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leahegood's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Summary
Imagiserum was supposed to be the next big step in alternative realities--full of recreational and therapeutic possibilities. Instead, it's killing the world. Young Cain Cross and his brother are two college kids determined to come up with a cute. Their time is limited. Cain's brother is infected, and it's only a matter of time till he is too. Is a cure even possible? Is hope, smarts, and determination enough? From Cain's perspective, determination is a better tool than the faith his brother relies on.
My Thoughts
This was a truly unique reading experience. For my Adventures and Odyssey listeners out there, did anyone else watch the Adventures in Odyssey: Escape from the Forbidden Matrix? This felt like that movie + Frugal Wizard's Guide to Medieval England + a Chuck Black novel. Basically, trippy alternative reality interwoven with allegorical elements which aren't quite allegorical because the the allegories meld into reality.
Overall, this was a wholesome read that I'd peg as a ideal family read aloud for a fantasy loving Christian family with a wide range of ages. It's got enough plot and world building to keep older readers happy, nothing objectionable for younger readers (it generally has the slightly fantastical adventurous vibe of a middle grade novel but with older characters and a more intricate plot) and a solid, faith-affirming take home message.
I will say, the ending left me a little bit, "Wait? How exactly is that going to work." For me, I shrugged and moved on. I think some readers might be more bothered, but I don't count it as a major complaint.
Content
No swearing or romance. Overt themes of Christianity. Lots of non-graphic fantasy violence, some more real-world grounded violence, and some medical content.
Imagiserum was supposed to be the next big step in alternative realities--full of recreational and therapeutic possibilities. Instead, it's killing the world. Young Cain Cross and his brother are two college kids determined to come up with a cute. Their time is limited. Cain's brother is infected, and it's only a matter of time till he is too. Is a cure even possible? Is hope, smarts, and determination enough? From Cain's perspective, determination is a better tool than the faith his brother relies on.
My Thoughts
This was a truly unique reading experience. For my Adventures and Odyssey listeners out there, did anyone else watch the Adventures in Odyssey: Escape from the Forbidden Matrix? This felt like that movie + Frugal Wizard's Guide to Medieval England + a Chuck Black novel. Basically, trippy alternative reality interwoven with allegorical elements which aren't quite allegorical because the the allegories meld into reality.
Overall, this was a wholesome read that I'd peg as a ideal family read aloud for a fantasy loving Christian family with a wide range of ages. It's got enough plot and world building to keep older readers happy, nothing objectionable for younger readers (it generally has the slightly fantastical adventurous vibe of a middle grade novel but with older characters and a more intricate plot) and a solid, faith-affirming take home message.
I will say, the ending left me a little bit, "Wait? How exactly is that going to work." For me, I shrugged and moved on. I think some readers might be more bothered, but I don't count it as a major complaint.
Content
No swearing or romance. Overt themes of Christianity. Lots of non-graphic fantasy violence, some more real-world grounded violence, and some medical content.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Animal death, Confinement, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
breedawnwriter's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I love this book.
The pacing was a bit slow in the beginning so it took me a bit to really get into it, but oh my goodness, this book is so good.
The writing is excellent, the worldbuilding is spectacular, the characters are complex and nuanced, the plot twists surprised me and made so much sense, and the themes are actually my favorite thing ever.
The pacing was a bit slow in the beginning so it took me a bit to really get into it, but oh my goodness, this book is so good.
The writing is excellent, the worldbuilding is spectacular, the characters are complex and nuanced, the plot twists surprised me and made so much sense, and the themes are actually my favorite thing ever.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Violence, Kidnapping, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Physical abuse, Torture, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, and War
Minor: Gun violence, Death of parent, and Abandonment
A character implies that he killed himself (but it was with the intent of waking up in the real world).