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luccinda's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
4.0
brendalovesbooks's review against another edition
4.0
After reading this book, and before reviewing, I read some other reviews, especially negative ones. Things were presented in those reviews that I hadn't really thought about, and that are definitely valid opinions. I'm coming at it from another angle though. I work as a librarian in a predominantly white middle school. I think reading this book could give kids a lot to think about, and would actually make a great choice for a book club, as there are a lot of things to discuss.
It did feel very 2020 to me, touching on every hot button issue the author could think of, but I think in the end it was something I would feel good about having my students read.
It did feel very 2020 to me, touching on every hot button issue the author could think of, but I think in the end it was something I would feel good about having my students read.
rballenger's review against another edition
3.0
Type of read: Commuter/Work Read.
What made me pick it up: One of the prompts for the Tennessee R.E.A.D.S. challenge for October is to read a book with an orange cover. Between the cover and the description, it seemed like a good fit.
Overall rating: I liked 'Game Changer.' There's depth to it and the plot is a bit twisty, turny, not quite sure what will happen next. I think my biggest complaint, and this is completely me because Shusterman was clearly working on this book way before, but it felt very much like 'Loki' with the timeline and the branching and pruning. Again, this is all very much me because 'Game Changer' was published before 'Loki' was available to view; however, it felt done before since I enjoyed these two pieces of media in the opposite order. Football is a main theme of the book, so if that's not your vibe, this might not be the book for you. Honestly though, 'Game Changer' was a good read, with some thought-provoking and hilarious moments, and I'd recommend it to those who enjoyed this style of book.
Reader's Note: 'Game Changer' includes themes of physical, mental, and emotional abuse along with racism, sexism, LGBTQIA+ relationships, homophobia, and hate crimes.
What made me pick it up: One of the prompts for the Tennessee R.E.A.D.S. challenge for October is to read a book with an orange cover. Between the cover and the description, it seemed like a good fit.
Overall rating: I liked 'Game Changer.' There's depth to it and the plot is a bit twisty, turny, not quite sure what will happen next. I think my biggest complaint, and this is completely me because Shusterman was clearly working on this book way before, but it felt very much like 'Loki' with the timeline and the branching and pruning. Again, this is all very much me because 'Game Changer' was published before 'Loki' was available to view; however, it felt done before since I enjoyed these two pieces of media in the opposite order. Football is a main theme of the book, so if that's not your vibe, this might not be the book for you. Honestly though, 'Game Changer' was a good read, with some thought-provoking and hilarious moments, and I'd recommend it to those who enjoyed this style of book.
Reader's Note: 'Game Changer' includes themes of physical, mental, and emotional abuse along with racism, sexism, LGBTQIA+ relationships, homophobia, and hate crimes.
lfitzmaurice's review against another edition
2.0
I've been a Shusterman fan for a very long time. I find that he is able to convincingly build worlds that feel realistic and true while incorporating dystopian elements. His books always make me think and wonder, especially about social issues and morality. I have to say this newest offering missed the mark for me. I see the intent behind this story and think it's important, but I do not think the execution was strong. As always, this book is entirely original and creative, but it felt like Shusterman threw in a little too much too fast. I hope the YA audience enjoys it more than I did and is able to learn from the story.
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review against another edition
DNF
I was so close to finishing this book. When I was reading it I felt like the plot was a mixture of Freaky Friday, Wrinkle in Time, and Back to the Future. I got a good ways into when I predicted something was going to happen and it did happen but I didn’t feel comfortable reading on about it so I stopped reading the book.
I was so close to finishing this book. When I was reading it I felt like the plot was a mixture of Freaky Friday, Wrinkle in Time, and Back to the Future. I got a good ways into when I predicted something was going to happen and it did happen but I didn’t feel comfortable reading on about it so I stopped reading the book.
oliviaskyec's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.5
readinthefiels's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.75
brittster622's review against another edition
2.0
This one just didn't. It just felt like a lot of hot button issues thrown together in one big gimmicky story. I'm all about supporting different groups or even highlighting what it's like to be in their shoes. However, when so many oppressed groups are shown together into one tale, it just felt little forced and like its purpose was just to be politically correct. I think it's possible all these groups could have been represented and supported in the same book, but I don't think this was quite the way.
sberatelkaknih's review against another edition
challenging
mysterious
reflective
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? Yes
4.0