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edshara's review against another edition
5.0
I sometimes wonder, when I love a book, if I share it with someone else will they love it as much as me or think I'm crazy (I don't want anyone rejecting my "baby", Lol). However, this time I do not care, this book was fantastic! And none of that, it was good for a middle grade novel or it was good for an adventure book. This was, simply put, just a great book.
This book was fast paced, action packed, intense and kept me interested and engaged from start to finish. Right from the get go, I liked Bethany. She was understandably cautious but she was feisty when she needed to be. She was honest and transparent and she proved herself to be a great friend. While I wouldn't have wanted to be in her situation (searching for her father) and the issues that came with that, what I wouldn't give to have her ability. What bookworm hasn't dreamt of, literally, diving into their favorite book?
For as much as I loved Bethany, I wanted to strangle Owen. I liked him but I was so ticked at how he treated Bethany in the beginning, when she was so willing to share her talent/ability with him. With all the information that she gave him, he still acted like an idiot. He put a lot at risk because he was bored. Even though I could somewhat sympathize with him, at some point common sense has to take over, right? Honestly he made the book interesting and he did have some redeeming qualities, but he definitely made me groan a few times as I read.
Kiel was also slightly annoying and smug. But I found him easier to tolerate, perhaps because he was also funny to read(because he was obliviously smug). Their are some other characters I wouldn't mind mentioning but I don't want to give anything away or potentially spoil any of the book. I do think all the characters were well written and fit the role they were given in this adventure.
I really enjoyed the book within a book. At one point I was mad that Owen was thinking about it and basically spoiling it(lol as if it were a real standalone). Seriously this book is good down through the acknowledgements and the author profile page (and I don't usually read those). I would definitely recommend this to anyone. It's perfect for all ages and anyone who likes a good fantasy based adventure. Definitely going to have to add this series to my collection. Enjoy!
This book was fast paced, action packed, intense and kept me interested and engaged from start to finish. Right from the get go, I liked Bethany. She was understandably cautious but she was feisty when she needed to be. She was honest and transparent and she proved herself to be a great friend. While I wouldn't have wanted to be in her situation (searching for her father) and the issues that came with that, what I wouldn't give to have her ability. What bookworm hasn't dreamt of, literally, diving into their favorite book?
For as much as I loved Bethany, I wanted to strangle Owen. I liked him but I was so ticked at how he treated Bethany in the beginning, when she was so willing to share her talent/ability with him. With all the information that she gave him, he still acted like an idiot. He put a lot at risk because he was bored. Even though I could somewhat sympathize with him, at some point common sense has to take over, right? Honestly he made the book interesting and he did have some redeeming qualities, but he definitely made me groan a few times as I read.
Kiel was also slightly annoying and smug. But I found him easier to tolerate, perhaps because he was also funny to read(because he was obliviously smug). Their are some other characters I wouldn't mind mentioning but I don't want to give anything away or potentially spoil any of the book. I do think all the characters were well written and fit the role they were given in this adventure.
I really enjoyed the book within a book. At one point I was mad that Owen was thinking about it and basically spoiling it(lol as if it were a real standalone). Seriously this book is good down through the acknowledgements and the author profile page (and I don't usually read those). I would definitely recommend this to anyone. It's perfect for all ages and anyone who likes a good fantasy based adventure. Definitely going to have to add this series to my collection. Enjoy!
astheplotthickens24's review against another edition
2.0
I understand why Owen was so excited to have a life that is not consist of school, home and TV because I actually feel the same and if an opportunity presented itself to me just like how Bethany was presented to Owen, I would definitely grab it! My goodness I've been imagining myself inside Hogwarts for like three years now, the smell of strawberries inside the Camp Half-Blood and the feel of Aslan's hide on my fingers. This book made me want to have the things that I couldn't, like travel through books. Oh my goodness! I want to see Percy and Harry in person, maybe Katniss too but LOL who wants to be in the Hunger Games? Definitely not me.
The main point is this, it's awesome to read about people being able to travel through books, it's cool to be inside a book and be a hero but it's not an easy life and to be honest if I somehow ended up in Owen's situation, or Percy's, or Harry's, I would definitely die in the first ten chapters.
This book has it's own potential but I'm not that excited to read the second book if there is one.
2.5 stars
The main point is this, it's awesome to read about people being able to travel through books, it's cool to be inside a book and be a hero but it's not an easy life and to be honest if I somehow ended up in Owen's situation, or Percy's, or Harry's, I would definitely die in the first ten chapters.
This book has it's own potential but I'm not that excited to read the second book if there is one.
2.5 stars
jassy86's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
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
3.5
sydney4_5's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.25
The story was interesting. I think the idea of characters not being exactly what you expect.
However listening to the audiobook was PAINFUL. The narrator yells SO LOUD frequently. I would definitely not recommend listening to this one.
However listening to the audiobook was PAINFUL. The narrator yells SO LOUD frequently. I would definitely not recommend listening to this one.
mmorris07's review against another edition
5.0
My imagination is very overactive for my age and this gave me a new spin on it all. I've always imagined being able to go into books, but no one has ever written about it until now (that I know of). Each chapter rotates between Owen and Bethany POV (point of view) and has essentially two plots. One of my favorite books and I defiantly recommend to anyone who loves fiction or putting yourselves into the books you read.
petuniarhubarb's review against another edition
5.0
I read this book a couple months ago, so the details are fuzzy. But I can still, without a doubt, tell you this is a great book.
Every reader wants to travel through books. With this one, we get to. What intrigued me most about this book, was Owen pointing out all the nuances and cliches of books, and authors. It was refreshing to meet a character who brazenly talks about all the things I read and write about.
The next thing, was ever-cautious Bethany. I'd never met a character so much like me. Always making rules and second-guessing herself, yet still wanting to be adventurous. Frankly, she's a little irritating at times, but it's so worth it. (She gets better as the series goes along)
This isn't usual for a book review, but I also want to point out how great the rest of the series is. The first book works great as a stand-alone, but the rest of it just gets better and better. The character development and world-building are peak. The plot is wow. Extremely well thought out and intriguing. I was in a constant state of awe while reading it.
So yeah, I recommend this book. A lot. And if you like it, you have to need to read the rest of the series too. You won't be disappointed
Every reader wants to travel through books. With this one, we get to. What intrigued me most about this book, was Owen pointing out all the nuances and cliches of books, and authors. It was refreshing to meet a character who brazenly talks about all the things I read and write about.
The next thing, was ever-cautious Bethany. I'd never met a character so much like me. Always making rules and second-guessing herself, yet still wanting to be adventurous. Frankly, she's a little irritating at times, but it's so worth it. (She gets better as the series goes along)
This isn't usual for a book review, but I also want to point out how great the rest of the series is. The first book works great as a stand-alone, but the rest of it just gets better and better. The character development and world-building are peak. The plot is wow. Extremely well thought out and intriguing. I was in a constant state of awe while reading it.
So yeah, I recommend this book. A lot. And if you like it, you have to need to read the rest of the series too. You won't be disappointed
coramae's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
samrushingbooks's review against another edition
4.0
This was a cute, clever, amusing adventure of a boy who finds real life boring and wants to escape, and a half-fictional girl searching for her fictional father in all the wrong books. One agreement between the two leads to a crazy journey where Owen has to become his favorite character and love out the final book in the series, while Bethany is in the real world trying to prevent things from getting far worse. I really enjoyed reading this, and will probably read the rest of the series in the future.
alyshadeshae's review against another edition
5.0
Oh this was delightful! So much fun to read and I'm looking forward to the rest of the series! Although, it totally could have been a stand-alone, I think. (But I'm glad that it's not!)