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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
After 6 weeks in a reading slump not reading a thing, I've finally finished a book. I didn't love it, but I finished it. Patrick Ness is an amazing author and this book was beautifully written. Maybe if I hadn't been in such a slump I would've loved it more. But either way, the message in this story was very poignant and I'm glad I finished it.
This book was probably my most anticipated read for this month, mostly because it's a new book by Patrick Ness (whose work I've always liked a lot) AND it's an LGBT release which coincides nicely with Pride month! I actually got this book read in a really short amount of time too which was a really nice feeling after having such a slow June up until this point. I have to say, I'm not sure how to approach this review and I'm still a little undecided on the final rating because I adored almost every aspect of this book EXCEPT one glaring aspect that was too big to ignore. This book is basically two stories in one - one of which is devastatingly beautiful and the other I did NOT get.
So let's start with the good - Adam's story. It made me cry. It made my heart ache for the hopeless situation he was in. And it really was, without a doubt, the BEST LGBT story I have ever read. I loved the complicated family relationships, I loved the sense of anger and desperation to escape, and the effect on Adam's confidence that his life would have on him. It FELT real. Religion played a big part of it too, but this was by no means a bashing of outdated views. Things are much more complicated than 'us vs. them', they always are! The relationships were really well written too and while this book reminded me of 'The Rest Of Us Just Live Here' it didn't have the same issues with it's characters at all! Angela Darlington is everything I want in a best friend, Linus was the most ADORABLE character and Adam was complicated but likeable. Ness did a really great job, and I loved that the whole thing was et over the course of just one day. It was very clever!
Now for the disappointing bit - story #2! Because while Adam was dealing with probably one of the most emotional days of his life, something weird was going on in the forest. Something to do with a recent murder, a seven foot deer that reminded me of the Forest God in Princess Mononoke, and a 'Queen' of an unknown species that moved from place to place killing and destroying and leaving her poor servant to clear up her mess. No explanations were given as to how the Queen got into her position and I felt like it was all meant to have some deep, philosophical meaning but it just...didn't. It was a middle without a beginning or a proper end that made any sense, and I left that particular reading experience more confused than anything. It felt like an experiment that didn't pay off, but I loved Adam's story so much that to an extent, I've pretty much pretended that it didn't happen. This would definitely have been a full on five stars, without question, had the weird stuff been kept out of it.
So let's start with the good - Adam's story. It made me cry. It made my heart ache for the hopeless situation he was in. And it really was, without a doubt, the BEST LGBT story I have ever read. I loved the complicated family relationships, I loved the sense of anger and desperation to escape, and the effect on Adam's confidence that his life would have on him. It FELT real. Religion played a big part of it too, but this was by no means a bashing of outdated views. Things are much more complicated than 'us vs. them', they always are! The relationships were really well written too and while this book reminded me of 'The Rest Of Us Just Live Here' it didn't have the same issues with it's characters at all! Angela Darlington is everything I want in a best friend, Linus was the most ADORABLE character and Adam was complicated but likeable. Ness did a really great job, and I loved that the whole thing was et over the course of just one day. It was very clever!
Now for the disappointing bit - story #2! Because while Adam was dealing with probably one of the most emotional days of his life, something weird was going on in the forest. Something to do with a recent murder, a seven foot deer that reminded me of the Forest God in Princess Mononoke, and a 'Queen' of an unknown species that moved from place to place killing and destroying and leaving her poor servant to clear up her mess. No explanations were given as to how the Queen got into her position and I felt like it was all meant to have some deep, philosophical meaning but it just...didn't. It was a middle without a beginning or a proper end that made any sense, and I left that particular reading experience more confused than anything. It felt like an experiment that didn't pay off, but I loved Adam's story so much that to an extent, I've pretty much pretended that it didn't happen. This would definitely have been a full on five stars, without question, had the weird stuff been kept out of it.
This was a completely random audiobook pick for me. I have enjoyed Ness' books before but had no plan on reading this particular one anytime soon. However I saw it on Nextory and didn't have any other audiobook plans so I started Release.
The story is heartwarming and some parts hit me right in the feels. The relationships were believable and I enjoyed the slow buildup. The only complaint I have is the spirit/dead girl subplot which to me felt kinda pointless. That one didn't really do anything for the main story and could have been left out.
The story is heartwarming and some parts hit me right in the feels. The relationships were believable and I enjoyed the slow buildup. The only complaint I have is the spirit/dead girl subplot which to me felt kinda pointless. That one didn't really do anything for the main story and could have been left out.
Apparently I've read this already (thanks to the arc I've received via edelweiss). Rating is more or less that same (3.5 rounded up to 4)
Can't remember Ness's other books if it have such explicit scenes, while still being a a bit intimate. And I appreciate the Faun and the Queen side-story a bit more, even though they are still disconnected, unless I'm missing something.
Adam's story is really good, Ness nearly crossed over the line of having mustache-twirling/unbelievable antagonists, they're certainly insane but still believable. There's still a lot of problems that "needs" to be resolved in the end, but I liked that it's not wrapped up nicely and maybe Adam faced problems instantly after the book ends. Or maybe the next day. But it certainly tied most of the plot points/problems and I liked that (which his other book, [b:Different for Boys|61084889|Different for Boys|Patrick Ness|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1676847165l/61084889._SX50_.jpg|96278115], certainly didn't).
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(first read via netgalley arc)
rating: 4 stars
I might read this again when the US version or if I somehow got my hands on the UK version (which I prefer). Plus many stuffs to do in school.
Like other early/UK readers, I find it to be confusing especially with thesince it intertwines with the main story, switching between Adam's story and that and until the ending *wham* *more confusion*. I think there is (really) something that hides behind that side-story, not just a filler. It is like his previous book - [b: The Rest of Us Just Live Here|22910900|The Rest of Us Just Live Here|Patrick Ness|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1429800081l/22910900._SY75_.jpg|42475450] with a few paragraph about the side stories, about the "heroes", and the ending just wrap them up.
Hopefully this would be better the second time. (plus less stressed . . . cuz school)
Can't remember Ness's other books if it have such explicit scenes, while still being a a bit intimate. And I appreciate the Faun and the Queen side-story a bit more, even though they are still disconnected
Spoiler
and only intertwined in the epilogueAdam's story is really good, Ness nearly crossed over the line of having mustache-twirling/unbelievable antagonists, they're certainly insane but still believable. There's still a lot of problems that "needs" to be resolved in the end, but I liked that it's not wrapped up nicely and maybe Adam faced problems instantly after the book ends. Or maybe the next day. But it certainly tied most of the plot points/problems and I liked that (which his other book, [b:Different for Boys|61084889|Different for Boys|Patrick Ness|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1676847165l/61084889._SX50_.jpg|96278115], certainly didn't).
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(first read via netgalley arc)
rating: 4 stars
I might read this again when the US version or if I somehow got my hands on the UK version (which I prefer). Plus many stuffs to do in school.
Like other early/UK readers, I find it to be confusing especially with the
Spoiler
Faun and the Queen + spiritHopefully this would be better the second time. (plus less stressed . . . cuz school)
"Quizá resulta que el corazón nunca acaba de romperse, una vez roto, pensó. Quizá sigue latiendo hasta que te lo rompen otra vez, y aun así continúa con su latir".
Nunca me había dado tan dentro un libro, la verdad.
Nunca me había dado tan dentro un libro, la verdad.
Maar het hele faun verhaal vond ik niets toevoegen aan de roman.
There seems to be a trend with Patrick Ness books – they're all incredible. I was so excited to find that this book was in one of my book boxes and that excitement was well deserved because this book was amazing. It addressed so many important things that are wrong with the world in such a short word span and yet everything felt well spaced and naturally occurring and I loved it.
Adam was such an interesting character because he was sweet and relatable but he was also at the end of his rope. He was done trying to fit into his parents' world and you could see the way he struggled between accepting his sexuality and believing the lies his family told him about his 'unnatural' ways.
The scariest part of this story wasn't the supernatural element paralleling Adam's story, it was the fact that every abuse Adam faced was real and commonly faced by people to this day. This story addressed themes of family abuse, emotional abuse, sexual harassment and other things that are so important and so relevant but aren't given the attention they require to be fixed.
The theme of acceptance within the novel wasn't just in regards to sexuality, although that did hold a significant place in the story. There was also a strong sense of acceptance towards life and the surprises it holds, and towards allowing people to come and go in life and learning that it's okay for people who once held such importance to move along and make room for someone new.
The parallel story – with the restless spirit moving throughout the world she once knew in order to find answers – while supernatural in nature, was also very metaphorical to finding acceptance.
The story was incredible because it captured the feeling of being a teenager and having everything happen so quickly and being defenceless to stop any of it. This felt like a coming-of-age story to me in the way that whose type of stories address learning to be independent and moving away from the toxic people, environments, emotions and thoughts in your life.
If you have read any of Patrick Ness' books you know that his writing style, and the content it addresses, is impactful and relevant. All of his books are both beautiful and heartbreaking to read. This was no exception.
I recommend that anyone and everyone should read this book, although it does contain some scenes and language that are probably not okay for younger readers since they address fairly explicit sexual scenes. I'd probably say fifteen and over. But if you're older than that and have been considering read this book, read it. You will not regret it.
Adam was such an interesting character because he was sweet and relatable but he was also at the end of his rope. He was done trying to fit into his parents' world and you could see the way he struggled between accepting his sexuality and believing the lies his family told him about his 'unnatural' ways.
The scariest part of this story wasn't the supernatural element paralleling Adam's story, it was the fact that every abuse Adam faced was real and commonly faced by people to this day. This story addressed themes of family abuse, emotional abuse, sexual harassment and other things that are so important and so relevant but aren't given the attention they require to be fixed.
The theme of acceptance within the novel wasn't just in regards to sexuality, although that did hold a significant place in the story. There was also a strong sense of acceptance towards life and the surprises it holds, and towards allowing people to come and go in life and learning that it's okay for people who once held such importance to move along and make room for someone new.
The parallel story – with the restless spirit moving throughout the world she once knew in order to find answers – while supernatural in nature, was also very metaphorical to finding acceptance.
The story was incredible because it captured the feeling of being a teenager and having everything happen so quickly and being defenceless to stop any of it. This felt like a coming-of-age story to me in the way that whose type of stories address learning to be independent and moving away from the toxic people, environments, emotions and thoughts in your life.
If you have read any of Patrick Ness' books you know that his writing style, and the content it addresses, is impactful and relevant. All of his books are both beautiful and heartbreaking to read. This was no exception.
I recommend that anyone and everyone should read this book, although it does contain some scenes and language that are probably not okay for younger readers since they address fairly explicit sexual scenes. I'd probably say fifteen and over. But if you're older than that and have been considering read this book, read it. You will not regret it.
This book bothered me so much, to put it simply, the whole book is a huge oversimplification. I wish the characters had more depth, they all feel one-dimentional and their dialogue forced. There's two storylines in the book, and I actually found that aspect cool, but I wish they had related more, or somehow overlapped. They feel like two different books put into one.
There were so many themes that none of them really got developed strongly. It's a jumble of good ideas that weren't executed well. And I think it's mainly because the characters feel so poorly written, especially Adam. There's not many layets to each character and each one feels like a stereotype of what a teenager thinks and acts.
There were so many themes that none of them really got developed strongly. It's a jumble of good ideas that weren't executed well. And I think it's mainly because the characters feel so poorly written, especially Adam. There's not many layets to each character and each one feels like a stereotype of what a teenager thinks and acts.