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shelfofpages's reviews
12 reviews
Replica by Lauren Oliver
When I first heard of Replica prior to its release in 2016, one crucial aspect intrigued me: the format. The entire story from Lyra's POV occupies one half of the book, and when you physically flip the book over, you get the entire story from Gemma's POV. This gives the reader a choice to read each perspective one at a time, alternate POVs between chapters (this is how I read them), or alternate POVs in a non-linear fashion.
Having these options adds refreshing variety to the standard dual-POV format found in many books. I personally found enjoyment in the tactile aspect of flipping over Replica to switch between Lyra and Gemma's stories. However, I must mention that I read Ringer as an ebook, and the ebook format is more fiddley. There are hyperlinks at the end of each chapter to the other POV, so you still get a similar effect, but the reading experience is not as smooth.
One last note on the format: There are points in both books when Lyra and Gemma's paths cross, and you will read the same scene twice from each girl's POV. I've seen some criticism that this makes the story repetitive and boring, but I wholeheartedly disagree with this take. Sure, a few lines of dialogue repeat here and there. However, Oliver keeps the repeated scenes interesting by giving each girl an entirely different inner world that reshapes the experience. The girls notice different things in their surroundings, interpret different meanings in the repeated dialogue, and share different information about themselves. I found the repeated scenes to be a highlight, rather than a detriment, to the overall story.
As for the plot itself, both Replica and Ringer bring action-packed thrills with twists around every corner. There is nary a dull moment as the characters are whisked around, forced to make difficult decisions, and search for the truth about themselves and the Haven Institute.
This duology is quite the page-turner, and its fast pace will appeal to many readers. It has a dystopian feel while set in the modern day, with sci-fi elements that keep you wanting more.
Throughout Gemma and Lyra's story, both girls grapple with what it means to be human, a replica, or a monster. I am a fan of two other stories that explore similar themes (The Diabolic by S.J. Kincaid and The Hunchback of Notre-Dame by Victor Hugo), and the Replica duology holds up among these works. Oliver fits a shockingly nuanced exploration of this topic throughout the action, giving the story some refreshing depth as the discussion continues to complicate and unfold.
That being said, there were other topics present in the Replica duology that were not handled as well. My biggest issue was the way that fatphobia is discussed. Gemma is larger than other girls in the story, and this is often brought up through her constant degradation of her own body.
Hear me out: I am so in favor of exploring internalized fatphobia through a character who struggles with negative body image. However, for this angle to work, Lyra's opinions about body image would have to contrast with Gemma's in a way that highlights their differences. While we do hear Lyra's positive opinions about Gemma's body, she also thinks some truly disgusting thoughts about other fat characters, leaving any potential for a nuanced discussion of fatphobia behind in the dust. I would advise you to stay away from Replica if negative portrayals of bodies and body image will disturb you.
My other, smaller critique of the Replica duology is the frequent, uncomfortable... thirsting? The protagonists are both teenage girls, which may be the reason this was included, but I am instantly adding both Replica and Ringer to my incredibly long list of "Books That Would Be Just as Good, If Not Better, Without the Romance". If every boy/girl pairing in this duology were strictly platonic instead, there would be no effect on the plot.
Overall, I enjoyed the heart-pumping action of the Replica duology, but I wanted more depth in the characters and themes. I would recommend these books to anyone looking for an entertaining read with a unique concept, or anyone hoping to dip their toes into the sci-fi or dystopian genres while remaining in a familiar setting.
3.5
"On very still nights sometimes we can hear them chanting, calling for us to die." -Lauren Oliver, Replica
When I first heard of Replica prior to its release in 2016, one crucial aspect intrigued me: the format. The entire story from Lyra's POV occupies one half of the book, and when you physically flip the book over, you get the entire story from Gemma's POV. This gives the reader a choice to read each perspective one at a time, alternate POVs between chapters (this is how I read them), or alternate POVs in a non-linear fashion.
Having these options adds refreshing variety to the standard dual-POV format found in many books. I personally found enjoyment in the tactile aspect of flipping over Replica to switch between Lyra and Gemma's stories. However, I must mention that I read Ringer as an ebook, and the ebook format is more fiddley. There are hyperlinks at the end of each chapter to the other POV, so you still get a similar effect, but the reading experience is not as smooth.
One last note on the format: There are points in both books when Lyra and Gemma's paths cross, and you will read the same scene twice from each girl's POV. I've seen some criticism that this makes the story repetitive and boring, but I wholeheartedly disagree with this take. Sure, a few lines of dialogue repeat here and there. However, Oliver keeps the repeated scenes interesting by giving each girl an entirely different inner world that reshapes the experience. The girls notice different things in their surroundings, interpret different meanings in the repeated dialogue, and share different information about themselves. I found the repeated scenes to be a highlight, rather than a detriment, to the overall story.
As for the plot itself, both Replica and Ringer bring action-packed thrills with twists around every corner. There is nary a dull moment as the characters are whisked around, forced to make difficult decisions, and search for the truth about themselves and the Haven Institute.
This duology is quite the page-turner, and its fast pace will appeal to many readers. It has a dystopian feel while set in the modern day, with sci-fi elements that keep you wanting more.
"If everyone believed they were monsters, shouldn't they at least be allowed to have teeth?" -Lauren Oliver, Ringer
Throughout Gemma and Lyra's story, both girls grapple with what it means to be human, a replica, or a monster. I am a fan of two other stories that explore similar themes (The Diabolic by S.J. Kincaid and The Hunchback of Notre-Dame by Victor Hugo), and the Replica duology holds up among these works. Oliver fits a shockingly nuanced exploration of this topic throughout the action, giving the story some refreshing depth as the discussion continues to complicate and unfold.
That being said, there were other topics present in the Replica duology that were not handled as well. My biggest issue was the way that fatphobia is discussed. Gemma is larger than other girls in the story, and this is often brought up through her constant degradation of her own body.
Hear me out: I am so in favor of exploring internalized fatphobia through a character who struggles with negative body image. However, for this angle to work, Lyra's opinions about body image would have to contrast with Gemma's in a way that highlights their differences. While we do hear Lyra's positive opinions about Gemma's body, she also thinks some truly disgusting thoughts about other fat characters, leaving any potential for a nuanced discussion of fatphobia behind in the dust. I would advise you to stay away from Replica if negative portrayals of bodies and body image will disturb you.
My other, smaller critique of the Replica duology is the frequent, uncomfortable... thirsting? The protagonists are both teenage girls, which may be the reason this was included, but I am instantly adding both Replica and Ringer to my incredibly long list of "Books That Would Be Just as Good, If Not Better, Without the Romance". If every boy/girl pairing in this duology were strictly platonic instead, there would be no effect on the plot.
Overall, I enjoyed the heart-pumping action of the Replica duology, but I wanted more depth in the characters and themes. I would recommend these books to anyone looking for an entertaining read with a unique concept, or anyone hoping to dip their toes into the sci-fi or dystopian genres while remaining in a familiar setting.
"A strange and baffling truth: that the people we're supposed to know best can turn out to be strangers, and that near strangers can feel so much like home." -Lauren Oliver, Replica
Funny Story by Emily Henry
I've heard Emily Henry's name floating around the Internet, and people are singing her praises. I'm not a huge romance-enjoyer, but I'm also not immune to the Internet's influence. I wanted to see what this hype is about, so I've decided to read Emily Henry's 3 highest-rated books (I'll compare them all in a single post, coming soon!). Funny Story currently holds the #1 spot, so I'm starting here.
Despite being a self-proclaimed Romance Book Skeptic, I was greatly impressed by Funny Story. The flow and pacing are well-structured, the writing is snappy, and each character brims with life. Right from the get-go, this book's concept intrigued me. I'm a huge fan of books about a character's journey to put down roots where they live. Daphne's escapades of making Waning Bay her own are beautifully executed and inspiring in their own right; I found myself struck with that deep urge to live life to the fullest, a feeling that many of my favorite books inspire.
Another aspect of Funny Story that drew me in was its promise of a "fake dating" storyline. I'll admit it: I'm a bit of a sucker for that trope. After Daphne moves in with her ex-fiancé's new fiancée's ex-boyfriend Miles (I promise it's not as complicated as that sounds!), she pretends they're dating to make their exes jealous. I smiled with glee as this snowballed into an out-of-hand situation that locked our usually-honest Daphne into her lie. That said, I still wished for more of a slow burn when it came to the actual romance; the "fake dating" turned into "real dating" a bit fast for my taste, and I would have liked to see the lie play out longer than it did, especially since it was so dang funny while it lasted!
Probably my favorite element of Funny Story is the emotional maturity we see in the characters. A lot of books rely on emotionally immature behavior to drive the drama, but Henry found a way around this. It's refreshing to read a story where characters are willing to apologize, hear each other out, and show empathy. And they manage to do so while still leaving space for their own emotions. This all leads to a level of nuance and complexity that I'm admittedly not used to seeing in romance novels.
This complexity is both a cause and an effect of how many overlapping storylines are present in Funny Story. As a Romance Book Skeptic, I appreciate the abundance of subplots since this enables the story to focus on much more than just the romance. Although I was left with a feeling that some subplots didn't have as much depth as I would have liked, I adored how they all converged just so to formulate a beautiful ending. The final 25% or so of the novel skyrocketed my overall opinion of Funny Story, relieving my few minor qualms and leaving me satisfied.
Now, if I'm going to review a romance novel, I have to touch on the romance itself. And I was... not impressed, though this is likely an "it's not you, it's me" scenario. I adored both Daphne and Miles individually, and their friendship is beyond charming. They have a decent connection and complement each other well in a way where I like the pair as friends. I'm just not sold on them as a couple. But, again, I'm incredibly hard to please when it comes to romantic couples in media, so my reservations here are by no means a dealbreaker for the book as a whole.
Overall, I think this skeptic is on her way to being converted. This book tackles so much while still managing to maintain an almost-satisfying level of depth. Its few shortcomings are minor, and you know what? I'll say it: I'm starting to understand the Emily Henry hype. I already look forward to reading more from her.
If you like romance books, I could easily see this being a 5-star read for you. Mind that this is an adult novel (18+ suggested!), and you're in for an incredible read full of lovable characters and a moving internal journey.
Full review on my blog.
4.0
"You, my girl, are whoever you decide to be. But I hope you always keep some piece of that girl who sat by the window, hoping for the best."
-Emily Henry, Funny Story
I've heard Emily Henry's name floating around the Internet, and people are singing her praises. I'm not a huge romance-enjoyer, but I'm also not immune to the Internet's influence. I wanted to see what this hype is about, so I've decided to read Emily Henry's 3 highest-rated books (I'll compare them all in a single post, coming soon!). Funny Story currently holds the #1 spot, so I'm starting here.
Despite being a self-proclaimed Romance Book Skeptic, I was greatly impressed by Funny Story. The flow and pacing are well-structured, the writing is snappy, and each character brims with life. Right from the get-go, this book's concept intrigued me. I'm a huge fan of books about a character's journey to put down roots where they live. Daphne's escapades of making Waning Bay her own are beautifully executed and inspiring in their own right; I found myself struck with that deep urge to live life to the fullest, a feeling that many of my favorite books inspire.
Another aspect of Funny Story that drew me in was its promise of a "fake dating" storyline. I'll admit it: I'm a bit of a sucker for that trope. After Daphne moves in with her ex-fiancé's new fiancée's ex-boyfriend Miles (I promise it's not as complicated as that sounds!), she pretends they're dating to make their exes jealous. I smiled with glee as this snowballed into an out-of-hand situation that locked our usually-honest Daphne into her lie. That said, I still wished for more of a slow burn when it came to the actual romance; the "fake dating" turned into "real dating" a bit fast for my taste, and I would have liked to see the lie play out longer than it did, especially since it was so dang funny while it lasted!
"I don't want to be a part of the wrong we. I'd rather be on my own, even if it hurts right now."
-Emily Henry, Funny Story
Probably my favorite element of Funny Story is the emotional maturity we see in the characters. A lot of books rely on emotionally immature behavior to drive the drama, but Henry found a way around this. It's refreshing to read a story where characters are willing to apologize, hear each other out, and show empathy. And they manage to do so while still leaving space for their own emotions. This all leads to a level of nuance and complexity that I'm admittedly not used to seeing in romance novels.
This complexity is both a cause and an effect of how many overlapping storylines are present in Funny Story. As a Romance Book Skeptic, I appreciate the abundance of subplots since this enables the story to focus on much more than just the romance. Although I was left with a feeling that some subplots didn't have as much depth as I would have liked, I adored how they all converged just so to formulate a beautiful ending. The final 25% or so of the novel skyrocketed my overall opinion of Funny Story, relieving my few minor qualms and leaving me satisfied.
Now, if I'm going to review a romance novel, I have to touch on the romance itself. And I was... not impressed, though this is likely an "it's not you, it's me" scenario. I adored both Daphne and Miles individually, and their friendship is beyond charming. They have a decent connection and complement each other well in a way where I like the pair as friends. I'm just not sold on them as a couple. But, again, I'm incredibly hard to please when it comes to romantic couples in media, so my reservations here are by no means a dealbreaker for the book as a whole.
"It's a look like, You good?
Or maybe like, I'm here.
And I know he won't be forever, or maybe even very long, but it helps knowing that right now he is. That can be enough."
-Emily Henry, Funny Story
Overall, I think this skeptic is on her way to being converted. This book tackles so much while still managing to maintain an almost-satisfying level of depth. Its few shortcomings are minor, and you know what? I'll say it: I'm starting to understand the Emily Henry hype. I already look forward to reading more from her.
If you like romance books, I could easily see this being a 5-star read for you. Mind that this is an adult novel (18+ suggested!), and you're in for an incredible read full of lovable characters and a moving internal journey.
Full review on my blog.