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merlin_reads's review
2.5
This book took me 21 days to read it.
21 days.
It just did not hold my interest and even though it's super short, it felt like it just went on forever. That's not good when the book is marketed as a "heart-pounding" sequel.
So what happens? Wiley knows she's an Outlier now and that people are after her and her father. Her father ends up missing. Wiley ends up hostage in a hospital. She meets other outliers. She escapes to go looking for the truth. She doesn't trust anyone. And yet, it just didn't mesh well.
I was intrigued with the first book but I felt like this book was just full of holes as McCreight tried to create government coverups and kidnappings and the unlawful holding of minors. There were so many instances where I didn't understand why people just didn't ask any questions. Sure, random stranger, you can take my daughter to this abandoned hospital and run tests on her. Nothing about that seems shady.
Also, Wiley's brother is a grade A asshole. Poor baby, outliers are only girls, so he just wines and yells at his family. I don't feel sorry for him. I don't like him even just a little. And I don't think he's redeemable.
Wiley is very...easily manipulated. Which you think wouldn't be a thing considering everything that happened in the first book, but there you have it. She doesn't question anything she should. She makes horrible decisions. And she's just not very smart.
The only interesting character in this book is Jasper and he hardly gets any page time here.
But yes, I will be reading the third book to see how this ends because the premise is interesting. It's just the execution that's lacking.
21 days.
It just did not hold my interest and even though it's super short, it felt like it just went on forever. That's not good when the book is marketed as a "heart-pounding" sequel.
So what happens? Wiley knows she's an Outlier now and that people are after her and her father. Her father ends up missing. Wiley ends up hostage in a hospital. She meets other outliers. She escapes to go looking for the truth. She doesn't trust anyone. And yet, it just didn't mesh well.
I was intrigued with the first book but I felt like this book was just full of holes as McCreight tried to create government coverups and kidnappings and the unlawful holding of minors. There were so many instances where I didn't understand why people just didn't ask any questions. Sure, random stranger, you can take my daughter to this abandoned hospital and run tests on her. Nothing about that seems shady.
Also, Wiley's brother is a grade A asshole. Poor baby, outliers are only girls, so he just wines and yells at his family. I don't feel sorry for him. I don't like him even just a little. And I don't think he's redeemable.
Wiley is very...easily manipulated. Which you think wouldn't be a thing considering everything that happened in the first book, but there you have it. She doesn't question anything she should. She makes horrible decisions. And she's just not very smart.
The only interesting character in this book is Jasper and he hardly gets any page time here.
But yes, I will be reading the third book to see how this ends because the premise is interesting. It's just the execution that's lacking.
godheadjones's review against another edition
3.0
i feel like this book was written in the wrong way. its a good book, but even though its supposed to be like a thriller, its not. its a little boring, for me. i read it really fast because ive noticed that this series goes fast, you can read the full series in a week. but it is boring, for a thriller. it was not written in the best way but the story is interesting
inliterarylove's review
5.0
Second in a trilogy, The Scattering continues to keep you on the edge of your seat with every page. Kimberly McCeight is honestly a master of suspense in this YA thriller. This book picks up right where The Outliers left off; There is no calm before the second storm. This time there are others. Do they know they are Outliers? At what length will Wylie go to save them all? Again trying to escape from this never ending nightmare, she is continuously having to question the motives of those around her, while learning to hone in and listen to her instincts. Wylie's only constant is Jasper, who is ridden with guilt over what happened to Cassie and dealing with his own demons. What will become of him, of them? The heart racing thrill never lets up, therefor you will not sleep until you get to the last page. And then McCreight will leave you begging for book 3.
I received a review copy of this book from the Great Thought's Ninja Review Team. All opinions are my own.
I received a review copy of this book from the Great Thought's Ninja Review Team. All opinions are my own.
kenziehutch5's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
jaclynsamara's review
I read this way faster than I thought I would, it was short & easy to read.
The shock value of this book is less than the first, 'The Outliers', or maybe it's just me being indifferent. But I didn't feel like I was on the edge of my seat. I didn't know what would happen but it felt safer at the very least.
The ending is intriguing..... this actually hooked me in for the third book.
Overall it is ok-ok.
The shock value of this book is less than the first, 'The Outliers', or maybe it's just me being indifferent. But I didn't feel like I was on the edge of my seat. I didn't know what would happen but it felt safer at the very least.
The ending is intriguing..... this actually hooked me in for the third book.
Overall it is ok-ok.
asteriahhh's review
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
itslaurensbookshelf's review
3.0
A solid second book! I loved the suspense and thrill of the first book. This one still had suspense and mystery but lacked a little bit of the thrill that the first one gave so much of. Overall I thought this was a great addition to the story and I liked the new conflict in this one. It wasn't too overdone and didn't make it seem like the author was trying hard to keep the story going. I liked the overall plot and look forward to the last book.
novelty_reads's review against another edition
1.0
I read the first book one year and three months ago. I really didn’t think that it was a good idea to read a thriller novels sequel so long after but it was alright because I found that I could easily read on from where I finished book 1 all those months ago where somebody texted Wylie “RUN” (yes, I remembered this cliff-hanger for a year don’t judge)
Obviously, there were some sketchy details that I forgot and were fuzzy in my mind’s eye but I got there in the end. Before I go on with the books synopsis I will just say that the thriller genre is one I don’t read that often. In fact, it is a genre that I barely read at all and yes, I can see why people read it (the thrill of it all and the tension and the suspense) but I just really don’t think that it is a genre that suits my personal tastes. Anyways so The Scattering takes off from where The Outliers finished with the text message that I mentioned earlier. Main character Wylie might have escaped the camp in Maine but she is far from safe from the people trying to hunt her down for her unique Outlier power where she has the ability to read people’s emotions. The plot thickens when Wylie discovers other girls just like her but is Wylie willing to help and save them?
I have a few things that I really hated about this book. By few I have to address 3 points
POINT ONE
There was no plot. Sure, things happened in this book I mean it’s a thriller. Things are supposed to happen and while this book failed in that department the author definitely made this book thick with suspense and tension. Kimberley McCreight has done a very good job at this she kept the reader at the edge of their seat with suspense but the plotline was just so weak that I just wanted to be over and done with the book as soon as possible which leads me to my second point as to why this was so.
POINT TWO
It was so far-fetched it was laughable. I just was screaming at every character. Like seriously if the characters didn’t make such stupid mistakes due to really stupid ideas then they wouldn’t have even been in the situation they are in in this book in the first place and that was what really annoyed me. That this whole situation in this book could’ve been avoided. I must admit book 1 was way worse with this far-fetched stuff I mean WHY WOULD YOU EVEN GO IN A STRANGERS CAR TO FIND YOUR FRIEND? SERIOUSLY I’M NOT SURPRISED THEY WEREN’T WHO THEY SAID THEY WERE BUT SERIOUSLY THAT IS A MASSIVE GIVEN! Also another issue I had was how no adults were looking out for them like THEIR KIDS ARE IN DANGER WHY ARE YOU DOING NOTHING ABOUT THIS? This just went against every single code in the parent handbook. Even if there is no parent handbook it is honestly COMMON SENSE TO PROTECT YOUR CHILD IT’S HUMAN INSTINCT AND NOBODY WAS TAKING CARE OF THE CHARACTERS JUST MAKES ME SO MAD! Also, please explain to me why the heck Wylie’s dad would leave the state 6 weeks after secret agents appear and try to kidnap your daughter! SERIOUSLY YOU ARE SUCH AN IRRESPONSIBLE PARENT ARE YOU SERIOUS! OF COURSE SHE THEN GOT ABDUCTED ARE YOU TRYING TO SAY YOU DID NOT SEE THIS COMING! AND THEN YOU TRY ACTING LIKE YOU CARE COMING BACK FROM WASHINGTON SHOCKED THAT YOUR DAUGHTER GOT TAKEN I got way too triggered but any sane person can see why I found this very annoying and infuriating.
POINT THREE
Jasper was going through serious depression. It was obvious and yet nobody noticed or dealt with it. Wylie didn’t even seem to care like yes, she checked up on him but she never actually asked how he was feeling even after she discovered the journey entries from Cassie’s diary. She just went on with her life AND THEN JASPER TRIED COMMITTING SUICIDE FROM JUMPING OFF A BRIDGE. Of course, it was tackled and yes Jasper talked to Wylie afterward but it was more like “Cool you tried committing suicide now can we focus on the issue that we need to save some girls from POTENTIALLY (the girls were never actually physically hurt. Wylie just thought something very wrong was going on) dangerous people. The only thing they did was start a fire but even that cannot be evidence against them because there is no proof they did it in the first place. But I hated how the whole suicide thing was pushed aside. I HAD FRIENDS WHO WENT THROUGH THIS (DEPRESSION/SUICIDAL THOUGHTS/TENDENCIES) AND I GOT REALLY TRIGGERED. Look if you have depression or suicidal thoughts PLEASE talk to someone. But I hated how it was portrayed here.
POINT FOUR
Characterisation. Yes, I know that I said there were only 3 points but I thought there was a fourth point that should’ve been made. I don’t know who Wylie is and this is a big problem considering I went through 2 books. Honestly the only thing I can say about her is that she has serious anxiety. I hated that as well it felt as if her mental health issue defined her. YOUR MENTAL HEALTH DOES NOT DEFINE YOU. I don’t know what she does to relax or what she enjoys doing. Does she like cooking? Does she draw? Does she like reading? Don’t look at me for answers. But I secretly despised her character I don’t blame her brother Gideon for hating her. YES I ACTUALLY SAID THAT.
Ugh! I had enough of this book I see why I waited a whole year and three months to read the sequel and look I’m not having a go at this book but there were just some things that didn’t agree with me. Please tell me if you think otherwise but remember this is my own personal opinion and you are completely entitled to your own.
ACTUAL RATING 1.4 STARS
Obviously, there were some sketchy details that I forgot and were fuzzy in my mind’s eye but I got there in the end. Before I go on with the books synopsis I will just say that the thriller genre is one I don’t read that often. In fact, it is a genre that I barely read at all and yes, I can see why people read it (the thrill of it all and the tension and the suspense) but I just really don’t think that it is a genre that suits my personal tastes. Anyways so The Scattering takes off from where The Outliers finished with the text message that I mentioned earlier. Main character Wylie might have escaped the camp in Maine but she is far from safe from the people trying to hunt her down for her unique Outlier power where she has the ability to read people’s emotions. The plot thickens when Wylie discovers other girls just like her but is Wylie willing to help and save them?
I have a few things that I really hated about this book. By few I have to address 3 points
POINT ONE
There was no plot. Sure, things happened in this book I mean it’s a thriller. Things are supposed to happen and while this book failed in that department the author definitely made this book thick with suspense and tension. Kimberley McCreight has done a very good job at this she kept the reader at the edge of their seat with suspense but the plotline was just so weak that I just wanted to be over and done with the book as soon as possible which leads me to my second point as to why this was so.
POINT TWO
It was so far-fetched it was laughable. I just was screaming at every character. Like seriously if the characters didn’t make such stupid mistakes due to really stupid ideas then they wouldn’t have even been in the situation they are in in this book in the first place and that was what really annoyed me. That this whole situation in this book could’ve been avoided. I must admit book 1 was way worse with this far-fetched stuff I mean WHY WOULD YOU EVEN GO IN A STRANGERS CAR TO FIND YOUR FRIEND? SERIOUSLY I’M NOT SURPRISED THEY WEREN’T WHO THEY SAID THEY WERE BUT SERIOUSLY THAT IS A MASSIVE GIVEN! Also another issue I had was how no adults were looking out for them like THEIR KIDS ARE IN DANGER WHY ARE YOU DOING NOTHING ABOUT THIS? This just went against every single code in the parent handbook. Even if there is no parent handbook it is honestly COMMON SENSE TO PROTECT YOUR CHILD IT’S HUMAN INSTINCT AND NOBODY WAS TAKING CARE OF THE CHARACTERS JUST MAKES ME SO MAD! Also, please explain to me why the heck Wylie’s dad would leave the state 6 weeks after secret agents appear and try to kidnap your daughter! SERIOUSLY YOU ARE SUCH AN IRRESPONSIBLE PARENT ARE YOU SERIOUS! OF COURSE SHE THEN GOT ABDUCTED ARE YOU TRYING TO SAY YOU DID NOT SEE THIS COMING! AND THEN YOU TRY ACTING LIKE YOU CARE COMING BACK FROM WASHINGTON SHOCKED THAT YOUR DAUGHTER GOT TAKEN I got way too triggered but any sane person can see why I found this very annoying and infuriating.
POINT THREE
Jasper was going through serious depression. It was obvious and yet nobody noticed or dealt with it. Wylie didn’t even seem to care like yes, she checked up on him but she never actually asked how he was feeling even after she discovered the journey entries from Cassie’s diary. She just went on with her life AND THEN JASPER TRIED COMMITTING SUICIDE FROM JUMPING OFF A BRIDGE. Of course, it was tackled and yes Jasper talked to Wylie afterward but it was more like “Cool you tried committing suicide now can we focus on the issue that we need to save some girls from POTENTIALLY (the girls were never actually physically hurt. Wylie just thought something very wrong was going on) dangerous people. The only thing they did was start a fire but even that cannot be evidence against them because there is no proof they did it in the first place. But I hated how the whole suicide thing was pushed aside. I HAD FRIENDS WHO WENT THROUGH THIS (DEPRESSION/SUICIDAL THOUGHTS/TENDENCIES) AND I GOT REALLY TRIGGERED. Look if you have depression or suicidal thoughts PLEASE talk to someone. But I hated how it was portrayed here.
POINT FOUR
Characterisation. Yes, I know that I said there were only 3 points but I thought there was a fourth point that should’ve been made. I don’t know who Wylie is and this is a big problem considering I went through 2 books. Honestly the only thing I can say about her is that she has serious anxiety. I hated that as well it felt as if her mental health issue defined her. YOUR MENTAL HEALTH DOES NOT DEFINE YOU. I don’t know what she does to relax or what she enjoys doing. Does she like cooking? Does she draw? Does she like reading? Don’t look at me for answers. But I secretly despised her character I don’t blame her brother Gideon for hating her. YES I ACTUALLY SAID THAT.
Ugh! I had enough of this book I see why I waited a whole year and three months to read the sequel and look I’m not having a go at this book but there were just some things that didn’t agree with me. Please tell me if you think otherwise but remember this is my own personal opinion and you are completely entitled to your own.
ACTUAL RATING 1.4 STARS
ljohnson130's review
3.0
This book continues on with Wylie and Jasper after Wylie had discovered that she is an Outlier in the previous book. In the aftermath of their adventure in Maine, Wylie's dad confesses that some people out there think that there is something wrong and unnatural about the Outliers, while he tries to get more funding to look into exactly what makes an Outlier so special. At the same time, Wylie's brother is jealous of her ability and Wylie starts to learn how to read people's emotions. This second addition continues their adventure as they try to combat people that do not fully understand what being an Outlier means.