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bookrastinator's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-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? Yes
4.75
magis1105's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
boombaeyah's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
very engaging book for all the post-apocalyptic fans out there! if you enjoyed the last of us (game/hbo show), you’ll love this.
mayareadsitall's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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? It's complicated
3.5
TLDR: An engrossing post-apocalyptic tale that hooks you in with its suspense and intrigue, delivering an unexpected ending that sets it apart in its genre.
I don't really consider myself a mood reader, but there have been times when my interest in reading specific genres has fluctuated according to my mood. Lately, I've been craving some thrilling post-apocalyptic stories, and "The Girl With All The Gifts" has particularly fulfilled that hunger (pun absolutely intended, lol). Right from the start, I was hooked by the intriguing setup, the mysterious bunker, and the suspenseful events that gradually unfolded. I was so engrossed that I ended up devouring almost the entire book in one sitting.
As much as I was initially hooked, I did notice a shift in the story's momentum halfway through, turning this into something that reminded me of a standard post-apocalypse flick, complete with the usual survivalist road trip from point A to point B. But even then, I enjoyed the small moments that the characters shared. The delicate dynamics that played out and the bonds that were formed and tested - all of these elements brought a certain depth and richness to their interactions.
One of the drawbacks of the book is my struggle to connect with the adult female characters. Dr. Caldwell plays a significant role primarily because she serves as a vehicle to explain the post-apocalyptic world to readers. However, she devolves into a caricature of a reckless scientist whose actions primarily serve to trigger actions and escalate tension. Miss Justineau is a more fleshed-out character complete with a backstory to justify her over-protectiveness, but she is plagued with excessive kindness that can feel more irksome than endearing, particularly when it threatens the safety of her and the people around her.
I found myself gradually warming up to the tough-exterior-soft-hearted-inside Sergeant Parks and fresh-out-of-the-bootcamp Private Gallagher. Both of them are very typical characters you find in this type of genre but are written to be more likable than the two female characters. The best character, however, was undoubtedly the main character, Melanie. She remained the most compelling character for me as we, the readers, simultaneously embarked on a journey of discovering her nuances and complexities as a character and her response toward the world around her.
The final act of the book brought back the initial tension and suspense, propelling the narrative towards an inevitable conclusion that was unexpected but plausible, given the subtle hints dropped throughout the journey. It is this unique conclusion that I think truly sets this book apart within its genre.
I don't really consider myself a mood reader, but there have been times when my interest in reading specific genres has fluctuated according to my mood. Lately, I've been craving some thrilling post-apocalyptic stories, and "The Girl With All The Gifts" has particularly fulfilled that hunger (pun absolutely intended, lol). Right from the start, I was hooked by the intriguing setup, the mysterious bunker, and the suspenseful events that gradually unfolded. I was so engrossed that I ended up devouring almost the entire book in one sitting.
As much as I was initially hooked, I did notice a shift in the story's momentum halfway through, turning this into something that reminded me of a standard post-apocalypse flick, complete with the usual survivalist road trip from point A to point B. But even then, I enjoyed the small moments that the characters shared. The delicate dynamics that played out and the bonds that were formed and tested - all of these elements brought a certain depth and richness to their interactions.
One of the drawbacks of the book is my struggle to connect with the adult female characters. Dr. Caldwell plays a significant role primarily because she serves as a vehicle to explain the post-apocalyptic world to readers. However, she devolves into a caricature of a reckless scientist whose actions primarily serve to trigger actions and escalate tension. Miss Justineau is a more fleshed-out character complete with a backstory to justify her over-protectiveness, but she is plagued with excessive kindness that can feel more irksome than endearing, particularly when it threatens the safety of her and the people around her.
I found myself gradually warming up to the tough-exterior-soft-hearted-inside Sergeant Parks and fresh-out-of-the-bootcamp Private Gallagher. Both of them are very typical characters you find in this type of genre but are written to be more likable than the two female characters. The best character, however, was undoubtedly the main character, Melanie. She remained the most compelling character for me as we, the readers, simultaneously embarked on a journey of discovering her nuances and complexities as a character and her response toward the world around her.
The final act of the book brought back the initial tension and suspense, propelling the narrative towards an inevitable conclusion that was unexpected but plausible, given the subtle hints dropped throughout the journey. It is this unique conclusion that I think truly sets this book apart within its genre.
the_sunken_library's review against another edition
5.0
Brilliant. Not amazingly written but totally enthralling. I guessed the main twist pretty quickly about the main protagonist Melanie but was completely shocked by the one at the end. Totally did not see that coming! A great read, highly recommend.
emlynbooks's review against another edition
5.0
Zombies, violence, cool science world-building, and one of the most beautiful stories about human nature I’ve ever read. I truly cannot praise this book enough.
valreadssometimes's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
This book stuck with me to the point where I had to reread it. That doesn't happen to me often.
I think this book is so worth it because of its complex and very real characters, which are set in this bleak and dangerous world but do their best to stick to their own values and priorities.
The real magic of this book is that, despite the many wrongdoings by each person, none of them are truly the villain in this story. They are just each doing their best with what they have.
I think this book is so worth it because of its complex and very real characters, which are set in this bleak and dangerous world but do their best to stick to their own values and priorities.
The real magic of this book is that, despite the many wrongdoings by each person, none of them are truly the villain in this story. They are just each doing their best with what they have.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Blood
Moderate: Death and Gore
Minor: Body horror
cari_mac's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
slow-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? No
3.0
sarahmariereads176's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0