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1madchild's review against another edition
4.0
loved the building of the setting most of all.
a bit frustrating.
love max and mia .
a bit frustrating.
love max and mia .
dear_alexandra's review against another edition
4.0
4.5*
Just before I tell you the one hundred reasons I loved this book, I just want you to know that this novel does discuss some dark topics such as domestic violence and toxic relationships.
I can’t believe how much I loved this novel. The Build-Up Season only took me a few days to read and I’m so happy I decided to pick this one off my shelf instead of ignoring it along with my other 217 unread books. *cries internally while still ignoring them* I really think Megan Jacobson covered the themes with respect and sensitivity, which can be a challenge.
When I first met Jacobson, she’d only just published her absolutely gorgeous novel Yellow, which follows a fourteen year old girl struggling with school, friendship and a little ghost problem. Sadly however, I just couldn’t immerse myself into the world like some of my good friends could, my tiny feet didn’t fit the shoes of a 14-year-old girl. AND THAT’S OK! Sometimes some worlds just can’t coax you in, even though the home a brilliant story.
I WOULDN’T GIVE UP ON MEG, though, and decided to pick up The Build-Up Season one lazy Sunday, and could immediately see me walking a mile or two in Iliad’s shoes. She’s sassy and sarcastic and has a unique way of seeing things, and it just made her really easy to fall in step with. She feels like a friend I’ve known my whole life, and trust me, I’ve had a LOT of friends *eyes bookshelf* and by friends I mean real life people . . . obviously.
I really appreciated the themes integrated into the novel, they carried on naturally throughout the story and didn’t seemed forced. I love seeing important topics such as domestic violence in the novels I read, and we need more of it. I don’t usually tab or highlight or underline my books, or fold the corners of the page, but every so often a quote or paragraph really stood out and caught my attention. I would have a small break from the novel while eating dinner, and a conversation between two characters would stay on my mind, it was just so real and authentic.
I also really loved the relationships throughout the novel, save for one, and the natural progress and development of them. I also adored the growth of the side characters, from not standing up for themselves to gradually standing tall and proud for what they believe in. Development like that just makes me so happy, smiley and warm on the inside.
All in all, I loved this gorgeous novel. I rated it a smashing four and a half well deserved stars on Goodreads, and am definitely going to grab a copy of Jacobson’s novels in the future, as I’m sure there will be more, and who knows – maybe I’ll even pick up Yellow sometime soon?
Just before I tell you the one hundred reasons I loved this book, I just want you to know that this novel does discuss some dark topics such as domestic violence and toxic relationships.
I can’t believe how much I loved this novel. The Build-Up Season only took me a few days to read and I’m so happy I decided to pick this one off my shelf instead of ignoring it along with my other 217 unread books. *cries internally while still ignoring them* I really think Megan Jacobson covered the themes with respect and sensitivity, which can be a challenge.
When I first met Jacobson, she’d only just published her absolutely gorgeous novel Yellow, which follows a fourteen year old girl struggling with school, friendship and a little ghost problem. Sadly however, I just couldn’t immerse myself into the world like some of my good friends could, my tiny feet didn’t fit the shoes of a 14-year-old girl. AND THAT’S OK! Sometimes some worlds just can’t coax you in, even though the home a brilliant story.
I WOULDN’T GIVE UP ON MEG, though, and decided to pick up The Build-Up Season one lazy Sunday, and could immediately see me walking a mile or two in Iliad’s shoes. She’s sassy and sarcastic and has a unique way of seeing things, and it just made her really easy to fall in step with. She feels like a friend I’ve known my whole life, and trust me, I’ve had a LOT of friends *eyes bookshelf* and by friends I mean real life people . . . obviously.
I really appreciated the themes integrated into the novel, they carried on naturally throughout the story and didn’t seemed forced. I love seeing important topics such as domestic violence in the novels I read, and we need more of it. I don’t usually tab or highlight or underline my books, or fold the corners of the page, but every so often a quote or paragraph really stood out and caught my attention. I would have a small break from the novel while eating dinner, and a conversation between two characters would stay on my mind, it was just so real and authentic.
I also really loved the relationships throughout the novel, save for one, and the natural progress and development of them. I also adored the growth of the side characters, from not standing up for themselves to gradually standing tall and proud for what they believe in. Development like that just makes me so happy, smiley and warm on the inside.
All in all, I loved this gorgeous novel. I rated it a smashing four and a half well deserved stars on Goodreads, and am definitely going to grab a copy of Jacobson’s novels in the future, as I’m sure there will be more, and who knows – maybe I’ll even pick up Yellow sometime soon?
shanai2112's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
2.5
tthe_cancerian's review against another edition
1.0
I have no idea what to rate this novel (Edit: I've decided on a 1.5 star rating)
I hated it so much more than I liked it. I'm not trying to take anything away from the discussion on domestic & family violence it provided. I really appreciate the messages and themes 'The Build-Up Season' relays. I just don't like the way it was written and I really, really hate most of the characters.
The writing was so repetitive and the language was irksome. I've lived in Australia for 3 years and I've never heard anyone say "hey" so many times after almost every sentence. I can understand that it's supposed to be a dialect of Darwin but I felt that it was the main reason I was disengaged from the story.
It was an important story to raise awareness of this horrible yet very present problem and I'm glad I read it but I didn't have a great reading experience. It left me angry and I don't want that. But I don't want deter anybody from picking this novel up. I've been feeling guilty for not liking this novel and I'm trying not to.
I hated it so much more than I liked it. I'm not trying to take anything away from the discussion on domestic & family violence it provided. I really appreciate the messages and themes 'The Build-Up Season' relays. I just don't like the way it was written and I really, really hate most of the characters.
Spoiler
Iliad was insufferable, I do understand her anger and hostility towards everyone around her and she didn't deserve what Jared or her father did to her, nobody does. But I cannot forgive her for slapping her mother while she was in the hospital, already broken and for hurling plates towards her. The way she treated Mia wasn't acceptable as well. Mia was the purest character in this novel. I really liked Max as well, he was a fun and intuitive person. I wish we would've explored more about him and his family life. I felt so much sympathy for Eve, Iliad's mother and her grandma. They were such patient, caring and strong female characters. Although, I really wanted Eve to put Iliad in her place more often. Jared is the perfect example of an abusive asshole wrapped up in the picture perfect, artsy guy. I don't care for his motivations and his excuses, he always blamed his family for his temper. His brother hitting him was wrong but I can't forgive Jared anyway. So I can't be expected to forgive Iliad. I get that this is a book that's supposed to make you angry and want to take down the patriarchy. I just wasn't a fan.The writing was so repetitive and the language was irksome. I've lived in Australia for 3 years and I've never heard anyone say "hey" so many times after almost every sentence. I can understand that it's supposed to be a dialect of Darwin but I felt that it was the main reason I was disengaged from the story.
It was an important story to raise awareness of this horrible yet very present problem and I'm glad I read it but I didn't have a great reading experience. It left me angry and I don't want that. But I don't want deter anybody from picking this novel up. I've been feeling guilty for not liking this novel and I'm trying not to.
e33215's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
ashrocc's review
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
6031intergalactic's review against another edition
4.0
Between this and Yellow, Megan Jacobson is now on my auto-buy list. Intense, violent, bittersweet with moments of real loveliness.
zohal99's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 Stars
An excellent Australian Young Adult novel that deals with Domestic Violence. It also has representation for Indigenous Australians which is excellent.
An excellent Australian Young Adult novel that deals with Domestic Violence. It also has representation for Indigenous Australians which is excellent.
gswizzel's review against another edition
4.0
NOTE: I was sent an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from Penguin Teen Australia. All thoughts and opinions I have for this book are 100% honest and entirely my own.
Actual Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
I'm crying. This book is a lot more powerful than I expected it to be. This is initially one of my most anticipated #LoveOzYA releases of this year because it was written by one of my favourite Australian Young Adult authors. I think I read the synopsis once and then completely forgot about it. As I was reading this, it was like everything was unfolding as the story went on. I was wondering why some things happened very quickly as if it was by mistake, but as you keep reading you realise you've been put in someone else's shoes. You see all the bad signs, but the protagonist is oblivious to it all, because it's all masked as something different.
If anything, I found this to be realistic. Heart-breaking. Haunting. Raw. Eye-opening.
As much as this book was those things, it also had an amazing message about self-worth. It was touching. It was honest.
From reading Megan Jacobson's debut last year to reading The Build-Up Season this year, I can definitely see how her writing has developed, and it has in the best way possible.
This is definitely one of the best #LoveOzYA books I've ever read! This book is very important and I think everyone should read it!
Actual Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
I'm crying. This book is a lot more powerful than I expected it to be. This is initially one of my most anticipated #LoveOzYA releases of this year because it was written by one of my favourite Australian Young Adult authors. I think I read the synopsis once and then completely forgot about it. As I was reading this, it was like everything was unfolding as the story went on. I was wondering why some things happened very quickly as if it was by mistake, but as you keep reading you realise you've been put in someone else's shoes. You see all the bad signs, but the protagonist is oblivious to it all, because it's all masked as something different.
If anything, I found this to be realistic. Heart-breaking. Haunting. Raw. Eye-opening.
As much as this book was those things, it also had an amazing message about self-worth. It was touching. It was honest.
From reading Megan Jacobson's debut last year to reading The Build-Up Season this year, I can definitely see how her writing has developed, and it has in the best way possible.
This is definitely one of the best #LoveOzYA books I've ever read! This book is very important and I think everyone should read it!