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3.79 AVERAGE
3.79 AVERAGE
Love a good apocalyptic story- this one told from the perspective of teens who blame their parents' generation for the state of their deteriorating world.
Very quick read but with lots to unpack. Reminded me of high school reads like Lord of the Flies or Animal Farm because it's largely symbolic. An incisive allegory for living through the generational divide of living through climate change.
This turned out to be a one-day read. Astonishingly good. Holy moly. I hope to write a better review when I’m not speechless.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
What the hell did I just read??!!?? It started off okay with escaping crazy parents, then the storm, meeting a “small man” who saved them when they ran away. But then the world turned apocalyptic?? And things *kind of* followed biblical stories. But not really. And then there
Were angels and bad men and parents come, they don’t really do anything, then some woman shows up in a helicopter to save the day, sort of? They leave to a mansion, the parents go crazy and leave, then her brother gets sick. And end. WTH?? And the narrators voice was so so bad - it seemed as if she was telling it from a future date about the past. But she glossed over time. What should have reasonably only been a day or two for events were actually like a week or more? Why??? So confused. And bored. And just NO.
Were angels and bad men and parents come, they don’t really do anything, then some woman shows up in a helicopter to save the day, sort of? They leave to a mansion, the parents go crazy and leave, then her brother gets sick. And end. WTH?? And the narrators voice was so so bad - it seemed as if she was telling it from a future date about the past. But she glossed over time. What should have reasonably only been a day or two for events were actually like a week or more? Why??? So confused. And bored. And just NO.
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death
Moderate: Confinement, Drug use, Gun violence, Violence, Kidnapping, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury
dark
reflective
fast-paced
"I'd stare at the initials and feel alone. Even in the crowd.
The future flew past in a flash of grim. The clock was ticking, and I didn't like that clock.
Yes, it was known that we couldn't stay young. But it was hard to believe, somehow. Say what you like about us, our legs and arms were strong and streamlined. I realize that now. Our stomachs were taut and unwrinkled, our foreheads similar. When we ran, if we chose to, we ran like flashes of silk. We had the vigor of those freshly born.
Relatively speaking.
And no, we wouldn't be like this forever. We knew it, on a rational level."
"If you could be nothing, you could also be everything.
Once my molecules had dispersed, I would be here for-ever. Free.
Part of the timeless. The sky and the ocean would also be me.
Molecules never die, I thought."
The future flew past in a flash of grim. The clock was ticking, and I didn't like that clock.
Yes, it was known that we couldn't stay young. But it was hard to believe, somehow. Say what you like about us, our legs and arms were strong and streamlined. I realize that now. Our stomachs were taut and unwrinkled, our foreheads similar. When we ran, if we chose to, we ran like flashes of silk. We had the vigor of those freshly born.
Relatively speaking.
And no, we wouldn't be like this forever. We knew it, on a rational level."
"If you could be nothing, you could also be everything.
Once my molecules had dispersed, I would be here for-ever. Free.
Part of the timeless. The sky and the ocean would also be me.
Molecules never die, I thought."
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
This book was a 3 until the last two chapters. I’m still not convinced it was a 4, but it will definitely stay with me for a while. Chaotic, dystopian, and a disconcertingly believable prediction of our very near future. And yet, I’m left somehow hopeful?