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some_random_person_hi's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Kinda mid ngl. Couldn't connect even though Gabi was pretty much me when I was 13, both of us were simply too annoying. At least that means teenagers are portrayed accurately bc teenagers are cringe and annoying ig?
Content Warnings
Graphic: Medical content
Moderate: Bullying, Animal death, Death of parent, Fatphobia, Grief, Death, Child abuse, Car accident, Domestic abuse, and Child death
Minor: Injury/Injury detail, Racism, and Ableism
For brief ableism, it is unchallenged use of OCD to describe being organized (/neat?). For moderate child death,dandelionsteph's review
lighthearted
slow-paced
3.0
This book was disappointing: its Rick Riordan Presents imprint suggested a different sort of book from the one I ended up reading. I Rick Riordan Presents books, from what I've read so far, tend to have stronger, more overt fantasy elements and a grander scope, in which the protagonist's journey involves multiple distinct far-flung places. City of the Plague God, for example, had locations in both the mundane world and the Sumerian afterlife, and Dragon Pearl had two planets and a spaceship. Rick Riordan Presents books, again based on what I've read, also have a villain that binds the plot together and some sense of mystery. This book, however, had none of those elements: it all takes place in one municipality in Florida, and not a particularly intriguing one, either. It doesn't really have a villain, and the protagonist already has operational knowledge of how his powers work. It's not an epic fantasy, and it doesn't even bring its very premise (of "breaking the universe") to the expected dramatic tension. Between its small scope in locations and plot, this is closer to a "Junie B. Jones: First Grader" book with science fantasy elements and a much longer length than Rick Riordan's own books.
I feel that this book should have ended 3/4s in: it just didn't have the scope to justify its length.
I feel that this book should have ended 3/4s in: it just didn't have the scope to justify its length.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent and Death
rainbowsnorlax's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death
Minor: Child abuse
lilyn_g's review
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
This was a beautiful read. At several points I laughed at out loud, but there was also sadness, acceptance, and every other emotion under the sun in here.
It has
It has
- family that love and support each other (including a stepmom who adores her kid)
- a good bit of Spanish in it
- a diverse MC w/ type 1 diabetes
- Real talk about abuse and death, but at an age appropriate level
- a good bit of Spanish in it
- a diverse MC w/ type 1 diabetes
- Real talk about abuse and death, but at an age appropriate level
Everyone you see for more than 2 pages in this book cares about other people. It's like chicken noodle soup for the 2020 soul. A perfect reading start to 2021.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child abuse, Death, and Grief
jeannemuldoon's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Read from March 3, 2020 to April 27, 2020. Made it to 88.22% or page 337/382 before quarantine started, and cancelled my motivation plan. The library just reopened to do curbside pick-up, reactivating my motivation to finish the book, so I could turn it in and check out "Crooked Kingdom". Finished, finally (!), on December 9, 2020. Read from Chapter 39 to the epilogue using the audiobook through the Libby app; read the rest (the first portion) on my own.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Grief
Minor: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, and Cursing
booksteaandchocolate's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book was so much fun! It literally is a book that has no logic so throw it all out the window, but this is such a uplifting and silly science fiction middle grade. It has great poc, mixed family, and illness representation. This is definitely a book I would get for my boys to share with them and I think they would adore it. Gabi and Sal's friendship is so unique and I love the found family without it being shoved down your throat.
The only reason that this book gets a 3 instead of 4 stars is because I don't understand why the book was titled break the universe. I kept waiting for it and waiting for it and was like welp I don't think they are breaking the universe. I think that the science fiction is very low-key so if kids are needing more of an introduction to science fiction this is perfect! I think I would label this more a contemporary than anything else though. It deals with grief of losing a parent and how Sal really handles that grief.
The only reason that this book gets a 3 instead of 4 stars is because I don't understand why the book was titled break the universe. I kept waiting for it and waiting for it and was like welp I don't think they are breaking the universe. I think that the science fiction is very low-key so if kids are needing more of an introduction to science fiction this is perfect! I think I would label this more a contemporary than anything else though. It deals with grief of losing a parent and how Sal really handles that grief.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Chronic illness, and Child abuse
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