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thecoffeeowl's review against another edition
1.0
I started the second book too, but it was too depressing.
tobyyy's review against another edition
2.0
So I've said before that I like Melody Carlson's books, since she's one of the few Christian YA authors who dares to tackle tough subjects. I'm still going to stick with that statement, but Bad Connection was a little over the top in some ways.
It deals with drugs, rape, abduction, and has a "graphic" scene or two involving death and bondage (more related to the abduction than it was to the sexual stuff).
Samantha MacGregor is a girl who has the gift of visions from God. Carlson did say in a forward that she was including more Scripture and stuff in Bad Connection than she has in previous books of hers, due to the nature of the subject. She also encouraged the kids/teens who read this book (or any of the books in the series) to not try to "create" a gift like Sam has (sadly, this makes sense to me, since I grew up in a very conservative Christian environment and I can see that happening).
Anyway. Sam was hard to relate to. The dialogue was very preachy, and honestly it was also so... similar? in a lot of ways, that it got annoying (e.g., she'd use the same phrase for multiple conversations with different people within the span of a few pages). And stuff like how Sam judged (but tried not to because it's not Christian to judge!) and said that Kayla (who is the focus of this story - she's the one who went missing) was a "normal girl" until her parents started struggling in their relationship, and then *gasp* she suddenly because boy crazy!!!!! No, no, NOT BOY CRAZY OH NO WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO???
(When I read that I facepalmed.)
But I can't give this book 1/5 stars, because I did enjoy it and the 1/5 star rating is what I reserve for shitty books that I didn't enjoy at all, DNF'd, etc. In terms of enjoyment for myself personally, perhaps it was closer to a 2.5/5 or maybe even a 3/5 in some sections... but I did get annoyed enough that overall I'm keeping the rating at a 2/5.
(Note: I'm reading the third book in the series now, and it appears to be much "better" in some ways... slightly less preachy, a little less focused on "here, let's show the readers just HOW GOOD A CHRISTIAN Sam is." So yay.)
It deals with drugs, rape, abduction, and has a "graphic" scene or two involving death and bondage (more related to the abduction than it was to the sexual stuff).
Samantha MacGregor is a girl who has the gift of visions from God. Carlson did say in a forward that she was including more Scripture and stuff in Bad Connection than she has in previous books of hers, due to the nature of the subject. She also encouraged the kids/teens who read this book (or any of the books in the series) to not try to "create" a gift like Sam has (sadly, this makes sense to me, since I grew up in a very conservative Christian environment and I can see that happening).
Anyway. Sam was hard to relate to. The dialogue was very preachy, and honestly it was also so... similar? in a lot of ways, that it got annoying (e.g., she'd use the same phrase for multiple conversations with different people within the span of a few pages). And stuff like how Sam judged (but tried not to because it's not Christian to judge!) and said that Kayla (who is the focus of this story - she's the one who went missing) was a "normal girl" until her parents started struggling in their relationship, and then *gasp* she suddenly because boy crazy!!!!! No, no, NOT BOY CRAZY OH NO WHAT ARE WE GOING TO DO???
(When I read that I facepalmed.)
But I can't give this book 1/5 stars, because I did enjoy it and the 1/5 star rating is what I reserve for shitty books that I didn't enjoy at all, DNF'd, etc. In terms of enjoyment for myself personally, perhaps it was closer to a 2.5/5 or maybe even a 3/5 in some sections... but I did get annoyed enough that overall I'm keeping the rating at a 2/5.
(Note: I'm reading the third book in the series now, and it appears to be much "better" in some ways... slightly less preachy, a little less focused on "here, let's show the readers just HOW GOOD A CHRISTIAN Sam is." So yay.)
felinity's review against another edition
3.0
Kinda interesting, though the basic plot (not the prophetic stuff) seemed unrealistic, . I suspect the terrible formatting of the ebook edition didn't help though.
Spoiler
especially how easily Ebony, Michael and Tony accepted Sam's giftthereadingrabbit's review against another edition
4.0
I think it was very good I love her writing and this series
chaotic_abi's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
taliac36's review against another edition
5.0
WOW! AMAZING BOOK! I REALLY LIKED THE STORY PLOT! THE BOOK STARTS OFF WITH SAMANTHA HAVING ONE OF HER DREAMS,A LADY DRIVING OFF THE ROAD TO THE RIVER. SHE WAKES UP AND FINDS OUT THAT IT TRULY HAPPENED.
SAMANTHA HAS A MESSED UP LIFE DUE TO HER FATHER GETTING KILLED WHEN SHE WAS LITTLE AND ONLY TELLS OLIVIA, THE ONLY GIRL BESIDES HER FAMILY THAT KNOWS AND BELIEVES; ABOUT THE VISIONS SHE HAS. SHE REALLY THINKS THEYRE FROM GOD AND ALSO BELIEVES THAT GO KNOWS WHAT IS HE DOING.
AS A CHRISTIAN MYSELF,I THINK THAT GOD HAS THE WHOLE CONTROLLING THING IN HIS HANDS. BUT ANYWAYS,ONE GIRL (KAYLA)THAT HAS BEEN NAGGING ABOUT AN ONLINE BOYFRIEND HAS GONE MISSING AND HAS ALSO APPEARED IN SAMANTHAS VISIONS. SHE HELPS THE POLICE FIND KAYLA WITH THE HELP OF HER VISIONS \.
THIS BOOK WAS SO SUSPENSEFUL, I CANT WAIT TO READ THE SEQUEL.
SAMANTHA HAS A MESSED UP LIFE DUE TO HER FATHER GETTING KILLED WHEN SHE WAS LITTLE AND ONLY TELLS OLIVIA, THE ONLY GIRL BESIDES HER FAMILY THAT KNOWS AND BELIEVES; ABOUT THE VISIONS SHE HAS. SHE REALLY THINKS THEYRE FROM GOD AND ALSO BELIEVES THAT GO KNOWS WHAT IS HE DOING.
AS A CHRISTIAN MYSELF,I THINK THAT GOD HAS THE WHOLE CONTROLLING THING IN HIS HANDS. BUT ANYWAYS,ONE GIRL (KAYLA)THAT HAS BEEN NAGGING ABOUT AN ONLINE BOYFRIEND HAS GONE MISSING AND HAS ALSO APPEARED IN SAMANTHAS VISIONS. SHE HELPS THE POLICE FIND KAYLA WITH THE HELP OF HER VISIONS \.
THIS BOOK WAS SO SUSPENSEFUL, I CANT WAIT TO READ THE SEQUEL.
rosepetals1984's review against another edition
3.0
"Bad Connection" by Melody Carson seems to have more parallels in its title than a little bit - not only describing the loose connectivity in which protagonist Samantha MacGregor receives visions from God about certain events in her life, but also about the choices made in the primary relationship of the girl who goes missing in this story.
When one of her former friends, Kayla, disappears from school, it's enough of a burden, and topic of conversation, at school. However, Sam's more troubled in the measure that she has unique visions about Kayla's life being in danger, and she doesn't know how to interpret them. Sam turns to her father's former partner in the police force and teams up to try to find the truth behind her visions.
The premise behind Bad Connection is well plotted, and I did like the prose when I read through it. Very fluid, very easy to understand. However, I did have to suspend disbelief many times at some of the actions/reactions that went into this story. The characters did genuinely feel flat in places, and I don't think the emotional reactions were necessarily played up enough to make it genuine/real. Granted, there are some points in the novel where the setting descriptions are well done, but I half expected the reactions to Samantha's "gift" to be met with more skepticism and cause more alarm - though it was met by resistance from Samantha's mother. The conflicts were loosely progressed. Some of them were good, others took a bit longer to get to the full thrust of the situation.
I wish that the novel had more rounded treatment of both the characters and the situations to give them more weight. I do understand this genre and have read novels in its progression, but some have actually treated it from a perspective that's incorporating for both Christian readers and those who might be outside of the faith (some might find Carson's descriptions to be somewhat preachy, but I kind of understand the effect she attempted to go toward, so it didn't feel that way to me).
I'll admit it was a decent read, in spite of its flaws, and I did like Samantha enough to continue reading the series (especially with that thread of an ending!).
Overall score: 3/5
When one of her former friends, Kayla, disappears from school, it's enough of a burden, and topic of conversation, at school. However, Sam's more troubled in the measure that she has unique visions about Kayla's life being in danger, and she doesn't know how to interpret them. Sam turns to her father's former partner in the police force and teams up to try to find the truth behind her visions.
The premise behind Bad Connection is well plotted, and I did like the prose when I read through it. Very fluid, very easy to understand. However, I did have to suspend disbelief many times at some of the actions/reactions that went into this story. The characters did genuinely feel flat in places, and I don't think the emotional reactions were necessarily played up enough to make it genuine/real. Granted, there are some points in the novel where the setting descriptions are well done, but I half expected the reactions to Samantha's "gift" to be met with more skepticism and cause more alarm - though it was met by resistance from Samantha's mother. The conflicts were loosely progressed. Some of them were good, others took a bit longer to get to the full thrust of the situation.
I wish that the novel had more rounded treatment of both the characters and the situations to give them more weight. I do understand this genre and have read novels in its progression, but some have actually treated it from a perspective that's incorporating for both Christian readers and those who might be outside of the faith (some might find Carson's descriptions to be somewhat preachy, but I kind of understand the effect she attempted to go toward, so it didn't feel that way to me).
I'll admit it was a decent read, in spite of its flaws, and I did like Samantha enough to continue reading the series (especially with that thread of an ending!).
Overall score: 3/5
cuppadecafplease's review against another edition
3.0
I would have liked this better, but it didn't generate much feeling in me, sadly. I like it when books make me care. Also, it felt like there was not enough description to really *ground* me into the story.
It was a good story idea with fairly nice characters. I liked it alright, but there was no spark.
In contrast, the girl who told me about the books really loved them, so you might love them too.
I might read the others in the series, but I feel very conflicted. I liked the story, but... I don't know.
It was a good story idea with fairly nice characters. I liked it alright, but there was no spark.
In contrast, the girl who told me about the books really loved them, so you might love them too.
I might read the others in the series, but I feel very conflicted. I liked the story, but... I don't know.
booksforchristiangirls's review against another edition
4.0
About this book:
“Meet Samantha McGregor
She seems like your average teen, but Samantha is unusually gifted. God gives her visions and dreams that offer unconventional glimpses into other people’s lives and problems. It’s a powerful gift with a lot of responsibility…
{Bad Connection: Book One}
Kayla Henderson lives on the edge. She likes to break the rules, considers partying an extracurricular activity, and can’t stand her parents. So, most people aren’t surprised when she goes missing. Like everyone else, Samantha McGregor assumes Kayla has run away. But then she has a vision where Kayla is tied up with duct tape over her mouth. Freaked by the image, Samantha wonders, Is Kayla alive or dead? Was the vision real or just a silly dream? Most important, can Kayla be found before it’s too late?”
Series: Book #1 (of four) in “The Secret Life of Samantha McGregor”.
Spiritual Content- All about Samantha’s gift of visions from God; Many, many, many Prayers; Bible reading; Many, many Scriptures are read, mentioned, quoted & remembered; Many, many Talks about God, gifts, trusting, having peace, God-things & the Holy Spirit; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Sam & Olivia are called religious freaks; Many, many, many mentions of prayers; Mentions of Bible reading; Mentions of Church, youth group & sermons; Mentions of Heaven & praising; Mentions of Christians; Christmas;
*Note: A couple mentions of New Age & being in cahoots with the devil; A couple mentions each of psychics, mediums, Ouija boards, crystal balls, horoscope chats & tarot cards; Mentions of evil.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘darn’, an ‘idiot’, a ‘screwup’, a ‘oh my gosh’, a form of ‘wimp’, two ‘crud’s, two ‘shut up’s, two ‘stinking’s, three ‘duh’s, eleven forms of ‘stupid’; Sarcasm & eye rolling; Mentions of curses (said, not written); A car accident & water (semi-detailed); Nightmares; Many mentions of drugs, dealers, highs, alcohol, drinking, jail, rehab; Mentions of meth & an officer who was killed on the job (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of murder, bruises, blood, strangulation, a dead girl, & being tied up with tape (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of bombs, knifes, & choking someone; Mentions of divorce; A couple mentions of a fake ID; A couple mentions of suicide; A mention of a slaughter; A mention of tobacco.
Sexual Content- Sam believes in saving herself for her future husband and mention of that pledge; Emma says that Kayla has slept with half the guys at school; Creeps & one saying he hasn’t hurt a certain girl; It’s hinted that Kayla was raped (no details); a ‘baby’, a ‘tramp’ and three ‘hot’s; Many, many mentions of dating, boys, who-likes-who, crushes, break-ups, boyfriends & girlfriends; Mentions of boy crazy girls; Mentions of a girl who doesn’t date; Mentions of flirting & hitting on girls; A couple mentions of kissing; A couple mentions of girls getting pregnant; A couple mentions of a s*x talk (no details); A couple mentions of getting married to have marital relations (no details); A mention of a male teacher some students think is gay, but he actually has a wife; A mention of a sugar daddy (no details); A mention of a strip-search (no details);
*Note: A couple mentions of a girl who looks “great” in a bikini.
-Samantha McGregor, age 16
1st person P.O.V. of Sam
242 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars (and a half)
My personal Rating- Three Stars (and a half)
{Add ½ to a full star for girls in Public School.}
Like nearly every other teen book written by Melody Carlson, I loved this series when I was a new teen & first read “Bad Connection”. Not completely sure why, as this series (like most of her others) deals with some heavy topics, but nevertheless, I loved this series. Lots of Spiritual Content (which is very refreshing) and a great lead into the next book of the series. :)
Link to review:
http://booksforchristiangirls.blogspot.com/2016/03/bad-connection-by-melody-carlson.html
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
“Meet Samantha McGregor
She seems like your average teen, but Samantha is unusually gifted. God gives her visions and dreams that offer unconventional glimpses into other people’s lives and problems. It’s a powerful gift with a lot of responsibility…
{Bad Connection: Book One}
Kayla Henderson lives on the edge. She likes to break the rules, considers partying an extracurricular activity, and can’t stand her parents. So, most people aren’t surprised when she goes missing. Like everyone else, Samantha McGregor assumes Kayla has run away. But then she has a vision where Kayla is tied up with duct tape over her mouth. Freaked by the image, Samantha wonders, Is Kayla alive or dead? Was the vision real or just a silly dream? Most important, can Kayla be found before it’s too late?”
Series: Book #1 (of four) in “The Secret Life of Samantha McGregor”.
Spiritual Content- All about Samantha’s gift of visions from God; Many, many, many Prayers; Bible reading; Many, many Scriptures are read, mentioned, quoted & remembered; Many, many Talks about God, gifts, trusting, having peace, God-things & the Holy Spirit; ‘H’s are capital when referring to God; Sam & Olivia are called religious freaks; Many, many, many mentions of prayers; Mentions of Bible reading; Mentions of Church, youth group & sermons; Mentions of Heaven & praising; Mentions of Christians; Christmas;
*Note: A couple mentions of New Age & being in cahoots with the devil; A couple mentions each of psychics, mediums, Ouija boards, crystal balls, horoscope chats & tarot cards; Mentions of evil.
Negative Content- Minor cussing including: a ‘darn’, an ‘idiot’, a ‘screwup’, a ‘oh my gosh’, a form of ‘wimp’, two ‘crud’s, two ‘shut up’s, two ‘stinking’s, three ‘duh’s, eleven forms of ‘stupid’; Sarcasm & eye rolling; Mentions of curses (said, not written); A car accident & water (semi-detailed); Nightmares; Many mentions of drugs, dealers, highs, alcohol, drinking, jail, rehab; Mentions of meth & an officer who was killed on the job (barely-above-not-detailed); Mentions of murder, bruises, blood, strangulation, a dead girl, & being tied up with tape (up to semi-detailed); Mentions of bombs, knifes, & choking someone; Mentions of divorce; A couple mentions of a fake ID; A couple mentions of suicide; A mention of a slaughter; A mention of tobacco.
Sexual Content- Sam believes in saving herself for her future husband and mention of that pledge; Emma says that Kayla has slept with half the guys at school; Creeps & one saying he hasn’t hurt a certain girl; It’s hinted that Kayla was raped (no details); a ‘baby’, a ‘tramp’ and three ‘hot’s; Many, many mentions of dating, boys, who-likes-who, crushes, break-ups, boyfriends & girlfriends; Mentions of boy crazy girls; Mentions of a girl who doesn’t date; Mentions of flirting & hitting on girls; A couple mentions of kissing; A couple mentions of girls getting pregnant; A couple mentions of a s*x talk (no details); A couple mentions of getting married to have marital relations (no details); A mention of a male teacher some students think is gay, but he actually has a wife; A mention of a sugar daddy (no details); A mention of a strip-search (no details);
*Note: A couple mentions of a girl who looks “great” in a bikini.
-Samantha McGregor, age 16
1st person P.O.V. of Sam
242 pages
~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Pre Teens- One Star
New Teens- One Star
Early High School Teens- Two Stars
Older High School Teens- Three Stars (and a half)
My personal Rating- Three Stars (and a half)
{Add ½ to a full star for girls in Public School.}
Like nearly every other teen book written by Melody Carlson, I loved this series when I was a new teen & first read “Bad Connection”. Not completely sure why, as this series (like most of her others) deals with some heavy topics, but nevertheless, I loved this series. Lots of Spiritual Content (which is very refreshing) and a great lead into the next book of the series. :)
Link to review:
http://booksforchristiangirls.blogspot.com/2016/03/bad-connection-by-melody-carlson.html
*BFCG may (Read the review to see) recommend this book by this author. It does not mean I recommend all the books by this author.
maisiehall's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this! But I think it was religiousy and I dislike religiousness stuff. #atheist