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izzys_internet_bookshelf's review
2.0
2.5/5
*Sigh* I feel like I have been giving the last few books I've read the same rating, but I guess i'm in some sort of reading slump? I was intrigued by the plot, but it soon just seemed really long to me, that could just be from the fact that on eBook it was around 500 pages, or it could be some weir pacing. I enjoyed the characters, but I didn't really feel a connection to any of them and I felt like a lot of the characters personalities weren't really explored.
*Sigh* I feel like I have been giving the last few books I've read the same rating, but I guess i'm in some sort of reading slump? I was intrigued by the plot, but it soon just seemed really long to me, that could just be from the fact that on eBook it was around 500 pages, or it could be some weir pacing. I enjoyed the characters, but I didn't really feel a connection to any of them and I felt like a lot of the characters personalities weren't really explored.
pantsreads's review
2.0
2.5/5
I know YA is inherently about teenagers—and teenagers will teen—but the MC's severe lack of common sense drove me a little nuts. And the magical system, though it should have been more of a plot-driver, took a backseat in an odd way and then sort of ... fizzled out?
Full review to come, but you can check out a teaser mini-review on the Forever Young Adult Instagram.
I know YA is inherently about teenagers—and teenagers will teen—but the MC's severe lack of common sense drove me a little nuts. And the magical system, though it should have been more of a plot-driver, took a backseat in an odd way and then sort of ... fizzled out?
Full review to come, but you can check out a teaser mini-review on the Forever Young Adult Instagram.
100pagesaday's review
4.0
Saskia Brown has just moved from Arizona to the small town of Coventon after her parents have divorced. Saskia is feeling majorly blah over the whole ordeal and hasn't found where she fits in. Saskia's one friend so far is another outsider, Lila. When Saskia is assigned to research Robert Cornelius for one of her classes, she finally feels excited about something. Saskia encourages Lila to let her borrow the original daguerreotype of Robert Cornelius from Lila's job at the college library. While at the library, Lila shows Saskia the tools used to make daguerreotypes and Saskia touches some mercury. Later that evening, Saskia dreams of Robert in his shop, talks with him and learns things she possibly couldn't have known. Saskia shares her dream experience with Lila and a few other girls at school- Paige, Sarah Beth and Adrienne. They each steal a daguerreotype and some Mercury, dreaming and interacting with their boyfriends in the past. However, as the girls dream, the Mercury Boys club becomes more intense and the rules make it difficult for the girls to have lives outside of the club. Is it even real or just a fever dream?
Mercury Boys is a completely unique young adult book. I was intrigued by the idea of being able to dream and interact with people in the past by touching their daguerreotype and mercury. I also liked learning about Robert Cornelius, a real historical figure who is noted to have taken the first selfie. Saskia's character pulled me into this idea with a man from the past helping her deal better with her situation in the present. Lila was the most interesting character for me and the only one that seemed to think about her actions and not get pulled into the other girl's antics. I did enjoy reading about the girl's dreams in the past and how they adapted to life in different eras. Adrienne's Mercury Boy in the Civil War era was the most interesting to me. I do wish that the story focused more on just Lila and Saskia. Paige and Sara Beth reminded me why teenage girls are literally the worst as they use the Mercury Boys Club for their own purposes. This did add an increased element of suspense and danger, but I do feel like enough tension could have been created between Saskia and Lila and the daguerreotypes they chose. Overall, a diverse young adult read that blends time travel and romance as well as explores race, friendship, sexuality and revenge.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
Mercury Boys is a completely unique young adult book. I was intrigued by the idea of being able to dream and interact with people in the past by touching their daguerreotype and mercury. I also liked learning about Robert Cornelius, a real historical figure who is noted to have taken the first selfie. Saskia's character pulled me into this idea with a man from the past helping her deal better with her situation in the present. Lila was the most interesting character for me and the only one that seemed to think about her actions and not get pulled into the other girl's antics. I did enjoy reading about the girl's dreams in the past and how they adapted to life in different eras. Adrienne's Mercury Boy in the Civil War era was the most interesting to me. I do wish that the story focused more on just Lila and Saskia. Paige and Sara Beth reminded me why teenage girls are literally the worst as they use the Mercury Boys Club for their own purposes. This did add an increased element of suspense and danger, but I do feel like enough tension could have been created between Saskia and Lila and the daguerreotypes they chose. Overall, a diverse young adult read that blends time travel and romance as well as explores race, friendship, sexuality and revenge.
This book was received for free in return for an honest review.
ninarivagf's review
1.0
do not judge a book by its cover because the cover of this book is gorgeous but what's in it is hell
jessential_reads's review
3.0
** Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for giving me an early copy in exchange for my honest review **
Saskia is a 16 year old girl that has a fresh start with her father in a new state after their parents divorce. A school assignment got her doing some research on a man that invented daguerreotypes (a photographing process). Lila, her only friend at the time, gets access to the library where she works out and where they have those types of photographs. Then, she discovers that the contact of the daguerreotypes and mercury has a curious effect. She visits Rot Cornelius (the inventor) in her dreams but it was more than just a dream because she has control of what she does and interacts with Robert. Saskia then shares this with a couple of girls and they all try it out, once they all get to have a Mercury boy they form a club, where they share their experiences. Saskia feels like she is fitting in and it's a perfect escape from her parents divorce, but it's not long when things escalate and jealousy and secrets come into play.
The blurb of this book caught my attention, it's a really interesting concept. The DRAMA of this book was on point, a lot of things happening at the same time that had me hooked. Saskia was craving attention and felt abandoned, that's why the whole club thing and being manipulated was so easy. Seriously, I wanted to slap all those girls at one point or another, which I guess was the point of these characters. The Sampras sisters, especially Sophia were extremely zealous, sort of stereotypical rich girls with no supervision that did whatever they wanted and felt entitled and had to be in command of every situation. The only characters I liked were Lila and Saskia´s father. They were the only ones that truly had common sense and truly wanted the best for Saskia (again, I think that was the point). The interactions with the Mercury boys were good but I felt a lot more could have come from it, my favorite was Adrianne's interactions with Emery. I think she got the most out of it in some way, although she didn't apply this to her real life, which is kind of what I hoped for all the girls to get something positive from their experience.
There were some gasp worthy moments and I kept reading because the whole approach it had was intriguing and I wanted to know how things would pan out. I think the ending needed a bigger punch and it could have saved the whole toxicity of it. I was riding that emotional roller coaster and I needed that extra UMPH at the end I felt like I didn't get that. The way Saskia handled things at the end just felt really petty to me and she learned nothing from this experience. I was waiting for her to really stand up for herself in all the troubles she was facing. Overall, it's a short and fast paced read that was ok for me and I could recommend it to someone that is not a big reader just to get them hooked on reading because of the whole idea and the drama within this book is big-bucket-popcorn-with-extra-butter worthy.
Please add me on Instagram to see more reviews.
https://www.instagram.com/jessential.reads/?hl=es-la
Saskia is a 16 year old girl that has a fresh start with her father in a new state after their parents divorce. A school assignment got her doing some research on a man that invented daguerreotypes (a photographing process). Lila, her only friend at the time, gets access to the library where she works out and where they have those types of photographs. Then, she discovers that the contact of the daguerreotypes and mercury has a curious effect. She visits Rot Cornelius (the inventor) in her dreams but it was more than just a dream because she has control of what she does and interacts with Robert. Saskia then shares this with a couple of girls and they all try it out, once they all get to have a Mercury boy they form a club, where they share their experiences. Saskia feels like she is fitting in and it's a perfect escape from her parents divorce, but it's not long when things escalate and jealousy and secrets come into play.
The blurb of this book caught my attention, it's a really interesting concept. The DRAMA of this book was on point, a lot of things happening at the same time that had me hooked. Saskia was craving attention and felt abandoned, that's why the whole club thing and being manipulated was so easy. Seriously, I wanted to slap all those girls at one point or another, which I guess was the point of these characters. The Sampras sisters, especially Sophia were extremely zealous, sort of stereotypical rich girls with no supervision that did whatever they wanted and felt entitled and had to be in command of every situation. The only characters I liked were Lila and Saskia´s father. They were the only ones that truly had common sense and truly wanted the best for Saskia (again, I think that was the point). The interactions with the Mercury boys were good but I felt a lot more could have come from it, my favorite was Adrianne's interactions with Emery. I think she got the most out of it in some way, although she didn't apply this to her real life, which is kind of what I hoped for all the girls to get something positive from their experience.
There were some gasp worthy moments and I kept reading because the whole approach it had was intriguing and I wanted to know how things would pan out. I think the ending needed a bigger punch and it could have saved the whole toxicity of it. I was riding that emotional roller coaster and I needed that extra UMPH at the end I felt like I didn't get that. The way Saskia handled things at the end just felt really petty to me and she learned nothing from this experience. I was waiting for her to really stand up for herself in all the troubles she was facing. Overall, it's a short and fast paced read that was ok for me and I could recommend it to someone that is not a big reader just to get them hooked on reading because of the whole idea and the drama within this book is big-bucket-popcorn-with-extra-butter worthy.
Please add me on Instagram to see more reviews.
https://www.instagram.com/jessential.reads/?hl=es-la
caylieratzlaff's review
2.0
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel.
2/5 Stars.
I really...really wanted to like this. I really did. The cover drug me in along with the historical concept of daguerrotypes and stories and all that...but it just wasn't good. It kind of reminded me of that one scene at the end of Ep2 of Loki with the branches ya know...yeah. Like Saskia had SO much potential in terms of character development, but she spent 80% of the story being manipulative and upset. I wanted Lila to leave leave her, but even Lila forgave too easily. Paige is terrifying. Adrienne deserves better. Like...I don't know how to describe what I read? Let's give it a try.
Stealing daguerrotypes and mercury. Using mercury to travel back in time to meet the person in the daguerrotype. forming basically a cult. getting tattoos and creepy candle circles and pledging for LIFE in this club. Like...it was scary manipulative and also stupid at some points.
There was such potential, and I really just don't think it met it. I'm struggling to think of anything good about this book besides the actual concept itself. And the title. and the cover.
2/5 Stars.
I really...really wanted to like this. I really did. The cover drug me in along with the historical concept of daguerrotypes and stories and all that...but it just wasn't good. It kind of reminded me of that one scene at the end of Ep2 of Loki with the branches ya know...yeah. Like Saskia had SO much potential in terms of character development, but she spent 80% of the story being manipulative and upset. I wanted Lila to leave leave her, but even Lila forgave too easily. Paige is terrifying. Adrienne deserves better. Like...I don't know how to describe what I read? Let's give it a try.
Stealing daguerrotypes and mercury. Using mercury to travel back in time to meet the person in the daguerrotype. forming basically a cult. getting tattoos and creepy candle circles and pledging for LIFE in this club. Like...it was scary manipulative and also stupid at some points.
There was such potential, and I really just don't think it met it. I'm struggling to think of anything good about this book besides the actual concept itself. And the title. and the cover.
kaseyd's review
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
vi_llainvibes's review
2.0
I have to admit I never read a book similar to “Mercury Boys”. It was an interesting story but I’m not the biggest fan of it.
I couldn’t stand the main character - Saskia - I felt like the author was trying to remind me just how different and quirky she was. I like watching old movies and have tons of family trauma myself but I don’t make it my whole personality. On top of that, she was really judgy, manipulative and SO SELFISH.
Advice to anyone who wants to make friends? Don’t guilt-trip your potential friend into doing something that may result in them losing their job.
Another thing - for a YA book, the teenage representation was really not that good. Aside from Lila (and maybe some side characters) - the only one acting like an actual teenager, not a moody child - all the characters were unlikable and it made me want to stop reading several times.
One of the few things I liked were the chapters where the girls dreamed. That was quite interesting but didn’t really make up for everything else.
Maybe I built up my expectations a little too high after reading the synopsis but I didn’t really like it that much.
ARC received from Books Forward.
I couldn’t stand the main character - Saskia - I felt like the author was trying to remind me just how different and quirky she was. I like watching old movies and have tons of family trauma myself but I don’t make it my whole personality. On top of that, she was really judgy, manipulative and SO SELFISH.
Advice to anyone who wants to make friends? Don’t guilt-trip your potential friend into doing something that may result in them losing their job.
Another thing - for a YA book, the teenage representation was really not that good. Aside from Lila (and maybe some side characters) - the only one acting like an actual teenager, not a moody child - all the characters were unlikable and it made me want to stop reading several times.
One of the few things I liked were the chapters where the girls dreamed. That was quite interesting but didn’t really make up for everything else.
Maybe I built up my expectations a little too high after reading the synopsis but I didn’t really like it that much.
ARC received from Books Forward.
night_owl9's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
shinymathrocks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0