Scan barcode
carabunkle's review
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
valeriianavarr's review
3.0
I honestly hated Finola, I dont understand why Emilia had to risk so much for her sister when her sister wasnt willing to do anything for her. Anything at all. It made me kind of not enjoy the book as much. The story is great, the writing is great, its all great. Its part of the whole thing that Finola has to be such a shitty person.. But you know, that is just the way I felt, I just finished the book like 10 minutes ago
maddie_09's review
4.0
Amendments is one of those books that once you start reading it, you cannot put it down.
A mix of sci-fi, speculative fiction and drama, it is a thought provoking story that will make you really consider how much the what ifs can affect your life. Because in Amendments you get the chance to change the what ifs into new reality. But at what cost? Having the option to go back in time and change your past, save your loved one, you would think that that is the best possible thing to happen. But is it? You see one outcome of changes you reinforce but in reality it is a trickle of many little or big things changing because you changed the past.
Hannah Lynn wrote an impressive story that flows seamlessly with an intriguing plot and interesting characters. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will be looking out for more stories from that author.
A mix of sci-fi, speculative fiction and drama, it is a thought provoking story that will make you really consider how much the what ifs can affect your life. Because in Amendments you get the chance to change the what ifs into new reality. But at what cost? Having the option to go back in time and change your past, save your loved one, you would think that that is the best possible thing to happen. But is it? You see one outcome of changes you reinforce but in reality it is a trickle of many little or big things changing because you changed the past.
Hannah Lynn wrote an impressive story that flows seamlessly with an intriguing plot and interesting characters. I thoroughly enjoyed it and will be looking out for more stories from that author.
anovelstart's review
5.0
I received a free copy of this book from the author. This in no way influences my opinion on the book or my review.
Fantastic book. It had me gripped from beginning to end, I love the world Lynn has created. I really can't wait for the next book now!
Well, I can understand why this book is an instant best seller. The way the Amendments is written, it's very easy to follow and flows nicely, but Lynn also achieves a level of depth in her writing that few authors reach. It isn't forced, it just flows.
The first half of the book has you asking all kinds of questions - why are they living that kind of life when they can just amend it? Why are the envelopes specific colours? Is it significant, and why? What's the deal with Marchers? I like this in a book. When you're given the answers it's part of the storylines natural progression. Lynn doesn't just force information in for the reader, it's written delicately so that it all makes sense and you get the answers when you need them.
After finishing Amendments the first thing I think is 'wow'. The opening and close of the book both smack you in the face, it's powerful and it makes you think. I love a book that makes me think! Lynn asks the readers a question at the start, "if you could go back and amend two things in your life, just two, how would you decide?" You're instantly connected in the first line. It's suddenly relatable, and you haven't even finished the first paragraph. Emelia and her sister Fi really do have a tough life and even if you can't relate, there's an emotion in the writing. Where reliability struggles, you get sucked in and gripped by the emotion in the book. This I can say with utter confidence because I was gutted when my Kindle Fire unexpectedly died on me half way through! It was long past my bed time anyway, but I just couldn't help it.
I think the bad thing about books like this (in a positive way) is you're eager for the next book but know you have to wait. Patience is meant to be a virtue, but at times like this it really doesn't feel like it!
I can't say much without giving the story away, but when you finish this book you feel changed. I felt the same when I finished Great Expectations and David Copperfield, and no I'm not just saying that! This book really makes you think how lucky you are, how you don't need to face the battles these poor girls faced. It's all in the writing. It has you hooked from the start and you're sad when the book finishes. It's a great and satisfying ending, but it's one of those books that you wish you could comfort the characters and be part of their world to make it easier for them and share their burdens.
I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes dystopian novels, or books were young adults face terrible circumstances. It's moving, evenly paced, and thought-provoking.
For more of my reviews, please visit my book blog at: www.anovelstart.com
Fantastic book. It had me gripped from beginning to end, I love the world Lynn has created. I really can't wait for the next book now!
Well, I can understand why this book is an instant best seller. The way the Amendments is written, it's very easy to follow and flows nicely, but Lynn also achieves a level of depth in her writing that few authors reach. It isn't forced, it just flows.
The first half of the book has you asking all kinds of questions - why are they living that kind of life when they can just amend it? Why are the envelopes specific colours? Is it significant, and why? What's the deal with Marchers? I like this in a book. When you're given the answers it's part of the storylines natural progression. Lynn doesn't just force information in for the reader, it's written delicately so that it all makes sense and you get the answers when you need them.
After finishing Amendments the first thing I think is 'wow'. The opening and close of the book both smack you in the face, it's powerful and it makes you think. I love a book that makes me think! Lynn asks the readers a question at the start, "if you could go back and amend two things in your life, just two, how would you decide?" You're instantly connected in the first line. It's suddenly relatable, and you haven't even finished the first paragraph. Emelia and her sister Fi really do have a tough life and even if you can't relate, there's an emotion in the writing. Where reliability struggles, you get sucked in and gripped by the emotion in the book. This I can say with utter confidence because I was gutted when my Kindle Fire unexpectedly died on me half way through! It was long past my bed time anyway, but I just couldn't help it.
I think the bad thing about books like this (in a positive way) is you're eager for the next book but know you have to wait. Patience is meant to be a virtue, but at times like this it really doesn't feel like it!
I can't say much without giving the story away, but when you finish this book you feel changed. I felt the same when I finished Great Expectations and David Copperfield, and no I'm not just saying that! This book really makes you think how lucky you are, how you don't need to face the battles these poor girls faced. It's all in the writing. It has you hooked from the start and you're sad when the book finishes. It's a great and satisfying ending, but it's one of those books that you wish you could comfort the characters and be part of their world to make it easier for them and share their burdens.
I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes dystopian novels, or books were young adults face terrible circumstances. It's moving, evenly paced, and thought-provoking.
For more of my reviews, please visit my book blog at: www.anovelstart.com
msjoanna's review
4.0
The author sent me an electronic copy of this book for review.
The book is an impressive first novel. The author maintains excellent pacing throughout and has created deep and realistic characters. The premise is interesting, if fraught with some niggling problems. In short, the world is one in which individuals are allowed to make two "amendments" to their lives to send themselves a message and go back and redo their lives from a specific moment. Lurking in the background but not fully described is a Big Brotherish Administration that controls the amendment process as well as certain other aspects of the society. There are some rules to the way it works that are revealed during the course of the story.
Throughout, I couldn't quite get past the feeling that everyone would wait until late in life (or at least quite a bit longer than the characters seemed to do) to reflect back and amend the most crucial moments. The author addresses this somewhat by creating social expectations that individuals will use their amendments for certain purposes (e.g., to correct accidents that take lives). Still, I never quite got past the sense that it would still make sense to wait to see how things played out much longer before jumping into an amendment.
Nonetheless, this niggling complaint didn't stop me from wanting to get back to the story as soon as possible. I liked these characters even if I found myself frequently impatient with them. I wanted to know more about their world and their lives.
The author's vocabulary is strong, though occasionally felt a bit stilted: "internally cursing my drab pyjamas and chastising
puerile reaction." This is really a small criticism though; overall, the author has good command of language to tell a compelling story and make the writing interesting to read.
I would definitely read another book set in this universe or a sequel to this one. I'll be interested to see what else this author writes.
The book is an impressive first novel. The author maintains excellent pacing throughout and has created deep and realistic characters. The premise is interesting, if fraught with some niggling problems. In short, the world is one in which individuals are allowed to make two "amendments" to their lives to send themselves a message and go back and redo their lives from a specific moment. Lurking in the background but not fully described is a Big Brotherish Administration that controls the amendment process as well as certain other aspects of the society. There are some rules to the way it works that are revealed during the course of the story.
Throughout, I couldn't quite get past the feeling that everyone would wait until late in life (or at least quite a bit longer than the characters seemed to do) to reflect back and amend the most crucial moments. The author addresses this somewhat by creating social expectations that individuals will use their amendments for certain purposes (e.g., to correct accidents that take lives). Still, I never quite got past the sense that it would still make sense to wait to see how things played out much longer before jumping into an amendment.
Nonetheless, this niggling complaint didn't stop me from wanting to get back to the story as soon as possible. I liked these characters even if I found myself frequently impatient with them. I wanted to know more about their world and their lives.
The author's vocabulary is strong, though occasionally felt a bit stilted: "internally cursing my drab pyjamas and chastising
puerile reaction." This is really a small criticism though; overall, the author has good command of language to tell a compelling story and make the writing interesting to read.
I would definitely read another book set in this universe or a sequel to this one. I'll be interested to see what else this author writes.
prdgreads's review
4.0
I was kindly sent a copy of this in exchange for an honest review.
This is my first jump into Hannah’s work & I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I was sucked in right from the very beginning, the concept of being able to go back twice, to change what was for the possibility of a better future really intrigued me.
This book had me feeling so many emotions, it made me laugh, made me cry, made me angry & had me on the edge of my seat.
I fell in love with Gabe & Em, and even grew to like Fi too.
I am secretly hoping this is going to be part of a series 🤞🏼
This is my first jump into Hannah’s work & I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I was sucked in right from the very beginning, the concept of being able to go back twice, to change what was for the possibility of a better future really intrigued me.
This book had me feeling so many emotions, it made me laugh, made me cry, made me angry & had me on the edge of my seat.
I fell in love with Gabe & Em, and even grew to like Fi too.
I am secretly hoping this is going to be part of a series 🤞🏼
sarahs_bookish_life's review
3.0
This is the fourth book I read on my holidays.
It is actually a well written novel and overall I thought it was ok. I think due to it being of a dystopia genre, which isn't my usual type of read, I probably didn't enjoy it as much as fans of this genre.
It is actually a well written novel and overall I thought it was ok. I think due to it being of a dystopia genre, which isn't my usual type of read, I probably didn't enjoy it as much as fans of this genre.
jrbournville's review
4.0
An interesting and engaging idea which, although a little slow to begin with, was enjoyable to read.
patriciajoan's review
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
lhf0's review
4.0
H.M. Lynn’s writing is anything but ordinary and I like it. She takes a new idea of creating a idea with the interesting word choice she picks to unfold a new world to the reader is just simply interesting all together. I will admit that some parts were confusing but after getting the hang of how exactly the book is laid out it was incredible to see how the characters go through the same day as before but with different actions. The setting played such a huge part into the story, it made the girls’ struggle seem more real and understanding for their choice of actions and lifestyle. The ending was complete surprise to me, but I felt it was suited for this story and was my favorite part of the story (not because it was the end but because of how everything turned out in the end with Emelia and Fi); [SPOILER! MAYBE.] I wasn’t entirely a big fan of Fi to begin with. Amendments is a book for those that always wish for a do-over in life and might think twice before making such a wish; who know what might happen if our past selves knew what we know today.