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3.95 AVERAGE
3.95 AVERAGE
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm not ready to give this any stars yet, because I need to digest my feelings. I'll be honest and say that I didn't enjoy it. I didn't, not at all. There were a couple of things that I really did love (Noah and his brothers), but more that I honestly hated (the demonization of Echo's mother without many relevant facts until it was too late - I'd have liked to see her characterized as something other than 'crazy' because of her illness). But it made me feel things and I can't be harsh about it for that. I was completely sobbing when I finished it, and it's been a long time since a book made me cry that hard. If I'm able to come up with something more coherent, I'll share it.
ETA: Full review
I have never, ever been more conflicted about a book. I hated it, I didn't hate it...my emotions were all over the place. I think the only one I didn't experience was love. I didn't love this book at any point. I'm going to try to tell you why.
First of all, I'll be honest and say that I didn't enjoy it. I didn't, not at all. There were a couple of things that I really did like (Noah and his brothers), but more that I honestly hated (Echo; the demonization of Echo's mother without many relevant facts until it was too late - I'd have liked to see her characterized as something other than 'crazy' because of her illness).
First of all, let's talk about Noah. He's your consummate bad boy, meaning that he skips school, sleeps with anything with a skirt, does drugs, gets into trouble. He's in foster care after his parents died in a house fire. He's rough (very rough), but also vulnerable. He spends a lot of time trying to convince the reader that he is NOT vulnerable and is really that tough, but he was pretty transparent. Odd, since I feel like I wasn't supposed to like him for at least half of the book. It was really easy for me to see past the bad-boy exterior to the hurting boy inside. I didn't appreciate the constant barrage of f-words though, and that does make a difference in my overall feelings about the book. Can't lie about that.
I liked how passionate he was about being a family with his brothers and how he was willing to do just about anything to make that happen. He was everything a big brother should be...everything minus all the trouble part, which keeps him from actually being more than a vague presence in their lives.
On to Echo: our heroine, whom we're supposed to immediately love and sympathize with. I didn't. Not ever. I found her to be flat, one-dimensional, and annoying. I felt nothing positive for her. Sure, I felt bad that she experienced that horrible trauma, but other than that? No insight on who she was before, no growth, nothing. I couldn't wait to get through her sections and back to Noah, f-words aside.
I also felt like we saw a very one-sided view of Echo's mother. I understand why, but was it necessary to deem her 'crazy' rather than point out all along that she was mentally ill? There's a difference. Being bipolar doesn't make one a homicidal maniac, which it seemed like was happening here. Now, to be fair, we are reading about her from Echo and her dad's points of view, which are going to be understandably skewed. But still. I didn't feel like it was a very fair overall treatment of an illness. There has to be a way to honor Echo's perspective (and her dad's, even though he was a complete DB) without demonizing a sick woman.
But it made me feel things and I can't be too harsh about it for that. I was completely sobbing when I finished it, and it's been a long time since a book made me cry that hard.
All in all, I don't feel like I can fairly assign this book any sort of rating. It definitely wasn't for me, so it's one that you're going to have to read for yourself and decide if it's for you.
Content Advisory:
Language: Extreme
Sexuality: Heavy
Violence: Moderate (mentioned)
ETA: Full review
I have never, ever been more conflicted about a book. I hated it, I didn't hate it...my emotions were all over the place. I think the only one I didn't experience was love. I didn't love this book at any point. I'm going to try to tell you why.
First of all, I'll be honest and say that I didn't enjoy it. I didn't, not at all. There were a couple of things that I really did like (Noah and his brothers), but more that I honestly hated (Echo; the demonization of Echo's mother without many relevant facts until it was too late - I'd have liked to see her characterized as something other than 'crazy' because of her illness).
First of all, let's talk about Noah. He's your consummate bad boy, meaning that he skips school, sleeps with anything with a skirt, does drugs, gets into trouble. He's in foster care after his parents died in a house fire. He's rough (very rough), but also vulnerable. He spends a lot of time trying to convince the reader that he is NOT vulnerable and is really that tough, but he was pretty transparent. Odd, since I feel like I wasn't supposed to like him for at least half of the book. It was really easy for me to see past the bad-boy exterior to the hurting boy inside. I didn't appreciate the constant barrage of f-words though, and that does make a difference in my overall feelings about the book. Can't lie about that.
I liked how passionate he was about being a family with his brothers and how he was willing to do just about anything to make that happen. He was everything a big brother should be...everything minus all the trouble part, which keeps him from actually being more than a vague presence in their lives.
On to Echo: our heroine, whom we're supposed to immediately love and sympathize with. I didn't. Not ever. I found her to be flat, one-dimensional, and annoying. I felt nothing positive for her. Sure, I felt bad that she experienced that horrible trauma, but other than that? No insight on who she was before, no growth, nothing. I couldn't wait to get through her sections and back to Noah, f-words aside.
I also felt like we saw a very one-sided view of Echo's mother. I understand why, but was it necessary to deem her 'crazy' rather than point out all along that she was mentally ill? There's a difference. Being bipolar doesn't make one a homicidal maniac, which it seemed like was happening here. Now, to be fair, we are reading about her from Echo and her dad's points of view, which are going to be understandably skewed. But still. I didn't feel like it was a very fair overall treatment of an illness. There has to be a way to honor Echo's perspective (and her dad's, even though he was a complete DB) without demonizing a sick woman.
But it made me feel things and I can't be too harsh about it for that. I was completely sobbing when I finished it, and it's been a long time since a book made me cry that hard.
All in all, I don't feel like I can fairly assign this book any sort of rating. It definitely wasn't for me, so it's one that you're going to have to read for yourself and decide if it's for you.
Content Advisory:
Language: Extreme
Sexuality: Heavy
Violence: Moderate (mentioned)
I think that the writing style of this book initially threw me because it is written in a very casual manner that I'm not used to reading. At first the author seemed like a little bit of an amateur when it came to writing but once you get into the book, it was easier to ignore. I loved that Noah and Echo were realistic characters. Their lives weren't fluffy and comfortable. They were dealing with adult problems that unfortunately do happen in our world and it was great of McGarry to be able to write and publish a book that demonstrated those problems.
*3.5*
I still don't know how I feel about this book...I went into it with such high expectations since everyone seems to adore it, and I have to say that I was pretty disappointed. I almost feel guilty for not giving this 4 or 5 stars since it was so much more well-written than other contemporaries of 'this style' that I have read (*cough cough* BEAUTIFUL DISASTER), but I am judging this solely on how much I enjoyed it.
I liked how three-dimensional the characters were, and how they fought through their individual and collective struggles throughout the book. I also really liked how Mrs Collins played a large part of the story, and how perfectly the plot tied together in the end. HOWEVER, I did find the plot to be a little too cheesy/predictable at times (especially with the ups/downs to Echo and Noah's relationship), and constantly found myself comparing the book to Simone Elkeles's 'Perfect Chemistry' series. Also, "MY LITTLE NYMPH?!" "SHE SMELT LIKE CINNABONS?!" (sorry, I just had to get that out of the way).
I even have the next two books in the series because I thought I would love the first one that much, but I can't bring myself to read them anymore... *le sigh*
Anyways, I should go to sleep now.
I still don't know how I feel about this book...I went into it with such high expectations since everyone seems to adore it, and I have to say that I was pretty disappointed. I almost feel guilty for not giving this 4 or 5 stars since it was so much more well-written than other contemporaries of 'this style' that I have read (*cough cough* BEAUTIFUL DISASTER), but I am judging this solely on how much I enjoyed it.
I liked how three-dimensional the characters were, and how they fought through their individual and collective struggles throughout the book. I also really liked how Mrs Collins played a large part of the story, and how perfectly the plot tied together in the end. HOWEVER, I did find the plot to be a little too cheesy/predictable at times (especially with the ups/downs to Echo and Noah's relationship), and constantly found myself comparing the book to Simone Elkeles's 'Perfect Chemistry' series. Also, "MY LITTLE NYMPH?!" "SHE SMELT LIKE CINNABONS?!" (sorry, I just had to get that out of the way).
I even have the next two books in the series because I thought I would love the first one that much, but I can't bring myself to read them anymore... *le sigh*
Anyways, I should go to sleep now.
Pushing The Limits was amazing.
Thoroughly heartbreaking, intensely emotional, meaningful, intelligent and swoon-worthy, it's a story of loss, trust, betrayal, finding strength to leave one's tragic past behind and courage to create a better future. A book about bonds and relationships, hopes, dreams, fears, and feelings. Most of all, it's a tale of love and its power to heal. A gorgeous, one-of-a-kind, breathtaking novel that will leave you tear-streaked and with a huge smile on your face.
Two people. A damaged, scarred, disoriented girl whose life fell apart when a person she trusted and loved the most tried to kill her. A seemingly tough, careless boy who lost everything -- his parents, his brothers, his future -- when a tragic house fire claimed the lives of his mom and dad. Both lost. Both scared. Both desperately trying to find meaning in their lives, something to hold on to, something normal. When these two get paired up for tutoring sessions their initial dislike and distrust towards each other slowly blooms into mutual attraction. Attraction so strong that it burns with fierce brightness and all-consuming passion. Are they strong enough to face their pasts? Will they end up saving each other, or will they crush and burn?
This book was beautiful.
It cracked my heart open, touched my soul, made me think, and left me utterly speechless. So heartbreaking, and yet so uplifting and full of hope at the same time. While the developing relationship between Noah and Echo was obviously the main focus of the story, the plot line was not limited to their romantic endeavours. This book offers so much more than just a love story. Katie McGarry did a phenomenal job incorporating some very serious and relevant themes such as death, grief, infidelity, mental illness, physical abuse, and failures of foster care system. The end result was mind-blowing. Through first person-narrative -- alternating between Echo's and Noah's point of view - Katie McGarry told a story that was just as magical as it was realistic and convincing, and just as steaming-hot as it was emotionally devastating. I laughed. I wept. I didn't want this story to end.
One of the first things I noticed -- and what made me love this book so much -- were the names of the main characters. They're not just some randomly picked names. They're memorable, powerful, and -- most of all -- meaningful. Echo was named by her mother after a nymph from Greek mythology who got her voice stolen by Hera. The only way she could ever speak was in repetition of other people's shouted words - echoing whatever they were saying. Just like the mythological nymph, our Echo is desperately trying to find her own voice. She is a character full of sorrow and self-doubt, and her tragic story affected me deeply. Similarly, Noah (the biblical figure) was a man of strong faith, who believed in something even though everyone else told him he was wrong. He was strong-willed, devoted, and determined to do the right thing, regardless of how people viewed his actions. Our Noah was just like that - he was all about winning the custody battle over his younger brothers, and the more people tried to discourage him, the harder he fought. And then there was also Echo's brother, Aires - his name sounds very similar to the Greek god of War, Ares. And the fact that Aires died at war leads me to believe that the Greek god might have inspired his name. It's obvious to me how much thought and care Katie McGarry put into writing this novel. She did a fantastic job breathing life into her characters and turning them into real persons, with real feelings, who hurt, loved and bled like like real people. I've no doubt in my mind that her characters are ones that will stay with you long after you finish reading Pushing The Limits, just like they stayed with me.
Read this book. Drop everything else and go get yourself a copy. You won't regret!
Thoroughly heartbreaking, intensely emotional, meaningful, intelligent and swoon-worthy, it's a story of loss, trust, betrayal, finding strength to leave one's tragic past behind and courage to create a better future. A book about bonds and relationships, hopes, dreams, fears, and feelings. Most of all, it's a tale of love and its power to heal. A gorgeous, one-of-a-kind, breathtaking novel that will leave you tear-streaked and with a huge smile on your face.
Two people. A damaged, scarred, disoriented girl whose life fell apart when a person she trusted and loved the most tried to kill her. A seemingly tough, careless boy who lost everything -- his parents, his brothers, his future -- when a tragic house fire claimed the lives of his mom and dad. Both lost. Both scared. Both desperately trying to find meaning in their lives, something to hold on to, something normal. When these two get paired up for tutoring sessions their initial dislike and distrust towards each other slowly blooms into mutual attraction. Attraction so strong that it burns with fierce brightness and all-consuming passion. Are they strong enough to face their pasts? Will they end up saving each other, or will they crush and burn?
This book was beautiful.
It cracked my heart open, touched my soul, made me think, and left me utterly speechless. So heartbreaking, and yet so uplifting and full of hope at the same time. While the developing relationship between Noah and Echo was obviously the main focus of the story, the plot line was not limited to their romantic endeavours. This book offers so much more than just a love story. Katie McGarry did a phenomenal job incorporating some very serious and relevant themes such as death, grief, infidelity, mental illness, physical abuse, and failures of foster care system. The end result was mind-blowing. Through first person-narrative -- alternating between Echo's and Noah's point of view - Katie McGarry told a story that was just as magical as it was realistic and convincing, and just as steaming-hot as it was emotionally devastating. I laughed. I wept. I didn't want this story to end.
One of the first things I noticed -- and what made me love this book so much -- were the names of the main characters. They're not just some randomly picked names. They're memorable, powerful, and -- most of all -- meaningful. Echo was named by her mother after a nymph from Greek mythology who got her voice stolen by Hera. The only way she could ever speak was in repetition of other people's shouted words - echoing whatever they were saying. Just like the mythological nymph, our Echo is desperately trying to find her own voice. She is a character full of sorrow and self-doubt, and her tragic story affected me deeply. Similarly, Noah (the biblical figure) was a man of strong faith, who believed in something even though everyone else told him he was wrong. He was strong-willed, devoted, and determined to do the right thing, regardless of how people viewed his actions. Our Noah was just like that - he was all about winning the custody battle over his younger brothers, and the more people tried to discourage him, the harder he fought. And then there was also Echo's brother, Aires - his name sounds very similar to the Greek god of War, Ares. And the fact that Aires died at war leads me to believe that the Greek god might have inspired his name. It's obvious to me how much thought and care Katie McGarry put into writing this novel. She did a fantastic job breathing life into her characters and turning them into real persons, with real feelings, who hurt, loved and bled like like real people. I've no doubt in my mind that her characters are ones that will stay with you long after you finish reading Pushing The Limits, just like they stayed with me.
Read this book. Drop everything else and go get yourself a copy. You won't regret!
A heart pulling YA book that pins two young broken teens who are struggling trying to put it back together find love in the insanity of it all.
Echo world has a mother who is suffering mentally and a father who is so controlling that it is just to much and her brother is dead. Echo life is so controlled that it is stifling and you can feel the sadness while she is trying to get some independence. The therapist rubbed me the wrong way because she should have intervened more than she did.
Noah has a tragic life after the loss of his parents from an accident he and his brothers are put into foster care home. He is looked at as a bad boy. In the outside world Noah is looked at as a stoner, underachiever.
Both of these two are very angry at the world and their situation. Their relationship builds up slowly over time no rushing in falling head of heels instantly.
The book touches on so many issues neglect, abuse, truth, lies, love, and healing. It is such an emotional book it pulls at your heart and sometimes makes you feel so sad. I recommend this books to anyone who likes books like this. Be prepared your heart will ache too.
Echo world has a mother who is suffering mentally and a father who is so controlling that it is just to much and her brother is dead. Echo life is so controlled that it is stifling and you can feel the sadness while she is trying to get some independence. The therapist rubbed me the wrong way because she should have intervened more than she did.
Noah has a tragic life after the loss of his parents from an accident he and his brothers are put into foster care home. He is looked at as a bad boy. In the outside world Noah is looked at as a stoner, underachiever.
Both of these two are very angry at the world and their situation. Their relationship builds up slowly over time no rushing in falling head of heels instantly.
The book touches on so many issues neglect, abuse, truth, lies, love, and healing. It is such an emotional book it pulls at your heart and sometimes makes you feel so sad. I recommend this books to anyone who likes books like this. Be prepared your heart will ache too.
this book is amazing! it was such a good read and def recommend it(:
Second time read! I still had tears on my face during reading this novel. Gosh, unbelievable.
One of the best contemporary YA I've ever read!!! I lost count how many times I cried during reading this book. It's not only the relationship between Echo and Noah attracting my heart but all the torturous background of both is very heart-braking. I love this book.
P.S. I thought Isaiah and Beth would be couple. 'Dare To You' seems to be about Beth and other guy. Let's find out >
One of the best contemporary YA I've ever read!!! I lost count how many times I cried during reading this book. It's not only the relationship between Echo and Noah attracting my heart but all the torturous background of both is very heart-braking. I love this book.
P.S. I thought Isaiah and Beth would be couple. 'Dare To You' seems to be about Beth and other guy. Let's find out >
I loved this book very much I stayed up late to read this book and I could not put it down I love read this book again and again.