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jasonlaw77's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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
4.25
amlaggan's review against another edition
5.0
This book is basically an extended version of the Xander-centric Buffy episode "The Zeppo," which is to say it's cheeky and clever and heartfelt and completely excellent.
emilie_mccann's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
4.75
mimidae's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
i felt this was a pretty good representation of ocd and somehow managed to feel like a slice-of-life read with some mature themes and violence. i liked the twist where the typical main characters (ppl with powers/magic, aka the indie kids) weren't actually the main characters this time, but the ordinary ppl were. it made the problems they were dealing with feel a lot more realistic and really emphasized the humanity of the main characters. none of them are presented as perfect (mikey has a lot of flaws, actually) but a lot of the plot is them trying to deal with their imperfections and trying to grow. it's very raw and i loved reading it for that. plus the writing style is good.
some tws for ed, ocd, depression, some violence; overall i enjoyed it a lot. i've been struggling to find good rep on ocd and this satisfied that :>
edit: i read some other reviews and saw people were disappointed with the lack of a defined plot (the major plot was happening to the indie kids) or general action, and the abundance of dialogue, but honestly i felt that was the strong point of the book and what made me keep reading. i enjoy these kinds of slower books where the characters spend a lot of time thinking and talking and interacting with each other, because. that's how real life is. i spend a lot of time in my own head and it was really nice to see a character that does the same. the interactions between the friend group were really nice and i loved learning diff things abt each character (jared esp was very lovable).
i am very big on character dev/interactions and realistic portrayals of people and their mental health struggles. i think maybe the only gripe i had was not getting to learn more about nathan (the jared-nathan relationship felt rushed, i wish it was explored more) and i was pretty sad abt jared having to go after four years. i did think it was cool to see mikey refuse jared's offer to heal his ocd :) because i get it honestly (i expected him to take the offer and was extremely relieved when he didn't because it felt more realistic that way).
some tws for ed, ocd, depression, some violence; overall i enjoyed it a lot. i've been struggling to find good rep on ocd and this satisfied that :>
edit: i read some other reviews and saw people were disappointed with the lack of a defined plot (the major plot was happening to the indie kids) or general action, and the abundance of dialogue, but honestly i felt that was the strong point of the book and what made me keep reading. i enjoy these kinds of slower books where the characters spend a lot of time thinking and talking and interacting with each other, because. that's how real life is. i spend a lot of time in my own head and it was really nice to see a character that does the same. the interactions between the friend group were really nice and i loved learning diff things abt each character (jared esp was very lovable).
i am very big on character dev/interactions and realistic portrayals of people and their mental health struggles. i think maybe the only gripe i had was not getting to learn more about nathan (the jared-nathan relationship felt rushed, i wish it was explored more) and i was pretty sad abt jared having to go after four years. i did think it was cool to see mikey refuse jared's offer to heal his ocd :) because i get it honestly (i expected him to take the offer and was extremely relieved when he didn't because it felt more realistic that way).
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder
raquel_05's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-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
5.0
kim_j_dare's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this so much.
First Unstoppable Praying Mantis Soldiers from [a:Andrew Smith|26810|Andrew Smith|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]; now zombie deer from Patrick Ness.
Actually, the zombie-ish creatures-- deer and otherwise-- don't play a big role in the story. At the beginning of each chapter, Ness gives us very brief brushstrokes of a plot involving the Immortals coming through a portal and attacking all the indie kids-- the cool kids, the ones who usually feature in zombie and vampire stories-- in an effort to take over the world. After he gently pokes fun at these more typical tropes, he turns our attention to the ignored "average" kids for the main story. And as we meet siblings Mikey and Mel, and their friends Henna and Jared, and see the things they're up against as they try to survive the last few weeks of high school, we realize that they are anything but "average."
Jared tries to explain it to narrator Mikey like this:
"Not everyone has to be the Chosen One. Not everyone has to be the guy who saves the world. Most people just have to live their lives the best they can, doing the things that are great for them, having great friends, trying to make their lives better, loving people properly. All the while knowing that the world makes no sense but trying to find a way to be happy anyway."
A lovely, humorous page-turner about all those kids who AREN'T the Chosen Ones-- but who are pretty amazing when you get to know them.
Thanks to Edelweiss for the digital ARC.
First Unstoppable Praying Mantis Soldiers from [a:Andrew Smith|26810|Andrew Smith|https://s.gr-assets.com/assets/nophoto/user/u_50x66-632230dc9882b4352d753eedf9396530.png]; now zombie deer from Patrick Ness.
Actually, the zombie-ish creatures-- deer and otherwise-- don't play a big role in the story. At the beginning of each chapter, Ness gives us very brief brushstrokes of a plot involving the Immortals coming through a portal and attacking all the indie kids-- the cool kids, the ones who usually feature in zombie and vampire stories-- in an effort to take over the world. After he gently pokes fun at these more typical tropes, he turns our attention to the ignored "average" kids for the main story. And as we meet siblings Mikey and Mel, and their friends Henna and Jared, and see the things they're up against as they try to survive the last few weeks of high school, we realize that they are anything but "average."
Jared tries to explain it to narrator Mikey like this:
"Not everyone has to be the Chosen One. Not everyone has to be the guy who saves the world. Most people just have to live their lives the best they can, doing the things that are great for them, having great friends, trying to make their lives better, loving people properly. All the while knowing that the world makes no sense but trying to find a way to be happy anyway."
A lovely, humorous page-turner about all those kids who AREN'T the Chosen Ones-- but who are pretty amazing when you get to know them.
Thanks to Edelweiss for the digital ARC.
jaymdav's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
halthemonarch's review against another edition
4.0
What a clever idea! I don’t think I’ve ever read a novel like it, where it was deliberately from the pov of characters uncentral to the apocalyptic YA plot. Every chapter head letting us know what Satchel and the gang were up to in the background, while Jared wrestled with his anxiety and OCD in the foreground was a brilliant and stunning way to say: there’s more than one kind of remarkable.
I was incredibly invested in these characters in the beginning. A little later it became harder to read only because I could see myself in the protagonist and he just kept. messing. things. up. I felt his friends frustrations with Mike but couldn’t always follow their sympathy for him.
The supernatural aspects were great as well, I love the casual references to “soul eating ghosts” and “immortal invasion” from the eyes of someone who isn’t involved whatsoever— Like it’s a part of life to be dealt with. If anyone remembers O’Grady, the townsfolk in these strange and dramatic world just accept the weirdness as their lot in life.
On the whole this book wasn’t what I thought it would be. I’m reading material to do with ancient gods portrayed in YA media and this one was a part of my list. However, it’s more a coming of age book, an exploration of mental illness, and a commentary on the effects parents have on their children that ends with a found family picnic scene by a cozy fire. It was a joy to read.
I was incredibly invested in these characters in the beginning. A little later it became harder to read only because I could see myself in the protagonist and he just kept. messing. things. up. I felt his friends frustrations with Mike but couldn’t always follow their sympathy for him.
The supernatural aspects were great as well, I love the casual references to “soul eating ghosts” and “immortal invasion” from the eyes of someone who isn’t involved whatsoever— Like it’s a part of life to be dealt with. If anyone remembers O’Grady, the townsfolk in these strange and dramatic world just accept the weirdness as their lot in life.
On the whole this book wasn’t what I thought it would be. I’m reading material to do with ancient gods portrayed in YA media and this one was a part of my list. However, it’s more a coming of age book, an exploration of mental illness, and a commentary on the effects parents have on their children that ends with a found family picnic scene by a cozy fire. It was a joy to read.