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willrefuge's review against another edition
4.0
You know, it was pretty good. Let's say I'm pleasantly surprised. The ending was a little bit of a disappointment--just how things were explained, especially the things that I have no idea how to put into context, and the things that were just explained by "it's hard to explain" or "humans don't possess the ability to understand this". That said, there was a bona-fide zombie apocalypse in the middle of this, so it's reaaally hard to say too much against it.
I'd never read anything by Gene Doucette before tSND. Never even heard of him, really. This book popped up on some kindle sale for $1-2 and I read through the sample and decided it'd be worth a try. My expectations were literally what I expect out of a 50 cent a day entertainment option. Um, not much.
The story was straightforward, with some pleasant but not too challenging twists. The plot was imminently graspable even for someone like me who has their head in the clouds when they're not busy dreaming. The characters were likable, on the whole, at least.
It was good. Not overly technological, with pages upon pages of technobabble (sometimes I like stuff like that, but not always; like everything else, it has to be tasteful), but not just "take everything for granted and don't ask too many questions". It had a good balance.
A good read to follow up something thick, or dense, or just exhausting. A couple bits off at the end for the summary, but as I stated before, it's really hard to get that exactly right. Overall, really enjoyable though.
So... let's say 4 out of 5. Maybe 4 and a quarter. Probably the best scifi book I've read so far this year.
I'd never read anything by Gene Doucette before tSND. Never even heard of him, really. This book popped up on some kindle sale for $1-2 and I read through the sample and decided it'd be worth a try. My expectations were literally what I expect out of a 50 cent a day entertainment option. Um, not much.
The story was straightforward, with some pleasant but not too challenging twists. The plot was imminently graspable even for someone like me who has their head in the clouds when they're not busy dreaming. The characters were likable, on the whole, at least.
It was good. Not overly technological, with pages upon pages of technobabble (sometimes I like stuff like that, but not always; like everything else, it has to be tasteful), but not just "take everything for granted and don't ask too many questions". It had a good balance.
A good read to follow up something thick, or dense, or just exhausting. A couple bits off at the end for the summary, but as I stated before, it's really hard to get that exactly right. Overall, really enjoyable though.
So... let's say 4 out of 5. Maybe 4 and a quarter. Probably the best scifi book I've read so far this year.
pieneman's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
ghiblireads's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I bought this book randomly because the name and synopsis interested me - it turned out to be a fun little sci-fi read that I liked! It was written in a bit of a strange way that took me a while to get used to but I did love the humour in it. The characters were actually really good; I especially loved Annie and Ed but even the side characters were well written. Annie was such a unique character which I loved. The plot was slow moving for the first half - nothing much happens but I did enjoy learning about the town, the spaceship and the characters. Once things did start to happen it was a little stranger than I was expecting and I’m not convinced that I fully loved it. I’m not sure if I would read the sequel or not. Overall, I did enjoy this book.
moonmama's review against another edition
5.0
#thespaceshipnextdoor
#netgalley
I absolutely loved this book! I’m an avid reader, and it takes a good book to make me want to tell everyone all about it and this also has the advantage that, not only is it wonderful, it’s charming and vivacious and, although there are some thrilling and potentially terrifying aspects, it it’s believe it’s still age appropriate for anyone over ten.
It’s hilarious. I laughed out loud the whole way through.
The protagonist, Annie, is one of the most delightful characters I’ve read about in a long time and I would snap up other stories about her or about any of the characters in Doucett’s novel in a heartbeat.
In fact, im off to find out whether there are any more novels of his right now and an crossing my fingers that there’s a sequel to The Spaceship Nect Door.
#netgalley
I absolutely loved this book! I’m an avid reader, and it takes a good book to make me want to tell everyone all about it and this also has the advantage that, not only is it wonderful, it’s charming and vivacious and, although there are some thrilling and potentially terrifying aspects, it it’s believe it’s still age appropriate for anyone over ten.
It’s hilarious. I laughed out loud the whole way through.
The protagonist, Annie, is one of the most delightful characters I’ve read about in a long time and I would snap up other stories about her or about any of the characters in Doucett’s novel in a heartbeat.
In fact, im off to find out whether there are any more novels of his right now and an crossing my fingers that there’s a sequel to The Spaceship Nect Door.
doodlefox's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-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? No
5.0
This was such an enjoyable read. I loved Annie Collins and her easy banter.
h3dakota's review against another edition
4.0
Ok, be warned that the first half is a little slow paced, but it is worth the slow build up! The idea behind this story is original, awesome & completely took me by surprise, which makes it a fantastic book in my eyes. I love an original story that gives the reader something unexpected and this one totally fulfills both aspects. Read this book!!
wolfscout55's review against another edition
5.0
I loved it. Sure it took a while to get interesting but the plot was good as well as the message(which I didn’t discover what it was until the end). Overall if you love slower paced books and aliens this is perfect.
marilynw's review against another edition
4.0
Annie Collins is a 16 year old girl with a mother dying of cancer and a demeanor more adult than that of most adults. She's witty and young but also extremely mature on the outside, even when she doesn't always feel that way on the inside. I really enjoyed this book, especially because of the character of Annie. The entire town knows that Annie is the person who knows everything and knows everybody. Despite the book dealing with what could be the end of the world, the book is also lighthearted and funny.
Three years ago a mysterious object landed in a field in Annie's town of Sorrow Falls. Into town comes Ed, a "reporter" who is really a government operative and he's here to find out what is going on with the mysterious object, after three years of it seeming to stand dormant in the field. Soon he has Annie working for him since she is the person who knows the most and can introduce him to everyone. Little does Annie know, Ed is also the person who has a plan for the government to destroy Sorrow Falls and the surrounding areas, if what he discovers seems too dangerous to allow to exist.
Very strange things start happening in Sorrow Falls. I've never read or watched a zombie story but I accidentally did so when I read this book. It's kind of delightful in a sick sort of way because I do enjoy this book so much and look forward to the next one (not that zombies are guaranteed to be in the next story). I want to know more about what happens to Annie and the mysterious object. I do wish the ending of the book didn't just end with Annie and Ed, without telling a little more about the other people that were with her towards the end, in Sorrow Falls. They were all interesting characters and I wish we had more information about them and how the town is getting along in the days after the strange happenings.
Thank you to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and NetGalley for this ARC.
Three years ago a mysterious object landed in a field in Annie's town of Sorrow Falls. Into town comes Ed, a "reporter" who is really a government operative and he's here to find out what is going on with the mysterious object, after three years of it seeming to stand dormant in the field. Soon he has Annie working for him since she is the person who knows the most and can introduce him to everyone. Little does Annie know, Ed is also the person who has a plan for the government to destroy Sorrow Falls and the surrounding areas, if what he discovers seems too dangerous to allow to exist.
Very strange things start happening in Sorrow Falls. I've never read or watched a zombie story but I accidentally did so when I read this book. It's kind of delightful in a sick sort of way because I do enjoy this book so much and look forward to the next one (not that zombies are guaranteed to be in the next story). I want to know more about what happens to Annie and the mysterious object. I do wish the ending of the book didn't just end with Annie and Ed, without telling a little more about the other people that were with her towards the end, in Sorrow Falls. They were all interesting characters and I wish we had more information about them and how the town is getting along in the days after the strange happenings.
Thank you to Houghton Mifflin Harcourt and NetGalley for this ARC.