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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
I really enjoyed the mental health awareness this book brought to the table but I did have some issues with it. People with bipolar disorder almost always attempt suicide when they are in a manic stage NOT a depressive stage. Stage one bipolar disorder also manifests itself very early on if it is a strong hereditary link so I don't understand why Echo would be concerned for symptoms to show at such an old age. The only other thing that bothered me was the intense drama of their high school.
This had a lot of language for a "teen" book ... but I guess it's probably not unlike what kids hear in the hallways at school. Sans the language, it is probably something I would have swooned over as a teen myself. I was always drawn to sad stories of child/teen struggles, perhaps because it was so different from my pretty much perfect life. Now ... I think I like to escape more into reading, and contemporary/realistic stuff is a little too real (when it's dealing with difficult issues). I think I prefer the paranormal, dystopian, fantastical... that while it can still get gritty, is so removed from reality that I don't get dragged down.
I did like the story, I did get emotionally involved. While "realistic", there were many times I doubted the realism (would that really happen? Noah's sudden change, Mrs. Collins being EVERYWHERE and all knowing, Noah's negative foster experience contrasted with the idealistic foster experience of his brothers) but I didn't really delve too deep. I felt it got a little repetitive, with Noah referring to Echo as his "siren" over and over (and over) ... had to roll my eyes some. Echo's statement of "Luke used to give me butterflies. Noah spawned mutant pterodactyls." was super cute the first time, but then when she referred to the pterodactyls in her tummy again (and again)it lost the uniqueness.
I do have the second book waiting from Netgalley, so I will be reading it before jumping back into the paranormal.
I did like the story, I did get emotionally involved. While "realistic", there were many times I doubted the realism (would that really happen? Noah's sudden change, Mrs. Collins being EVERYWHERE and all knowing, Noah's negative foster experience contrasted with the idealistic foster experience of his brothers) but I didn't really delve too deep. I felt it got a little repetitive, with Noah referring to Echo as his "siren" over and over (and over) ... had to roll my eyes some. Echo's statement of "Luke used to give me butterflies. Noah spawned mutant pterodactyls." was super cute the first time, but then when she referred to the pterodactyls in her tummy again (and again)it lost the uniqueness.
I do have the second book waiting from Netgalley, so I will be reading it before jumping back into the paranormal.
In Pushing The Limits we have Echo, a girl who went from popular and hottest guy's girlfriend to 'freaky suicide', going straight to the college class of losers - and single. It doesn't help the fact that someday she appeared with scars on her arm because of an accident she don't remember, and that is why she has consultations with therapist. And it is in the waiting room of therapist that she meets Noah - really meets, because after attending the same school and have some classes together they had never spoken.
Noah is the bad guy in school and despite not being the group of popular, he IS popular with girls. But it is only one night stand, he isn't looking for relationships or love. The only people he really cares about is his two friends - Beth and Isaiah - and his younger brothers, who are in a foster home after the death of their parents.
When I started reading, I thought Echo would be the main character, but I was wrong. The truth is that we have two central characters. Echo and Noah, because they divide the chapters of the book, each chapter is told from the perspective of one of them. I really enjoyed this, I'm a fan of books that show the point of view from more then one character. So I can understand and know what they are thinking and feeling.
And that's what happened, I had relationship with both characters. Understanding and realizing when both of them took every decision, feeling grief and laughing when something funny happened.
The romance is also very beautiful and natural, not love at first sight. The chemistry between them is undeniable, but the relationship has evolved bit by bit, as it should be. And together they were stronger to face life and they problems.
I really loved Pushing The Limits, the plot is very good - and real - the characters are well developed - even the supporting characters and mainly, thetherapist - and the writing of Katie McGarry is also amazing. The plot has some points that should be hard, but the author did not a tense writing. On the contrary, she was skilled enough to write about strong issues without maken a heavy book.
This is the kind of YA that has romance, and real-life issues that anyone could be going through. It is very easy to connect with the characters and cheer for them. Another great book I read this year, no doubt!
Noah is the bad guy in school and despite not being the group of popular, he IS popular with girls. But it is only one night stand, he isn't looking for relationships or love. The only people he really cares about is his two friends - Beth and Isaiah - and his younger brothers, who are in a foster home after the death of their parents.
When I started reading, I thought Echo would be the main character, but I was wrong. The truth is that we have two central characters. Echo and Noah, because they divide the chapters of the book, each chapter is told from the perspective of one of them. I really enjoyed this, I'm a fan of books that show the point of view from more then one character. So I can understand and know what they are thinking and feeling.
And that's what happened, I had relationship with both characters. Understanding and realizing when both of them took every decision, feeling grief and laughing when something funny happened.
The romance is also very beautiful and natural, not love at first sight. The chemistry between them is undeniable, but the relationship has evolved bit by bit, as it should be. And together they were stronger to face life and they problems.
I really loved Pushing The Limits, the plot is very good - and real - the characters are well developed - even the supporting characters and mainly, thetherapist - and the writing of Katie McGarry is also amazing. The plot has some points that should be hard, but the author did not a tense writing. On the contrary, she was skilled enough to write about strong issues without maken a heavy book.
This is the kind of YA that has romance, and real-life issues that anyone could be going through. It is very easy to connect with the characters and cheer for them. Another great book I read this year, no doubt!
It was an easy enough book to read but I realised about half way through that I wasn't enjoying it all that much. I was almost constantly annoyed by the characters for various different reasons. The writing style was very simple and in some places cliched. It was a good book for reading last thing at night so I didn't have to think much but past that there wasn't much to it.
En svag fyra. Jag tyckte mycket om kemin mellan Echo och Noah i början. Sedan blev den ganska tråkig, det kändes lite som att inget hände, och jag brydde mig inte om deras senare episoder. Jag tyckte mycket om att det var så mycket fokus på familjerelationer! Ibland störde jag mig på författarens språk. Intressant "mysterie" kring Echo.
Okay, so I'm looking at all these amazing reviews and I'm sitting here like..."Did we read the same book?"
Maybe I'm just a picky reader. Maybe this book really wasn't as awesome as people made it out to be. Don't get me wrong, it was okay, and I liked it just fine. But there were MULTIPLE places where I cringed, rolled my eyes, sighed,huffed and generally just got annoyed with all the characters. ALL the characters.
Seriously. Not a single on appealed to me on any level. I might have had moments where I was like "okay, I admire that, but still....nope. I don't like you."
Before I move onto anything else though, let me just say: I figured out the general premises of this book on page 17. That's right folks. SEVENTEEN. This book which is 392 pages long, and I'd figured out the general idea of the whole thing in about 5 minutes. *sigh* Let's just pretend I read too much and have figured out many story plots, but here's the thing. Having a book where your whole idea is anti-social girl and anti-social boy hook you is NOT really that original. Do something else. Seriously.
Okay, now that THAT is out of the way, I'll move back to the characters. Slight spoilers ahead. Sooo....
Echo: Ah, yes Echo. I can't really say I hated her much, but I also can't say I related to her. I get it. Her family life sucked and no one was telling her stuff she wanted to know. But you.....girl you're a damn pushover. The BIGGEST ONE I HAVE EVER SEEN. Holy shit. Are you for real? If her father asked her to dance a tango on the empire state building for the betterment of her future, I bet you a thousand dollars that she would have done it. I know she improves by the end....but no no no no no no no NOOOO!!! *sigh* Moving on.
Noah: Okay....he's the ONLY character where I approved of some of his choices. Some. Like very few. I liked how hard he fought for his brothers. When imagining myself in his spot, I would have gone to hell and back to have my sister back. I would have fought tooth and nail and by god, I'd rather die than leave someone I love with someone I don't trust. Did I like the way he went about it? No. Stealing a file was clearly NOT the right idea. In the end I think he did make the right choice, but WOAH! It was so rushed and quick. Like "hey, I've spent the past 3 years of my life hating you, and wanting my brothers back, and you've kept them from me for 3 years, but now that I know that you have scar tissue I'll give them up." NO. JUST NO. I would have struck a deal with that couple. I would be like "if you even THINK about adopting them, I will have them sprung from here faster than you can say Bye. Instead, you can keep them for now. Make yourself a fake family, but their last name stays the same. When I graduate from college, and land a solid job, I will profusely thank you and ask you to find some other child in need and help them. You will be granted all the visiting rights in the world, but OVER MY DEAD BODY WILL THEY BECOME YOUR OFFICIAL CHILDREN." Call me possessive but if my last living family members became part of another family it would kill me. Kill me.
Echo's Dad: I'm gonna get ulcers if I talk about this man. He is 100% selfish. I don't care what everyone says, he hid the truth from Echo because he was ashamed of himself. And he should be. He should have told her the truth from the start. Also, the same thing about a rushed ending. Echo just forgives him. How? How do you just forgive a man who has been oppressing you and lying to you for so many years. Nope.
Ashley: She gives me ulcers too. I know she's not trying to be rude, but she comes off as rude. Telling Echo to cover her scars is a total bitch move.
The Foster Couple: Are all the adults in this story besides the counselor stupid? Did they honestly think that they could keep Noah away from his brothers and he'd be okay with it? Did they not think about this brothers? What they would feel like when they were not allowed to meet him? Jeez.
The Counselor: I admit I liked her. I really did. That's all.
Okay well. I could keep ranting about this, but really I don't want to bore everyone. It's a typical angsty novel. Read it if you want. Don't read it if you want. I personally wouldn't. I WISH I'D READ SOMETHING ELSE WITH MY TIME.
Okay that's all.
Maybe I'm just a picky reader. Maybe this book really wasn't as awesome as people made it out to be. Don't get me wrong, it was okay, and I liked it just fine. But there were MULTIPLE places where I cringed, rolled my eyes, sighed,huffed and generally just got annoyed with all the characters. ALL the characters.
Seriously. Not a single on appealed to me on any level. I might have had moments where I was like "okay, I admire that, but still....nope. I don't like you."
Before I move onto anything else though, let me just say: I figured out the general premises of this book on page 17. That's right folks. SEVENTEEN. This book which is 392 pages long, and I'd figured out the general idea of the whole thing in about 5 minutes. *sigh* Let's just pretend I read too much and have figured out many story plots, but here's the thing. Having a book where your whole idea is anti-social girl and anti-social boy hook you is NOT really that original. Do something else. Seriously.
Okay, now that THAT is out of the way, I'll move back to the characters. Slight spoilers ahead. Sooo....
Spoiler
Echo: Ah, yes Echo. I can't really say I hated her much, but I also can't say I related to her. I get it. Her family life sucked and no one was telling her stuff she wanted to know. But you.....girl you're a damn pushover. The BIGGEST ONE I HAVE EVER SEEN. Holy shit. Are you for real? If her father asked her to dance a tango on the empire state building for the betterment of her future, I bet you a thousand dollars that she would have done it. I know she improves by the end....but no no no no no no no NOOOO!!! *sigh* Moving on.
Noah: Okay....he's the ONLY character where I approved of some of his choices. Some. Like very few. I liked how hard he fought for his brothers. When imagining myself in his spot, I would have gone to hell and back to have my sister back. I would have fought tooth and nail and by god, I'd rather die than leave someone I love with someone I don't trust. Did I like the way he went about it? No. Stealing a file was clearly NOT the right idea. In the end I think he did make the right choice, but WOAH! It was so rushed and quick. Like "hey, I've spent the past 3 years of my life hating you, and wanting my brothers back, and you've kept them from me for 3 years, but now that I know that you have scar tissue I'll give them up." NO. JUST NO. I would have struck a deal with that couple. I would be like "if you even THINK about adopting them, I will have them sprung from here faster than you can say Bye. Instead, you can keep them for now. Make yourself a fake family, but their last name stays the same. When I graduate from college, and land a solid job, I will profusely thank you and ask you to find some other child in need and help them. You will be granted all the visiting rights in the world, but OVER MY DEAD BODY WILL THEY BECOME YOUR OFFICIAL CHILDREN." Call me possessive but if my last living family members became part of another family it would kill me. Kill me.
Echo's Dad: I'm gonna get ulcers if I talk about this man. He is 100% selfish. I don't care what everyone says, he hid the truth from Echo because he was ashamed of himself. And he should be. He should have told her the truth from the start. Also, the same thing about a rushed ending. Echo just forgives him. How? How do you just forgive a man who has been oppressing you and lying to you for so many years. Nope.
Ashley: She gives me ulcers too. I know she's not trying to be rude, but she comes off as rude. Telling Echo to cover her scars is a total bitch move.
The Foster Couple: Are all the adults in this story besides the counselor stupid? Did they honestly think that they could keep Noah away from his brothers and he'd be okay with it? Did they not think about this brothers? What they would feel like when they were not allowed to meet him? Jeez.
The Counselor: I admit I liked her. I really did. That's all.
Okay well. I could keep ranting about this, but really I don't want to bore everyone. It's a typical angsty novel. Read it if you want. Don't read it if you want. I personally wouldn't. I WISH I'D READ SOMETHING ELSE WITH MY TIME.
Okay that's all.
Pushing The Limits fue un libro que amé demasiado, la forma en que Echo y Noah maduraron a lo largo del libro me encantó y la forma en que ambos resolvieron sus problemas y conflictos.
That was an amazing contemporary. I can't wait to read more Katy McGarry!
Ugh. Don't know how to feel about this one. Some parts I liked and some I didn't.
I was hooked from the first chapters, wanting to know more about Echo and Noah. But then it went up and down from wanting to know what else would happen to wanting the story to hurry up and finish.
I guess I liked Noah and Echo as characters, they grew on me. And at parts I was really rooting for them to get together and work things out. But things were so rushed between them. They went from hate to love so quickly
They did have great best friends. Lila and Isaiah were loveable to me, they stuck by Noah and Echo when they really needed them. But Beth...oh Beth. She wasn't my cup of tea. And the next book is about her so maybe I might change my mind about her if I decide to read it.
But every page that involved Noah's brothers were my favourite. He really cared for those two and his not being with them did make my heart ache but I just wanted to shake Noah and get him to realise why he was apart from them.
And I think the Echo family drama was done well, that was interesting to read.
So I have to give it 3 stars because I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it either.
And there's only so many times you can call someone "baby" before it gets on your nerves.
I was hooked from the first chapters, wanting to know more about Echo and Noah. But then it went up and down from wanting to know what else would happen to wanting the story to hurry up and finish.
I guess I liked Noah and Echo as characters, they grew on me. And at parts I was really rooting for them to get together and work things out.
They did have great best friends. Lila and Isaiah were loveable to me, they stuck by Noah and Echo when they really needed them. But Beth...oh Beth. She wasn't my cup of tea. And the next book is about her so maybe I might change my mind about her if I decide to read it.
But every page that involved Noah's brothers were my favourite. He really cared for those two and his not being with them did make my heart ache but I just wanted to shake Noah and get him to realise why he was apart from them.
And I think the Echo family drama was done well, that was interesting to read.
So I have to give it 3 stars because I didn't hate it, but I didn't love it either.
And there's only so many times you can call someone "baby" before it gets on your nerves.