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emlizzy's review against another edition
4.0
My rating is actually more like a solid 3.5 stars. I enjoyed this book. I first read it about a year ago - I was drawn in by the premise of an outbreak on an island, told from the perspective of a teenage girl through her diary/letters to her former best friend/crush. I just got done reading it again - I wanted to refresh my memory before jumping into the second book, The Lives We Lost.
The first third or so of the book was a little slow for me. I think it was meant to build tension, but it also didn't really fully engage me or pull me in either. However, once some of the central characters started getting sick, it picked up for me... And by the end of the book I found myself looking forward to diving into the second book (which I'll be starting as soon as I'm done with this review).
My one key complaint was that some of the character development felt a little thin. I like having rich physical descriptions so that I can picture the characters. Although there was certainly some description embedded throughout the story, I still felt like I couldn't really get a clear vision - I'm not totally sure why that was. The development of some of the friendships and love-interests also seemed a little thin. However, I reminded myself that it was written in a diary/letter perspective, and perhaps that limited the author in how much detail she could realistically provide.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and look forward to reading the next in the series! Like much of the YA fiction I read these days, I wish more books like this had been available when I was a teenager :)
The first third or so of the book was a little slow for me. I think it was meant to build tension, but it also didn't really fully engage me or pull me in either. However, once some of the central characters started getting sick, it picked up for me... And by the end of the book I found myself looking forward to diving into the second book (which I'll be starting as soon as I'm done with this review).
My one key complaint was that some of the character development felt a little thin. I like having rich physical descriptions so that I can picture the characters. Although there was certainly some description embedded throughout the story, I still felt like I couldn't really get a clear vision - I'm not totally sure why that was. The development of some of the friendships and love-interests also seemed a little thin. However, I reminded myself that it was written in a diary/letter perspective, and perhaps that limited the author in how much detail she could realistically provide.
Overall, I enjoyed the story and look forward to reading the next in the series! Like much of the YA fiction I read these days, I wish more books like this had been available when I was a teenager :)
nomomstayandread's review against another edition
3.0
Ok so maybe now wasn’t the best time to discover this book about a virus outbreak that quickly spread.
It was definitely YA and the main character made some just downright silly choices that were exactly in line with her age. The hospital is overrun with the virus and she runs in without a mask and figures she’ll be fine. She gets sick and the sweet boy she picked up along the way comes to visit her in the hospital. She doesn’t freak out for his safety but does later when he’s in her house with just one sick person nearby. Honey, that bell has been rung.
I liked the journal style of the book.
It was definitely YA and the main character made some just downright silly choices that were exactly in line with her age. The hospital is overrun with the virus and she runs in without a mask and figures she’ll be fine. She gets sick and the sweet boy she picked up along the way comes to visit her in the hospital. She doesn’t freak out for his safety but does later when he’s in her house with just one sick person nearby. Honey, that bell has been rung.
I liked the journal style of the book.
disasterchick's review against another edition
3.0
Reading this during a pandemic I did appreciate the use of masks. However, the book seemed to drag on with no conclusion. I know there is a sequel but I’m not she I really felt invested enough with the characters to continue on with this series.
kayhutch's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked the style of this book, how it reads like a journal. I was not so much into the whole scenario of it being a quarantined island. I really liked the characters, and I really like how it shows the
Spoiler
progression of how crazy people get and to what ends people will go to protect themselves.brandinh's review against another edition
4.0
ARC provided by Netgalley
The Way We Fall is a realistic look at what could happen if a deadly and rapidly spreading virus takes over. Set on a small island, the effects of the virus are devastating to the community. But the author's focus is on the life of one young girl, Kaelyn. The story is told entirely through her letters to her estranged best friend Leo (though it reads more like a series of journal entries). Kaelyn is a likeable character and the format of storytelling worked for me. Several reviewers mentioned a slow start, but I didn't notice. I was hooked from the beginning. I look forward to reading other books in the series (I've heard they're coming). I will definitely recommend The Way We Fall to my students and this one is a future purchase for me.
The Way We Fall is a realistic look at what could happen if a deadly and rapidly spreading virus takes over. Set on a small island, the effects of the virus are devastating to the community. But the author's focus is on the life of one young girl, Kaelyn. The story is told entirely through her letters to her estranged best friend Leo (though it reads more like a series of journal entries). Kaelyn is a likeable character and the format of storytelling worked for me. Several reviewers mentioned a slow start, but I didn't notice. I was hooked from the beginning. I look forward to reading other books in the series (I've heard they're coming). I will definitely recommend The Way We Fall to my students and this one is a future purchase for me.
kfactorreads's review against another edition
2.0
Thank you netgalley for letting me read this book.
buuboobaby's review against another edition
3.0
3 stars
Interesting take on the devastating aftermath of a killer virus. I never engaged with the narrator, though, but the rapid fire narration did keep me turning the pages. I will probably read the second book if the library has it available.
Interesting take on the devastating aftermath of a killer virus. I never engaged with the narrator, though, but the rapid fire narration did keep me turning the pages. I will probably read the second book if the library has it available.