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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
amazing. david arnold continues to write unique and inspiring prose.
Hard to say much without potential spoilers, but I appreciated the exploration of little differences and what they can mean. Didn’t love this as much as I thought I might—I wanted clearer stakes, maybe? But if you’re interested in ideas around the multiverse, you’ll probably enjoy this.
Enjoyable, though it dragged. Interesting choice using hypnosis as a way to reveal character and character relationships. Nice twist on the common tropes of amnesia or a life-changing accident. Good story that took a little long for the pay-off, but nice exploration of the teenage psyche, teenage relationships, internal and external pressures, and the stories that connect them. If you've read Mosquitoland and Kids of Appetite, it's worth reading to see David Arnold's next evolution. If you haven't read any David Arnold, start with Mosquitoland.
More like 3.75 ⭐️s
I’m not the biggest fan of YA fiction, but I read a blurb that likened this book to the work of Murakami so I thought I’d give it a try. The blurb didn’t lie — there’s a slacker male protagonist, meandering and thoughtful prose and a ton of references to music and movies. I enjoyed the vibrant personality of the narrator and the relationships between friends and family; they felt believable and their connections really kept me going throughout the book.
The plot, I found, was lacking. For a while we’re focusing on six or seven plot lines going nowhere until we reach the final twist (that I won’t reveal here) that is all too predictable and feels pretty lazy. I feel that maybe that’s a little too harsh considering I mostly read literary fiction, but I have to believe even teens who consume a lot more media than I will come to this same conclusion.
“Strange Fascinations” wasn’t bad, though. I did like it, the characters were really the glue that held the book together for me and I only wish I could’ve gotten even more of Noah and Val and Alan. When it comes to writing believable dialogue and friendship, David Arnold shines. Though I had strong feelings about some major plot points, this was an enjoyable ride full of music, bursting with love and compassion.
I’m not the biggest fan of YA fiction, but I read a blurb that likened this book to the work of Murakami so I thought I’d give it a try. The blurb didn’t lie — there’s a slacker male protagonist, meandering and thoughtful prose and a ton of references to music and movies. I enjoyed the vibrant personality of the narrator and the relationships between friends and family; they felt believable and their connections really kept me going throughout the book.
The plot, I found, was lacking. For a while we’re focusing on six or seven plot lines going nowhere until we reach the final twist (that I won’t reveal here) that is all too predictable and feels pretty lazy. I feel that maybe that’s a little too harsh considering I mostly read literary fiction, but I have to believe even teens who consume a lot more media than I will come to this same conclusion.
“Strange Fascinations” wasn’t bad, though. I did like it, the characters were really the glue that held the book together for me and I only wish I could’ve gotten even more of Noah and Val and Alan. When it comes to writing believable dialogue and friendship, David Arnold shines. Though I had strong feelings about some major plot points, this was an enjoyable ride full of music, bursting with love and compassion.
3.5 stars.
There's a little too much Quirk in this book. The MC who idolizes David Bowie, the precocious little sister obsessed with Breakfast at Tiffany's, the outlandish best friend who says "yo" at the end of every sentence and thinks pizza tastes better in a rectangle.
That said, this book is incredibly ambitious, and the fact that David Arnold managed to neatly tie his many many loose ends is a pretty amazing feat.
Won't be a re-read for me, but it was enjoyable all the same.
There's a little too much Quirk in this book. The MC who idolizes David Bowie, the precocious little sister obsessed with Breakfast at Tiffany's, the outlandish best friend who says "yo" at the end of every sentence and thinks pizza tastes better in a rectangle.
That said, this book is incredibly ambitious, and the fact that David Arnold managed to neatly tie his many many loose ends is a pretty amazing feat.
Won't be a re-read for me, but it was enjoyable all the same.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-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:
Complicated
adventurous
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
N/A
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Absolutely loved the structure of this book. David Arnold has a fantastic lilting pace that plays out on a psychological scale with growing intensity that had me gripping the pages of the book.
adventurous
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