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knallen's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed this book a lot. I wasn't sure I would. It's written in a series of diary entries to a friend. It started out a little slow but once it picked up, it did so rather quickly. It's got a zombie apocalypse feel to it without being a zombie book. It's always interesting to me how societies fail and how quickly they fail during something like a viral epidemic. This story is interesting because just when you think it's reached the end, it reverses and you've got half the story left. Enjoyable read.
claudia_marcela's review against another edition
3.0
Kaelyn intenta adaptarse a la vida de vuelta en su isla natal, después de un par de años viviendo en Toronto, pero muy pronto que le guste más ver documentales de animales o ir a observar una manada de coyotes que interactuar con sus compañeros de escuela deja de ser su principal preocupación.
~~~
Este es de los libros que lleva más tiempo en mi lista de pendientes. Y si no supiera que este libro fue publicado en 2012, pensaría que está inspirado en el COVID 2020. Afortunadamente, ha pasado el tiempo suficiente desde la etapa inicial de la pandemia, para que podamos leer esta historia sin sentir que estamos viendo las noticias.
Kaelyn está desesperada por encajar en su vieja escuela, pero cuando una de sus únicas dos amigas cae enferma y su padre doctor les prohíbe a su hermano y ella ir a la escuela, Kaelyn sabe que algo malo está sucediendo y muy pronto lo que parecía como un caso aislado deriva en una epidemia que ocasiona que la isla sea declarada en cuarentena por el gobierno y el continente cancele el viaje del ferry para mantener el contagio controlado. Y aunque reciben provisiones por helicóptero, muy pronto la desesperación se apodera de la isla.
A pesar de lo que sugiere la sinopsis, aquí no encontramos nada de enfrentamientos violentos por la supervivencia, ni un descenso a la locura de la población. Por medio de entradas de diario, Kaelyn narra pausadamente el progreso de la epidemia y la incertidumbre que asola a todos los que no saben cuándo terminará todo. Aunque es la hija del doctor-investigador principal del hospital local, ella no sabe más que el resto de la población, así que hace lo que puede con los recursos a su disposición, mientras intenta ayudar para no sentirse inútil. Así estrecha lazos con dos compañeros de su escuela, que a su manera ayudan a la población a salir adelante. Tessa, criando unas plántulas que tal vez tengan un componente que pueda ayudar a los enfermos, y Gav, que a pesar de la primera impresión de ser un maleante, en realidad ha creado una iniciativa para abastecer a las familias que están enfermas o temen salir de su casa. Pero no tenemos el privilegio de algunos capítulos narrados desde su punto de vista, y todas sus acciones las conocemos gracias a lo poco que sabe Kaelyn sobre ellos. También los "chicos malos" son simples anotaciones en su diario, en ningún momento parecen una amenaza real.
Los otros personajes secundarios: toda su familia, el mejor amigo de Gav, Warren y otro compañero de la escuela, Quentin, los vemos tan poco que casi no podemos sentir simpatía por ellos cuando les sucede algo.
Con los esfuerzos denodados de Kaelyn por ayudar a su padre a encontrar una cura, estudiando a los pacientes que lograron recuperarse, estaba segura que en las últimas páginas finalmente veríamos la vacuna y la recuperación milagrosa de los habitantes que quedaban... pero afortunadamente no fue así, y la autora eligió abordarlo de forma más realista, el inconveniente es que tiene un final abierto, que parece conducir directamente a una secuela más cargada de acción, ahora en el continente, a donde sí se extendió el contagio pese a todas las precauciones.
¿Qué Disfruté?
El recuento realista de una adolescente sobrepasada por las circunstancias, que no se rinde en tratar de ayudar, aunque no haya nada que pueda hacer.
¿Qué Prefiero Olvidar?
Resulta de lo más ingenuo que un par de adolescentes transporten de aquí para allá a los contagiados con la única protección de una mascarilla. Ya sabemos que esas no son 100 % efectivas.
Citas
Si no celebramos las cosas que van bien, ¿qué sentido tiene resistir?
Todos nos encontramos delante de un acantilado y para sobrevivir no se trata de ser el mejor ni el más listo. Se trata de perseverar tanto tiempo como podamos, de intentarlo, equivocarnos y volverlo a intentar, hasta estar un centímetro más cerca de superar la situación
Ahora entiendo mejor lo que quería decir Drew en septiembre, cuando afirmó que no tenía ningún sentido alejarnos del mundo para no correr peligro. Porque el resto del mundo es lo que hace que valga la pena vivir
~~~
Este es de los libros que lleva más tiempo en mi lista de pendientes. Y si no supiera que este libro fue publicado en 2012, pensaría que está inspirado en el COVID 2020. Afortunadamente, ha pasado el tiempo suficiente desde la etapa inicial de la pandemia, para que podamos leer esta historia sin sentir que estamos viendo las noticias.
Kaelyn está desesperada por encajar en su vieja escuela, pero cuando una de sus únicas dos amigas cae enferma y su padre doctor les prohíbe a su hermano y ella ir a la escuela, Kaelyn sabe que algo malo está sucediendo y muy pronto lo que parecía como un caso aislado deriva en una epidemia que ocasiona que la isla sea declarada en cuarentena por el gobierno y el continente cancele el viaje del ferry para mantener el contagio controlado. Y aunque reciben provisiones por helicóptero, muy pronto la desesperación se apodera de la isla.
A pesar de lo que sugiere la sinopsis, aquí no encontramos nada de enfrentamientos violentos por la supervivencia, ni un descenso a la locura de la población. Por medio de entradas de diario, Kaelyn narra pausadamente el progreso de la epidemia y la incertidumbre que asola a todos los que no saben cuándo terminará todo. Aunque es la hija del doctor-investigador principal del hospital local, ella no sabe más que el resto de la población, así que hace lo que puede con los recursos a su disposición, mientras intenta ayudar para no sentirse inútil. Así estrecha lazos con dos compañeros de su escuela, que a su manera ayudan a la población a salir adelante. Tessa, criando unas plántulas que tal vez tengan un componente que pueda ayudar a los enfermos, y Gav, que a pesar de la primera impresión de ser un maleante, en realidad ha creado una iniciativa para abastecer a las familias que están enfermas o temen salir de su casa. Pero no tenemos el privilegio de algunos capítulos narrados desde su punto de vista, y todas sus acciones las conocemos gracias a lo poco que sabe Kaelyn sobre ellos. También los "chicos malos" son simples anotaciones en su diario, en ningún momento parecen una amenaza real.
Los otros personajes secundarios: toda su familia, el mejor amigo de Gav, Warren y otro compañero de la escuela, Quentin, los vemos tan poco que casi no podemos sentir simpatía por ellos cuando les sucede algo.
Con los esfuerzos denodados de Kaelyn por ayudar a su padre a encontrar una cura, estudiando a los pacientes que lograron recuperarse, estaba segura que en las últimas páginas finalmente veríamos la vacuna y la recuperación milagrosa de los habitantes que quedaban... pero afortunadamente no fue así, y la autora eligió abordarlo de forma más realista, el inconveniente es que tiene un final abierto, que parece conducir directamente a una secuela más cargada de acción, ahora en el continente, a donde sí se extendió el contagio pese a todas las precauciones.
¿Qué Disfruté?
El recuento realista de una adolescente sobrepasada por las circunstancias, que no se rinde en tratar de ayudar, aunque no haya nada que pueda hacer.
¿Qué Prefiero Olvidar?
Resulta de lo más ingenuo que un par de adolescentes transporten de aquí para allá a los contagiados con la única protección de una mascarilla. Ya sabemos que esas no son 100 % efectivas.
Citas
Si no celebramos las cosas que van bien, ¿qué sentido tiene resistir?
Todos nos encontramos delante de un acantilado y para sobrevivir no se trata de ser el mejor ni el más listo. Se trata de perseverar tanto tiempo como podamos, de intentarlo, equivocarnos y volverlo a intentar, hasta estar un centímetro más cerca de superar la situación
Ahora entiendo mejor lo que quería decir Drew en septiembre, cuando afirmó que no tenía ningún sentido alejarnos del mundo para no correr peligro. Porque el resto del mundo es lo que hace que valga la pena vivir
itsme_lori's review against another edition
4.0
Can I start off a review by talking about the ending? I'm going to because what was that ending?! I realize this book is part of a trilogy and the story must continue but that ending is one of the biggest non-endings of a book ever. It is crazy. And not because a ton of stuff is happening or anything, there is just a mention of something and that's it. The end. But there is so much more there! I need answers! So I guess I need to read the next book, The Lives We Lost. I just sometimes wish that I could go into a second book not because there are no answers in the first book but because I want to read more about the story.
Now onto the rest of the book. I actually really enjoyed the story and the progression of events and how everything falls apart. As far as YA science-fiction, I thought it was pretty well done. The disease is scary and the quarantine put on the island felt like something that could really happen. So far, this felt just science-fiction-y and not dystopian or post-apocolyptic to me. I'm not sure what the rest of the story will hold in terms of how the government is involved with the disease and island or if the disease has spread and affected more of the world. But for now, since we don't really have any answers to those, I'm calling it science-fiction.
I liked Kaelyn as an MC and her journal as a way to document the events. I enjoyed getting to see the actual dates and time that passed rather than just a seasonal reference here and there. I liked the internal monologue we got to see and the progression of her thoughts and feelings as the disease and quarantine continued. Her hopes changed, her actions changed, and the way she thought changed. It's scary to think about something so deadly coming on so quickly. What would you do? Go out and risk getting sick by helping other people and your community when it seems no one else will? Or would you lock yourself and family away from the rest of the community in hopes that you could survive until a cure was found? What would you do if someone you loved got sick? How do you watch someone you love deteriorate so quickly, knowing there is nothing you can do? The emotions really drive this book, much more than action.
In the end, I'm giving The Way We Fall 4 stars. I really enjoyed the book, the characters, the progression of the disease and the breakdown of the community, and the emotions of the book. But I just didn't completely fall in love with it. It felt a little bit distant, I was never completely engrossed in the story. I'm excited to move onto The Lives We Lost and get some answers about what is happening at the end of this book. I think this one sets up well for the rest of the trilogy and I'm excited to see which direction the story goes. I'm hopeful for Kaelyn and Tessa and Leo and Gav. If you're a fan of science-fiction and enjoy a book driven more by emotions than non-stop action, give The Way We Fall a try. I think you'll enjoy it!
Now onto the rest of the book. I actually really enjoyed the story and the progression of events and how everything falls apart. As far as YA science-fiction, I thought it was pretty well done. The disease is scary and the quarantine put on the island felt like something that could really happen. So far, this felt just science-fiction-y and not dystopian or post-apocolyptic to me. I'm not sure what the rest of the story will hold in terms of how the government is involved with the disease and island or if the disease has spread and affected more of the world. But for now, since we don't really have any answers to those, I'm calling it science-fiction.
I liked Kaelyn as an MC and her journal as a way to document the events. I enjoyed getting to see the actual dates and time that passed rather than just a seasonal reference here and there. I liked the internal monologue we got to see and the progression of her thoughts and feelings as the disease and quarantine continued. Her hopes changed, her actions changed, and the way she thought changed. It's scary to think about something so deadly coming on so quickly. What would you do? Go out and risk getting sick by helping other people and your community when it seems no one else will? Or would you lock yourself and family away from the rest of the community in hopes that you could survive until a cure was found? What would you do if someone you loved got sick? How do you watch someone you love deteriorate so quickly, knowing there is nothing you can do? The emotions really drive this book, much more than action.
In the end, I'm giving The Way We Fall 4 stars. I really enjoyed the book, the characters, the progression of the disease and the breakdown of the community, and the emotions of the book. But I just didn't completely fall in love with it. It felt a little bit distant, I was never completely engrossed in the story. I'm excited to move onto The Lives We Lost and get some answers about what is happening at the end of this book. I think this one sets up well for the rest of the trilogy and I'm excited to see which direction the story goes. I'm hopeful for Kaelyn and Tessa and Leo and Gav. If you're a fan of science-fiction and enjoy a book driven more by emotions than non-stop action, give The Way We Fall a try. I think you'll enjoy it!
bstaats's review against another edition
4.0
Guys, The Way We Fall gave me SHIVERS. Actual shivers up my spine while I was reading it! I loved that this was such a terrifying book, yet in a very subtle way. There's nothing "out of this world" crazy in TWWF, and that's what makes it so frightfully disturbing.
Reasons to Read:
1.Journal narrative:
I've mentioned before that I rarely like journal entries as a format for a novel; I'm VERY picky about its use. But the use of it was impeccable here; it suited the story and was an excellent way to tell the events taking place. I loved that Megan gave Kaelyn a reason to be writing in a journal, and it definitely added to the suspense of the story since we only know what's happening when Kaelyn writes in it. :)
2.A simple story:
That may sound like a bad thing but it isn't. I found it positively refreshing that there wasn't anything overly gimmicky or over the top in this story. Instead, it relies on real life circumstances and terrors that affect us now; the ideas of biological weapons and contagious viruses are ones we're readily familiar with as a societ, and Megan uses that to draw her readers into this life-like story. It's just so similar to our own lives that it's easy to see it happening... I was kinda jumpy whenever someone so much as sneezed near me for about a week after reading!
3.Standalone in a series:
I know we're seeing a lot of series coming out right now, and while TWWF is the first in a trilogy it actually wasn't always that way. But I really enjoy that this easily reads as if it was a standalone, although you'll be begging for more by the end of it! Without any crazy cliffhangers or a story that just drags on to make room for a sequel though, this makes a rather enjoyable read. But you'll still be wanting more!
I'm really excited for the sequel just to get more answered and see more of the outside world! Plus, I'm hoping we get some more insight to this virus. There really is a lot that can be done with the characters too, since so many things changed throughout the course of TWWF.
Signed copy purchased at Megan's book launch.
Reasons to Read:
1.Journal narrative:
I've mentioned before that I rarely like journal entries as a format for a novel; I'm VERY picky about its use. But the use of it was impeccable here; it suited the story and was an excellent way to tell the events taking place. I loved that Megan gave Kaelyn a reason to be writing in a journal, and it definitely added to the suspense of the story since we only know what's happening when Kaelyn writes in it. :)
2.A simple story:
That may sound like a bad thing but it isn't. I found it positively refreshing that there wasn't anything overly gimmicky or over the top in this story. Instead, it relies on real life circumstances and terrors that affect us now; the ideas of biological weapons and contagious viruses are ones we're readily familiar with as a societ, and Megan uses that to draw her readers into this life-like story. It's just so similar to our own lives that it's easy to see it happening... I was kinda jumpy whenever someone so much as sneezed near me for about a week after reading!
3.Standalone in a series:
I know we're seeing a lot of series coming out right now, and while TWWF is the first in a trilogy it actually wasn't always that way. But I really enjoy that this easily reads as if it was a standalone, although you'll be begging for more by the end of it! Without any crazy cliffhangers or a story that just drags on to make room for a sequel though, this makes a rather enjoyable read. But you'll still be wanting more!
I'm really excited for the sequel just to get more answered and see more of the outside world! Plus, I'm hoping we get some more insight to this virus. There really is a lot that can be done with the characters too, since so many things changed throughout the course of TWWF.
Signed copy purchased at Megan's book launch.
staceynerdin's review against another edition
2.0
This one was a little "meh" for me. I see it's the first of a proposed trilogy. After finishing this one, I'm not really sure there's 2 more books worth of stuff I want to know. Here's a link to my full review: http://treerootandtwig.com/2012/01/30/book-review-fall-megan-crewe/
acidraineburns's review against another edition
5.0
I admit, since I first read Speak, books written in the form of journal entries have had a special place in my heart. Even though it only gives the main character's POV of the other characters, there is something unique about the reading experience. When I discovered that The Way We Fall was written in a series of journal entries, I was pretty excited.
The book starts with Kaelyn writing in a journal to her best friend, Leo. After a fight, he left the island for a private boarding school in New York. Unsure whether she will be able to bring herself to talk to him when he returns for the holidays, she has decided to start writing in the journal as a pseudo catharsis. However, a strange virus hits the island, people start dying, and the Canadian government puts the island under a strict quarantine. Kaelyn sets out to chronicle everything that is happening. She hopes that—if Leo is able to return to the island—her journal will be able to tell him everything that has happened since the virus started.
When I could pull myself away from Resident Evil and knitting, I had a hard time putting this book down. It was extremely engaging, well written, and also heartbreaking. I loved how raw Kaelyn was in her journal entries. She was a very sympathetic character, and she was really easy to feel connected to. Even though the audience only sees the other characters through her eyes, the author did a wonderful job balancing how Kaelyn perceives them and who they truly are outside of her perceptions.
At some level, it would have been nice if there had been a little more gang activity. However, it is quite possible that there wasn't more because Kaelyn didn't spend a ton of time outside of the house or away from the hospital. That being said, the reasoning behind burning down houses and buildings was very interesting. Usually, it appears as though the gangs of people are just out for meaningless destruction. Crewe did a wonderful job of focusing their anxiety.
The love interest was wonderful. Considering that it was exceptionally horrible timing, Crewe was able to write in such a way that everything was still innocent and sweet. In a lot of ways, the fragile, budding romance was one of Kaelyn's greatest joys.
This is an excellent book following the outbreak of some unknown virus and human nature. It also shows the depth of character that some people are able to find during such trying times. The next book comes out February 12, 2013!
The book starts with Kaelyn writing in a journal to her best friend, Leo. After a fight, he left the island for a private boarding school in New York. Unsure whether she will be able to bring herself to talk to him when he returns for the holidays, she has decided to start writing in the journal as a pseudo catharsis. However, a strange virus hits the island, people start dying, and the Canadian government puts the island under a strict quarantine. Kaelyn sets out to chronicle everything that is happening. She hopes that—if Leo is able to return to the island—her journal will be able to tell him everything that has happened since the virus started.
When I could pull myself away from Resident Evil and knitting, I had a hard time putting this book down. It was extremely engaging, well written, and also heartbreaking. I loved how raw Kaelyn was in her journal entries. She was a very sympathetic character, and she was really easy to feel connected to. Even though the audience only sees the other characters through her eyes, the author did a wonderful job balancing how Kaelyn perceives them and who they truly are outside of her perceptions.
At some level, it would have been nice if there had been a little more gang activity. However, it is quite possible that there wasn't more because Kaelyn didn't spend a ton of time outside of the house or away from the hospital. That being said, the reasoning behind burning down houses and buildings was very interesting. Usually, it appears as though the gangs of people are just out for meaningless destruction. Crewe did a wonderful job of focusing their anxiety.
The love interest was wonderful. Considering that it was exceptionally horrible timing, Crewe was able to write in such a way that everything was still innocent and sweet. In a lot of ways, the fragile, budding romance was one of Kaelyn's greatest joys.
This is an excellent book following the outbreak of some unknown virus and human nature. It also shows the depth of character that some people are able to find during such trying times. The next book comes out February 12, 2013!
rbexsareads's review against another edition
5.0
An amazing novel. The journal format works well with the suspense. It's apparently the first in a trilogy, so I'm glad that it feels like it could stand alone. Those are always the better ones in my opinion. My heart is torn between pounding and aching, but it's all good because the good ones leave you that way. Feeling.
wordnerdy's review against another edition
3.0
http://wordnerdy.blogspot.com/2012/02/2012-book-56.html