spent too much time setting up exposition. Some events that occured seemed to exist solely because the author wanted to write it rather than actually serve the plot and characters (looking at you, the whole trip to Las Vegas that the characters took just because they wanted to take a break). However, once the plot finally passed that first half of exposition, the book became more interesting and I was able to connect to the characters more. This half was good, but the first half unfortunately brought the book down a little for me.
kazzified29's review against another edition
5.0
Any fan of DC's Legends of Tomorrow will adore this book!
caralinejohnston's review
5.0
Time travel is not typically my genre. But this is creative, original, and thoroughly developed. I couldn't put it down and I would love for there to be a sequel!
bookpup's review
3.0
3.5.
This did not go the way I expected. I had fun while reading but it's not a new favorite.
This did not go the way I expected. I had fun while reading but it's not a new favorite.
cathyatratedreads's review
3.0
Solid 3.5 stars. Fun. But just not so great and complex I think it's a 4.
Invictus reads somewhat like it’s between middle-grade and YA — sometimes the writing can seem a bit simple. The story is entertaining, and it’s interesting to see how it all plays out by the end: There are a lot of threads related to time travel that have to be resolved and made to make sense, and it works. The teen characters and their friendships are a big part of the book and a reason it’s so fun to read.
*I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review, including a rating for content, at RatedReads.com: https://ratedreads.com/invictus-clean-young-adult-book-review/
Invictus reads somewhat like it’s between middle-grade and YA — sometimes the writing can seem a bit simple. The story is entertaining, and it’s interesting to see how it all plays out by the end: There are a lot of threads related to time travel that have to be resolved and made to make sense, and it works. The teen characters and their friendships are a big part of the book and a reason it’s so fun to read.
*I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
Read my full review, including a rating for content, at RatedReads.com: https://ratedreads.com/invictus-clean-young-adult-book-review/