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carolyn0613's review against another edition
3.0
I really wanted to love this book as it has one of the elements that I like, namely time travel. The book started well and I was enjoying it but about a third of the way in, it sort of lost the plot a little and meandered around but then finished rather suddenly. Arlo is not very likeable - he seems quite weak willed and very reliant on his 'gift'. His girlfriend is also written quite one-dimensionally, although this may be deliberate - Arlo's first person portrayal of her showing his innate self absorption. A solid read if a little disappointing
kimblefairy1989's review against another edition
4.0
I loved the premise behind this novel - a person able to essentially reverse time in order to undo their last mistake.
I enjoyed the narrative voice for the most part and the twists and turns kept me turning the pages.
The only reason that this doesnt get the full 5 stars from me is because there were times regularly through the novel where I just didnt like Arlo at all. In places, that detracted from the enjoyment of the story.
Overall, 4 stars from me.
I enjoyed the narrative voice for the most part and the twists and turns kept me turning the pages.
The only reason that this doesnt get the full 5 stars from me is because there were times regularly through the novel where I just didnt like Arlo at all. In places, that detracted from the enjoyment of the story.
Overall, 4 stars from me.
insidestory's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kellyvandamme's review against another edition
5.0
Hi and welcome to my review of The Undoing of Arlo Knott! First of all, I’d like to invite you to take a good look at that gorgeous cover, because it pretty much sums up the whole story, albeit in a way you don’t really realise until you’ve read it. Also, a note on the chaptering, which is a bit funny: it starts with part 6. A publisher note explains that this is meant to reflect the time-reversing aspects of the novel. While I don’t exactly see the added value in this, it doesn’t distract from the story, nor is it confusing at any time. The chapters in each part are not neatly numbered starting from 1 either: they reflect Arlo’s age. In that way there are multiple chapters with the same number. Again, not confusing at all, and I do see the added value in this, because his age does matter more than protagonists’ ages in other books.
Right, so, The Undoing of Arlo Knott starts with Arlo, aged thirteen. A tragic accident that he’s at least partially to blame for changes his life forever and soon after he realises he can do something no one else seems to be able to: he can undo actions or events by returning in time to just before they took place.
From that point in time onwards, we follow Arlo through life, as he goes forward in time like everybody else, but also back in time. His ability to time-travel, albeit very limitedly, makes him nonchalant and brazen on the one hand, and a bit of a freeloader on the other: as a student he needs money, what easier way than to go gambling, or buy scratch cards. All the possibilities are there, all the realities are for the taking, once he has seen one reality, one possibility, it becomes real, but he can return and let it play again, or change reality by doing or saying something else.
Arlo leads a fascinating life, all the while trying to figure out what his ability means, how it might be explained, and all the while trying to stretch it, going back just a minute more, just an hour more, honing his unique skill. For a while he’s a magician, the great ArlO, raking in the money, because what he can do is as close to real magic as one can get. But eventually tiring of freeloading and his own self-centredness, and realising his ability is what got him and possibly lost him the love of his life, he decides to use it for the greater good, to help people and he starts a new career. But can he really keep meddling with people’s lives like this, even if it is for the greater good, or is he messing with fate?
Arlo’s journey is a fascinating one. His character’s arc is incredible. You see him grow as a person throughout the story and although I didn’t really like him at first, he grew on me as he was growing as a person. Knowing how he started out, that rather selfish little boy, and how the novel ends, is just… wow. This is a thriller, a family drama, a love story, an episode of Black Mirror and a Blake Crouch novel all rolled up in one sublimely plotted novel with a gasp-inducing finale that must be added to your reading list this summer, or next winter, or whatever, just add it. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I highly recommend it, especially to all the Black Mirror fans out there.
Massive thanks to Orbit and NetGalley for the free eARC! All opinions are my own and I was not paid to give them.
Right, so, The Undoing of Arlo Knott starts with Arlo, aged thirteen. A tragic accident that he’s at least partially to blame for changes his life forever and soon after he realises he can do something no one else seems to be able to: he can undo actions or events by returning in time to just before they took place.
From that point in time onwards, we follow Arlo through life, as he goes forward in time like everybody else, but also back in time. His ability to time-travel, albeit very limitedly, makes him nonchalant and brazen on the one hand, and a bit of a freeloader on the other: as a student he needs money, what easier way than to go gambling, or buy scratch cards. All the possibilities are there, all the realities are for the taking, once he has seen one reality, one possibility, it becomes real, but he can return and let it play again, or change reality by doing or saying something else.
Arlo leads a fascinating life, all the while trying to figure out what his ability means, how it might be explained, and all the while trying to stretch it, going back just a minute more, just an hour more, honing his unique skill. For a while he’s a magician, the great ArlO, raking in the money, because what he can do is as close to real magic as one can get. But eventually tiring of freeloading and his own self-centredness, and realising his ability is what got him and possibly lost him the love of his life, he decides to use it for the greater good, to help people and he starts a new career. But can he really keep meddling with people’s lives like this, even if it is for the greater good, or is he messing with fate?
Arlo’s journey is a fascinating one. His character’s arc is incredible. You see him grow as a person throughout the story and although I didn’t really like him at first, he grew on me as he was growing as a person. Knowing how he started out, that rather selfish little boy, and how the novel ends, is just… wow. This is a thriller, a family drama, a love story, an episode of Black Mirror and a Blake Crouch novel all rolled up in one sublimely plotted novel with a gasp-inducing finale that must be added to your reading list this summer, or next winter, or whatever, just add it. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I highly recommend it, especially to all the Black Mirror fans out there.
Massive thanks to Orbit and NetGalley for the free eARC! All opinions are my own and I was not paid to give them.
mpr2000's review
4.0
What a curious read, let’s be honest Arlo Knott is nothing but simple or easy, he is SPECIAL and his life will be exceptional, but it will start with a tragic death. Ready to discover “The Undoing of Arlo Knott”?
This had been a different read from the books I am used to, this was like the Arlo Knott memoir, when his life changes completely and he starts having a curious power, he can undone the previous actions he has done. Yes, it sounds a little bit strange, but is a really useful “power” that I would love to have! There are endless possibilities with his “power” the only question it would be what would you do with it, help the others or yourself? Arlo will have a little bit of both, it will take a while to decide what he really wants to do with his life, and not all the previous choices will be nice.
This had been a very interesting read, we will see how Arlo grows and his priorities change when he grows as a person. Because this is a trip that you take with Arlo; you are his companion, his shadow and confident. He will have his ups and downs, and his life will not be full of people but just a few special persons that will mark him forever; making this story original and absorbing. I’ll have to admit that I didn’t like much Arlo as a person, but as the story progresses you start having a special connection with him and his life.
There’s a surprise in the end, I was half expecting it, but it had shocked me anyway!
Ready to discover Arlo Knott, he will have a few tricks on her pocket to surprise you…
This had been a different read from the books I am used to, this was like the Arlo Knott memoir, when his life changes completely and he starts having a curious power, he can undone the previous actions he has done. Yes, it sounds a little bit strange, but is a really useful “power” that I would love to have! There are endless possibilities with his “power” the only question it would be what would you do with it, help the others or yourself? Arlo will have a little bit of both, it will take a while to decide what he really wants to do with his life, and not all the previous choices will be nice.
This had been a very interesting read, we will see how Arlo grows and his priorities change when he grows as a person. Because this is a trip that you take with Arlo; you are his companion, his shadow and confident. He will have his ups and downs, and his life will not be full of people but just a few special persons that will mark him forever; making this story original and absorbing. I’ll have to admit that I didn’t like much Arlo as a person, but as the story progresses you start having a special connection with him and his life.
There’s a surprise in the end, I was half expecting it, but it had shocked me anyway!
Ready to discover Arlo Knott, he will have a few tricks on her pocket to surprise you…
bunnybookslife's review
DNF @ 191 pages.
It just wasnt for me. I didnt like the main charachter at all. Love the concept buy this was just mean?? I dont know. No thanks. 🙃
It just wasnt for me. I didnt like the main charachter at all. Love the concept buy this was just mean?? I dont know. No thanks. 🙃
annarella's review against another edition
5.0
An interesting and engrossing book, more speculative fiction than fantasy, that will give you a lot of food for thought.
I appreciated the style of writing, it's apparently simple but it's multilayered and make you stop and reflect on what you just read.
The plot flows and never bores, the cast of characters is fleshed out, the world building is unusual and interesting.
It's the first book I read by Heather Child and won't surely be the last.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
I appreciated the style of writing, it's apparently simple but it's multilayered and make you stop and reflect on what you just read.
The plot flows and never bores, the cast of characters is fleshed out, the world building is unusual and interesting.
It's the first book I read by Heather Child and won't surely be the last.
Highly recommended!
Many thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this ARC, all opinions are mine.
kba76's review
4.0
If we knew the consequences of our actions, how many of us would change things? If we could live a life without regrets, how many of us would accept what comes with it? If we had even the slightest inkling that someone could rewind time, what would we think of them? How would our lives and decisions be different?
In this intriguing read, we’re introduced to Arlo Knott who can alter time and who, over time, has learned how to manipulate events to change the outcome.
At the start of the book we are with a young boy who feels incredible guilt at having stepped away from the stepladder he was holding before his mum fell. Is he responsible for her death? Perhaps not, but he certainly feels he is. So when he starts to realise that he can shift time (albeit fractionally at first), Arlo begins what could seem to be a charmed life.
There was some fun to be had with the central idea, but as Arlo starts to see the effects his decisions/unwindings have, it raises some interesting questions.
No easy answers here, but this was definitely an enjoyable read. Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read this prior to publication in exchange for my thoughts.
In this intriguing read, we’re introduced to Arlo Knott who can alter time and who, over time, has learned how to manipulate events to change the outcome.
At the start of the book we are with a young boy who feels incredible guilt at having stepped away from the stepladder he was holding before his mum fell. Is he responsible for her death? Perhaps not, but he certainly feels he is. So when he starts to realise that he can shift time (albeit fractionally at first), Arlo begins what could seem to be a charmed life.
There was some fun to be had with the central idea, but as Arlo starts to see the effects his decisions/unwindings have, it raises some interesting questions.
No easy answers here, but this was definitely an enjoyable read. Thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read this prior to publication in exchange for my thoughts.
thewoollygeek's review against another edition
5.0
An interesting read that will leave you thinking about it long after you finish it. An emotional read I found at times, not the lightest of subject matters, mortality, but again a really interesting read, thought provoking and multi layered.
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for a free copy for an honest opinion
amalienicholls's review
adventurous
challenging
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5