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3.84 AVERAGE
3.84 AVERAGE
Wonderfully unusual.
Different from anything I have ever read, it goes the opposite way you think it will.
I really do recommend readers give this a try, especially if you enjoyed The Ocean at the End of the Lane, go past the third chapter and you will be hooked.
Different from anything I have ever read, it goes the opposite way you think it will.
I really do recommend readers give this a try, especially if you enjoyed The Ocean at the End of the Lane, go past the third chapter and you will be hooked.
First, this book is really well written. The structure, imagery, dialogue and characters were all adroitly composed. In isolation the book is fine.
Buuuut. I am sorry, but there is a serious bait and switch here. First of all, this isn’t magical realism. If you are looking for that sort of thing it isn’t here. The blurbs lie. This is a nicely done but standard YA coming of age story set in an entirely mundane world, with a fantasy element as there is a portal to another magical dimension. The delineation is clear between the sober and fantastic as characters move through portals. Like Narnia, that’s fantasy, not magical realism.
So, I am a little disappointed that it wasn’t what I wanted. It isn’t author’s fault that the blurbs were so misleading.
The story was mostly predictable, the “solution” was obvious from the get-go, (I literally asked myself out-loud why the protagonist woman didn’t at least threaten it) but it fit nicely into the pace of the structure.
As for allegory, the entire book, felt like a deep examination into all the nuances of “The Male Gaze.” Honesty that should have been the selling point for the book. That said if you aren’t prepared for the book to be entirely about that, it might be overwhelming. There certainly were times where I felt like I didn’t sign up for this.
Anyway it’s fine.
Buuuut. I am sorry, but there is a serious bait and switch here. First of all, this isn’t magical realism. If you are looking for that sort of thing it isn’t here. The blurbs lie. This is a nicely done but standard YA coming of age story set in an entirely mundane world, with a fantasy element as there is a portal to another magical dimension. The delineation is clear between the sober and fantastic as characters move through portals. Like Narnia, that’s fantasy, not magical realism.
So, I am a little disappointed that it wasn’t what I wanted. It isn’t author’s fault that the blurbs were so misleading.
The story was mostly predictable, the “solution” was obvious from the get-go, (I literally asked myself out-loud why the protagonist woman didn’t at least threaten it) but it fit nicely into the pace of the structure.
As for allegory, the entire book, felt like a deep examination into all the nuances of “The Male Gaze.” Honesty that should have been the selling point for the book. That said if you aren’t prepared for the book to be entirely about that, it might be overwhelming. There certainly were times where I felt like I didn’t sign up for this.
Anyway it’s fine.
i did ... not like this :(( magical realism but poorly executed, with a lot of weird elements that i think hindered the plot. character development here doesn’t really exist and where it does, it’s rushed.
i think this could be really good if it were just developed further. the writing is good, characters are interesting, i liked the romance, but it just falls so flat.
i think this could be really good if it were just developed further. the writing is good, characters are interesting, i liked the romance, but it just falls so flat.
This was good. Maybe just too out-there for me.
I could not really get into this book. The plot sounded interesting but it did not manage to keep my attention. The magical realism was quite subtle to the point where I was trying to figure out how at times, gravity appeared to be defied. I did not know about the MR element so was quite confused until it became apparent.
I think this was just a case of personal taste. Nothing was seriously wrong with this and I did finish it without too much trouble. I just could not really connect with the characters, or the small town element (even though I grew up in one, but in New Zealand). It just didn't seem fully formed somehow, It left me with a with a 'what did I just read?' and not in a positive ('?!') way with.
I think this was just a case of personal taste. Nothing was seriously wrong with this and I did finish it without too much trouble. I just could not really connect with the characters, or the small town element (even though I grew up in one, but in New Zealand). It just didn't seem fully formed somehow, It left me with a with a 'what did I just read?' and not in a positive ('?!') way with.
This had such amazing characters and writing and everything. Could not put it down.
Not sure what genre this is with the magic realism elements. It reads a bit like a gritty fairy tale.
It was meh. I listened to it on audiobook and I didn't get the concept at all. It wasn't plot driven it was more character driven and I didn't like Rosa. At times it felt like it was dragging and I'm not even sure what was real and what wasn't.
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix