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eatingwords's review
4.0
Alright, at first I thought that the sequel will be almost the same as the first book in the trilogy. In the first one he's aging a year a day, in the second he's getting a year younger a day.
But somewhere in the middle of the book it got interesting. Cameron tried to deal with the situation all alone by himself and not to bother and/or worry his family and friends.
I especially liked Kimber's character in this one. She was pretty awesome throughout the novel. Of course she didn't always act as an adult, but at least she did well for a fourteen-year-old girl.
Oh, and I came to hate Liesel's character. All whiny, whiny and making decisions that are just plain dumb and impulsive.
Other than that I didn't really like the ending too much and again I already knew from the beginning, who the bad guy was.
But oh well, let's see what the last book in the trilogy will be like.
But somewhere in the middle of the book it got interesting. Cameron tried to deal with the situation all alone by himself and not to bother and/or worry his family and friends.
I especially liked Kimber's character in this one. She was pretty awesome throughout the novel. Of course she didn't always act as an adult, but at least she did well for a fourteen-year-old girl.
Oh, and I came to hate Liesel's character. All whiny, whiny and making decisions that are just plain dumb and impulsive.
Other than that I didn't really like the ending too much and again I already knew from the beginning, who the bad guy was.
But oh well, let's see what the last book in the trilogy will be like.
bstaats's review
2.0
Originally posted to Esther's Ever After
I enjoyed the first book in Brian Rowe's Birthday Trilogy, Happy Birthday to Me, because it struck me as a fairly creative idea for a YA book, and I was pleased wit it as a well presented and fun book. I had high hopes for the sequel, but unfortunately I wasn't nearly as impresesd with this one as I was with the first book.
There are very few spoilers for the first book in this review, but if you'd like you can also stop by to read my review of Happy Birthday to Me.
But I was mostly disappointed with Cameron as a character. While he grew on me in the first book, I found him even harder to like in this one. It seemed as if he was presented as this unlucky guy starting to grow up and act like an adult, but I had a hard time seeing that in Cam. His choices and reactions to things struck me as the most immature aspects of him, and I couldn't understand how I was supposed to end up liking him more. Because frankly, most of the time he just ended up being a self-centred jerk. For all the times he claimed to love Liesl, he sure showed it in a funny way when she was in trouble. I was just so frustrated and annoyed with both Cameron and Liesl, but Cam in particular because he came across as being so fake; saying he was worried about Liesl, yet not acting on trying to help her in some way. And instead, distracting himself from this worry.
Overall, I felt no sympathy towards the characters, Liesl and others included, as they were supposed to be victims in these terrible circumstances... but it wasn't as if they were faultless. And the whole book read as more of a set up for the third book, than an actual sequel to the first. And Cam is just so stubborn and unwilling to deal with the problems and issues presented by others close to him, so big problems are just brushed off as being no big deal.
After reading Happy Birthday to Me Again, I think I would have been happier to just leave Happy Birthday to Me as a standalone and not chosen to continue with the series.
Review copy provided by author in exchange for my honest review; no other compensation was received.
I enjoyed the first book in Brian Rowe's Birthday Trilogy, Happy Birthday to Me, because it struck me as a fairly creative idea for a YA book, and I was pleased wit it as a well presented and fun book. I had high hopes for the sequel, but unfortunately I wasn't nearly as impresesd with this one as I was with the first book.
There are very few spoilers for the first book in this review, but if you'd like you can also stop by to read my review of Happy Birthday to Me.
- Something different and fresh:
I definitely get sick of reading the same types of books over and over, but I'm so impressed with Brian's creativity both in terms of the plot and in the presentation and writing style. The whole story is kind of quirky and he maintains this sense of humour throughout the book, even in more serious situations.
But I was mostly disappointed with Cameron as a character. While he grew on me in the first book, I found him even harder to like in this one. It seemed as if he was presented as this unlucky guy starting to grow up and act like an adult, but I had a hard time seeing that in Cam. His choices and reactions to things struck me as the most immature aspects of him, and I couldn't understand how I was supposed to end up liking him more. Because frankly, most of the time he just ended up being a self-centred jerk. For all the times he claimed to love Liesl, he sure showed it in a funny way when she was in trouble. I was just so frustrated and annoyed with both Cameron and Liesl, but Cam in particular because he came across as being so fake; saying he was worried about Liesl, yet not acting on trying to help her in some way. And instead, distracting himself from this worry.
Overall, I felt no sympathy towards the characters, Liesl and others included, as they were supposed to be victims in these terrible circumstances... but it wasn't as if they were faultless. And the whole book read as more of a set up for the third book, than an actual sequel to the first. And Cam is just so stubborn and unwilling to deal with the problems and issues presented by others close to him, so big problems are just brushed off as being no big deal.
After reading Happy Birthday to Me Again, I think I would have been happier to just leave Happy Birthday to Me as a standalone and not chosen to continue with the series.
Review copy provided by author in exchange for my honest review; no other compensation was received.
mimifrancis's review
2.0
Cameron Martin thought his luck had finally changed. He was going to marry his beloved girlfriend Liesel and hopefully live happily ever after. But when Cameron gets cold feet and tries to cancel the wedding, Liesel lashes out at him with another life-altering curse. Except this time, Cameron is aging backwards—one year every day. Even worse, Liesel has disappeared and Cameron can’t do anything but sit back, watch himself shrink into nothing and hope Liesel shows up in time to save him, again.
This book follows the same story line as the original, albeit with a twist. This time, Cameron is getting younger. The same characters appear as in the original, though this time they are a bit more likable. We as readers are introduced to a couple of new characters and fortunately, we get to know Kimber, Cameron’s sister, a bit better in this book. I really enjoyed this, as she was probably my favorite character from both books—she was definitely the most likeable. Rowe utilizes the same techniques as in the first book—great concept, original story, as well as a well-organized and well-thought-out plot.
Unfortunately, the flaws I pointed out in the first book are present in this book as well. Shout was still the most overused verb in the book, capital letters to indicate a loud volume or being upset were still there and vomiting took center stage in nearly every chapter. For instance, I don’t think it is necessary to have Kimber shout “Yes. Twice” at her mother when calmly asked if the dog pooped while on a walk. Every time I turned a page, the capital letters jumped out at me, to the point that I started to unconsciously keep track of how often they appeared in the book (I lost count). And again, vomiting was discussed so frequently that you could pretty much count on it appearing at least once per chapter. I sometimes felt as if I was reading a book written by a male teenager, rather than written from the viewpoint of a male teenager. And believe me, there is a difference.
I do think this book could be read by older junior high school students and up, as there was less discussion of sex and male body parts this time around.
This book follows the same story line as the original, albeit with a twist. This time, Cameron is getting younger. The same characters appear as in the original, though this time they are a bit more likable. We as readers are introduced to a couple of new characters and fortunately, we get to know Kimber, Cameron’s sister, a bit better in this book. I really enjoyed this, as she was probably my favorite character from both books—she was definitely the most likeable. Rowe utilizes the same techniques as in the first book—great concept, original story, as well as a well-organized and well-thought-out plot.
Unfortunately, the flaws I pointed out in the first book are present in this book as well. Shout was still the most overused verb in the book, capital letters to indicate a loud volume or being upset were still there and vomiting took center stage in nearly every chapter. For instance, I don’t think it is necessary to have Kimber shout “Yes. Twice” at her mother when calmly asked if the dog pooped while on a walk. Every time I turned a page, the capital letters jumped out at me, to the point that I started to unconsciously keep track of how often they appeared in the book (I lost count). And again, vomiting was discussed so frequently that you could pretty much count on it appearing at least once per chapter. I sometimes felt as if I was reading a book written by a male teenager, rather than written from the viewpoint of a male teenager. And believe me, there is a difference.
I do think this book could be read by older junior high school students and up, as there was less discussion of sex and male body parts this time around.
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