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howlyranch's review against another edition
3.0
I was super into this book at the beginning, but I feel like an interesting concept was never fully realized. Fantasy on the edge of sci-fi, everything is presented on this premise that we’ll have more information to fill in the blanks eventually, but I’m left feeling like I barely understood what happened. I see that this is going to be a series, so I’m hoping that was intentional and we get a little clarity next time.
branwynnemay's review against another edition
4.75
Wow, what a cool journey. I loved the siblings, how different the premise was and yet how playful it was with so many tropes. It was super clever and well-written, and for being a long book I wouldn’t take away anything. It’s just shy of a five because it didn’t wrap around my heart in that way. And maybe because I kinda hated the narrator. Wonderful, wonderful story though.
hopeglow's review against another edition
5.0
4.5
the siblings dynamic was everything i love them to bits (also just love the way this bk was narrated/written)
the siblings dynamic was everything i love them to bits (also just love the way this bk was narrated/written)
thesunandthesnow's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
waterthepages's review against another edition
The narrator is amazing, but so far the plot sounds super intricate and I need the physical book in order to fully focus on the story. 100% will give it another go.
bie's review against another edition
3.0
DNF @ 80%
i kept trying... and trying... and trying... but this book is not for me. don't get me wrong, i did like the amount i read, the idea is super interesting and unique, but my small brain wasn't the biggest fan of the heavy writing. some books are too smart for you, and this one was for me. but this is definitely on me, cause i'm not into this type of fantasy/sci-fi thingy so i should've known i will have a hard time reading it. i really liked the combination between the actual story and the story within the story though, the metaphors were fun to read.
when it comes to the characters – at first – i couldn't care less about them, but i grew to really like dodger and even roger at times, though he did come off as slightly annoying (and dumb). to be honest i don't even remember the names of the other characters so i can't talk about them, but they were alright s'pose. erin was pretty cool! (even though i had to open the book to remember her name) love me a morally grey legend.
what i did do was read the ending... i don't usually do that but i just knew there's no way i will finish this so i felt the need to Know cause i'm curious. and i think it's interesting! i can't say i saw it coming cause i was never that into it so i can pay full attention to what is happening and come up with theories, but as far as endings go, it's a good one. i think there's gonna be a sequel even though i'm not sure what can it possibly be about, but good for them.
TL;DR: interesting idea, but not for me. dodger protection squad.
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trigger warnings: bullying, parental gaslighting and emotional abuse, murder, major character death, arson, graphic depiction of suicide attempt, light swearing.
i kept trying... and trying... and trying... but this book is not for me. don't get me wrong, i did like the amount i read, the idea is super interesting and unique, but my small brain wasn't the biggest fan of the heavy writing. some books are too smart for you, and this one was for me. but this is definitely on me, cause i'm not into this type of fantasy/sci-fi thingy so i should've known i will have a hard time reading it. i really liked the combination between the actual story and the story within the story though, the metaphors were fun to read.
when it comes to the characters – at first – i couldn't care less about them, but i grew to really like dodger and even roger at times, though he did come off as slightly annoying (and dumb). to be honest i don't even remember the names of the other characters so i can't talk about them, but they were alright s'pose. erin was pretty cool! (even though i had to open the book to remember her name) love me a morally grey legend.
what i did do was read the ending... i don't usually do that but i just knew there's no way i will finish this so i felt the need to Know cause i'm curious. and i think it's interesting! i can't say i saw it coming cause i was never that into it so i can pay full attention to what is happening and come up with theories, but as far as endings go, it's a good one. i think there's gonna be a sequel even though i'm not sure what can it possibly be about, but good for them.
TL;DR: interesting idea, but not for me. dodger protection squad.
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trigger warnings: bullying, parental gaslighting and emotional abuse, murder, major character death, arson, graphic depiction of suicide attempt, light swearing.
wellduhiread's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
evelina96's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This was an interesting book. I'm not fully sure I understand all of it though. I liked the main characters fine and they were interesting. I especially enjoyed how math and language were central parts of the book. I would have preferred the villains to be a bit more nuanced as they felt a bit flat. It took a long time for me to get into the book and I can't tell if it's because the worldbuilding was difficult to understand or if was the writing style. Overall I would say I enjoyed the book, but I feel a bit conflicted.