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ashleycdarling's review against another edition
4.0
Set in the future of our crumbling world, "The Ones We're Meant to Find" follows two sister separated by a vast, poisonous ocean. It is told in alternating points of view, but also alternating tenses. One sister tells her story in first person present tense, while another tells hers in third person past. At first, the alternating first and third person caught me off guard, but I quickly grew accustomed to the style. The prose is beautifully written and each sister has a distinct voice. Though she begins the story with precious few memories, Celia ("Cee") is such an open and honest character, wearing her heart on her sleeve and feeling emotions so openly. Kasey ("Kay") is honestly my favorite character. I can understand how she feels about herself and the world around her, as I felt that way for many years growing up. I love her honesty and her love for her sister, as well. It felt organic and real. This story explores what it means to be human and is a thoroughly enjoyable read! Thank you to BookishFirst & the publisher for a review copy.
wellhereweare's review against another edition
writing was confusing / amateur and characters were not compelling
peach_lily's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
agentmozell's review against another edition
3.5
3.5? I'm really not sure.
I wanted to like this after hearing it on the Shit We've Read podcast. I went into it knowing the spoilers and the ending and it sounded really good. I knew going into it to not expect the science stuff to make complete sense (it didn't) but I still find myself like "What was that?"
What I liked:
I liked the two sisters and how different they were. I liked the way that there was a slow reveal to what is going on. I liked Yumi and Hero (I think that's how you spell it? Hard to say when I listened to it). I liked Act a lot and I think I understood his motivations to most and I was confused on way Kay didn't agree with him. I liked that the message of this was to not pollute and check your waste.
The caste system was weird and I still didn't fully understand some things.
What I didn't like:
I didn't like the world building in Kay's POVs. I think it wasn't developed enough and I couldn't get a good grasp on what was happening. The science felt clunky, but once I ignored that it was fine. I didn't like the continuation that book had after the twist at 70-ish percent through. I felt like that was forced.
And I HATED the ambiguous ending since I know this is meant to be a standalone book. That frustrated the crap out of me. Especially when it gets followed up with the "Six Years Later" epilogue that felt completely unnecessary and just a lot of info dumping.
I wanted to like this after hearing it on the Shit We've Read podcast. I went into it knowing the spoilers and the ending and it sounded really good. I knew going into it to not expect the science stuff to make complete sense (it didn't) but I still find myself like "What was that?"
What I liked:
I liked the two sisters and how different they were. I liked the way that there was a slow reveal to what is going on. I liked Yumi and Hero (I think that's how you spell it? Hard to say when I listened to it). I liked Act a lot and I think I understood his motivations to most and I was confused on way Kay didn't agree with him. I liked that the message of this was to not pollute and check your waste.
The caste system was weird and I still didn't fully understand some things.
What I didn't like:
I didn't like the world building in Kay's POVs. I think it wasn't developed enough and I couldn't get a good grasp on what was happening. The science felt clunky, but once I ignored that it was fine. I didn't like the continuation that book had after the twist at 70-ish percent through. I felt like that was forced.
And I HATED the ambiguous ending since I know this is meant to be a standalone book. That frustrated the crap out of me. Especially when it gets followed up with the "Six Years Later" epilogue that felt completely unnecessary and just a lot of info dumping.
emilyfedewa's review against another edition
lmao I really just knew in my bones that I would not like this. maybe I should have given it more of a chance but fuck it!! why should I read something I don't like?? I'm not in school anymore !!
adisaissupercool's review against another edition
3.0
In my honest opinion, the ones we're meant to find is interesting and brought many themes of environmental sciences to light as well as tropes of androids and so on into a story. Sadly, it was one of those books that I read but didn't remember, the characters, although interesting, sometimes lacked depth and make them quite forgettable or irrelevant.
I believe the plot is amazing, but the way the author went about it during parts of the novel were hard to understand and read.
One thing I did enjoy about the book was the bond between the siblings and the acceptance they both experienced towards the end. It was something refreshing and relatable. (The relationship, not the traumatic events they both went through). The way the author portrayed it was beautiful, and the last line was truly something that resonated with me.
I believe the plot is amazing, but the way the author went about it during parts of the novel were hard to understand and read.
One thing I did enjoy about the book was the bond between the siblings and the acceptance they both experienced towards the end. It was something refreshing and relatable. (The relationship, not the traumatic events they both went through). The way the author portrayed it was beautiful, and the last line was truly something that resonated with me.
"I love you and even if you failed me. I'd never replace you"
randomreading's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75