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breakfastgrey's review
5.0
I love this book so much. It is pure joy in book form. From the first chapter through to the end, I was absolutely in love with these characters and this world. I smiled for 400 pages straight, even when things got sad. Everyone is just so profoundly amazing and decent all the time. People make mistakes and then they do what needs to be done to make it right. It's funny, it's heartwarming, it's one of the most charming books I've ever read. And it manages to build hype for a sequel while still feeling like a complete book in and of itself. I'm so in love with this book that I cannot sing its praises loud enough. If 2020 has you down, you need this book in your life.
lillanaa's review against another edition
5.0
I don't know why I kept passing this one up, it's probably one of my new favourites in the collection! Leaning more science fiction than fantasy, harkening on the idea of an infinite reality, this book is... Genuinely just fun. There's no world ending event, the "threats" here are surface level, and it just works.
This leaves room for the characters to just play in the space, and man are there a lot of great characters. Sal and Gabi make for extremely interesting protagonists, and although a lot of the other characters have some heavy absurdity to them they all make sense in this kind of a story. Yasmany stuck out to me as a really, really cool character despite a rocky start, and I'm excited because it sounds like he's going to be in the sequel.
I was looking for something fun and chill to read, and this didn't disappoint. I'm glad that there's at least one kids adventure book out there that doesn't feel like the apocalypse is going to start just because.
This leaves room for the characters to just play in the space, and man are there a lot of great characters. Sal and Gabi make for extremely interesting protagonists, and although a lot of the other characters have some heavy absurdity to them they all make sense in this kind of a story. Yasmany stuck out to me as a really, really cool character despite a rocky start, and I'm excited because it sounds like he's going to be in the sequel.
I was looking for something fun and chill to read, and this didn't disappoint. I'm glad that there's at least one kids adventure book out there that doesn't feel like the apocalypse is going to start just because.
evamadera1's review against another edition
4.0
(Same review for both books in the duology)
I loved this entry (both books in the duology) in the Rick Riordan Presents imprint. Interestingly, this duology does not include any type of mythology, typical of the books in this line. Instead, Hernandez leans into the near future sci-fil elements and the idea of the multiverse. Hernandez creates a loveable madcap main character in Sal as well as unique family structures; I still do not understand Gabi's family but that doesn't matter. This first book could stand on its own but Hernandez definitely builds enough into book one for book two to make complete sense. There's even potential for book three even though i do not think that Hernandez has plans to continue the series.
I loved this entry (both books in the duology) in the Rick Riordan Presents imprint. Interestingly, this duology does not include any type of mythology, typical of the books in this line. Instead, Hernandez leans into the near future sci-fil elements and the idea of the multiverse. Hernandez creates a loveable madcap main character in Sal as well as unique family structures; I still do not understand Gabi's family but that doesn't matter. This first book could stand on its own but Hernandez definitely builds enough into book one for book two to make complete sense. There's even potential for book three even though i do not think that Hernandez has plans to continue the series.
alyshadeshae's review against another edition
5.0
This one was different from the others from the Rick Riordan Presents imprint and it's awesome!!
The background world is just delightful. I especially loved the robots and Gabi's family.
I'm looking forward to the next book.
The background world is just delightful. I especially loved the robots and Gabi's family.
I'm looking forward to the next book.
nicolemhewitt's review against another edition
This is a very character-centric book, and the characters are wonderful! It's hard not to fall in love with Sal, an exceptionally emotionally precocious child, despite the fact that he's still trying to recover from the loss of his mother when he was a young child. He's also a practiced magician, and his magic adds a playful element to the book. Then there's Gabi, who's precocious in an entirely different way--she could win any debate with her logical mind and incredible intelligence. The book explores themes of love and loss and deep friendship.
My only complaint is that it's a bit light on plot, especially for a middle grade--I kept waiting for Sal and Gabi to ... break the universe or something. The title is deceiving because nothing bad ever really happens because of Sal's gift with multi-verses and he doesn't do all that much with his gift until the very end of the book (which was excellent and emotionally compelling). Also, the setting was a bit jarring (at 50% in there were suddenly androids and I was really thrown--wait, is this set in the future? I'm still not quite clear.) Still, there were lots of positives: great messages, tons of Cuban-American culture, a diabetic main character who helped us see what living with that condition is like. So, it will be a definite win if kids will stick it out.
***Disclosure: This book was provided to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given. All opinions are my own***
My only complaint is that it's a bit light on plot, especially for a middle grade--I kept waiting for Sal and Gabi to ... break the universe or something. The title is deceiving because nothing bad ever really happens because of Sal's gift with multi-verses and he doesn't do all that much with his gift until the very end of the book (which was excellent and emotionally compelling). Also, the setting was a bit jarring (at 50% in there were suddenly androids and I was really thrown--wait, is this set in the future? I'm still not quite clear.) Still, there were lots of positives: great messages, tons of Cuban-American culture, a diabetic main character who helped us see what living with that condition is like. So, it will be a definite win if kids will stick it out.
***Disclosure: This book was provided to me by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given. All opinions are my own***
mbohan's review against another edition
4.0
-Genuinely funny
-Unique concept
-Latine/LGBTQ representation (I loved Gabi's dads)
-It felt like not a lot happened...the book was mostly set-up to the sequel
-A bit longer than I think most kids would want to read, but could be good for an extended read aloud
-Unique concept
-Latine/LGBTQ representation (I loved Gabi's dads)
-It felt like not a lot happened...the book was mostly set-up to the sequel
-A bit longer than I think most kids would want to read, but could be good for an extended read aloud
readmoreyall's review
5.0
This book is so much fun. Giggles abound yet this book doesn’t shy away from grief or tough issues either. You’ll love it.
allysonbogie's review against another edition
2.0
I read this book out loud and it was exhausting to read aloud. It is incredibly wordy and it’s hard to understand why certain things are included. It seems like it should be edited to be about 1/3 the length. It requires a sophisticated reader but the topics and story are very middle grade, so I don’t understand who the audience is. Disappointing overall.
read_to_write's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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
5.0
showell's review against another edition
4.0
Wonderful story filled with joy, sadness, friendship, diverse family structures, and wonder.
Importantly for some of the students in my library there are also a couple of conversations in which Sal identifies as ace.
Importantly for some of the students in my library there are also a couple of conversations in which Sal identifies as ace.