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A review by tatyanaivanshov
The Otherworld by Abbie Emmons
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
This book is confusing.
I really love the way Abbie writes. Her structure is pristine, the plot points are well introduced and eventually tied together. It's, through and through, a well written book with strong themes and a strong voice. Having read her first book as well, this one felt more up my ally with some more mature themes and language (can people stop complaining about that??) which marks a lot of growth for Abbie.
The contents of the story is where it gets messy. I will admit that a love triangle isn't my usual go-to, and especially between brothers but all things considered Abbie did a good job of not taking it to weird territory which I appreciated.
What did feel slightly off was the constant characterisation of Orca as not like other girls and difFeReNt or iNnOcEnT but even though this usually grinds my gears, the fact that she's never watched a movie or eaten pizza or seen a man that isn't her dad... sure, she's not like other girls, I'll give her that one. It made sense in this specific context. But this is only one of the slightly dodgy portrayals of women in this book. When we eventually **spoiler** meet Orca's mother, sure it wasn't by any means ideal but why did they have to tear her apart after?? "she's empty"?? maybe she just wanted a life and a carer instead of total isolation?? a week ago Orca was the one that wanted to leave the island and then she goes on to basically call her mother a bunch of shit just for not wanting to live that life? She got married at twenty for godsake. not the best mother but give her a break. and not to make this feel like a rant but an easy way that female authors villanize women has become showing the audience that this character prioritises work over her child (i'm looking at you colleen hover) and it just feels lazy at this point. Just because someone has worked to procure things like a nice apartment and a comfortable life for themselves doesn't mean that they don't know what love means... idk just me.
The last thing I wanted to mention was Jack because god damn was he done dirty. I honestly did not hold this opinion until that confrontation with Adam and afterwards their mom but holy shit why is everyone gaslighting him into thinking it was all his mistake and oh he's so immature, when everything he did was because he had feelings for her which they could've put an end to IF THEY WEREN'T LYING TO HIM THE WHOLE TIME. now, some lying... what's a book without it but why do they have to turn it on him? With Jack, his character voice was very strong but at some point it felt like Abbie had just assigned him the 'immature' label and everything went from there. And the fact that he was the only one questioning this girl's father instead of being a good christian boy about it, honestly just makes me like him more.
And the fact that Orca and Adam have kissed like grand total of 4 times and are already rushing to get married and have babies says a lot about the undertones that seep into this book. Yes, the romance is fast paced but that's one of its strongest assets at this point since there is quite a bit of yearning sprinkled throughout. Hence, confusing.
Overall, this book will get you hooked but it's far from perfect. It's riding really hard on its aesthetic which I don't necessarily mind but I was hoping she'd give us a bit more with the "otherworld". didn't realize it would just be our regular world. but it is contemporary romance so that's on me. I'm honestly just glad to see Abbie come out of this christian girl phase with her books and find a more mature audience that I hope sticks around for her next book, whenever that may be. My hopes are high for her.
I really love the way Abbie writes. Her structure is pristine, the plot points are well introduced and eventually tied together. It's, through and through, a well written book with strong themes and a strong voice. Having read her first book as well, this one felt more up my ally with some more mature themes and language (can people stop complaining about that??) which marks a lot of growth for Abbie.
The contents of the story is where it gets messy. I will admit that a love triangle isn't my usual go-to, and especially between brothers but all things considered Abbie did a good job of not taking it to weird territory which I appreciated.
What did feel slightly off was the constant characterisation of Orca as not like other girls and difFeReNt or iNnOcEnT but even though this usually grinds my gears, the fact that she's never watched a movie or eaten pizza or seen a man that isn't her dad... sure, she's not like other girls, I'll give her that one. It made sense in this specific context. But this is only one of the slightly dodgy portrayals of women in this book. When we eventually **spoiler** meet Orca's mother, sure it wasn't by any means ideal but why did they have to tear her apart after?? "she's empty"?? maybe she just wanted a life and a carer instead of total isolation?? a week ago Orca was the one that wanted to leave the island and then she goes on to basically call her mother a bunch of shit just for not wanting to live that life? She got married at twenty for godsake. not the best mother but give her a break. and not to make this feel like a rant but an easy way that female authors villanize women has become showing the audience that this character prioritises work over her child (i'm looking at you colleen hover) and it just feels lazy at this point. Just because someone has worked to procure things like a nice apartment and a comfortable life for themselves doesn't mean that they don't know what love means... idk just me.
The last thing I wanted to mention was Jack because god damn was he done dirty. I honestly did not hold this opinion until that confrontation with Adam and afterwards their mom but holy shit why is everyone gaslighting him into thinking it was all his mistake and oh he's so immature, when everything he did was because he had feelings for her which they could've put an end to IF THEY WEREN'T LYING TO HIM THE WHOLE TIME. now, some lying... what's a book without it but why do they have to turn it on him? With Jack, his character voice was very strong but at some point it felt like Abbie had just assigned him the 'immature' label and everything went from there. And the fact that he was the only one questioning this girl's father instead of being a good christian boy about it, honestly just makes me like him more.
And the fact that Orca and Adam have kissed like grand total of 4 times and are already rushing to get married and have babies says a lot about the undertones that seep into this book. Yes, the romance is fast paced but that's one of its strongest assets at this point since there is quite a bit of yearning sprinkled throughout. Hence, confusing.
Overall, this book will get you hooked but it's far from perfect. It's riding really hard on its aesthetic which I don't necessarily mind but I was hoping she'd give us a bit more with the "otherworld". didn't realize it would just be our regular world. but it is contemporary romance so that's on me. I'm honestly just glad to see Abbie come out of this christian girl phase with her books and find a more mature audience that I hope sticks around for her next book, whenever that may be. My hopes are high for her.