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rennegade's review
1.0
I had heard good things about this book, so I grabbed it on the way to the doctor's office yesterday.
I'm sorry to say that it did not click with me at all. I had a really hard time getting past the sexual relationship between the cousins. While the larger part of the book was taken up with war stuff, it was still a love story involving two characters in an incestuous relationship that I just do not find acceptable or enjoyable to read about.
The war aspects were not that great, either. I did not like the characters so I hoped the other parts of the book would be enjoyable, but you find out absolutely nothing about the war. No idea exactly why it started, who were the enemies, what led to the end, etc. That vagueness could probably work in other books, but this one did not have enough going for it be to coy with those details.
The only positive about the book for me is that it was a quick read.
I'm sorry to say that it did not click with me at all. I had a really hard time getting past the sexual relationship between the cousins. While the larger part of the book was taken up with war stuff, it was still a love story involving two characters in an incestuous relationship that I just do not find acceptable or enjoyable to read about.
The war aspects were not that great, either. I did not like the characters so I hoped the other parts of the book would be enjoyable, but you find out absolutely nothing about the war. No idea exactly why it started, who were the enemies, what led to the end, etc. That vagueness could probably work in other books, but this one did not have enough going for it be to coy with those details.
The only positive about the book for me is that it was a quick read.
solaana's review
4.0
Again with the dystopian UK kids' lit, but still good. Disturbing, but good. Minimal amount of sex, if any.
margeryb's review
3.0
I had an interesting experience with this book. As a teen, I actually picked this up from the library, started it, and then quit on it a few chapters in. I was disoriented by the style -- a very close first person where the dialogue is not even separated into quotations -- and by a story choice -- two cousins start a sexual relationship. Picking it up again in my pursuit to read all Printz winners, I had a different experience. The style grew on me as I read it and fits the tone of the story overall. ...Still not completely sold on the narrative choice of having first cousins in a relationship but (a) it was not the focus of the story and not very long after I had quit the first time around the two characters were separated for most of the story and (b) I think I kind of see what the author was going for???
This is a story about Daisy and her cousins just living when a war breaks out in the UK. What makes this different than so many teens in war books is that it is not about them being spies, or running secret messages, or anyway being connected to the geopolitical intrigue or the war effort. It's about surviving. About day-to-day living as it slowly changes from what you knew and how you keep adapting. How mundane it can be sometimes as you deal with rationing and quarantines and knowing there are bombs and battles in distance, but it's almost hard to relate to. Basically, reading this in the beginning of 2021 during Covid and watching an almost coup via twitter updates while having to finish your day out work... it hits different. In a meaningful way. Because sometimes you are living a very mundane life when giant political intrigues are going on. Because sometimes you keep adapting in small ways over and over and over again until they become normal. Those themes really got to me and I definitely think young people in the small political climate may find meaning there, just like I did. However, there were a few choices that hold me back from giving a higher star count.
This is a story about Daisy and her cousins just living when a war breaks out in the UK. What makes this different than so many teens in war books is that it is not about them being spies, or running secret messages, or anyway being connected to the geopolitical intrigue or the war effort. It's about surviving. About day-to-day living as it slowly changes from what you knew and how you keep adapting. How mundane it can be sometimes as you deal with rationing and quarantines and knowing there are bombs and battles in distance, but it's almost hard to relate to. Basically, reading this in the beginning of 2021 during Covid and watching an almost coup via twitter updates while having to finish your day out work... it hits different. In a meaningful way. Because sometimes you are living a very mundane life when giant political intrigues are going on. Because sometimes you keep adapting in small ways over and over and over again until they become normal. Those themes really got to me and I definitely think young people in the small political climate may find meaning there, just like I did. However, there were a few choices that hold me back from giving a higher star count.
cgcpoems's review
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
I can’t remember how this ended up on my to-read shelf 9 years ago, but it was available on audio through the library and I thought I’d just knock this one out.
Despite a solid premise, I had a lot of trouble with this book. The main character came off as being very unlikeable, and it was hard to be stuck in her first-person perspective the whole time. Additionally, I didn’t believe the romantic relationship in this book at all. It was based on a lot of telling me about how in love she was and very little showing (unnecessary weirdness of that relationship aside). These two factors were so distracting that I couldn’t find it in me to get invested in the larger story of it all.
Despite a solid premise, I had a lot of trouble with this book. The main character came off as being very unlikeable, and it was hard to be stuck in her first-person perspective the whole time. Additionally, I didn’t believe the romantic relationship in this book at all. It was based on a lot of telling me about how in love she was and very little showing (unnecessary weirdness of that relationship aside). These two factors were so distracting that I couldn’t find it in me to get invested in the larger story of it all.
jenleah's review
3.0
The premise of this story, a group of kids and teenagers find themselves living alone in the English countryside after war breaks out, was great. It was a fairly easy read that had me eager to find out what would happen next.
Now that I'm finished, though, I'm left feeling frustrated. This book was so vague, you never find out who the enemy is or really what happening in the US, you only get glimpses into Daisy's past where you have to just make assumptions. There was some finality to the story where you learn about what happens to Aunt Dee, Edmond, and Piper. You do at least learn that the occupation is over.
Also, the author used no quotation marks and randomly capitalized words in nearly every sentence. Once I got into the book, I almost didn't notice, but it was a bit tedious.
Now that I'm finished, though, I'm left feeling frustrated. This book was so vague, you never find out who the enemy is or really what happening in the US, you only get glimpses into Daisy's past where you have to just make assumptions. There was some finality to the story where you learn about what happens to Aunt Dee, Edmond, and Piper. You do at least learn that the occupation is over.
Also, the author used no quotation marks and randomly capitalized words in nearly every sentence. Once I got into the book, I almost didn't notice, but it was a bit tedious.
grethel_'s review
4.0
The style of writing took a little bit to get used to but I ended up falling in love with the book. Even though the ending felt rushed and got a little confusing, I really enjoyed the unique story.
lizzydennyreadsabook's review
2.0
Some good writing but not ideal that the girl tries to bang her cousin.
debi_g's review
4.0
+ Unexpected and unusual, yet entirely compelling events.
- Some awkward and incorrect sentence constructions, but likely due to the narrator rather than the writer.
+ Setting and tone appeal to me, as does the journey...bleak as it all is.
+ Teen fans of this book may graduate to The Road.
(Perhaps I'm enjoying the current market fixation on dystopias and apocalyptic tales too much. Keep them coming, publishers!)
- Some awkward and incorrect sentence constructions, but likely due to the narrator rather than the writer.
+ Setting and tone appeal to me, as does the journey...bleak as it all is.
+ Teen fans of this book may graduate to The Road.
(Perhaps I'm enjoying the current market fixation on dystopias and apocalyptic tales too much. Keep them coming, publishers!)
mariethelibrarian's review
3.0
I am not sure how I feel about this. It was confusing and the writing style annoyed me immensely the 80 first pages. Then it started getting interesting and it got pretty dark and awful at a point there. I just didnt quite "grasp" it. I can see why some people love it, but I dont think I read it at the right time..