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Adam Silvera recommended Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda in Books (curated)
Sam (74 KP) rated Aftercare Instructions in Books
Mar 27, 2019
I was actually quite disappointed by this one. I felt like I expected more from it, especially with it dealing with more serious subjects such as abortion right from the start.
The reason I don’t read much YA any more is the way that everything is glazed over and ignored. I feel like Aftercare Instructions had the chance to be a really good, deep novel about an issue that rarely makes it into YA, but in reality, it brushed over it.
I need to point out I only made it 1/3 of the way through before giving up.
Everything seemed to happen slowly and the narration seemed too whiney to be realistic. The main character, Gen is unlikable and annoying. Within the first 1/3 of the book her character is barely built and does nothing other than complain.
The plot didn’t move, and when nothing happens and I’m that far into the book, I know it’s time to give up.
The book is set out with alternating chapters being in a script format laying out the backstory of the characters. The first YA book I read with this format was cute. The second – fun. But when I’ve now read countless YAs set out in this format, it’s much less quirky and now seems a bit like it’s something to do to fill the pages without adding a decent description or trying to set a scene. It’s a space filler and it just ruins YAs for me.
I always hate DNF-ing books from Netgalley, especially ones by new authors but I just felt like this one could have been a lot more than it was, and it just seemed too much like the stereotypical YA I want to avoid reading and that I wish wasn’t taking over the genre lately.
The reason I don’t read much YA any more is the way that everything is glazed over and ignored. I feel like Aftercare Instructions had the chance to be a really good, deep novel about an issue that rarely makes it into YA, but in reality, it brushed over it.
I need to point out I only made it 1/3 of the way through before giving up.
Everything seemed to happen slowly and the narration seemed too whiney to be realistic. The main character, Gen is unlikable and annoying. Within the first 1/3 of the book her character is barely built and does nothing other than complain.
The plot didn’t move, and when nothing happens and I’m that far into the book, I know it’s time to give up.
The book is set out with alternating chapters being in a script format laying out the backstory of the characters. The first YA book I read with this format was cute. The second – fun. But when I’ve now read countless YAs set out in this format, it’s much less quirky and now seems a bit like it’s something to do to fill the pages without adding a decent description or trying to set a scene. It’s a space filler and it just ruins YAs for me.
I always hate DNF-ing books from Netgalley, especially ones by new authors but I just felt like this one could have been a lot more than it was, and it just seemed too much like the stereotypical YA I want to avoid reading and that I wish wasn’t taking over the genre lately.
Cumberland (1142 KP) rated Forever in Books
Mar 30, 2019
Didn't Match Up
This book is about first love, and having a physical relationship for the first time. Normally I enjoy cute love stories, but this was a little flat. The topic and themes were solidly YA, but the writing style is more middle grade. This made the characters come across as younger than what they were. I think if the book had focused more on the emotional aspects of their relationship it would have been better. Unfortunately it was mostly about their sex life. The one up side is that the book did put a lot of emphasis on safe sex.
Leah (: (569 KP) rated Fated (Talented Saga book 8) in Books
Aug 27, 2018
This book wonderfully wrapped up the series.
All of the big mysteries and questions were answered in this book and the series was ended very well. The wonderful authors even had an ask any questions session on their Facebook page for any unanswered questions that were left over.
This book even introduces even more new characters, at first I was a bit hesitant however it became apparent that they were important to the story and the explanation of the Talented.
Overall I have fully enjoyed this series and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys paranormal YA books.
All of the big mysteries and questions were answered in this book and the series was ended very well. The wonderful authors even had an ask any questions session on their Facebook page for any unanswered questions that were left over.
This book even introduces even more new characters, at first I was a bit hesitant however it became apparent that they were important to the story and the explanation of the Talented.
Overall I have fully enjoyed this series and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys paranormal YA books.
I think what I loved most about this book is that I was so torn over my opinion of each character. I wasn't a huge fan of Mare (the protagonist) which made me question her judgement. I've also read enough YA to pick up on some common tropes but this book literally had me guessing up until the last chapter. I can't remember the last time I read a book I was this conflicted on and I love that Aveyard's writing had this effect on me. Now excuse me while I go buy the next one ?
ClareR (5726 KP) rated The Pumilio Child in Books
Apr 6, 2018
Ya Ling is kidnapped from her well-off Chinese family and sold in to slavery in 15th century Italy. Mantegna, a Renaissance artist, buys her with money that he can't really afford to spend, and takes her home to a very disapproving wife and household.
Ya Ling is admirable calm and stoic through all of her trials and tribulations, and eventually work as a respected healer, as her family taught her back in China.
The author really makes you feel for the characters in her novel - pity and later pride for Ya Ling, and hatred for some of the less virtuous male characters. It's a book that reflects the times very well: men, and men in the church especially, hold all the cards. Women are held in very low esteem. And women who are in any way different from the accepted norms are in danger of the ecclesiastical courts.
I read this on 'The Pigeonhole', a social reading platform, and really enjoyed the whole experience.
Ya Ling is admirable calm and stoic through all of her trials and tribulations, and eventually work as a respected healer, as her family taught her back in China.
The author really makes you feel for the characters in her novel - pity and later pride for Ya Ling, and hatred for some of the less virtuous male characters. It's a book that reflects the times very well: men, and men in the church especially, hold all the cards. Women are held in very low esteem. And women who are in any way different from the accepted norms are in danger of the ecclesiastical courts.
I read this on 'The Pigeonhole', a social reading platform, and really enjoyed the whole experience.
See Ya Later: The World According to Arron Crascall
Book
A hilarious window into the world of comedian and social-media star Arron Crascall. In the same vein...
Erika (17788 KP) rated The Disasters in Books
Mar 19, 2019 (Updated Mar 19, 2019)
This book solidified my decision to never read a modern YA book ever again.
The synopsis sounded great, I was anticipating this book before it was even released.
I could have lived my entire life without reading this book. If the main character Nax was more interested in solving the problems at hand, and not who he was going to get off with, it would have cut probably 50 pages out. I felt like the entire focus was on that, rather than the cool plot the synopsis promised. The characters various back stories just seemed to be there for a checklist of 'See, look, I'm a diverse writer'. Gag me with a spoon.
The synopsis sounded great, I was anticipating this book before it was even released.
I could have lived my entire life without reading this book. If the main character Nax was more interested in solving the problems at hand, and not who he was going to get off with, it would have cut probably 50 pages out. I felt like the entire focus was on that, rather than the cool plot the synopsis promised. The characters various back stories just seemed to be there for a checklist of 'See, look, I'm a diverse writer'. Gag me with a spoon.
Heather Cranmer (2721 KP) rated Here (On the Otherside, #1) in Books
Jun 7, 2018
First off, this book was nothing like I expected! Going by the cover and by the synopsis, I thought it was going to be a ghost book (which is why I downloaded it in the first place). However, it has no ghosts in it. It's about a parallel universe/alternate reality.
Saying that, I did love this book. I found myself staying up at night just to read the next chapter. The characters are well formed and so is the plot.
There is a love triangle which is kind of annoying since they seem to be in every book at the moment. I also found Julia a bit annoying at the end of the book which I won't elaborate on because of spoilers.
However, for the most part, this book does make you believe that an alternate reality could exist. I'd definitely recommend this book to all fans of YA.
Saying that, I did love this book. I found myself staying up at night just to read the next chapter. The characters are well formed and so is the plot.
There is a love triangle which is kind of annoying since they seem to be in every book at the moment. I also found Julia a bit annoying at the end of the book which I won't elaborate on because of spoilers.
However, for the most part, this book does make you believe that an alternate reality could exist. I'd definitely recommend this book to all fans of YA.
Alison Pink (7 KP) rated Crossed (Matched #2) in Books
Jan 15, 2018
I enjoyed the first book so I decided to read the 2nd in the series. Granted it took me awhile to get to it, but I read it. And I have to say it took me forever to get through, yes Christmas was in there, but really!? 20 days to finish a YA book!? It was nothing to write home about, but I feel obligated to see the series through to the 3rd & final installment. I just can't decide if it's worth it or not...