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kim_j_dare's review against another edition
2.0
Meh.
Leila is on a quest to see the Northern Lights, and during her road trip in her vintage red Plymouth Acclaim, she meets (and solves problems for) various folks.
I should have known what I was in for from Hudson's description of Leila when he meets her in the first few pages of the book: "She was a jumble of contradictions: short but with long legs, fierce green eyes but a kind expression, baby-faced but wise. She was wearing a snug, plain red T-shirt that matched her car. Her hair was down, the black locks reaching just past her chin."
And that's pretty much how the writing goes for the next 340 pages.
Why is Leila of the long legs and green eyes and wise core on this quest? You have to wait till close to the end to find out-- it's predictably heart-wrenching, but (whew!) all turns out okay.
Just not my cup of tea.
Leila is on a quest to see the Northern Lights, and during her road trip in her vintage red Plymouth Acclaim, she meets (and solves problems for) various folks.
I should have known what I was in for from Hudson's description of Leila when he meets her in the first few pages of the book: "She was a jumble of contradictions: short but with long legs, fierce green eyes but a kind expression, baby-faced but wise. She was wearing a snug, plain red T-shirt that matched her car. Her hair was down, the black locks reaching just past her chin."
And that's pretty much how the writing goes for the next 340 pages.
Why is Leila of the long legs and green eyes and wise core on this quest? You have to wait till close to the end to find out-- it's predictably heart-wrenching, but (whew!) all turns out okay.
Just not my cup of tea.
algorithminflux's review against another edition
5.0
I had no idea what to expect at the beginning, but all the little things started taking shape, and they formed something wonderful.
zach_off's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
deepower7's review against another edition
2.0
When they say it's for fans of John Green, they really mean it. Except that Green's books actually succeed in duping you into thinking they're good.
This doesn't. It does however, portray a world where men are rewarded, sympathised with, and martyred for being disturbingly obsessed with girls.
The main character is literally a flat, major Manic Pixie Dream Girl, who just floats into the lives of four different people and fixes everything. The book is split into sections of these four characters - this is a cute idea, but in reality, you just end up with rushed plots, characters with no substance, the mother of all insta-love cases, and because there's so much to cram in, the writing gets lazy and ends up just telling everything instead of showing. It is impossible to care about a single character with the amount of time we are given with them.
The way this story was told just killed the book; I actually think Leila's story might have been a good one, if we'd been in her head for more than 60 pages, which just makes it more disappointing.
This doesn't. It does however, portray a world where men are rewarded, sympathised with, and martyred for being disturbingly obsessed with girls.
The main character is literally a flat, major Manic Pixie Dream Girl, who just floats into the lives of four different people and fixes everything. The book is split into sections of these four characters - this is a cute idea, but in reality, you just end up with rushed plots, characters with no substance, the mother of all insta-love cases, and because there's so much to cram in, the writing gets lazy and ends up just telling everything instead of showing. It is impossible to care about a single character with the amount of time we are given with them.
The way this story was told just killed the book; I actually think Leila's story might have been a good one, if we'd been in her head for more than 60 pages, which just makes it more disappointing.
leafblade's review against another edition
3.0
This was just average. It had a cliché John Green vibe, and it was kind of enraging, but I guess I can do a review for each story.
First, Hudson. Not that bad, just okay. The guy was surprisingly not annoying compared to the ones to come.
Bree is such a troublemaker and I don't like characters like her. Actually, I get really uncomfortable reading about them. But I guess her sister story was good, even though we rely on the dead parents story again (Hudson didn't have a mother I believe?)
Elliot was kind of cute by himself, but the whole Maribel situation drove me nuts. And it made me so angry that the guy got the girl in the end, because I think life long friendships have really few possibilities of becoming actual romantic relationships. But maybe that's just me. Also the "funny drunk people" trope no no NO.
Sonia was okay I think??? It was really depressing and maybe unnecessarily long, though. Sonia was cooking her brain with the most stupid things, and the scene in which she mentioned she felt like she was in a coffin was a big trigger for me, since I'm claustrophobic and maybe scared of death. And it all felt like a crazy fanfic, but I don't know, man.
And the last story was kind of cute. I thought Leila had a terminal illness or something that would make her lifespan shorter, but she actually hadn't. But we come back to the dead parents trope and I hate it.
Yeah well idk, I'd like to say something about the writing but I read a translated version done by fans and I'm not sure if that reflects the way the author writes. Pretty cover, tho.
First, Hudson. Not that bad, just okay. The guy was surprisingly not annoying compared to the ones to come.
Bree is such a troublemaker and I don't like characters like her. Actually, I get really uncomfortable reading about them. But I guess her sister story was good, even though we rely on the dead parents story again (Hudson didn't have a mother I believe?)
Elliot was kind of cute by himself, but the whole Maribel situation drove me nuts. And it made me so angry that the guy got the girl in the end, because I think life long friendships have really few possibilities of becoming actual romantic relationships. But maybe that's just me. Also the "funny drunk people" trope no no NO.
Sonia was okay I think??? It was really depressing and maybe unnecessarily long, though. Sonia was cooking her brain with the most stupid things, and the scene in which she mentioned she felt like she was in a coffin was a big trigger for me, since I'm claustrophobic and maybe scared of death. And it all felt like a crazy fanfic, but I don't know, man.
And the last story was kind of cute. I thought Leila had a terminal illness or something that would make her lifespan shorter, but she actually hadn't. But we come back to the dead parents trope and I hate it.
Yeah well idk, I'd like to say something about the writing but I read a translated version done by fans and I'm not sure if that reflects the way the author writes. Pretty cover, tho.
ellieg2604's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
It was short and sweet. It was very easy to read. It was definitely targeted at a younger audience, but still good.
jomabede's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this young adult book. Unlike so many of the young adult books published now, there aren't any zombies, vampires, death, cancer, or major global calamities. It is a road trip story of a teen that is crossing the country to get to Alaska to see the Northern Lights and how she ultimately changes the lives of four individuals she meets on her way. It has an uplifting message and ending which makes it a nice light read.
oliviak267's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book. Leila is such a relatable and fun loving character. Her relationship with Hudson is absolute GOALS. Her friendship with Bree was perfect. They way she helped Elliot was the kindest thing ever, despite the fact that she, quite literally, just ran into him on the street. And the fact that she risked her freedom to help Sonia get back to Hope... What an amazing character. She is mysterious and wonderful. When I got to read about her, we understood all of her layers. Her story, her motives, everything. Props to the author for such a story