... I definitely wrote a review for this and goodreads somehow ate it. I always feel the need to defend low ratings, so I hate that the actual review ... I definitely wrote a review for this and goodreads somehow ate it. I always feel the need to defend low ratings, so I hate that the actual review is missing now.
From what I can remember... I enjoyed John Green's piece. Maureen Johnson's was good, and Lauren Myracle's just did not keep my attention at all.
I forget what it was specifically about it, but I remember the narrator being really dramatic and... if this is even possible in books... over-acted. Everything seemed like the end of the world to her, and the writing just irked me. The depth of the characters in the last story was abysmal.
I did like how all 3 stories came together in the end, and how all of the characters were mentioned in the other "parts". ...more
When I started this book, I really didn't know anything about the plot except what I read from the inside cover. I was expecting it to be much darker When I started this book, I really didn't know anything about the plot except what I read from the inside cover. I was expecting it to be much darker and twisted, but was surprised to find that it really was light young adult literature. That's not a bad thing at all.
It might have just been my own expectations but I felt like the tone shifted from dark and mysterious to mystery adventure right in the middle. Still, the plot itself was great with surprising twists and interesting settings. I felt like the world that everything was placed was believable. It really was better for me going in and not knowing what to expect.
The one thing I didn't like as much as I thought I would... the pictures. The first few chapters used them incredibly to set the mood and give exciting and realistic visual representations of the people that were mentioned. But as the book progressed, it felt like certain dialogue was added to the book specifically so that the picture could be added. It wound up being awkward and gimmicky. I still really loved the first few pictures, especially the ones on the cover. Maybe the second book will have more refined use of pictures.
That's another shocking thing: the cliff hanger. Riggs is slated to write a sequel for the book. I'm excited because that means we get to know more about the history of the island, the children, and the fantasy world itself. And, there was enough resolution to the plot that I won't be sick with worry until the next book comes out. That's always a plus. ...more
I enjoyed reading it, and the characters were all very original. The plot had substance, but not much suspense or conflict which at times made it hardI enjoyed reading it, and the characters were all very original. The plot had substance, but not much suspense or conflict which at times made it hard for me to be compelled to read it. Overall, though, I liked it. I think that it took certain cliches for young adult stories (teenage romance, infidelity, loyalty and friendship, conflicts with parents) and put a nice spin on them. I like the way that many of these things were added in really mature ways with resolutions that seemed more realistic than what's usually found in novels. ...more
The concept of synesthesia really interests me, so I was excited that there was a book devoted completely to it. The plot was unique (though easy to pThe concept of synesthesia really interests me, so I was excited that there was a book devoted completely to it. The plot was unique (though easy to predict), and I thought the premise, of course, was great.
The author interviewed people with synesthesia to get information for her book, which might have been why there were parts that seemed anachronistic to the late 2000's setting. For example, apparently no doctors in the book knew about this condition except for the really specialized neurologist that she goes to see. This doesn't seem "right" exactly. It also feel like it misrepresented the condition and made it seem almost like a disorder in areas (which I'm sure was to combat all of those people who think synesthesia is just like "permanent LSD"). It was painted in such a negative light as certain parts that it really did make it seem like a dangerous and annoying thing.
The book was good, and I thought that there were some interesting concepts used. I would recommend that people read it with the forewarning that it's a fictional version of one person's life with the condition, and doesn't hold any perspective into the condition itself. ...more
I couldn't finish this book. The short stories started off mildly interesting, and the narrator's voice was really original. But after reading 10 storI couldn't finish this book. The short stories started off mildly interesting, and the narrator's voice was really original. But after reading 10 stories of illogical and lengthy "explanations" for how the world works, I just got bored. ...more
I literally laughed out loud at parts. The dry wit in this book is perfection.
There are parts that seem a bit wordy and irrelevant at parts, but thisI literally laughed out loud at parts. The dry wit in this book is perfection.
There are parts that seem a bit wordy and irrelevant at parts, but this is one of those books where the journey through the book is more important than the ending. (I mean, really... who hasn't had the ending spoiled for them yet?) So, in some ways, it was nice that there was so much to travel through and soak in. ...more
Interesting concept, and the writing itself was technically good. But the actual plot seemed very generic and predictable. I felt like some things werInteresting concept, and the writing itself was technically good. But the actual plot seemed very generic and predictable. I felt like some things were not explained enough. All while reading I couldn't shake the feeling that I was reading a detailed plot summary or book proposal instead of actually connecting with the characters and story.
That being said, it's my best friend's favorite book. So, I think it might just be a matter of preference. It wouldn't hurt to give the book a shot; the concept is at least intriguing. ...more
I'll put it this way... there were some things in this book that I will probably never ever forget. ever. for better or worse...I'll put it this way... there were some things in this book that I will probably never ever forget. ever. for better or worse......more
I think I would have liked this a lot more if I hadn't read the novel beforehand. The art was okay, and the scenes that were illustrated were well choI think I would have liked this a lot more if I hadn't read the novel beforehand. The art was okay, and the scenes that were illustrated were well chosen and detailed. Yet, there was still something missing from this, and at the end I wasn't as impressed with this version as I was with the actual book. ...more