Scan barcode
kfan's review against another edition
2.0
I finished this a few days ago, and have been spending the time since trying to dig into the online and phone-based aspects of the ARG. I love the idea of ARGs, and I like the idea of a book with added ARG-value, but I couldn't figure out any of the clues, and even with some hints and spoilers I still wasn't able to pick apart what we were supposedly after.
I definitely should have read Cathy's Book first, but I kind of liked being dropped into this story the way I was. I really liked the part on the bus, where Cathy and Jewel are sorting each other out. The rest of the book didn't do much for it. It happens at *breakneck* pace, I kept having to put the book down to process everything that was happening. But the upshot is that there are lots of events happening but the characters are just sketches and weren't super engaging to me.
Um, what else. I'm glad this series exists and I hope people really enjoy chasing down the clues and everything. It ain't my thing but I'm not mad at a book that tries to go some extra miles. Also I really liked the drawings on every page. More books should have line drawings on every page.
I definitely should have read Cathy's Book first, but I kind of liked being dropped into this story the way I was. I really liked the part on the bus, where Cathy and Jewel are sorting each other out. The rest of the book didn't do much for it. It happens at *breakneck* pace, I kept having to put the book down to process everything that was happening. But the upshot is that there are lots of events happening but the characters are just sketches and weren't super engaging to me.
Um, what else. I'm glad this series exists and I hope people really enjoy chasing down the clues and everything. It ain't my thing but I'm not mad at a book that tries to go some extra miles. Also I really liked the drawings on every page. More books should have line drawings on every page.
myquietscheenten's review
4.0
Gründe für das Buch:
- toller zweiter Teil mit neuen Charakteren und einem neuen Geheimnis
- gute Auflösung und Ende
- gut geschreiben so dass man es nicht weglegen möchte
Gründe gegen das Buch:
- Beweise wieder nicht richtig eingebunden sogar noch weniger
- "Kapitel"-Überschriften zu störend, hätte es lieber wieder wie ein Tagebuch
- zu wenig Viktor bzw über ihn
- toller zweiter Teil mit neuen Charakteren und einem neuen Geheimnis
- gute Auflösung und Ende
- gut geschreiben so dass man es nicht weglegen möchte
Gründe gegen das Buch:
- Beweise wieder nicht richtig eingebunden sogar noch weniger
- "Kapitel"-Überschriften zu störend, hätte es lieber wieder wie ein Tagebuch
- zu wenig Viktor bzw über ihn
booksandbosox's review
3.0
Didn't like this one as much as the first. I guess the whole notion of an "evil twin" seemed just a bit too much. I think there was already enough other stuff going on in the story without throwing that in there. The characters from the first book were already interesting enough to make too many additional characters necessary. Also, ending of this one = very cheesy. Won't read any more of these.
thisgrrlreads's review
4.0
Fun! More supernatural than the first but that's because, well, you all know Victor is immortal now. Ending a little too cutesy.
vailynst's review
3.0
In six months following Book 1, Cathy managed to graduate from high school and flunk from three jobs for three completely different reasons. The story begins with a spontaneous road trip out to the middle of no where to meet the Fortune Teller. Cathy gets a bizarre update and a thread of unease coils around her heart. On the bus trip back to good old CA, Cathy bonds with Jewel and learns to regret it with every cursed released breath.
The sequel to Cathy's Book is more like a novel than a journal. I wish I had found a hardback copy of the this book but settled for the paperback because I'm impatient. Regardless, the pictures drawn in this book are fantastic and very interesting. The "journal" entries of are not as different, quirky and doodled with unique miscellaneous objects as the first book.
I thought the start was odd. She goes to the middle of nowhere to meet a fortune teller and then befriends an obvious lying squirt, Jewel. I admit, I did a lot of eye rolling in the beginning of the book.
Pete and Denny are interesting new additions to the book. Cathy's heart ripping reunion with her Dad was potent and realistic. They both have a point.
This whole, we figured out how to kill immortals shenanigans is full of CRAP! The fact that the loser Jewel managed to get her hands on it--MORE CRAP!
There was a profoundly dumb point near the beginning where I wanted to throw the book down and storm off--I resisted, drank more coffee, and continued reading.
Emma & Cathy having a blowout fight? Realistic. I never forget that this book is about Asian-Americans. Some of the talk and behaviors as very Asians-R-Us.
Perhaps, like any graphic novel, if I suspend all belief and just go with the flow, I would have enjoyed this book more. But, it's not just a graphic novel. The story isn't driven by the pictures and the words. Words freaking matter! I shouldn't have to remind myself that I'm reading an urban fantasy and that stupid or weird events are okay.
Good Parts:
- The Immortals: Reading about them and what they are like are great dips into folklore & mythology. I love that stuff!
- Cathy's Kiss at job 3 & how she lost it is FREAKING hilarious! =)
- Tsao's Origin Story: Short, sweet, gaspy & cool.
- 2nd Day of Work @ Fondue: *smirks & giggles*
- Vegan Made-Up Option at Fondue: Awesome and smack-upside-the-head worthy.
- Fighting - Brutal & efficient.
I love how publishers are trying innovative ways to pull in readers by making books like the Cathy series. There are a handful of other YA books that have different & cool ways to interactively read the series. Overall, I enjoyed reading this book but the experience wasn't as awesome as the first book. On to [b:Cathy's Ring|5081991|Cathy's Ring|Sean Stewart|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1267294790s/5081991.jpg|5148706] and wrapping up this trilogy!
The sequel to Cathy's Book is more like a novel than a journal. I wish I had found a hardback copy of the this book but settled for the paperback because I'm impatient. Regardless, the pictures drawn in this book are fantastic and very interesting. The "journal" entries of are not as different, quirky and doodled with unique miscellaneous objects as the first book.
I thought the start was odd. She goes to the middle of nowhere to meet a fortune teller and then befriends an obvious lying squirt, Jewel. I admit, I did a lot of eye rolling in the beginning of the book.
Pete and Denny are interesting new additions to the book. Cathy's heart ripping reunion with her Dad was potent and realistic. They both have a point.
This whole, we figured out how to kill immortals shenanigans is full of CRAP! The fact that the loser Jewel managed to get her hands on it--MORE CRAP!
There was a profoundly dumb point near the beginning where I wanted to throw the book down and storm off--I resisted, drank more coffee, and continued reading.
Emma & Cathy having a blowout fight? Realistic. I never forget that this book is about Asian-Americans. Some of the talk and behaviors as very Asians-R-Us.
Perhaps, like any graphic novel, if I suspend all belief and just go with the flow, I would have enjoyed this book more. But, it's not just a graphic novel. The story isn't driven by the pictures and the words. Words freaking matter! I shouldn't have to remind myself that I'm reading an urban fantasy and that stupid or weird events are okay.
Good Parts:
- The Immortals: Reading about them and what they are like are great dips into folklore & mythology. I love that stuff!
- Cathy's Kiss at job 3 & how she lost it is FREAKING hilarious! =)
- Tsao's Origin Story: Short, sweet, gaspy & cool.
- 2nd Day of Work @ Fondue: *smirks & giggles*
- Vegan Made-Up Option at Fondue: Awesome and smack-upside-the-head worthy.
- Fighting - Brutal & efficient.
I love how publishers are trying innovative ways to pull in readers by making books like the Cathy series. There are a handful of other YA books that have different & cool ways to interactively read the series. Overall, I enjoyed reading this book but the experience wasn't as awesome as the first book. On to [b:Cathy's Ring|5081991|Cathy's Ring|Sean Stewart|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1267294790s/5081991.jpg|5148706] and wrapping up this trilogy!
pandemoniumpizza's review
3.0
Cathy's Key was quite a good book. While I felt it wasn't as interactive as it's predecessor Cathy's Book, but nonetheless it still contained an interactive element. Cathy's Key wasn't exactly what I had expected it to be but it was still pretty good. I felt that there was less mystery to it and more about Cathy's life.
I really like the character Cathy she is very different and a very refreshing person to read about. I felt sorry for her at some points but I have to admit Cathy is anything but ordinary. I didn't so much like any of the other characters as they seemed kind of mean and a bit selfish even though I think Cathy is a little selfish too but she had her reasons for it.
I felt sad at a few parts of the book, I felt sorry for Cathy about certain events. Overall, I felt that things just weren't fair for her.
Overall, the Cathy's Key was an entertaining read. It was very mysterious and very unique. I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a good mystery or interactive book, or for anyone looking for a refreshing, entertaining character.
I really like the character Cathy she is very different and a very refreshing person to read about. I felt sorry for her at some points but I have to admit Cathy is anything but ordinary. I didn't so much like any of the other characters as they seemed kind of mean and a bit selfish even though I think Cathy is a little selfish too but she had her reasons for it.
I felt sad at a few parts of the book, I felt sorry for Cathy about certain events. Overall, I felt that things just weren't fair for her.
Overall, the Cathy's Key was an entertaining read. It was very mysterious and very unique. I'd recommend this to anyone looking for a good mystery or interactive book, or for anyone looking for a refreshing, entertaining character.
shutupnread's review
3.0
According to a lot of people, Cathy's Key is far better than the first, Cathy's Book. However, I thought they were similar - neither one is better than the other.
Well, I did enjoy reading about Cathy's many employment failures. She keeps getting fired for various reasons and the reasons are absolutely hilarious. She just can't seem to keep her mouth shut!
There's also an introduction of a new character, Jewel, whom I didn't particularly like. She likes to steal things and then frame others and actually steal someone else's identity. Which is how Cathy found herself a look-alike. Jewel and Cathy's relationship has a lot of turbulence. It goes up and then down and there are times when you want to punch both of them - Cathy for being too gullible and Jewel for being such a complete and total bitch.
What I didn't enjoy was the fact that majority of the story didn't have a lot of action. It seemed like if Cathy was just digging up hidden facts about Tsao and her boyfriend, Victor. Oh, and to mention, Tsao is apparently Victor's father which was completely unknown to me until I read the sentence "Tsao is Victor's father." :( That came a shock to me because, ew, who wants to date your boyfriend's father? Even if he is youngish looking and handsome? The idea is just gruesome.
Overall, I enjoyed Cathy's Key but I'm still not totally drawn in to the whole ordeal with Cathy and the Immortals.
Well, I did enjoy reading about Cathy's many employment failures. She keeps getting fired for various reasons and the reasons are absolutely hilarious. She just can't seem to keep her mouth shut!
There's also an introduction of a new character, Jewel, whom I didn't particularly like. She likes to steal things and then frame others and actually steal someone else's identity. Which is how Cathy found herself a look-alike. Jewel and Cathy's relationship has a lot of turbulence. It goes up and then down and there are times when you want to punch both of them - Cathy for being too gullible and Jewel for being such a complete and total bitch.
What I didn't enjoy was the fact that majority of the story didn't have a lot of action. It seemed like if Cathy was just digging up hidden facts about Tsao and her boyfriend, Victor. Oh, and to mention, Tsao is apparently Victor's father which was completely unknown to me until I read the sentence "Tsao is Victor's father." :( That came a shock to me because, ew, who wants to date your boyfriend's father? Even if he is youngish looking and handsome? The idea is just gruesome.
Overall, I enjoyed Cathy's Key but I'm still not totally drawn in to the whole ordeal with Cathy and the Immortals.
thecosynook's review
1.0
Yet another book that I have had for absolute years. I remember buying this around about the time it first came out which according to Goodreads was 2008! Omg over 10 years ago! I feel old! Now it wasn’t that I was particularly interested in the story, it was something like buy one get one free and I was limited on choices so went for the hardback book!
In this book we follow Cathy as she attempts to discover the secrets of her father’s death. She is following a trail of evidence however she may be more than a little shocked when she finds out that her father is actually alive!
So I’ll start this review by saying that this is actually the second book in a series, and after reading this I think you definitely need to have read the first book in order to fully understand this book however I don’t think too much is lost by not having read the first one. I still had a pretty good idea of who everyone was and how they were linked.
I think my favourite part of the book (and probably one of the reasons why I picked it up in the first place) was that it comes with things relevant to the story! For example if a business card is mentioned in the story then the actual business card can be found in an envelope that comes with the book. There are all fun little things like that which I think were really unique and really added to the story. I certainly enjoyed it as you don’t really see anything like that with books nowadays. If you’re lucky you can buy things like that in a subscription box but rarely do you actually get books that include them for free.
Now in relation to the story…it’s not great. I’m guessing this came out around the era where vampires were cool and all the teenage girls were obsessed…unfortunately this time has passed (is it really unfortunate?) and now unless it’s a really well known book such as Twilight I don’t think many other vampire stories really hold up to the test of time.
I think the story was really predictable and it just felt like a chore to get through it, none of it was particularly fun or exciting. It just felt like I was going through the motions to get to the end (most people would have probably DNFd it). I didn’t really feel anything for the characters or their lives, they didn’t really feel real to me because they had little personality.
The only character I did have strong feelings for was Victor’s dad. He’s an immortal, his son is dating Cathy and yet…he loves her. He loves her so much he is willing to kill for her (and even at one point actually attempts to kill Cathy herself). This was just far too creepy for me, I get that it is supposed to be seen that way but seriously…boyfriend’s immortal dad in love with a teenage girl? Hella creepy!
Overall I would not recommend this book, the story is terrible, nothing interesting happens the whole way through, none of the characters feel real and one character is incredibly creepy its borderline disgusting. I don’t want to read about a grown man hitting on a teenage girl, it wasn’t necessary to the story and just ruined it even further for me.
There are definitely way better vampire books out there, this book has some cool illustrations throughout the text and it is quite a quick read however that’s pretty much it. Don’t just read it for the story because you will be severely disappointed
In this book we follow Cathy as she attempts to discover the secrets of her father’s death. She is following a trail of evidence however she may be more than a little shocked when she finds out that her father is actually alive!
So I’ll start this review by saying that this is actually the second book in a series, and after reading this I think you definitely need to have read the first book in order to fully understand this book however I don’t think too much is lost by not having read the first one. I still had a pretty good idea of who everyone was and how they were linked.
I think my favourite part of the book (and probably one of the reasons why I picked it up in the first place) was that it comes with things relevant to the story! For example if a business card is mentioned in the story then the actual business card can be found in an envelope that comes with the book. There are all fun little things like that which I think were really unique and really added to the story. I certainly enjoyed it as you don’t really see anything like that with books nowadays. If you’re lucky you can buy things like that in a subscription box but rarely do you actually get books that include them for free.
Now in relation to the story…it’s not great. I’m guessing this came out around the era where vampires were cool and all the teenage girls were obsessed…unfortunately this time has passed (is it really unfortunate?) and now unless it’s a really well known book such as Twilight I don’t think many other vampire stories really hold up to the test of time.
I think the story was really predictable and it just felt like a chore to get through it, none of it was particularly fun or exciting. It just felt like I was going through the motions to get to the end (most people would have probably DNFd it). I didn’t really feel anything for the characters or their lives, they didn’t really feel real to me because they had little personality.
The only character I did have strong feelings for was Victor’s dad. He’s an immortal, his son is dating Cathy and yet…he loves her. He loves her so much he is willing to kill for her (and even at one point actually attempts to kill Cathy herself). This was just far too creepy for me, I get that it is supposed to be seen that way but seriously…boyfriend’s immortal dad in love with a teenage girl? Hella creepy!
Overall I would not recommend this book, the story is terrible, nothing interesting happens the whole way through, none of the characters feel real and one character is incredibly creepy its borderline disgusting. I don’t want to read about a grown man hitting on a teenage girl, it wasn’t necessary to the story and just ruined it even further for me.
There are definitely way better vampire books out there, this book has some cool illustrations throughout the text and it is quite a quick read however that’s pretty much it. Don’t just read it for the story because you will be severely disappointed
More...