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heathercjohnson 's review for:
The Always War
by Margaret Peterson Haddix
This was not the most enjoyable read... I was disappointed in this book, even if I did not have to suffer long through it, as it's a short story. I did not find many of things about this book believable (Tessa's behavior/thought process; nine year old Dek's maturity, development, reasoning, and abstract thinking; Gideon's woe-is-me, PTSD-like symptoms). I did not like any of the characters. I figured out the plot less than halfway through and felt bored reading the rest of the book. Just spill the beans already; I know what's going on... Ugh.
I don't recommend this. It could have done better. Way better. Where was the excitement? The dramatic pacing? The reality of the characters (or development)? The building of tension? The only reason I'm giving it the two stars is for an interesting beginning, before things became unbelievable (Gideon bust through her wall without anyone hearing him or spying on him, including his mother, discovered paint and tools to patch a wall, with enough time to escape conveniently around the time Tessa returned home in order to catch him escaping, so she could follow him? WHAT?!) and a plot that could have been so much more than it was.
I don't recommend this. It could have done better. Way better. Where was the excitement? The dramatic pacing? The reality of the characters (or development)? The building of tension? The only reason I'm giving it the two stars is for an interesting beginning, before things became unbelievable (Gideon bust through her wall without anyone hearing him or spying on him, including his mother, discovered paint and tools to patch a wall, with enough time to escape conveniently around the time Tessa returned home in order to catch him escaping, so she could follow him? WHAT?!) and a plot that could have been so much more than it was.