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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
Let me start by saying that I'm a fan of Patrick Ness' books. A Monster Calls is a masterpiece and the Chaos Walking trilogy is unlike any YA books I've ever read. But this book was just NOT what I thought it would be. I couldn't stand the alternative universe story. Every time it started, I just thought, "Ugh, where's Adam's story?" I mostly enjoyed Adam's story, but I just wanted it to go somewhere unusual or conclude in some awesome way, but when it ended, I was just annoyed.
If you're going to read a book by Patrick Ness, I would recommend reading a different one.
If you're going to read a book by Patrick Ness, I would recommend reading a different one.
dark
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
this is such an interesting way of storytelling! i think ness brings that to almost everything he writes, however despite that there was a disconnect with the dual povs in this that significantly lowers my rating of this book. i think the idea of telling this over the course of a day was brilliant and evocative, but there was so little connection between the stories that it fell flat. both were interesting and heart wrenching in their own ways, but the back and forth between magical realism and literary was odd without more hints to the magic in the literary pov.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Homophobia, Religious bigotry, Murder, Sexual harassment
Moderate: Drug use, Mental illness, Sexual assault, Sexual content
Minor: Car accident
This was a strange experience. This is really two stories that occur side-by-side over the course of one day. Each story individually was fantastic.
Adam's story was a heart-wrenching journey of self-acceptance and understanding from the perspective of a gay teen growing up in an evangelical Christian household. It was emotional, intense, intimate, and cathartic.
The story of the queen was a mystical modern-day ghost story turned fairy tale. It was mysterious and magical and seeping with unknown power.
I loved both of these stories individually. Unfortunately, they simply did not belong together. The focus, the writing style, and the feel of each were just too different. I would get engrossed in one story and be thrust back into the other one too abruptly. It was jarring. The intersection of the two stories did not seem strong enough to warrant forcing them together.
Adam's story was a heart-wrenching journey of self-acceptance and understanding from the perspective of a gay teen growing up in an evangelical Christian household. It was emotional, intense, intimate, and cathartic.
The story of the queen was a mystical modern-day ghost story turned fairy tale. It was mysterious and magical and seeping with unknown power.
I loved both of these stories individually. Unfortunately, they simply did not belong together. The focus, the writing style, and the feel of each were just too different. I would get engrossed in one story and be thrust back into the other one too abruptly. It was jarring. The intersection of the two stories did not seem strong enough to warrant forcing them together.
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Very conflicted with this story as it was two stories which barely connected and the ghost one just was kind of confusing but Adam's narrative was really wonderful and both narratives dealt with such big issues that are prevalent in society and it was interesting to see how both protagonists dealt with them.
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
I wasn't as stunned as I've historically been by Patrick Ness' books (mind you, it's been five years since I last read one), but I wanted a bit of YA with some spooky element to it for Halloween season and that's what I got! It's true that the spooky element didn't work for me, I liked the concept of that dual perspective but although I liked the ending I don't feel like it really paid off. Overall, I feel like I would have really enjoyed this book as a teen, it offers a catharsis that real life doesn't usually have and a hope despite everything that I'm sure would have really helped me. Now I read it and wish for a more grounded plot but I guess being a teenager is that intense!
I loved this book! So engaging and different. The writing style is incredible