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harleyrae's review against another edition
3.0
This book was ok. To me it seemed as if there was no depth really put into this book. That it was very one sided. Also I found it difficult to connect with the characters, that they were also very one sided. I didn't like how the Greek mythology was played either, it just felt random and forced. That if it wasn't there the book wouldn't be missing anything.
lilianalee's review against another edition
2.0
As someone who studied Ancient Egypt academically and out of personal interest, I was excited about this book.
Instead, this book feels like there was minimal story planning, and if anything a quick plot to publish. It feels as if a teenager wrote it, and the only age group I could see enjoying this is the younger teenager range (13-16).
Word to wise: just skip it. I regret spending money on this book.
Instead, this book feels like there was minimal story planning, and if anything a quick plot to publish. It feels as if a teenager wrote it, and the only age group I could see enjoying this is the younger teenager range (13-16).
Word to wise: just skip it. I regret spending money on this book.
_azure76's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
lbarsk's review against another edition
3.0
Aw, this was good! Wish I could give it a 3.5, or really even a 3.75. A really fun look at mythology, A+ Supportive Lady Friendships, diversity!
What kept this from being a 4 or above, for me, was actually The Romance: I liked that the main character had harmful thought patterns about herself and loneliness that had to be unlearned, but I didn't LOVE the fact that the thought patterns were kind of unlearned through a boy. I also liked Isadora's gradual warming to Ry and the fact that Ry thought Isadora was Literally The Best Person instead of being like, dumb and aloof and Cool Boy, but THEN the "big relationship reveal" was SO RUSHED! Not to spoil anything, but if you have something THAT EPIC it probably shouldn't just unfold in like two seconds. There were hints here and there throughout the book but SUPER TINY ONES, ones way too small to be able to call them like "substantial buildup to the reveal." They actually made me think Ry was a Bad Guy instead of like this WILDLY EPIC LOVE SITUATION.
To put it in perspective, this book is kind of Tumblr Famous because a quote is used on lots of shippy gifsets: "I'd choose you; in a hundred lifetimes, in a hundred worlds, in any version of reality, I'd find you and I'd choose you." SUPER GOOD, RIGHT? Fifty million fanfic authors were like "ugh dammit that's so good why can't I use that now" because of how like Sweepingly Romantic it is. But that quote, and the reason some person says that quote, happens during SO MUCH OTHER CLIMACTIC STUFF that it just felt overshadowed. Which was sad!!
Also, the ending just happened SO fast. Like, BOOM RESOLVED. After like, a LOT of character growth and self-examination that maybe could've been rehashed or addressed? If a central conflict of the book is "families are tough," ending the book with "WELP we're all totally cool now" falls a little flat.
ANYWAY I guess if I were the beta of this fic (lol) I'd say it needed a solid like, two more chapters of writing at least, to give a little more weight to the Seemingly Epic Romance and to make the ending a little less "they all immediately totally lived happily ever after." BUT at the end of the day the book kept me engaged, after the first couple chapters I was compelled to finish it, and I had fun doing so.
What kept this from being a 4 or above, for me, was actually The Romance: I liked that the main character had harmful thought patterns about herself and loneliness that had to be unlearned, but I didn't LOVE the fact that the thought patterns were kind of unlearned through a boy. I also liked Isadora's gradual warming to Ry and the fact that Ry thought Isadora was Literally The Best Person instead of being like, dumb and aloof and Cool Boy, but THEN the "big relationship reveal" was SO RUSHED! Not to spoil anything, but if you have something THAT EPIC it probably shouldn't just unfold in like two seconds. There were hints here and there throughout the book but SUPER TINY ONES, ones way too small to be able to call them like "substantial buildup to the reveal." They actually made me think Ry was a Bad Guy instead of like this WILDLY EPIC LOVE SITUATION.
To put it in perspective, this book is kind of Tumblr Famous because a quote is used on lots of shippy gifsets: "I'd choose you; in a hundred lifetimes, in a hundred worlds, in any version of reality, I'd find you and I'd choose you." SUPER GOOD, RIGHT? Fifty million fanfic authors were like "ugh dammit that's so good why can't I use that now" because of how like Sweepingly Romantic it is. But that quote, and the reason some person says that quote, happens during SO MUCH OTHER CLIMACTIC STUFF that it just felt overshadowed. Which was sad!!
Also, the ending just happened SO fast. Like, BOOM RESOLVED. After like, a LOT of character growth and self-examination that maybe could've been rehashed or addressed? If a central conflict of the book is "families are tough," ending the book with "WELP we're all totally cool now" falls a little flat.
ANYWAY I guess if I were the beta of this fic (lol) I'd say it needed a solid like, two more chapters of writing at least, to give a little more weight to the Seemingly Epic Romance and to make the ending a little less "they all immediately totally lived happily ever after." BUT at the end of the day the book kept me engaged, after the first couple chapters I was compelled to finish it, and I had fun doing so.
mikailah's review against another edition
2.0
This is literally just a weird angsty teenage thing with a dash of Egyptian mythology that doesn't even fit well with the book. And the main character is way too self-absorbed. I really don't have much to say about this book
brendalovesbooks's review against another edition
3.0
I've read some pretty bad reviews of The Chaos of Stars, and I have to say I didn't think it was all that bad. Sure, there is better YA stuff out there, but there is a lot worse too. And clocking in at less than 300 pages with fairly big print, this was a really quick read, which is nice sometimes.
The main character, Isadora, can get a little whiny and annoying at times, but she's probably a typical teenager. I feel like with the shortness of the book, the story wasn't super fleshed out, but it was really good enough for a bit of entertainment. That's mostly what I'm looking for these days when I read.
I don't know a whole lot about Egyptian mythology, so maybe this book is way off base with it all, and that could be annoying for people. But if you don't know/don't care that much, it's not a big deal. I wouldn't say run out and pick up a copy of this one, but if you come across it at the library or something and are looking for something to read, it's a decent choice.
I got an ARC of this one, not sure where from, it just showed up in my mailbox.
The main character, Isadora, can get a little whiny and annoying at times, but she's probably a typical teenager. I feel like with the shortness of the book, the story wasn't super fleshed out, but it was really good enough for a bit of entertainment. That's mostly what I'm looking for these days when I read.
I don't know a whole lot about Egyptian mythology, so maybe this book is way off base with it all, and that could be annoying for people. But if you don't know/don't care that much, it's not a big deal. I wouldn't say run out and pick up a copy of this one, but if you come across it at the library or something and are looking for something to read, it's a decent choice.
I got an ARC of this one, not sure where from, it just showed up in my mailbox.
cbswelcomehome's review
adventurous
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
shhchar's review against another edition
5.0
This book was undoubtedly cheesy, but I absolutely loved it (and wish it would become a series.)
Isadora was a strong protagonist. By that I mean extremely stubborn. Sometimes that bothers the crap out of me, sometimes it doesn't. This time it didn't; it was one of my favorite characteristics about her. She had reason behind her attitude, ones of magnitude. She truly developed over the course of this book. The story puts a lot of import on the mother/daughter relationship which was also a refreshing twist.
The mythological aspect of this was fairly understated. It left guessing to the reader, which I loved. The plotlines were extremely predictable, but overall this book was very fun!
Isadora was a strong protagonist. By that I mean extremely stubborn. Sometimes that bothers the crap out of me, sometimes it doesn't. This time it didn't; it was one of my favorite characteristics about her. She had reason behind her attitude, ones of magnitude. She truly developed over the course of this book. The story puts a lot of import on the mother/daughter relationship which was also a refreshing twist.
The mythological aspect of this was fairly understated. It left guessing to the reader, which I loved. The plotlines were extremely predictable, but overall this book was very fun!
aradhnak's review against another edition
4.0
Don’t you love the feeling when, after a bout of unproductiveness, after being unable to write or read for months, you pick up a book in the hopes of finally getting over the slump, and you finish it in two days? I really, really do.
To be honest, I think the reason I loved the book so much was because of how easy it was to read. The story wasn’t overly complicated. The characters, despite being gods and goddesses and children of aforementioned deity, were relatable. Ultimately, it was a story about family and letting new people in.
With, you know, some mysterious darkness looming as a threat beyond everything.
The usual stuff.
(full review on my blog.)
To be honest, I think the reason I loved the book so much was because of how easy it was to read. The story wasn’t overly complicated. The characters, despite being gods and goddesses and children of aforementioned deity, were relatable. Ultimately, it was a story about family and letting new people in.
With, you know, some mysterious darkness looming as a threat beyond everything.
The usual stuff.
(full review on my blog.)