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A review by k_lenn
You Can Run by Rebecca Zanetti
DNF; forced myself past the 40% mark before calling it quits. I’m pretty surprised by all the 5 stars and glowing reviews, but I’m glad others have enjoyed reading this more than I did.
The main character is a textbook Mary Sue, and while I liked how smart and educated she was at first (especially when her intelligence unapologetically coexists with her femininity), I got tired of her perfection quickly. She went to college at 11, has multiple degrees, has an “unnaturally gorgeous” hair colour, and has the most beautiful blue/green sectoral heterochromia. She’s smart, gorgeous, kind, sociable, has started several successful businesses and organizations for other people, and more. Everybody recognizes her uniqueness and endless talent, and the author makes sure that it’s a hot topic in conversations so we can’t forget.
That being said, Laurel’s Mary Sue-ness (and the absurdity of some of the plot points) wasn’t what put the nail in the coffin for me— it was the stilted writing and dialogue. I’d understand if it was limited to one or two characters, or even a whole family, but everybody talks like a robot regardless of their background, and the overall writing isn’t much better.
But I’m in the minority here, so if you’re reading this before giving it a try, don’t let my review turn you off. Hopefully you like it enough for the both of us :’)
The main character is a textbook Mary Sue, and while I liked how smart and educated she was at first (especially when her intelligence unapologetically coexists with her femininity), I got tired of her perfection quickly. She went to college at 11, has multiple degrees, has an “unnaturally gorgeous” hair colour, and has the most beautiful blue/green sectoral heterochromia. She’s smart, gorgeous, kind, sociable, has started several successful businesses and organizations for other people, and more. Everybody recognizes her uniqueness and endless talent, and the author makes sure that it’s a hot topic in conversations so we can’t forget.
That being said, Laurel’s Mary Sue-ness (and the absurdity of some of the plot points) wasn’t what put the nail in the coffin for me— it was the stilted writing and dialogue. I’d understand if it was limited to one or two characters, or even a whole family, but everybody talks like a robot regardless of their background, and the overall writing isn’t much better.
But I’m in the minority here, so if you’re reading this before giving it a try, don’t let my review turn you off. Hopefully you like it enough for the both of us :’)