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alongreader's review against another edition
2.0
Prepping is edging into the mainstream, especially after the year we've had. Everyone is starting to see that having a few packs of toilet paper and some cans put by isn't such a bad idea, and more novels are starting to reflect that. Including this odd duck.
If you're reading it looking for survival tips, you won't get any, except maybe during Wyatt's game. This novel isn't actually about survivalism, you see; that's just the hook that drew the characters together. Each character has an interest that's relevant a few times, depending on who they are. Amina's interest is 'being Jewish'. Chloe's is 'being internet famous'. Hunter wants to pretend he isn't his father's son, and Jo and Wyatt are mysteries most of the way through.
It's not an awful read, it's just that nothing seems to have any weight. They go to an oil line protest at Hunter's bequest, but we never find out if they were successful or not ... because, again, the protest wasn't the point, it was just a way for Hunter to get a tiny crumb of information about his brother. Chloe's naked pictures are sent all around the school and apart from her hiding away for a day or two, there's nothing. No investigation, no sideways looks, not even a ribald comment from the jocks. Amina is dead set against going to the school at first, but within two weeks she loves it there and admits ... to herself, not to her parents. ... that they were right to send her. There's no consistency. Even at the very end; the actions of one character should have massive consequences, so everyone splits off, goes for a holiday, promises to think and make a decision afterwards, and on the next pageit's a year later and as far as we can tell nothing at all happened to the character.
It's extremely frustrating, because the bones of a great story are there. There's a wonderful moment where Amina talks to her roommate and they realise that they've been seeing the same events through different lenses, lenses which have left them thinking that the other doesn't like them. It's very cleverly written and really made me think.
It's just a shame the whole book wasn't like that.
If you're reading it looking for survival tips, you won't get any, except maybe during Wyatt's game. This novel isn't actually about survivalism, you see; that's just the hook that drew the characters together. Each character has an interest that's relevant a few times, depending on who they are. Amina's interest is 'being Jewish'. Chloe's is 'being internet famous'. Hunter wants to pretend he isn't his father's son, and Jo and Wyatt are mysteries most of the way through.
It's not an awful read, it's just that nothing seems to have any weight. They go to an oil line protest at Hunter's bequest, but we never find out if they were successful or not ... because, again, the protest wasn't the point, it was just a way for Hunter to get a tiny crumb of information about his brother. Chloe's naked pictures are sent all around the school and apart from her hiding away for a day or two, there's nothing. No investigation, no sideways looks, not even a ribald comment from the jocks. Amina is dead set against going to the school at first, but within two weeks she loves it there and admits ... to herself, not to her parents. ... that they were right to send her. There's no consistency. Even at the very end; the actions of one character should have massive consequences, so everyone splits off, goes for a holiday, promises to think and make a decision afterwards, and on the next page
It's extremely frustrating, because the bones of a great story are there. There's a wonderful moment where Amina talks to her roommate and they realise that they've been seeing the same events through different lenses, lenses which have left them thinking that the other doesn't like them. It's very cleverly written and really made me think.
It's just a shame the whole book wasn't like that.
ljesica's review against another edition
4.0
A friend of mine recently asked if I had any recommendations for a YA book with a Jewish protagonist that wasn't based during the Holocaust. And I was stymied. I could only think of one. I've spent so much time trying to read books outside of my experience that I haven't spent much time reading about my own. So I googled and found a list of books to read and this is the first one.
Amina is Jewish, and her religion is definitely a component of the story, but not everything. After her synagogue is burned with a Molotov Cocktail she starts having nightmares and starts obsessively researching governments and hate crimes. And she starts fearing for the end of democracy and the end of the world. It gets to the point that her parents decide to send her to boarding school, hoping that a change of scenery and a heavy workload will distract her.
Instead, she finds a group of likeminded people to prepare for the end of the world with. They all have different passions - the environment, the arts, the ability to be who they are in a world that is trying to progress but keeps getting push back.
Each of the characters in this book has a burden to bear, but in finding each other, their burdens become lighter. It was sweet!
Amina is Jewish, and her religion is definitely a component of the story, but not everything. After her synagogue is burned with a Molotov Cocktail she starts having nightmares and starts obsessively researching governments and hate crimes. And she starts fearing for the end of democracy and the end of the world. It gets to the point that her parents decide to send her to boarding school, hoping that a change of scenery and a heavy workload will distract her.
Instead, she finds a group of likeminded people to prepare for the end of the world with. They all have different passions - the environment, the arts, the ability to be who they are in a world that is trying to progress but keeps getting push back.
Each of the characters in this book has a burden to bear, but in finding each other, their burdens become lighter. It was sweet!
100pagesaday's review against another edition
4.0
Ever since an attack on her synagogue, Amina becomes obsessed with anti-Semetic behavior and has begun to live in fear with recurring nightmares. When a scholarship position to the prestigious Gardner Academy opens up, Amina's parents send her in order to change her mindset. Amina is very unsure about Gardner, but attends a pre-orientation game night where an interesting question in Would You Rather captures her interest. The question leads to a gathering of five people from the game night: Wyatt, Hunter, Chloe, Jo and Amina. Amina finds that she has plenty in common with the group, they all have fears. Moreso, she finds a group of friends that she is comfortable with. However, someone seems to be targeting their small group with very personalized attacks and Amina has a new set of fears to deal with.
How to Pack for the End of the World is a contemporary Young Adult fiction that deals with a lot of issues in a unique way. None of the issues become too heavy and none of the characters are designed around their fear, social standing, sexuality or mental health. They are all just regular teens dealing with everyday issues. Each character was well developed and unique. While their backstories and challenges weren't all divulged at once, this added another layer of mystery to the story. I loved the idea of the Eucalyptus Group and how each game they played helped them develop more as well as get to know one another. The personal attacks were another added layer that almost seemed like a side story to me but were really more at the heart. It was difficult for me to forget that this story took place at a high school and involved kids that were 16 to 17 years old as some of the situations felt more at a college level and classwork seemed to take a back seat. Overall, an entertaining young adult story with amazing characters.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
How to Pack for the End of the World is a contemporary Young Adult fiction that deals with a lot of issues in a unique way. None of the issues become too heavy and none of the characters are designed around their fear, social standing, sexuality or mental health. They are all just regular teens dealing with everyday issues. Each character was well developed and unique. While their backstories and challenges weren't all divulged at once, this added another layer of mystery to the story. I loved the idea of the Eucalyptus Group and how each game they played helped them develop more as well as get to know one another. The personal attacks were another added layer that almost seemed like a side story to me but were really more at the heart. It was difficult for me to forget that this story took place at a high school and involved kids that were 16 to 17 years old as some of the situations felt more at a college level and classwork seemed to take a back seat. Overall, an entertaining young adult story with amazing characters.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
micolreads's review against another edition
3.0
Be aware that this book is not what you think. Forget apocalyptic scenarios, future worlds and kids trying to survive. And this is actually a thing I would have liked written on the plot (which doesn’t make justice to the book).
This book is basically about a group of boys and girls who decided to gather all together in an old bomb shelter, where they just discuss potential apocalypses. Of course there’s someone who doesn’t let them alone and let me tell you, that’s creepy.
I didn’t like this book as much as I hoped. It was just mediocre. The plot was even original, but the development was just not there. If you like easy readings, a bunch of people who basically play all the time, this is the book for you. Also, I hated all the characters, I just found them annoying and so childish.
Final vote: 3/5
This book is basically about a group of boys and girls who decided to gather all together in an old bomb shelter, where they just discuss potential apocalypses. Of course there’s someone who doesn’t let them alone and let me tell you, that’s creepy.
I didn’t like this book as much as I hoped. It was just mediocre. The plot was even original, but the development was just not there. If you like easy readings, a bunch of people who basically play all the time, this is the book for you. Also, I hated all the characters, I just found them annoying and so childish.
Final vote: 3/5
morganxlou's review against another edition
4.0
I truly enjoyed reading this book, it got to the point and didn’t take 500 pages to do it, loved the characters,but why was amina so fucking clueless? the only reason I was so annoyed with her being clueless was because that’s literally me,
apotts's review against another edition
5.0
Clever, relevant, and fun, How to Pack for the End of the World will leave the reader plenty to talk about and think about. Oh...and it's wildly entertaining along the way!
For the classroom, I would say some 7th grade and up. There is a small amount of drinking and references to sex (both very mild) but nothing that would keep this off my 6th grade shelf, although the book , conceptually, might be over the heads of many 6th graders.
For the classroom, I would say some 7th grade and up. There is a small amount of drinking and references to sex (both very mild) but nothing that would keep this off my 6th grade shelf, although the book , conceptually, might be over the heads of many 6th graders.
thindbooks's review against another edition
3.0
*This e-arc was given to me by the publisher to give an honest review in return*
I like this book. It's about Amina joins Gardner Academy and finds a group that is all haunted by worldwide crises. They become fast friends and start learning survival skills together but there is one person targeting them by causing drama and pranks. I enjoyed the author's writing for this book but the plot structure wasn't well. There wasn't really a huge conflict in the book other than that one person pulling pranks but mostly the survival games. The story was unique but also basic. Kind of hard to explain. I haven't read any books like this so it was unique but I think there could have been more to it. I did like how it took place at a boarding school but the pacing of this book was a little off in some places.
This book is in Amina POV. She transfers to Gardner Academy and has questions about surviving the world. She develops a lot throughout the book alongside her new friends. There are 4 other supporting characters in this book. Mysterious Jo who only wears black, Chloe the famous fashion blogger, athletic Hunter, and Wyatt who asks the questions and started the group. Each character plays a role in this book but also develop throughout the story. I loved their friendship in the book and how much they tried to learn more about each other.
This book is mostly about friendship and survival. I enjoyed this book but wish there was more to it and that the plot was well structured. I wished this book had a better ending because I felt that it was just cut off. I recommend this book to those who love survival games!
Mini-blog tour coming on Thindbooks Blog (www.thindbooks.blogspot.com) on the week of the release date.
I like this book. It's about Amina joins Gardner Academy and finds a group that is all haunted by worldwide crises. They become fast friends and start learning survival skills together but there is one person targeting them by causing drama and pranks. I enjoyed the author's writing for this book but the plot structure wasn't well. There wasn't really a huge conflict in the book other than that one person pulling pranks but mostly the survival games. The story was unique but also basic. Kind of hard to explain. I haven't read any books like this so it was unique but I think there could have been more to it. I did like how it took place at a boarding school but the pacing of this book was a little off in some places.
This book is in Amina POV. She transfers to Gardner Academy and has questions about surviving the world. She develops a lot throughout the book alongside her new friends. There are 4 other supporting characters in this book. Mysterious Jo who only wears black, Chloe the famous fashion blogger, athletic Hunter, and Wyatt who asks the questions and started the group. Each character plays a role in this book but also develop throughout the story. I loved their friendship in the book and how much they tried to learn more about each other.
This book is mostly about friendship and survival. I enjoyed this book but wish there was more to it and that the plot was well structured. I wished this book had a better ending because I felt that it was just cut off. I recommend this book to those who love survival games!
Mini-blog tour coming on Thindbooks Blog (www.thindbooks.blogspot.com) on the week of the release date.