l_353's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
girlreading's review against another edition
2.0
Floored had an interesting premise and an undoubtedly intriguing structure, with its six different authors writing six different characters. I liked most of the characters and the plot was interesting but because there were so many characters, with so little time to get to know them, I don’t feel as though they had as much depth as they could have done. I didn’t necessarily warm to them and due to the consistent large time jumps, ‘things’ kept happening without much back story and therefore I didn’t find myself all that invested in who these characters were becoming. Even so, I didn’t mind that all too much and I probably would have overlooked it had it not been for two major issues I had with this book.
The first being that one of the main characters, the child star, essentially lost his acting career due to becoming ‘ugly’ with a heavy emphasis on that being due to him gaining weight. This doesn’t sit well with me whatsoever and had me somewhat cautious from the first chapter.
The second and main issue I had with this book was another of the characters, Hugo a.k.a ‘the asshole’. I know that he was literally meant to be an asshole but I personally feel as though there’s a way to write someone as being an asshole, without making them sexist, racist, homophobic, ableist and just so incredibly awful. (e.g. jokes about eating disorders, disability and identity. Manipulating girls into sleeping with him and so much more.) Reading Hugo’s perspective made me extremely uncomfortable, so uncomfortable in fact, I almost put this book down the moment I read his first chapter. Just considering the amount of readers that could have potentially been extremely hurt by his words, made me incredibly infuriated. Again, I understand that he was meant to be an awful human being (which he 100% was) and I might just be being over sensitive, but surely there must be a way to create a character readers hate, without potentially harming those same readers and then giving that same character an odd, cliche redemption arc?
I realise this review comes across as wholly negative but I don’t believe this was a wholly ‘bad’ book. I do think it was an interesting idea and premise, I just don’t think it was executed to its full potential. Overall, I’m definitely currently confused as to how I felt about this book. For me, I just don't feel as though the not so great parts outweigh the enjoyable parts. For now, I’m still just tying to get my head around what, if anything, was gained by having ones character who essentially embodied every single jerk in you find in twitter arguments and potentially harming readers (especially young readers) in the process.
The first being that one of the main characters, the child star, essentially lost his acting career due to becoming ‘ugly’ with a heavy emphasis on that being due to him gaining weight. This doesn’t sit well with me whatsoever and had me somewhat cautious from the first chapter.
The second and main issue I had with this book was another of the characters, Hugo a.k.a ‘the asshole’. I know that he was literally meant to be an asshole but I personally feel as though there’s a way to write someone as being an asshole, without making them sexist, racist, homophobic, ableist and just so incredibly awful. (e.g. jokes about eating disorders, disability and identity. Manipulating girls into sleeping with him and so much more.) Reading Hugo’s perspective made me extremely uncomfortable, so uncomfortable in fact, I almost put this book down the moment I read his first chapter. Just considering the amount of readers that could have potentially been extremely hurt by his words, made me incredibly infuriated. Again, I understand that he was meant to be an awful human being (which he 100% was) and I might just be being over sensitive, but surely there must be a way to create a character readers hate, without potentially harming those same readers and then giving that same character an odd, cliche redemption arc?
I realise this review comes across as wholly negative but I don’t believe this was a wholly ‘bad’ book. I do think it was an interesting idea and premise, I just don’t think it was executed to its full potential. Overall, I’m definitely currently confused as to how I felt about this book. For me, I just don't feel as though the not so great parts outweigh the enjoyable parts. For now, I’m still just tying to get my head around what, if anything, was gained by having ones character who essentially embodied every single jerk in you find in twitter arguments and potentially harming readers (especially young readers) in the process.
annimegan03's review
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
To say this isn’t a fantasy focused novel I’m surprised at myself for giving this five stars, but wow. The plot and the characters are loveable, I feel like I grow with them; as the characters mature, so does the reader, and every interaction, problem, and subsequent solution is nuanced. A perfect representation of a world that is not black and white, fact and fiction, and allows for the beautiful overlap of characters from different walks of life, and the confrontation (and unity) that can occur between them.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Classism, and Toxic relationship
olivia_grace06's review
4.0
I loved how diverse the characters were and how unlikely their friendship was and how the perspectives from a character ironically included references from another character's chapter. I like how between the years we see some development in their personal lives and character despite missing a large section of time.
annabelreadsandwrites's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-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
4.25
cityofstarlight_library's review
1.0
DNF @ 12%
I have to say it: this book is floored (like, flawed? Geddit? I'll stop. Maybe I should have written that the other way round. Or not at all)
This book is just all over the place.
There's too many POV's, which all sound quite similar, and are rather short so you don't exactly bond with them enough to care.
You're in the scene at the TV station, then you're out, then in again, and taken out. It's just messy and I'm basically reading the same moment six times over. Well, I am.
It's just not gripping me and I don't even remember who is who. Nobody stands out.
It doesn't work for me.
And I think I'm officially over Breakfast Club-inspired books. I've disliked every single one so far and I'm knocking it on the head now.
Thanks but no thanks.
I have to say it: this book is floored (like, flawed? Geddit? I'll stop. Maybe I should have written that the other way round. Or not at all)
This book is just all over the place.
There's too many POV's, which all sound quite similar, and are rather short so you don't exactly bond with them enough to care.
You're in the scene at the TV station, then you're out, then in again, and taken out. It's just messy and I'm basically reading the same moment six times over. Well, I am.
It's just not gripping me and I don't even remember who is who. Nobody stands out.
It doesn't work for me.
And I think I'm officially over Breakfast Club-inspired books. I've disliked every single one so far and I'm knocking it on the head now.
Thanks but no thanks.
kells_01's review
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
kiraa's review
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
I think the premise of the book is interesting (that the characters from each characters pov is written by a different author) but I also think this book meanders around without much point. It could have been good if it was more focused. The climax of this book also felt very tacked on and like they needed to just do something to end the book resulting in an ending that is underdeveloped and underwhelming.