Scan barcode
jamicuns01's review against another edition
5.0
I love Holly Smale for letting us into her world. Representation matters and Holly does a beautiful job of it. There is a saying that goes, “when you met one autistic person, you’ve met one autistic person.” So there is no way Holly Smale can represent all autistic people (they are not a monolith) but through her loosely autobiographical novel she does a brilliant job of showing us what the world feels like through her eyes and it’s exhausting. It shouldn’t be this way. We need to educate ourselves so that we can be helpers and not obstacle and this book is a brilliant start. I’m so proud of Cassandra and would love a sequel. I’d love to see what she does with her life.
nightstand_reads's review
3.0
If you could travel through time and go to any year (or anywhere), where would you go?
I love time travel and time loop stories because because of this very question.
'Cassandra in Reverse' features a protagonist who discovers she can rewind time, a process that sheds light on neurodivergence and her struggle to fit in.
I really enjoyed this book; it was a great escape into magic, time travel, and the vulnerability of the human spirit.
Also, as a delightful added bonus; there's a tie to Greek mythology that Cassandra uses to relate to the world.
75% of the way through there is an interesting twist that is worth the wait.
Quote from the book I loved: "There are infinite things you can do with time. You can save it, spend it, stitch it, Kill it. You can beat it, steal it and watch it fly. You can do time and set it; you can waste it and keep it; it can be good or bad, on your side or against you. You can have a whale of it; be in the nick of it or behind it; you can have it on your hands."
I love time travel and time loop stories because because of this very question.
'Cassandra in Reverse' features a protagonist who discovers she can rewind time, a process that sheds light on neurodivergence and her struggle to fit in.
I really enjoyed this book; it was a great escape into magic, time travel, and the vulnerability of the human spirit.
Also, as a delightful added bonus; there's a tie to Greek mythology that Cassandra uses to relate to the world.
75% of the way through there is an interesting twist that is worth the wait.
Quote from the book I loved: "There are infinite things you can do with time. You can save it, spend it, stitch it, Kill it. You can beat it, steal it and watch it fly. You can do time and set it; you can waste it and keep it; it can be good or bad, on your side or against you. You can have a whale of it; be in the nick of it or behind it; you can have it on your hands."
takara_reads's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Holly Smale's "Cassandra in Reverse" is a captivating read that blends contemporary fiction with elements of Greek mythology. The protagonist, Cassandra, navigates life's challenges with an intriguing twist: she can turn back time. While this concept sets the stage for a unique narrative, I found myself skimming through some of the dense Greek mythology sections. These parts, though integral to the plot, sometimes felt a bit heavy.
However, the ending more than makes up for any earlier pacing issues. Smale brilliantly ties together the story's themes, culminating in a powerful conclusion. The narrative underscores that true love transcends traditional romantic relationships, highlighting the importance of self-love and the bonds we form with friends and family. "Cassandra in Reverse" ultimately offers a refreshing take on love and destiny, making it a memorable read.
sophiascoppettone's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
dr_tree's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I appreciated that this wasn't really a romance novel and the authenticity of the main character.
raeallic's review against another edition
4.0
This book caught me by surprise. I questioned the reality of me so many times. It's hard rationalizing in your 40s that everything perceptibly wrong with you is a symptom of autism, is quite a shake. From misunderstanding a person's motivations, or miscalculating or misinterpreting. To constantly wondering if you've done or said the wrong thing, the over thinking, the over processing every interaction, the fear of rejection, the distancing of self and the cognitive delay. I'm shook. But in the end, i really love Cassandra, and hopefully people out there love me too.
price_momma's review against another edition
5.0
This was a beautiful book featuring a neurodivergent character. I loved that the love story wasn’t about a guy. Well it starts off that way, but turns into something way more beautiful. You’ll have to read it to find out.
I laughed out loud at the social awkwardness and how Cassandra repeatedly goes back in time to fix little social faux-pas.
I loved how it was a useless endeavor, ending the it did in the beginning anyway.
Anyone who doesn’t understand autism or neurodivergence should read this book, and more like this one! What a great enthralling read! I was captivated from the beginning.
However, I did skim the over-whelming amount of Greek stuff. I could have done without that, but again, it helped to understand the character and how she thinks and makes sense of the world.
This was a 5 star read for me.
I laughed out loud at the social awkwardness and how Cassandra repeatedly goes back in time to fix little social faux-pas.
I loved how it was a useless endeavor, ending the it did in the beginning anyway.
Anyone who doesn’t understand autism or neurodivergence should read this book, and more like this one! What a great enthralling read! I was captivated from the beginning.
However, I did skim the over-whelming amount of Greek stuff. I could have done without that, but again, it helped to understand the character and how she thinks and makes sense of the world.
This was a 5 star read for me.
mgmsharpe's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I loved this book!
dangerousdebbie's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Really enjoyed this book but was a little frustrated with the ending. I guess it means she will go back and do it all over again and hopefully spare her sister and Will any pain they may have felt. I was saddest to see her let her new friends go unless she planned to reenact those parts too, but that seems unlikely. overall, an enchanting read though!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism