Reviews

This book should not have worked for me! The vignette chapter presentation is not something I like. But some how it felt right for this story. Adina, born to a human mother, finds out after finding a fax machine, that she is actually an alien sent down to study humans and determine if the planet is safe for her race. I loved her insights into society and culture, the varying responses back (because the conversation isn't just one way), and how Adina herself integrates into the world around her. I also loved how those around her reacted to the disclosure that she was an alien. And I wondered if perhaps I am an alien, based on how eating noises also annoy me, and just don't know it! This was definitely a thought provoking and engaging read!

mmkkll's review

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring mysterious sad medium-paced

5.0

metalmama's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective medium-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

4.0

justjacq's review

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challenging emotional mysterious reflective sad slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

"When they are lonely, human beings reach out with their holding parts. If no one is around they reach out with their thoughts. They write sentences on paper to express their desire. This makes them feel less alone because they have created another person on the page."
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Oh man, this was really something. Was it sci-fi? I'm not sure - I guess it was, but almost completely disguised in a contemporary, coming of age, literary fiction. It was so poetic - it read more melancholy and reflective than I expected it to. But, I really liked it. I was slow to warm to it in the beginning, but by the last half I was really charmed by it's unique perspective and relatability. I don't think I could say any of the characters were warm or endearing, but the friendship between Toni and Adina definitely hits you in the feels. It's definitely worth a read, but think this would almost appeal more to the contemporary crowd, versus the sci-fi crowd.
4.5/5⭐️s