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porridgegirl's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
derry's review against another edition
3.0
Some sections of greatness but I felt thoroughly unsatisfied. Loved the almost poetry like structure and fairytale allusions.
adelle_bookworm's review against another edition
4.0
Jak teď mám
mám kruci popsat
svoje myšlenky
a to, jak
se po přečtení
cítím?
Čekala jsem úplně něco jiného, než mi bylo nabídnuto - a jsem velice překvapená. A taky zvědavá, jak na tohle sakra napíšu recenzi, abych mohla říct pravdu a abych taky trošku lhala.
Sama jsem z toho trochu vedle.
mám kruci popsat
svoje myšlenky
a to, jak
se po přečtení
cítím?
Čekala jsem úplně něco jiného, než mi bylo nabídnuto - a jsem velice překvapená. A taky zvědavá, jak na tohle sakra napíšu recenzi, abych mohla říct pravdu a abych taky trošku lhala.
Sama jsem z toho trochu vedle.
amandalyn's review against another edition
4.0
I did not see that coming. Holy shit.
I loved this book. I loved that the characters weren't really likable but still good characters. I loved the mystery of it all. I loved the writing and the fairy tales and the fragmented sentences. Ugh. I loved it. I'm going to stop talking about it cause I don't want to ruin anything but yeah you should read this book.
I loved this book. I loved that the characters weren't really likable but still good characters. I loved the mystery of it all. I loved the writing and the fairy tales and the fragmented sentences. Ugh. I loved it. I'm going to stop talking about it cause I don't want to ruin anything but yeah you should read this book.
easyvisionary's review against another edition
5.0
Didn’t love the set up of the characters it was described weirdly and took up too much of the beginning but the twist!!! Yeah five stars just for the final chapters! How wild? The way she was visiting the separate cabin on her own the whole time. Those who passed years before seems so real. Well done! Cannot wait to read the prequel!!!
sheisinquisitive's review against another edition
1.0
[1.5]
Before you freak out about my rating, let me explain.
Unlike many of the 1-2 star ratings and reviews of the book, I am not infuriated by the book. I don't hate the protagonist for her ignorance or complaints. I don't hate her for her privilege or lack of appreciation for what she has because I found her to be somewhat self-aware, as well as she could be considering her situation. I also don't hate the writing style. In fact, I kind of like it. It was odd and distorted, a reflection of how the protagonist's mind may have been working as she navigated her entitled, selfish family, the weird traditions and mottos instilled in her cousins, and her ultimate tragedy. I think it made sense.
But I can't help it, I didn't like this book because it did nothing for me.
I believe books have two purposes: To entertain and to inspire (or teach). This book did neither of those things for me. I didn't really like the book. It felt like an odd diary entry, which (again) made sense considering the subject at hand, but with nothing to offer. Cadence, our protagonist, shares memories and present experiences, but none of them were really interesting. Four kids recklessly running about on a private island, being someone they're not, using their privilege as a form of escapism. I get the idea of it, but I didn't really root for any of them. I didn't care for their nights spent being drunk or going to the beach or having cliché conversations on rooftops as they looked to the horizon. There wasn't anything original in how they spent their time. On a private island. Their private island. You'd think they'd be more creative, but they were just reckless or boring.
So, if it wasn't meant to entertain, then what was it supposed to teach? I learned nothing. No life lessons. No grand epiphany. Not even something basic like "Treat others how you want to be treated." I would've taken anything by the end of it, but nothing happened. I don't think every book you read should have some everlasting effect on you, but shouldn't I feel different, just a tiny bit, from who I was when I started it? How did I read 225 pages and feel... the exact same? Perhaps more disturbed and unsettled, but that's not what any reader should be left feeling, not without a lesson, not without a seed of hope or reflection or desire to be better growing inside of you.
I didn't learn anything. So, what was the point of this book?
The book touches on some important themes. Race, social class, and privilege, especially. Gat (what a terrible name for the only minority in the main cast of characters. Lockhart didn't have to choose a basic name like Sanjay or Ravi - even though she chose the last name "Patel" (and spelled it wrong) - she still didn't have to choose "Gat" of all names) had potential. Aside from his curiosity and self-awareness, what he said mattered. He knew his place in a way that nobody should have to know. He was a victim of racial microaggressions from everyone, including Cadence. He kept Cadence informed of her privilege, the Sinclair trust fund, the whole bloody island. Of course, Gat would be the one to know the staff's names. Of course, Gat would be the one uninvited to dinners at the Sinclair house. Of course, Gat would be the one addressed as "young man," instead of his name by Cadence's Granddad, the only white man on the island. As a minority, it should've made me uncomfortable. At times, it did make me uncomfortable. But I saw it coming. I was aware of it the minute Cadence described Gat as Indian, admiring his features (isn't it a little weird how a white protagonist is drawn to a non-white person because they look different, refreshing, not like the others? Why did she love him? She didn't even know him. It's not love, darling. It's infatuation and it was weird and I hate how this is so often the case). His purpose was clear.
But that's always the purpose of a racial minority. Somehow, solving systemic racism falls onto the racial minority. Oh, the irony. I'm tired of seeing this take in every book, show, movie. Especially because Gat didn't solve anything, he couldn't solve anything, but he made them aware. He made Cadence aware... and it did nothing. It amounted to nothing.
The ending was predictable. I wanted to feel sorry for her, but I didn't really care. I don't lack sympathy. She just didn't need it from me. She had it from everyone else, and she only pushed it away. Again and again. At best, I sympathize with her migraines (because I get it, and it's an understudied condition of the brain). But what else? What else was there?
So, I return to this: What was the point of this book? It's just a book that exists. Not a good pass time. No impact. Nothing to offer.
GIVEAWAY: A book that feels almost cruel to giveaway because whoever reads it might just waste their time. It won't be a gift. It will be a pass time. Not an enjoyable one. It might just teach them nothing except how a girl born in privilege has money, but no love. Made a mistake and paid the price. Has money, then has love. Not the love she wants, but one she must learn to appreciate. But it teaches you nothing. It entertains you in no way (besides the few laughs you may have from watching the littles bicker).
Who wants it?
Before you freak out about my rating, let me explain.
Unlike many of the 1-2 star ratings and reviews of the book, I am not infuriated by the book. I don't hate the protagonist for her ignorance or complaints. I don't hate her for her privilege or lack of appreciation for what she has because I found her to be somewhat self-aware, as well as she could be considering her situation. I also don't hate the writing style. In fact, I kind of like it. It was odd and distorted, a reflection of how the protagonist's mind may have been working as she navigated her entitled, selfish family, the weird traditions and mottos instilled in her cousins, and her ultimate tragedy. I think it made sense.
But I can't help it, I didn't like this book because it did nothing for me.
I believe books have two purposes: To entertain and to inspire (or teach). This book did neither of those things for me. I didn't really like the book. It felt like an odd diary entry, which (again) made sense considering the subject at hand, but with nothing to offer. Cadence, our protagonist, shares memories and present experiences, but none of them were really interesting. Four kids recklessly running about on a private island, being someone they're not, using their privilege as a form of escapism. I get the idea of it, but I didn't really root for any of them. I didn't care for their nights spent being drunk or going to the beach or having cliché conversations on rooftops as they looked to the horizon. There wasn't anything original in how they spent their time. On a private island. Their private island. You'd think they'd be more creative, but they were just reckless or boring.
So, if it wasn't meant to entertain, then what was it supposed to teach? I learned nothing. No life lessons. No grand epiphany. Not even something basic like "Treat others how you want to be treated." I would've taken anything by the end of it, but nothing happened. I don't think every book you read should have some everlasting effect on you, but shouldn't I feel different, just a tiny bit, from who I was when I started it? How did I read 225 pages and feel... the exact same? Perhaps more disturbed and unsettled, but that's not what any reader should be left feeling, not without a lesson, not without a seed of hope or reflection or desire to be better growing inside of you.
I didn't learn anything. So, what was the point of this book?
The book touches on some important themes. Race, social class, and privilege, especially. Gat (what a terrible name for the only minority in the main cast of characters. Lockhart didn't have to choose a basic name like Sanjay or Ravi - even though she chose the last name "Patel" (and spelled it wrong) - she still didn't have to choose "Gat" of all names) had potential. Aside from his curiosity and self-awareness, what he said mattered. He knew his place in a way that nobody should have to know. He was a victim of racial microaggressions from everyone, including Cadence. He kept Cadence informed of her privilege, the Sinclair trust fund, the whole bloody island. Of course, Gat would be the one to know the staff's names. Of course, Gat would be the one uninvited to dinners at the Sinclair house. Of course, Gat would be the one addressed as "young man," instead of his name by Cadence's Granddad, the only white man on the island. As a minority, it should've made me uncomfortable. At times, it did make me uncomfortable. But I saw it coming. I was aware of it the minute Cadence described Gat as Indian, admiring his features (isn't it a little weird how a white protagonist is drawn to a non-white person because they look different, refreshing, not like the others? Why did she love him? She didn't even know him. It's not love, darling. It's infatuation and it was weird and I hate how this is so often the case). His purpose was clear.
But that's always the purpose of a racial minority. Somehow, solving systemic racism falls onto the racial minority. Oh, the irony. I'm tired of seeing this take in every book, show, movie. Especially because Gat didn't solve anything, he couldn't solve anything, but he made them aware. He made Cadence aware... and it did nothing. It amounted to nothing.
The ending was predictable. I wanted to feel sorry for her, but I didn't really care. I don't lack sympathy. She just didn't need it from me. She had it from everyone else, and she only pushed it away. Again and again. At best, I sympathize with her migraines (because I get it, and it's an understudied condition of the brain). But what else? What else was there?
So, I return to this: What was the point of this book? It's just a book that exists. Not a good pass time. No impact. Nothing to offer.
GIVEAWAY: A book that feels almost cruel to giveaway because whoever reads it might just waste their time. It won't be a gift. It will be a pass time. Not an enjoyable one. It might just teach them nothing except how a girl born in privilege has money, but no love. Made a mistake and paid the price. Has money, then has love. Not the love she wants, but one she must learn to appreciate. But it teaches you nothing. It entertains you in no way (besides the few laughs you may have from watching the littles bicker).
Who wants it?
olivialoverderheinheimer's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This was not what I was expecting at all. Every step of the way I was caught by surprise and definitely did not see that ending coming.
kaitjboyer's review against another edition
1.0
I was not necessarily a fan of this book but it was not the worst thing out there either!
The beginning to about just half way was extremely EXTREMELY slow and was painful for me to get through. I found myself being so confused as to what was happening a majority of the time or where things were coming from that it unmotivated me to read it. I also was not a fan of the writing style, which seems to be a common theme in the other reviews as well! Way to chaotic looking and the writing felt unprofessional in ways.
Once hitting just maybe half way, I began to get intrigued seeing how it felt like a mystery! It hooked me to try and figure out what happened before I actually read about it and the plot twist was something I WASN’T expecting! I thought I would’ve but I thought something completely different.
It was great to finish the book and finally piece together why I was so confused, although I do think the author could’ve better executed the beginning, at the start and was cool to have it undiscovered.
I will admit: I found this book on booktok and it was definitely overhyped, at least for me! I don’t think it lives up to the standards the community put it in months ago, although now they’re not recommending it anymore for this purpose.
I personally don’t see myself recommending this book to anyone. To me personally, I don’t think it left a big imprint on myself to want a friend or someone to read it. No hate or judgment to anyone who loved it:) Just wasn’t for me!!
The beginning to about just half way was extremely EXTREMELY slow and was painful for me to get through. I found myself being so confused as to what was happening a majority of the time or where things were coming from that it unmotivated me to read it. I also was not a fan of the writing style, which seems to be a common theme in the other reviews as well! Way to chaotic looking and the writing felt unprofessional in ways.
Once hitting just maybe half way, I began to get intrigued seeing how it felt like a mystery! It hooked me to try and figure out what happened before I actually read about it and the plot twist was something I WASN’T expecting! I thought I would’ve but I thought something completely different.
It was great to finish the book and finally piece together why I was so confused, although I do think the author could’ve better executed the beginning, at the start and was cool to have it undiscovered.
I will admit: I found this book on booktok and it was definitely overhyped, at least for me! I don’t think it lives up to the standards the community put it in months ago, although now they’re not recommending it anymore for this purpose.
I personally don’t see myself recommending this book to anyone. To me personally, I don’t think it left a big imprint on myself to want a friend or someone to read it. No hate or judgment to anyone who loved it:) Just wasn’t for me!!
booksareawesome123's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
parfaitallez's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5