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dembury's review against another edition
3.0
AART was one of my favorite books last year, so I was really looking forwards to this sequel. On the whole I mostly enjoyed ABFE and found parts of it thought-provoking, funny, or just downright entertaining. The main characters go through a LOT of development and I found each of their arcs fairly well-written, and I love them all as in team working together; I feel like that's when they're all at their best. Maya in particular I felt invested in: she's a really interesting character and I'm so glad she got more spotlight this time around! The cycle of POVs felt right for this book, too- it was nice to be able to be inside multiple heads.
The main downside was for me was that, in some fairly significant ways, the novel felt kinda sloppy? I can't fully figure out my words for this, but the first half felt seemed like it was going in one direction and setting certain things up (the Fish app, Maya's rocks, the strange occurrences, the books) that were later either dropped or given, in my opinion, weak answers. Along this same line, it felt like Green was just yanking around the plot/characters when it was convenient without actually giving them reason to be how they were. One example is Robin, who just kinda stops being mentioned around the 70% mark after essentially just being a minor plot device (this is a SHAME and I so badly want a standalone Robin book, or even a novella!) The explanation behind The Thread also felt too easy, almost gimmicky. Actually, one of the only things in the book that shocked me was the big reveal with Miranda later in the story. I just would have liked more genuine surprise or delight like what was in AART. Basically: questions were given weak answers or Green seemed to throw stuff in that didn't really stick or make an impact.
There's also the fact that this book is just much more "preachy" and info-dumpy than its predecessor. I'm putting "preachy" in quotes because it's just the best word I can find right now that describes how I felt. There is a lot of talk in the book about the distribution of power and wealth, the use of power and wealth, capitalism, the economy, how people succumb to other forces, politics, the question of could VS should...the list goes on. It's just a very HEAVY book in some ways, and that's not inherently a bad thing- these are important topics! Green brought up some good questions and I stopped reading at times to consider what he was asking. It felt like a pretty big shift in tone from AART and I wasn't really expecting it, and it just made for a more tedious read.
The info-dump side of this is the bad part; there are certain chapters or moments (like Carl's) that just seem to DRAGGGGGG as the reader get lengthy explanations for things that I'm not convinced we needed to know. Literally every time Andy started talking about money or investments or shares my eyes would glaze over and I'd struggle to understand what was happening. Not gonna lie, the fact that Andy's arc was so finance/money heavy and had him talk so much about it made him hate him just a little bit. Oops.
This all makes it seem like there was a lot I didn't like, but I did like it - at least, PARTS of it. It was fresh and pretty fun at times, and I was hyped to get more Carl weirdness. I love the way Green writes his characters, and I think the way he imagines plots and concepts is fascinating. I just think this sequel needed another couple rounds of editing and some rewritten plot points here and there. However, ABFE is definitely weaker than the first book; when I reread Carlverse stuff in the future I will only be reading the first one and lowkey pretending I don't know about this one... Personally I'm hoping the next Hank Green novel will be something outside of the Carlverse, because as much as I like it, I think it's best the stays as a duology and isn't dragged out.
The main downside was for me was that, in some fairly significant ways, the novel felt kinda sloppy? I can't fully figure out my words for this, but the first half felt seemed like it was going in one direction and setting certain things up (the Fish app, Maya's rocks, the strange occurrences, the books) that were later either dropped or given, in my opinion, weak answers. Along this same line, it felt like Green was just yanking around the plot/characters when it was convenient without actually giving them reason to be how they were. One example is Robin, who just kinda stops being mentioned around the 70% mark after essentially just being a minor plot device (this is a SHAME and I so badly want a standalone Robin book, or even a novella!) The explanation behind The Thread also felt too easy, almost gimmicky. Actually, one of the only things in the book that shocked me was the big reveal with Miranda later in the story. I just would have liked more genuine surprise or delight like what was in AART. Basically: questions were given weak answers or Green seemed to throw stuff in that didn't really stick or make an impact.
There's also the fact that this book is just much more "preachy" and info-dumpy than its predecessor. I'm putting "preachy" in quotes because it's just the best word I can find right now that describes how I felt. There is a lot of talk in the book about the distribution of power and wealth, the use of power and wealth, capitalism, the economy, how people succumb to other forces, politics, the question of could VS should...the list goes on. It's just a very HEAVY book in some ways, and that's not inherently a bad thing- these are important topics! Green brought up some good questions and I stopped reading at times to consider what he was asking. It felt like a pretty big shift in tone from AART and I wasn't really expecting it, and it just made for a more tedious read.
The info-dump side of this is the bad part; there are certain chapters or moments (like Carl's) that just seem to DRAGGGGGG as the reader get lengthy explanations for things that I'm not convinced we needed to know. Literally every time Andy started talking about money or investments or shares my eyes would glaze over and I'd struggle to understand what was happening. Not gonna lie, the fact that Andy's arc was so finance/money heavy and had him talk so much about it made him hate him just a little bit. Oops.
This all makes it seem like there was a lot I didn't like, but I did like it - at least, PARTS of it. It was fresh and pretty fun at times, and I was hyped to get more Carl weirdness. I love the way Green writes his characters, and I think the way he imagines plots and concepts is fascinating. I just think this sequel needed another couple rounds of editing and some rewritten plot points here and there. However, ABFE is definitely weaker than the first book; when I reread Carlverse stuff in the future I will only be reading the first one and lowkey pretending I don't know about this one... Personally I'm hoping the next Hank Green novel will be something outside of the Carlverse, because as much as I like it, I think it's best the stays as a duology and isn't dragged out.
jules__'s review
adventurous
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Great book but not as strong as the first one. I kept being curious about the ending and found it interesting how explanations of Carl's perspectives were covered where I would get the gist but not quiet understand it completely. I missed Robin since I loved him as a character. Good sequel and interesting story.
mollyj099's review against another edition
dark
emotional
informative
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
wordsbetweenlines's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Okay, I LOVED the first book. And then this was the sequel. And it’s fine. But it was also a let down.
It got really weird and very sci fi and like deep into AI which just isn’t my jam.
So it wrapped it up sure. But it was just not it for me.
koikoi97's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
grahambach's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
4.0
letitbrie's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
drridareads's review against another edition
4.0
★★★★
This book is absolutely fucking brilliant and I would read Hank Green writes is for certain.
It however was not as brilliant and exciting and unpredicatble as the first. I loved how uncertain we were about Carls in the first book it was thrilling and adventures. We get all our answers here it kind of feels info dumpy. And I really wish it was something else. Idk what but just something a little different. The tone is kind of different but not a bad different just I prefer the first one more.
It also feels like a perfect pandemic book..even though I think it was written before that. With all the ideas it explores.
I love how Hank Green's brain works. And I wish I could meet him and John Green but I know I'd be startuck and just embarass myself.
________
Aaah finally finished it! My thoughts are pretty jumbled up right now.
________
I JUST SAW THIS ON HANK'S INSTAGRAM. THIS HAS A TITLE, A SYNOPSIS AND A RELEASE DATE. EXCITED IS A VERY A SMALL WORD FOR WHAT I AM FEELING RIGHT NOW. BRB SCREAMING.
This book is absolutely fucking brilliant and I would read Hank Green writes is for certain.
It however was not as brilliant and exciting and unpredicatble as the first. I loved how uncertain we were about Carls in the first book it was thrilling and adventures. We get all our answers here it kind of feels info dumpy. And I really wish it was something else. Idk what but just something a little different. The tone is kind of different but not a bad different just I prefer the first one more.
It also feels like a perfect pandemic book..even though I think it was written before that. With all the ideas it explores.
I love how Hank Green's brain works. And I wish I could meet him and John Green but I know I'd be startuck and just embarass myself.
________
Aaah finally finished it! My thoughts are pretty jumbled up right now.
________
I JUST SAW THIS ON HANK'S INSTAGRAM. THIS HAS A TITLE, A SYNOPSIS AND A RELEASE DATE. EXCITED IS A VERY A SMALL WORD FOR WHAT I AM FEELING RIGHT NOW. BRB SCREAMING.
aclassi_k's review against another edition
4.0
Probably more around *3.5 or 3.75
I think this is the weaker of the two, but still very very entertaining.
Focusing more on the side characters was a very great idea for the book, especially as it was really interesting following them. Andy is probably one of the stronger characters and Miranda's plot is also interesting. Unfortunately, it had to take a backseat in the second part of the book.
Maya and April... yeah, I'm not sure about those two. They actually feel like the less interesting part of the book.
Also, not including Robin in the story was SUCH a wasted opportunity, especially remembering his last confession during book one. It would have been a great plotline for him to deal with guilt and try his best to have a positive impact. Honestly, him being a "friend", but having no involvement was a very lame thing to do.
I think this is the weaker of the two, but still very very entertaining.
Focusing more on the side characters was a very great idea for the book, especially as it was really interesting following them. Andy is probably one of the stronger characters and Miranda's plot is also interesting. Unfortunately, it had to take a backseat in the second part of the book.
Maya and April... yeah, I'm not sure about those two. They actually feel like the less interesting part of the book.
Also, not including Robin in the story was SUCH a wasted opportunity, especially remembering his last confession during book one. It would have been a great plotline for him to deal with guilt and try his best to have a positive impact. Honestly, him being a "friend", but having no involvement was a very lame thing to do.