dani_bugz's review against another edition
4.0
Actual rating 3.5
While nothing special, Green Valentine is a cutesy read with some educational stuff splashed in. I wasn't the biggest fan of the relationship that developed but it was understandable and really evoked the teen angst it was supposed to. While it may be aimed at girls (largely due to the cover) I think some of the more sensitive young boys out there may enjoy it as well. It does seem slightly younger than some of the stuff I usually read, and despite the ages of the characters, but it was cute, quirky and enjoyable nonetheless!
Personally I plan on using it as a companion novel to my Year 9 science classes as we talk about biology, biodiversity, recycling and energy.
Age: 13+
Warnings: Breasts are mentioned. Literally nothing else.
While nothing special, Green Valentine is a cutesy read with some educational stuff splashed in. I wasn't the biggest fan of the relationship that developed
Spoiler
and honestly I think Astrid should have ended up with that sweet as sugar strawberry-guy!Personally I plan on using it as a companion novel to my Year 9 science classes as we talk about biology, biodiversity, recycling and energy.
Age: 13+
Warnings: Breasts are mentioned. Literally nothing else.
briaa's review against another edition
5.0
I cried in the council meeting scene when the whole town shows up in support of Astrid's vision. Twice. And once more when the book ended.
Was not expecting to love this in the way that I did. I think my heart's expanded.
Was not expecting to love this in the way that I did. I think my heart's expanded.
rathernovel's review against another edition
3.0
::Thank you Allen & Unwin New Zealand for giving me a review copy!::
This is not my favourite Lili Wilkinson book, sadly. GREEN VALENTINE didn't pack the punch that Lili Wilkinson's other books had which is unfortunate considering what a GREAT author she is. I really love Lili's writing which is always sharp and dry but still light enough that it makes it really easy reading but sadly in here it just wasn't enough to smooth out the other problems I had with it.
It's definitely Aussie YA through and through which is a part I thoroughly enjoyed! Aussie YA always seems to have this freshness and skip to it that America and everywhere else just can't manage and so I really enjoyed reading it in here.
Normally I adore Lili's casts of characters but here they all felt a bit lifeless and flat in GREEN VALENTINE. I think Astrid was one of those characters who you either immediately connect to and love to bits...or just feel meh and annoyed by her so you shouldn't judge her for yourself until you read the book! Astrid got on my nerves THE WHOLE BOOK. I didn't like her attitude towards people that weren't 10000000% eco-friendly as she would make out they were the most despicable disgusting things on the planet, which is all very well if ASTRID was 10000000% eco-friendly but she wasn't, so what right did she have to judge other people so harshly? Add to the fact that was incredibly irrattating at times and acted like and idiot whenever Hiro was around and that she was also a pretty rubbish friend and well...I didn't have the upmost love for Astrid.
If Astrid got on my nerves, Hiro DESTROYED THEM. *gnashes teeth* He was such a dickhead at times and made Astrid upset on purpose multiple times and EVERY TIME something went the way he didn't want it, he'd throw a massive tantrum and sulk for ages. He judged people WAAAAY to quickly and *hated* so many people but then he'd lash out at Astrid if he thought she was being the tiniest bit judgy and it was so FRUSTRATING!!
I thought the ending was much to rushed, partly I think because there was so much drama and angst between Astrid and Hiro that the ending kind of leapt out of nowhere, tied everything up in a big pink happily ever after bow that wasn't very believable and then that was the end of the book. COLOUR ME DISAPPOINTED.
It's not all bad though! I did enjoy this book and for all of GREEN VALENTINE'S pesky little problems I didn't regret reading it at all.
And if you liked this you'll LOVE Lili's other books...and if you DIDN'T like this book I'm pretty sure you'll love her other books anyway! *sly wink*
This is not my favourite Lili Wilkinson book, sadly. GREEN VALENTINE didn't pack the punch that Lili Wilkinson's other books had which is unfortunate considering what a GREAT author she is. I really love Lili's writing which is always sharp and dry but still light enough that it makes it really easy reading but sadly in here it just wasn't enough to smooth out the other problems I had with it.
It's definitely Aussie YA through and through which is a part I thoroughly enjoyed! Aussie YA always seems to have this freshness and skip to it that America and everywhere else just can't manage and so I really enjoyed reading it in here.
Normally I adore Lili's casts of characters but here they all felt a bit lifeless and flat in GREEN VALENTINE. I think Astrid was one of those characters who you either immediately connect to and love to bits...or just feel meh and annoyed by her so you shouldn't judge her for yourself until you read the book! Astrid got on my nerves THE WHOLE BOOK. I didn't like her attitude towards people that weren't 10000000% eco-friendly as she would make out they were the most despicable disgusting things on the planet, which is all very well if ASTRID was 10000000% eco-friendly but she wasn't, so what right did she have to judge other people so harshly? Add to the fact that was incredibly irrattating at times and acted like and idiot whenever Hiro was around and that she was also a pretty rubbish friend and well...I didn't have the upmost love for Astrid.
If Astrid got on my nerves, Hiro DESTROYED THEM. *gnashes teeth* He was such a dickhead at times and made Astrid upset on purpose multiple times and EVERY TIME something went the way he didn't want it, he'd throw a massive tantrum and sulk for ages. He judged people WAAAAY to quickly and *hated* so many people but then he'd lash out at Astrid if he thought she was being the tiniest bit judgy and it was so FRUSTRATING!!
I thought the ending was much to rushed, partly I think because there was so much drama and angst between Astrid and Hiro that the ending kind of leapt out of nowhere, tied everything up in a big pink happily ever after bow that wasn't very believable and then that was the end of the book. COLOUR ME DISAPPOINTED.
It's not all bad though! I did enjoy this book and for all of GREEN VALENTINE'S pesky little problems I didn't regret reading it at all.
And if you liked this you'll LOVE Lili's other books...and if you DIDN'T like this book I'm pretty sure you'll love her other books anyway! *sly wink*
melbsreads's review against another edition
4.0
I borrowed this book from work nearly two months ago, and then put off reading it because seriously? A young adult book about guerrilla gardening? Why on earth would I be interested in that?! Yeah, I just read this sucker cover to cover in a couple of hours because I was so engrossed in the story.
At first, Astrid's a really easy character to dislike. She's sanctimonious and abrasive and looks down her nose at EVERYONE who doesn't do the things she deems necessary to save the planet. And we're supposed to believe that despite all of this, she's somehow one of the most popular girls in school? Uh, okay. And yet, at the story progressed and Astrid's character grew and changed, I found myself warming to her.
Even as someone who hates gardening with a fiery passion (something my mother despairs of), I actually really liked the guerrilla gardening aspect of the story, and the sense of community that develops in the local community as a result.
Basically, I was expecting something kind of meh, and I got something thoroughly enjoyable.
At first, Astrid's a really easy character to dislike. She's sanctimonious and abrasive and looks down her nose at EVERYONE who doesn't do the things she deems necessary to save the planet. And we're supposed to believe that despite all of this, she's somehow one of the most popular girls in school? Uh, okay. And yet, at the story progressed and Astrid's character grew and changed, I found myself warming to her.
Even as someone who hates gardening with a fiery passion (something my mother despairs of), I actually really liked the guerrilla gardening aspect of the story, and the sense of community that develops in the local community as a result.
Basically, I was expecting something kind of meh, and I got something thoroughly enjoyable.
karlalala13's review against another edition
4.0
Astrid is a cool girl who wants to save the environment. Hiro is a slacker rebelling hard against anything and everything. Astrid dresses up as a critically endangered Hairy Marron at the mall to raise awareness. Hiro has a crush on the girl in a lobster suit.
Look, I don't know, don't ask me.
Anyway, Hiro doesn’t recognise Astrid the Lobster from school and so begins their mutual flirting. At school, the two get thrown together to work on the school garden. They warm to each other and decide to make their suburb beautiful, one garden at a time.
I love the idea of guerrilla gardening and I loved the tagline of this book: Resistance is fertile. This book is sweet and cute and all about changing the world and bettering our environment. I loved it.
It can be a little cheesy and predictable in places and I both liked and hated Astrid and Hiro at different moments, but at the heart of this book are two people falling in love with each other and with trying to change the world.
Look, I don't know, don't ask me.
Anyway, Hiro doesn’t recognise Astrid the Lobster from school and so begins their mutual flirting. At school, the two get thrown together to work on the school garden. They warm to each other and decide to make their suburb beautiful, one garden at a time.
I love the idea of guerrilla gardening and I loved the tagline of this book: Resistance is fertile. This book is sweet and cute and all about changing the world and bettering our environment. I loved it.
It can be a little cheesy and predictable in places and I both liked and hated Astrid and Hiro at different moments, but at the heart of this book are two people falling in love with each other and with trying to change the world.
_jessicah's review against another edition
4.0
This was so sweet! A quick happy-maker after The Raven Cycle.
The romance was super cute and gave me the warm fuzzies.
The message was great even though it did feel a little preachy at times.
I love supporting Aussie authors! Loved it :)
The romance was super cute and gave me the warm fuzzies.
The message was great even though it did feel a little preachy at times.
I love supporting Aussie authors! Loved it :)
readunderthestars23's review against another edition
4.0
I was sent a copy of Green Valentine from Allen and Unwin New Zealand to review. I've never read a book by Lili Wilkinson before but I might have to see if the library has any of her other books.
From the sounds of the synopsis Green Valentine is a girl meets boy, from different
worlds, break up kind of story, but it's so much more than that. It's funny, enlightening and kind if empowering all at the same time.
I really liked all the superhero references through the book. I'm like Astrid, I don't really read the graphic novels, but I love the movies and TV shows. I also liked all the facts about the environment scattered throughout Green Valentine. They've been written in a way that's not shoved down your throat but not only fits in the story, I also learned a lot from Astrid's facts.
Astrid was a little annoying at the start of the book, the way she always thought she was better than everyone else, but she's just as flawed as the rest of us. Astrid had a huge awakening and saw the error of her ways. Hiro never pretended to be something he wasn't but he had a lot of prejudice that he hid behind as a way out of actually getting to know people. That is, until Hiro met Astrid and they bought the best out in each other without even reaslising it.
In the end, Green Valentine isn't about a girl and a boy falling for each other, although that's part of it. It's about fighting for what you believe in, coming together with all your different passions and ideas to make the world a better place instead of telling people what they're doing is wrong and expecting them to see the world the way you do. At least, that's what I got out of the book.
I really liked Green Valentine. If you haven't read this yet, please find a copy. It's worth it.
From the sounds of the synopsis Green Valentine is a girl meets boy, from different
worlds, break up kind of story, but it's so much more than that. It's funny, enlightening and kind if empowering all at the same time.
I really liked all the superhero references through the book. I'm like Astrid, I don't really read the graphic novels, but I love the movies and TV shows. I also liked all the facts about the environment scattered throughout Green Valentine. They've been written in a way that's not shoved down your throat but not only fits in the story, I also learned a lot from Astrid's facts.
Astrid was a little annoying at the start of the book, the way she always thought she was better than everyone else, but she's just as flawed as the rest of us. Astrid had a huge awakening and saw the error of her ways. Hiro never pretended to be something he wasn't but he had a lot of prejudice that he hid behind as a way out of actually getting to know people. That is, until Hiro met Astrid and they bought the best out in each other without even reaslising it.
In the end, Green Valentine isn't about a girl and a boy falling for each other, although that's part of it. It's about fighting for what you believe in, coming together with all your different passions and ideas to make the world a better place instead of telling people what they're doing is wrong and expecting them to see the world the way you do. At least, that's what I got out of the book.
I really liked Green Valentine. If you haven't read this yet, please find a copy. It's worth it.