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3.01 AVERAGE
3.01 AVERAGE
This book had so much potential... but oh boy, where do I start?
First of all, It was confusing. Switching between four parallel universes following nearly identical characters with the same name? By the end I couldn't even remember who was who anymore. Should be the other way around, right? Well it wasn't.
Oh by the way, don't claim that your characters are geniuses and the write them as idiots.
Plot? What plot? 75% book was dedicated to... well I don't even know what it was trying to do. Nothing happened. The remaining 25% wasn't any better. We just got the same explanation over and over again as the four Tatyanas discovered the same things. And the climax lasted maybe five pages without any build-up whatsoever.
In the synopsis the thing that really caught my attention was this:
"When seventeen-year-old Tati sends a saliva sample to a DNA ancestry testing site her results come back inconclusive. What’s wrong with her DNA?"
Her I was, expecting this awesome explanation as to why her DNA isn't human... but all that's said about it when the time comes for the truth is that her DNA just wouldn't be recognized as human. That's it. No explanation to why that is. Maybe it was because she was subject to some genetic engineering? But here's the thing, as long as you have 45-47 chromosomes, YOU'RE HUMAN. And the four Tatyanas only had a few genes altered. So unless they had a set of chromosomes inserted or removed from their genome, their DNA test would show human. But who knows what really happened to their genome? It's never explained.
That brings me to the next part... how the science behind their ability to travel between worlds is "explained". Look I get it. It's fiction and there is no science concerning the existence, much less travel between, parallel universes so Kathryn Berla had to bullshit it. And that's fine by me! I LOVE science fiction! But the thing is... you can't just pick out a bunch of cool-sounding science words, mash them together (when they don't belong together), and call it an explanation!
And the conclusion... what? Basically the conclusion centers around the idea that you're the center of the universe and if you're not there then nothing else exists. I mean, come on. Narcissism at its finest. She kept using that proverb (?)... philosophy (?)... whatever it is: " If a tree falls in the forest with no ears to hear does it make a sound?". The answer is yes. It does.
Oh also, apparently all science is evil, so stay away from it you guys.
Anyway, I was disappointed and confused. Not a good combination.
First of all, It was confusing. Switching between four parallel universes following nearly identical characters with the same name? By the end I couldn't even remember who was who anymore. Should be the other way around, right? Well it wasn't.
Oh by the way, don't claim that your characters are geniuses and the write them as idiots.
Plot? What plot? 75% book was dedicated to... well I don't even know what it was trying to do. Nothing happened. The remaining 25% wasn't any better. We just got the same explanation over and over again as the four Tatyanas discovered the same things. And the climax lasted maybe five pages without any build-up whatsoever.
In the synopsis the thing that really caught my attention was this:
"When seventeen-year-old Tati sends a saliva sample to a DNA ancestry testing site her results come back inconclusive. What’s wrong with her DNA?"
Her I was, expecting this awesome explanation as to why her DNA isn't human... but all that's said about it when the time comes for the truth is that her DNA just wouldn't be recognized as human. That's it. No explanation to why that is. Maybe it was because she was subject to some genetic engineering? But here's the thing, as long as you have 45-47 chromosomes, YOU'RE HUMAN. And the four Tatyanas only had a few genes altered. So unless they had a set of chromosomes inserted or removed from their genome, their DNA test would show human. But who knows what really happened to their genome? It's never explained.
That brings me to the next part... how the science behind their ability to travel between worlds is "explained". Look I get it. It's fiction and there is no science concerning the existence, much less travel between, parallel universes so Kathryn Berla had to bullshit it. And that's fine by me! I LOVE science fiction! But the thing is... you can't just pick out a bunch of cool-sounding science words, mash them together (when they don't belong together), and call it an explanation!
And the conclusion... what? Basically the conclusion centers around the idea that you're the center of the universe and if you're not there then nothing else exists. I mean, come on. Narcissism at its finest. She kept using that proverb (?)... philosophy (?)... whatever it is: " If a tree falls in the forest with no ears to hear does it make a sound?". The answer is yes. It does.
Oh also, apparently all science is evil, so stay away from it you guys.
Anyway, I was disappointed and confused. Not a good combination.
This was my first book read by this author. It is sci-fi and geared towards middle school age and up.
I really enjoyed this book and the multiple points of view. The story was orginial and captivating. The twists and turns really added to the overall plot. The characters were well thought out and multi-dimensional. They were relatable and likeable.
This book was well written and perfectly paced. It was engaging and a quick and easy read. Fans of YA sci-fi will gobble up this story.
I really enjoyed this book and the multiple points of view. The story was orginial and captivating. The twists and turns really added to the overall plot. The characters were well thought out and multi-dimensional. They were relatable and likeable.
This book was well written and perfectly paced. It was engaging and a quick and easy read. Fans of YA sci-fi will gobble up this story.
This is a review of an ARC from NetGalley.
Tati. Ana. Tanya. Tatiana. Four girls, in four different worlds, linked by seizures, DNA and a science experiment started long ago. When Tati (and Ana) send their spit out for DNA analysis as part of a class project, the results that come back set them both off on a journey that will unravel secrets in their past and help them find one another.
An interesting sci-fi thriller, fast-paced and readable. Berla does a good job of giving each girl a different voice (even though they're all the same girl). Does the science make any sense? No. Does it matter? No. The storytelling gets a bit sloppy at the end (I wasn't entirely sure who was alive, and who was dead, and in what world), but definitely entertaining.
Tati. Ana. Tanya. Tatiana. Four girls, in four different worlds, linked by seizures, DNA and a science experiment started long ago. When Tati (and Ana) send their spit out for DNA analysis as part of a class project, the results that come back set them both off on a journey that will unravel secrets in their past and help them find one another.
An interesting sci-fi thriller, fast-paced and readable. Berla does a good job of giving each girl a different voice (even though they're all the same girl). Does the science make any sense? No. Does it matter? No. The storytelling gets a bit sloppy at the end (I wasn't entirely sure who was alive, and who was dead, and in what world), but definitely entertaining.
Thank you Netgalley for providing this book in exchange for an honest review. The premise of this book is really interesting. Usually I really like multiverse books, parallel realities can be so interesting. Unfortunately this book was very confusing for me and I had a hard time keeping track of who was what and where. It never really became easier and then the end fell apart and felt rushed. 2 1/2 stars.
Rating: 2/5
Source: ARC from Netgalley for review
Date finished: 27 June
Pages: 328
Publication Date: October 8 2019
I liked the premise, which is why I requested it on Netgalley. But my god the science. The science. My EYES. The reason she has these mysterious seizures and strange DNA is that her DNA was edited so that it's now got unstable vibrations or something that means she can travel between 4 parallel universes and meet the other versions of herself. After that it was a struggle to finish the book. I do not recommend it for the geneticist in your life. Either use something more related to universes, like some physical particle, or don't try to justify it scientifically at all! DNA editing changes a base from, say, A to C, not to plutonium!
Other issues:
The real action only got started around 90% and then it was all wrapped up stupidly. I usually hate it when books become series and I want to award it a star for not being a series, but it just was not wrapped up right at all. So it was a slog and then a weird rush.
I was also confused about some of the facts, like the identity of her birth mother. It took me a while to twig that Tati, Ana, Tatyana and Tanya are all different people but that could be my problem and it was a fairly cool realisation. In general it was difficult to get into, probably as a natural conclusion of the premise.
While I don't like how anxious I get for the characters in books, this lacked tension because you know Tati or Ana are going to be fine in their own realities - maybe if her dad had been able to chase her through them? And the ending! Awful.
One of the Tatis seems to wake up at the end and think it was all a dream! Argh!
In summary: 1-2 stars. I don't want to give it 1 because it had some positive qualities (such as how the genetic testing went), but there was just so much that annoyed me
Source: ARC from Netgalley for review
Date finished: 27 June
Pages: 328
Publication Date: October 8 2019
I liked the premise, which is why I requested it on Netgalley. But my god the science. The science. My EYES. The reason she has these mysterious seizures and strange DNA is that her DNA was edited so that it's now got unstable vibrations or something that means she can travel between 4 parallel universes and meet the other versions of herself. After that it was a struggle to finish the book. I do not recommend it for the geneticist in your life. Either use something more related to universes, like some physical particle, or don't try to justify it scientifically at all! DNA editing changes a base from, say, A to C, not to plutonium!
Other issues:
The real action only got started around 90% and then it was all wrapped up stupidly. I usually hate it when books become series and I want to award it a star for not being a series, but it just was not wrapped up right at all. So it was a slog and then a weird rush.
I was also confused about some of the facts, like the identity of her birth mother. It took me a while to twig that Tati, Ana, Tatyana and Tanya are all different people but that could be my problem and it was a fairly cool realisation. In general it was difficult to get into, probably as a natural conclusion of the premise.
While I don't like how anxious I get for the characters in books, this lacked tension because you know Tati or Ana are going to be fine in their own realities - maybe if her dad had been able to chase her through them? And the ending! Awful.
Spoiler
One of the Tatis seems to wake up at the end and think it was all a dream! Argh!
In summary: 1-2 stars. I don't want to give it 1 because it had some positive qualities (such as how the genetic testing went), but there was just so much that annoyed me
Hey! This is a book about multiverses and lesbians!
Seriously, this book starts with two girls making out and discussing their relationship. I’m so here for this!
This book is divided into four povs:
Tati is and out and proud lesbian dating Pryia, who is not out yet which puts a strain on their relationship.
In Ana’s world, on the other hand, the single moment that allowed Tati to find the courage to make a move on Prya unfolded differently so she and Pryia are only friends. (Ana and her lesbian thirst were amazing though!).
Tanya lives in Germany with her abusive and controlling mother, not being allowed to leave the house or have access to any type of technology. I hope she becomes a badass ninja, improbable I know, but still.
Tatyana makes me fear for her. Run, girl, run! And wake the fuck up while you are at it, they are evil...
I loved what the author did with these four characters. Each one of them is the same person, only raised in different circumstances, so even though they are the same DNA and personality-wise there are subtle and not so subtle differences. Figuring out which decisions caused every one of those differences in every version of their lives was extremely entertaining and the author made a great job of building up the story.
One of the things that remained the same in all four* Tatyanas was their sexuality and I really loved the author for this because it meant that she did not present sexuality as a product of the environment we are raised in or something we “catch” but something as intrinsic to our selves as our DNA.
(*Tanya and Tatyana’s sexuality is never explicitly discussed perhaps because of their lack of interaction with the rest of the world.)
I particularly liked how different Tatyana and Tanya were from Tati and Ana. The first two having been barred from interaction with society at large and having abusive parents that controlled every aspect of their lives struggled to trust in themselves and their skills and I would have loved to have seen more of the consequences of their upbringing and how they knowingly fought against them.
Something else I really enjoyed was how the four Tatyanas interacted with each other and how they were catalysts in the lives of the others, their presence or even just thinking about the other lent them courage and momentum because it proved that they had the potential for more. I really liked the character development (even with Tanya and Tatyana’s characters feeling a little less solid than the other two) and the way the author was able to make this story into a puzzle, every chapter adding one more piece to the overall picture.
The ending itself was completely unpredictable and jaw-dropping, the only problem I had, being with the aftermath that I found too short and anti-climatic for a standalone.
The writing rubbed me off at times, trying to be too descriptive at the absolute wrong moment (there is a limit to what we want to know about food digestion) and towards the end the story felt a bit reminiscent of Cold War propaganda with the Americans being the good guys and the Russians being riddled with corrupt politicians and crazy evil scientists that try to defy God but other than that, I definitely enjoyed this and will keep an eye on Kathryn Berla.
Thank you to NetGalley and Flux for this Arc.
Seriously, this book starts with two girls making out and discussing their relationship. I’m so here for this!
This book is divided into four povs:
Tati is and out and proud lesbian dating Pryia, who is not out yet which puts a strain on their relationship.
In Ana’s world, on the other hand, the single moment that allowed Tati to find the courage to make a move on Prya unfolded differently so she and Pryia are only friends. (Ana and her lesbian thirst were amazing though!).
Tanya lives in Germany with her abusive and controlling mother, not being allowed to leave the house or have access to any type of technology. I hope she becomes a badass ninja, improbable I know, but still.
Tatyana makes me fear for her. Run, girl, run! And wake the fuck up while you are at it, they are evil...
I loved what the author did with these four characters. Each one of them is the same person, only raised in different circumstances, so even though they are the same DNA and personality-wise there are subtle and not so subtle differences. Figuring out which decisions caused every one of those differences in every version of their lives was extremely entertaining and the author made a great job of building up the story.
One of the things that remained the same in all four* Tatyanas was their sexuality and I really loved the author for this because it meant that she did not present sexuality as a product of the environment we are raised in or something we “catch” but something as intrinsic to our selves as our DNA.
(*Tanya and Tatyana’s sexuality is never explicitly discussed perhaps because of their lack of interaction with the rest of the world.)
I particularly liked how different Tatyana and Tanya were from Tati and Ana. The first two having been barred from interaction with society at large and having abusive parents that controlled every aspect of their lives struggled to trust in themselves and their skills and I would have loved to have seen more of the consequences of their upbringing and how they knowingly fought against them.
Something else I really enjoyed was how the four Tatyanas interacted with each other and how they were catalysts in the lives of the others, their presence or even just thinking about the other lent them courage and momentum because it proved that they had the potential for more. I really liked the character development (even with Tanya and Tatyana’s characters feeling a little less solid than the other two) and the way the author was able to make this story into a puzzle, every chapter adding one more piece to the overall picture.
The ending itself was completely unpredictable and jaw-dropping, the only problem I had, being with the aftermath that I found too short and anti-climatic for a standalone.
The writing rubbed me off at times, trying to be too descriptive at the absolute wrong moment (there is a limit to what we want to know about food digestion) and towards the end the story felt a bit reminiscent of Cold War propaganda with the Americans being the good guys and the Russians being riddled with corrupt politicians and crazy evil scientists that try to defy God but other than that, I definitely enjoyed this and will keep an eye on Kathryn Berla.
Thank you to NetGalley and Flux for this Arc.
Ricochet by Kathryn Berla is an interesting YA read. This book is suitable and can be enjoyed by teens and older. There is a sci-fi feel with science, parallel universes, and multiple characters who are the same person. The author keeps everything understandable and with a good flow. Tati, Ana, Tatyana, and Tanya are all their own person with their own characteristics. Each reacts differently to the same situations. The catch is they must all come together in order to survive. I will not give information on the plot because there is nothing worse than getting the plot and spoilers while reading a review. Just know this is a fun read that I did not want to put down. It is well written and the story is thought out and easy to follow.
Ricochet by Kathryn Berla is a must read for those who likes YA science fiction stories. Berla grabbed at the very beginning of the story. The story encompasses mystery, science fiction, adventure, and some interesting characters. This book is told in different POV and the transitions between them are smooth and not choppy. This story is about Tati who sent a saliva sample to a DNA ancestry testing site. From that moment Tati’s world is turned upside down. Will Tati get to the bottom of her DNA information? What does Ricochet mean to Tati? I highly recommend this book.
This is a Young Adult Science Fiction Fantasy story that I enjoyed from the very beginning. It has a little bit of everything from drama to mystery. I was so engaged throughout the story that I read it in one sitting. The characters made the story feel realistic. Tati sends her DNA in for testing but the results are something that she never would expect. Who knew the results of one test would start such a chain of events. I highly recommend finding out what happens next.
4 Stars
Ricochet is a fascinating and thought provoking story by Kathryn Berla. It is a YA sci-fi fantasy with a very intriguing premise, some drama, interesting characters, mystery, and adventure.
I have read most of Ms. Berla’s books now and have enjoyed how she manages to create such diverse fantasies. And this book is no different. I was attracted to this book entirely by the cover and the original concept- before I had even realised it was by Kathryn Berla.
Going in we meet seventeen year old Tati, who doesn’t realise that she will soon discover things that will turn her world upside down and change everything she thought she knew about the world, and herself. It all starts when she sends a sample off for ancestry DNA testing. When it comes back inconclusive, it sets off a chain of events (coupled with her unexplained convulsions) that reveals parallel worlds, and her other ‘selves’. And so, the adventure begins.
The story is fairly fast paced and does ‘jump’ around a bit between past and present, and the changes in character perspectives- which made it a little confusing at times- but after adjusting to the ‘jauntiness’ of it all, the story became much easier to read.
I really wish there had been more ‘world building’, as I really would have liked to explore that aspect of the story more. I also think that whilst the characters were good, they lacked the depth and complexity which would have made them ‘great’ and this story a lot more exciting- elevating it to a whole new level. With the promise that the premise held, this book could have been amazing, and although it was a ‘good’ read- I was left just a little disappointed.
Don’t be put off reading this story though, because it is well written and does deserve a read- I am just being greedy and wanted ‘more’ of the characters, their world/s, and the story.
I wonder what Ms. Berla has in store for us next?
Thank you, Ms. Berla!
Ricochet is a fascinating and thought provoking story by Kathryn Berla. It is a YA sci-fi fantasy with a very intriguing premise, some drama, interesting characters, mystery, and adventure.
I have read most of Ms. Berla’s books now and have enjoyed how she manages to create such diverse fantasies. And this book is no different. I was attracted to this book entirely by the cover and the original concept- before I had even realised it was by Kathryn Berla.
Going in we meet seventeen year old Tati, who doesn’t realise that she will soon discover things that will turn her world upside down and change everything she thought she knew about the world, and herself. It all starts when she sends a sample off for ancestry DNA testing. When it comes back inconclusive, it sets off a chain of events (coupled with her unexplained convulsions) that reveals parallel worlds, and her other ‘selves’. And so, the adventure begins.
The story is fairly fast paced and does ‘jump’ around a bit between past and present, and the changes in character perspectives- which made it a little confusing at times- but after adjusting to the ‘jauntiness’ of it all, the story became much easier to read.
I really wish there had been more ‘world building’, as I really would have liked to explore that aspect of the story more. I also think that whilst the characters were good, they lacked the depth and complexity which would have made them ‘great’ and this story a lot more exciting- elevating it to a whole new level. With the promise that the premise held, this book could have been amazing, and although it was a ‘good’ read- I was left just a little disappointed.
Don’t be put off reading this story though, because it is well written and does deserve a read- I am just being greedy and wanted ‘more’ of the characters, their world/s, and the story.
I wonder what Ms. Berla has in store for us next?
Thank you, Ms. Berla!