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3.54 AVERAGE
3.54 AVERAGE
Ethical questions raised in this story were thought provoking without being too outlandish; the biomedical science wasn't over explained but it's essentials were covered. The writing was accessible without being childish.
Overall, this is as much a Young Adult novel as Hunger Games; whereas it would be accessible to teenagers, the content is refreshingly mature and productive in a reading environment that many have chosen to decorate with mindless vampire fiction.
I approve.
Overall, this is as much a Young Adult novel as Hunger Games; whereas it would be accessible to teenagers, the content is refreshingly mature and productive in a reading environment that many have chosen to decorate with mindless vampire fiction.
I approve.
I read this as a possible wide reading choice for some of my students - I was expecting something a little dystopic, a little sci-fi and very YA. What I didn't expect was a novel that delved into ideas around identity, familial love, boundaries and what it is to be human in a way that was interesting and engaging, if not entirely new. Jenna is a well-spun character, whose relationships with those around her feel relatable but strange. An enjoyable read and one that I'll definitely be putting in the book box.
This was thought provoking and interesting, but I didn't like the ending.
a tough book to review - because you don't want to spoil the experience of reading it.
It brings up some tough issues. What would you do?
It brings up some tough issues. What would you do?
Well huh. That wasn't what I was anticipating. I mean, I was anticipating some of it, but I felt like part of the larger message was lost because this book tried to do too much. I felt like had it been just about morality and the ethics of science, the message would have been stronger, but by adding in the God and soul factor, I felt like I wasn't sure which way I was supposed to lean in the grand scheme of things.
I really liked Jenna and being in Jenna's mind. I thought it was really interesting to watch her grow, basically twice. I think she was really smart and just trying to do the best she could under the circumstances she was given. However, I felt like she was a bit naive at times. And that may have to do with but I wanted her to be more resolute.
I think my main problem with this one is that it was too short for everything it tried to encompass. And with the epilogue, it appears that the next novel isn't really about Jenna, so I am a little disappointed. I didn't want to have the end of the novel summed up in that epilogue, I wanted to experience it first hand. Especially with the at the end, I wanted to know what was to come from Jenna being Jenna rather than it being told to me after the fact.
I feel like the romance could have been a little bit more as well, which is something I barely ever say. (the last time I said that was for [b:Rebel of the Sands|24934065|Rebel of the Sands (Rebel of the Sands, #1)|Alwyn Hamilton|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1446829335s/24934065.jpg|44589645]) I really liked Ethan and I wanted Jenna and him to figure things out together and not just be together simply because there had to be romance. I thought they had a really good connection and he was really kind and nice about her secret and I just wanted more of them trying to figure this out together.
Overall, I would say that this one was really short, tried to do too much, and didn't allow the main character, Jenna, to fully reach her potential. But I still really enjoyed it. I think the science behind it was interesting (although I have no idea if it could work) and I liked seeing how everyone reacted in different ways to what had happened to Jenna. I have the rest of the series so I may continue but I haven't quite decided yet.
Books and Ladders | Queen of the Bookshelves | Books Are My Fandom | Twitter | Instagram | Bloglovin'
I really liked Jenna and being in Jenna's mind. I thought it was really interesting to watch her grow, basically twice. I think she was really smart and just trying to do the best she could under the circumstances she was given. However, I felt like she was a bit naive at times. And that may have to do with
Spoiler
the information she was uploaded withI think my main problem with this one is that it was too short for everything it tried to encompass. And with the epilogue, it appears that the next novel isn't really about Jenna, so I am a little disappointed. I didn't want to have the end of the novel summed up in that epilogue, I wanted to experience it first hand. Especially with the
Spoiler
semi-twistI feel like the romance could have been a little bit more as well, which is something I barely ever say. (the last time I said that was for [b:Rebel of the Sands|24934065|Rebel of the Sands (Rebel of the Sands, #1)|Alwyn Hamilton|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1446829335s/24934065.jpg|44589645]) I really liked Ethan and I wanted Jenna and him to figure things out together and not just be together simply because there had to be romance. I thought they had a really good connection and he was really kind and nice about her secret and I just wanted more of them trying to figure this out together.
Overall, I would say that this one was really short, tried to do too much, and didn't allow the main character, Jenna, to fully reach her potential. But I still really enjoyed it. I think the science behind it was interesting (although I have no idea if it could work) and I liked seeing how everyone reacted in different ways to what had happened to Jenna. I have the rest of the series so I may continue but I haven't quite decided yet.
Books and Ladders | Queen of the Bookshelves | Books Are My Fandom | Twitter | Instagram | Bloglovin'
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This is a much better book to listen to than read. I first listened to the audio version, the voices were so well done that it really added richness and depth to the characters. When I picked the book back up to read, later, I found it very flat and rather dull. Interesting. Highly recommended as an audiobook. FWIW, I found the 2nd book in the series totally disappointing in the audio version and didn't bother to try and read it.
This book was surprisingly good. It's not often that you run across a YA novel that is both provocative introspective literature and fascinating speculative fiction. If you must have things happen in your books, then this might not be for you, but I loved the slow, pensive unfolding of Jenna's awareness of herself. I listened to it on audiobook, and the tentative but deliberate tone of the reader really enhanced the mood of the book
I didn't really relate to the slightly demented parents in this book--Pearson seems to think that this dementedness is part and parcel of parenthood. Still, it is definitely a worthwhile read, and raises some very interesting questions about ethics and identity. The only false note in the book is the epilogue, which is an obvious segue to the sequels, which are both run-of-the-mill YA adventure novels, with very little of the thoughtfulness that characterizes this first book.
I didn't really relate to the slightly demented parents in this book--Pearson seems to think that this dementedness is part and parcel of parenthood. Still, it is definitely a worthwhile read, and raises some very interesting questions about ethics and identity. The only false note in the book is the epilogue, which is an obvious segue to the sequels, which are both run-of-the-mill YA adventure novels, with very little of the thoughtfulness that characterizes this first book.
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Interestin, twisitng plots on every page. Awesome book!