Scan barcode
e_r_elmwood's review against another edition
3.0
To be honest, I'm not completely sure how I feel about this book. I mostly picked it up hoping it would delve more into the complex relationship Billy and Max obviously have, and I certainly got what I wanted. What I'm on the fence about is if it makes sense for them, though. The book was released on the same day season three was, so I have a hard time believing that the author had no knowledge of the contents. Which is why it was confusing to see direct contradictions and confusing timelines. The timeline was confusing to me, at least, I don't know if anyone else struggled. The writing also felt very middle school, but that makes sense, it is from a thirteen-year-old's perspective. I will definitely give credit where credit is due for the two lines that made me say "damn" out loud, but I can't find them lol.
The explanation for why Billy and Max had to move to Indiana makes sense. I've been wanting to have an explanation for that for ages, though I wasn't expecting the book to put Billy in such a psychotic light. Not that it's undeserved - I probably should've seen that portrayal coming - but it didn't make sense for Max to feel such grief over her step-brother in seasons three and four when he broke her childhood best friend's arm. I don't know. All I can say is that I have mixed feelings.
If I have one main praise, it's the portrayal of Susan. She was a woman who married a man she must've known to some degree was abusive and watched him hurt his son again and again while she did nothing. The exploration of her character from her daughter's point of view was fascinating, and it gives season four a new layer of depth for me.
I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who isn't seriously interested in Max or Billy, but it wasn't bad all the same.
The explanation for why Billy and Max had to move to Indiana makes sense. I've been wanting to have an explanation for that for ages, though I wasn't expecting the book to put Billy in such a psychotic light. Not that it's undeserved - I probably should've seen that portrayal coming - but it didn't make sense for Max to feel such grief over her step-brother in seasons three and four when he broke her childhood best friend's arm. I don't know. All I can say is that I have mixed feelings.
If I have one main praise, it's the portrayal of Susan. She was a woman who married a man she must've known to some degree was abusive and watched him hurt his son again and again while she did nothing. The exploration of her character from her daughter's point of view was fascinating, and it gives season four a new layer of depth for me.
I wouldn't recommend it to anyone who isn't seriously interested in Max or Billy, but it wasn't bad all the same.
evie_0108's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
madelynhope's review against another edition
4.0
[ 3.5 ??? ]
i love max, so this was a fun read, and i loved reading about her life before hawkins and seeing things from her perspective. however, some parts of the book dragged especially when it was just a summarization of what happened in the show.
i love max, so this was a fun read, and i loved reading about her life before hawkins and seeing things from her perspective. however, some parts of the book dragged especially when it was just a summarization of what happened in the show.
hamletsskull's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
I must unfortunately come to the terrifying conclusion that Max Mayfield is me and I am Max. The only flaw is that I can't skateboard but I keep trying to rectify it. It's a bit more "plot of the show from an alternate perspective" for my tastes, but Max's perspective is a good and useful one, so I let it slide. Also her internal monologue cuts in with a lot of flashbacks to how she ended up Like This. (Her dad being a bored, bookie? incredible)
....
This books still makes me want to study Billy Hargrove like a bug. I must come to the conclusion that this is indeed my toxic trait.
....
This books still makes me want to study Billy Hargrove like a bug. I must come to the conclusion that this is indeed my toxic trait.
kimball_hansen's review against another edition
2.0
These novellas are getting worse and worse with even less content. The first two were good. These last two weren't very entertaining at all.
nienscel's review against another edition
adventurous
lighthearted
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
go_maggs_go's review against another edition
2.0
This has been my least favorite of the Stranger Things novels so far. The previous two were brand new adventures for our characters, but this one felt like so much of what we've already seen onscreen, just told from Max's POV. I still enjoyed it, and I liked the insight into who Max is as a character, but not as much as the other so far.
exploradora's review against another edition
4.0
***3,5 stars***
This is the third book in the "Stranger Things" Extended Universe. As the title hints at, it explores Max's past, while also rehashing events we've seen already in season 2, but seen through her eyes. It's basically half prequel, half retelling.
The story's well written and I think that Brenda Yovanoff captured Max's spirit and personality perfectly. We also get to see an emotional depth to Max's family, something that was missing from both season's 2 and 3 of the series; as well as much needed information and character background for Billy. I can't make up my mind if I think he's just a rotten person, or if I actually understand him and see the reasons why he is the way he is
This is the third book in the "Stranger Things" Extended Universe. As the title hints at, it explores Max's past, while also rehashing events we've seen already in season 2, but seen through her eyes. It's basically half prequel, half retelling.
The story's well written and I think that Brenda Yovanoff captured Max's spirit and personality perfectly. We also get to see an emotional depth to Max's family, something that was missing from both season's 2 and 3 of the series; as well as much needed information and character background for Billy. I can't make up my mind if I think he's just a rotten person, or if I actually understand him and see the reasons why he is the way he is
rystonlentil43's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
2.75
I love Max and this was a great reinforcement of that, but it got ridiculously repetitive, like there was a minimum word count and the book didn't have enough plot of its own to support it. Sophie Amoss did a good job reading; I'd probably have given up otherwise.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Racism