bitterseason's review against another edition
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
megpancoast's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
sandraagee's review against another edition
3.0
This book does some things very well, but I don't think it's a Newbery contender.
I love the characters. All four of the main ones are drawn very well, each with their own unique personalities and quirks. I enjoyed getting inside their heads and seeing their stories come together.
However, the characters were treated unevenly. Virgil and Valencia were fantastic. Chet (the bully) was given some insight which was interesting, but his character never really developed beyond his type. Kaori was a bit more interesting and came across as truly endearing with all of her wonderful weirdness, but it really felt like she was there to be the glue that tied Virgil and Valencia's stories together. That's all fine, but for this reason I'm not sure it was necessary or effective to get sections of story narrated from their perspectives.
The audiobook was not terrible, but also suffered from narration problems. There were two narrators: One to read the chapters told from Valencia's perspective, and another to do everything else. This was confusing, and it was sometimes easy to loose track of when the perspective would shift between Virgil and Kaori or Chet.
It's a lovely character-driven book, and I like what it has to say about friendship and loneliness. I do recommend it...but I'm keeping it off of my Newbery short list.
I love the characters. All four of the main ones are drawn very well, each with their own unique personalities and quirks. I enjoyed getting inside their heads and seeing their stories come together.
However, the characters were treated unevenly. Virgil and Valencia were fantastic. Chet (the bully) was given some insight which was interesting, but his character never really developed beyond his type. Kaori was a bit more interesting and came across as truly endearing with all of her wonderful weirdness, but it really felt like she was there to be the glue that tied Virgil and Valencia's stories together. That's all fine, but for this reason I'm not sure it was necessary or effective to get sections of story narrated from their perspectives.
The audiobook was not terrible, but also suffered from narration problems. There were two narrators: One to read the chapters told from Valencia's perspective, and another to do everything else. This was confusing, and it was sometimes easy to loose track of when the perspective would shift between Virgil and Kaori or Chet.
It's a lovely character-driven book, and I like what it has to say about friendship and loneliness. I do recommend it...but I'm keeping it off of my Newbery short list.
unareads11's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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? No
4.5
borumi's review against another edition
4.0
The influence and potential of the universe around you
I wasn’t sure of all the folklore and the fatalistic supernatural approach, and the bully character was way too obnoxious and obtuse but I enjoyed the dynamics between the other characters. The Tanaka sisters acted as the medium between the fated friends and also comic relief. I guess the sisters’ and Lola’s role as intuitive medium is partly due to their imagination and openness towards others. Whereas the bully’s father inflences the bully’s bigotry and competitive anxiety, Valencia’s new friends or Virgil’s family are the true source of inspiration and motivation to discovering their deeper concerns and true potentials.
I wasn’t sure of all the folklore and the fatalistic supernatural approach, and the bully character was way too obnoxious and obtuse but I enjoyed the dynamics between the other characters. The Tanaka sisters acted as the medium between the fated friends and also comic relief. I guess the sisters’ and Lola’s role as intuitive medium is partly due to their imagination and openness towards others. Whereas the bully’s father inflences the bully’s bigotry and competitive anxiety, Valencia’s new friends or Virgil’s family are the true source of inspiration and motivation to discovering their deeper concerns and true potentials.
egbert's review against another edition
4.25
At first I thought this was a very odd book, but as I continued I realized more and more that the author had accomplished a difficult task. She'd written it in this way because this is the way that children are weird. The narrative being from the point of view of a couple of odd yet very cute kids.
The simplicity of the plot left a lot of room for character and cultural development around our characters. We got the chance to know Virgil and Valencia very personally and take part in the adventure that brings them out of their loneliness into a fantastical yet very real world of purposeful coincidences.
The simplicity of the plot left a lot of room for character and cultural development around our characters. We got the chance to know Virgil and Valencia very personally and take part in the adventure that brings them out of their loneliness into a fantastical yet very real world of purposeful coincidences.
amymck05's review against another edition
4.0
A heartwarming story about an underdog who learns to stand up for himeself. Very sweet with endearing characters.
kaedeco's review against another edition
4.0
This was a lovely story to listen to. I felt as if the narrators really brought the story to life and it really felt like everyone against the universe sort of dealio. The story was well written and had some really good points, I liked this!
turrean's review against another edition
4.0
There are no coincidences! I rolled my eyes mightily at Kaori’s fervent belief in astrology, but since it gives a framework to the author’s chain of occurrences I can give it a pass.
The only thing I regretted was that the bully, himself the victim of bullying by his dreadful father, was given no path to redemption. It was odd, considering he was a point-of-view character. Once we saw his fear and his insecurities and learned the reasons for them, I found it hard to be quite as happy for Virgil, in the final scene at Chet’s house, since Virgil’s new confidence comes at Chet’s expense.
The only thing I regretted was that the bully, himself the victim of bullying by his dreadful father, was given no path to redemption. It was odd, considering he was a point-of-view character. Once we saw his fear and his insecurities and learned the reasons for them, I found it hard to be quite as happy for Virgil, in the final scene at Chet’s house, since Virgil’s new confidence comes at Chet’s expense.
afro8921's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed the relationships in this book. The characters are wonderfully complex and normal at the same time! Good read for fans of tween realistic fiction.