charmaineac's review against another edition
5.0
A wise woman (Emily Hainsworth, apparently) once said, "So, is Waverly actually a sociopath? I mean, it would be fine if she was. But is she?" I think that's enough to tell you that this love story is tragic and beautiful and unlike anything else you've ever read before.
This story is surreal. I'm not usually a fan of magical realism, but in this case, you just have to reach a little bit to suspend your disbelief. I usually feel like elements of magical realism are a cop-out to spice up an otherwise boring story. In this case, it augments the dreamy zeitgeist of the story; the sense that everything is very slowly spiralling out of control and drifting from everyone's grasp on reality. Things could have gone horribly wrong (Inception, anyone?), but instead it was the story we craved. The finite nature of the candle was a nice touch.
We all know a Maribeth, and it's truly a work-of-art to see how a beta ends up as the marionette behind the scenes. I want to be her understudy in strategy. I want her to write The Art of War for modern youth. Waverly's penchant for tarantulas and gore were just an added bonus. I ended up feeling sorry for the Kendrys of the world, and Waverly didn't even do anything to her.
As for Marshall Holt: this is the mysterious loner dude we've been waiting for. He is too, too good for his lumbering body. I am so glad that someone like Autumn exists, because he doesn't deserve the cards he's been dealt in life. I am satisfied with early-morning conversations over the TV. I appreciate considerate friends who stand up for you and... save you. And for love that makes you better.
This book strikes that perfect balance between agonizing and perfection. And yes, I cried.
This story is surreal. I'm not usually a fan of magical realism, but in this case, you just have to reach a little bit to suspend your disbelief. I usually feel like elements of magical realism are a cop-out to spice up an otherwise boring story. In this case, it augments the dreamy zeitgeist of the story; the sense that everything is very slowly spiralling out of control and drifting from everyone's grasp on reality. Things could have gone horribly wrong (Inception, anyone?), but instead it was the story we craved. The finite nature of the candle was a nice touch.
We all know a Maribeth, and it's truly a work-of-art to see how a beta ends up as the marionette behind the scenes. I want to be her understudy in strategy. I want her to write The Art of War for modern youth. Waverly's penchant for tarantulas and gore were just an added bonus. I ended up feeling sorry for the Kendrys of the world, and Waverly didn't even do anything to her.
As for Marshall Holt: this is the mysterious loner dude we've been waiting for. He is too, too good for his lumbering body. I am so glad that someone like Autumn exists, because he doesn't deserve the cards he's been dealt in life. I am satisfied with early-morning conversations over the TV. I appreciate considerate friends who stand up for you and... save you. And for love that makes you better.
This book strikes that perfect balance between agonizing and perfection. And yes, I cried.
tenxrose's review against another edition
5.0
LOVED how a different concept was added to the typical YA romance. This book was definitely one of a kind. I do wish the ending was expanded a bit more with how she evolved from her experiences. But maybe the author had hopes for a second book.
lakshmimkalarikkal's review against another edition
4.0
4.5
I don't think any other protagonist has ever been so relatable.
I don't think any other protagonist has ever been so relatable.
snchard's review against another edition
5.0
I stayed up late to finish this book. It was wonderful, and sad, and made so much sense. I loved that Waverly is probably a sociopath, and that it's okay that she is. Autumn was my favorite, and Marshall made me cry. Brenna Yovanoff always writes such beautiful books, with just the right amount of surreality.
steph01924's review against another edition
4.0
I will take one Marshall Holt, please and thank you.
This is my first Brenna Yovanoff book, and I really enjoyed her turns of phrase. Her writing style was beautiful. At times parts were a bit dramatic even though not much was actually happening, but overall it was such a smooth, dark, lovely piece of work that I just kept going and going because I had to reach the end. This book was easily devourable.
I wanted to pat all of the characters on the head - they were just going through so much. This book is as much about friendship as it is about romance, possibly even more so. Autumn had to be my favorite character.
I enjoyed a line in the Acknowledgements area about what Yovanoff's friend said about Waverly, because that kept going through my mind as I read it. She reminds me a bit of Dexter or Sherlock.
This is my first Brenna Yovanoff book, and I really enjoyed her turns of phrase. Her writing style was beautiful. At times parts were a bit dramatic even though not much was actually happening, but overall it was such a smooth, dark, lovely piece of work that I just kept going and going because I had to reach the end. This book was easily devourable.
I wanted to pat all of the characters on the head - they were just going through so much. This book is as much about friendship as it is about romance, possibly even more so. Autumn had to be my favorite character.
I enjoyed a line in the Acknowledgements area about what Yovanoff's friend said about Waverly, because that kept going through my mind as I read it. She reminds me a bit of Dexter or Sherlock.
lifeofaliterarynerd's review against another edition
3.0
I was really excited going into this because Benna Yovanoff has been one of my favorite short story authors from every anthology book she's been a part of, so to say I had high hopes is probably an understatement. And while I don't this story will stick with me as she short stories have, this was still an enjoyable read. I really loved Marshall and the journey he went on. His growth and development were incredibly relatable and I empathized with his struggle. It was a bit harder to connect with Waverly, but that was very intentional because as a character she liked to keep everyone at arms length - a façade presented to the masses so her cracks never show - and while again I found that relatable, it made it hard for me to like her because she was so conscious of her presentation and social standing - and keeping it to the detriment of others - that I was often frustrated by her. But she does go on a journey of growth as well, and like Mars', I thought it was very well done. I could see how these two were pulled together and believed in their connection, which was so important for the book.
avsfan08's review against another edition
3.0
More 3 1/2 stars. I enjoyed the story and characters, but wasn't completely convinced by Waverly's sleep-travelling.
chrissy_booklover13's review against another edition
5.0
So I LOVED this book. Waverly ( I love that name) is a girl that doesn’t sleep and seems to lack the ability to express emotions or understand the social norm. She’s a strategist and has a best friend that pretty much acts as the social butterfly why she is the brain clearly. When she decided to try new sleeping patterns and discovers she can travel to the most unlikely of places. To a boy that solves his family problems but drinking and getting high. He seems to be the only one to understand the real Waverly and she’s sees him as more than just some loser kid at school where her whole life revolves around perfection.
I like Waverlys character a lot. I see her as someone who is strong and reserved and I see Marshall as someone that’s almost broken just trying to deal with his families problems, but hey I think Waverly might be a little broken too.
If you want an amazing stand alone with everyday problems with a little magical twist look no further. I’ve giving it a 4.8 only because it took till the last chapter for her to finally admit she loved him and admit during the day (when she wasn’t visiting him in her dreams) that they even spoke to each other.
I can’t wait to read other books by this author.
I like Waverlys character a lot. I see her as someone who is strong and reserved and I see Marshall as someone that’s almost broken just trying to deal with his families problems, but hey I think Waverly might be a little broken too.
If you want an amazing stand alone with everyday problems with a little magical twist look no further. I’ve giving it a 4.8 only because it took till the last chapter for her to finally admit she loved him and admit during the day (when she wasn’t visiting him in her dreams) that they even spoke to each other.
I can’t wait to read other books by this author.