srocheteau's review
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
jlynnelseauthor's review
3.0
I was initially excited about the setting. Aliens crash landing being in Minnesota? Oh how I've been dreaming of this since the X-Files. Come to visit, Agent Mulder! The ship, gee, thankfully, missed plowing down the Mall of America, but when it comes to Mayo Clinic I'm not so sure. I guess shopping outweighs world-famous healthcare in terms of story importance. And clearly the only thing readers need to know about Minnesota is that its cold (really?) and that our MC, Alice, has Mall of America to shop for sweaters at.
I liked the ties to ancient Native American culture, which added some good story elements. However, I was not overly wow'd by the book. The end confrontation was too quick. And teenagers exploring an alien ship unaccompanied? I think, being that these are very wealthy children, lawsuits would be a huge risk!
This is a quick read with fun character dialogue, but not a ground-breaking sci-fi story.
I liked the ties to ancient Native American culture, which added some good story elements. However, I was not overly wow'd by the book. The end confrontation was too quick. And teenagers exploring an alien ship unaccompanied? I think, being that these are very wealthy children, lawsuits would be a huge risk!
This is a quick read with fun character dialogue, but not a ground-breaking sci-fi story.
givnuapeacesign's review against another edition
3.0
Rachel and her father lead an interesting life. Originally based in Miami, they move suddenly to Minnesota because an enormous ship has crash landed from outer space. As Rachel's father will be spending exorbitant amounts of time investigating the scene and the unknown inhabitants, she is enrolled in a Gifted and Talented boarding school close by. There she meets Brynn, Rachel, and Kurt who become instant friends. As the aliens emerge, they appear human and harmless. Yet they speak an ancient Native American language and know nothing of human norms. As the plot unfolds, the reader learns much. The main characters are recruited to help the understaffed crew collect photographic evidence of the crash site. What they find is a cruel, startling reality with far reaching implications.
I enjoyed this Young Adult Science Fiction novel. Yet I was perturbed as I started reading it. Why? It seems the author tried to make the novel more "Young Adult" by plopping random swear words within the first few chapters. So much so that I do not think I can put this on my middle school shelf without blacking out these totally unnecessary words. The novel itself is completely suitable for a mature middle level student. There is subtle mention of basic kissing, etc. There is a some blood and gore. Yet nothing to really give me pause, except the inappropriate language which completely disappears after the first third of the book. Readers are captivated by the plot, not stupid swear words that do nothing to advance that plot. It felt to me as if this author simply placed them there to make young people feel as if they were reading something edgy, when in reality the technique cheapened the novel. I hedge between three and four stars for this very reason.
I enjoyed this Young Adult Science Fiction novel. Yet I was perturbed as I started reading it. Why? It seems the author tried to make the novel more "Young Adult" by plopping random swear words within the first few chapters. So much so that I do not think I can put this on my middle school shelf without blacking out these totally unnecessary words. The novel itself is completely suitable for a mature middle level student. There is subtle mention of basic kissing, etc. There is a some blood and gore. Yet nothing to really give me pause, except the inappropriate language which completely disappears after the first third of the book. Readers are captivated by the plot, not stupid swear words that do nothing to advance that plot. It felt to me as if this author simply placed them there to make young people feel as if they were reading something edgy, when in reality the technique cheapened the novel. I hedge between three and four stars for this very reason.
puzumaki's review against another edition
2.0
*SIGH* Decent premise, poorly executed. Not only that, I had picked it up mostly because Minnesota played a significant setting role. However, Wells must have never visited the area he's describing because it sounds more like Nowhere, Iowa than a place with a fairly diverse population of 3 million and an active international airport. Very disappointing if this is why you are grabbing the book. Frankly, if you are grabbing the book because of anything else, it's not worth reading. It fails at the YA, alien, Native American/diversity angle, and "romance" aspects, and mushing them together didn't help.
bookyogi's review against another edition
4.0
A fun YA book where a huge alien ship carry 55,000 crash land in Minnesota. A quick, fun read.
libscote's review against another edition
3.0
A fun alien book, but there were a little too many conveniences for me, and it doesn't get a positive review from Debbie Reese. If I hadn't read that, I might have assumed that the author did enough research and vetting.
theliterarydruid's review against another edition
4.0
I wasn't really expecting to like this book so much, but I did! The main character was extremely likeable, adorable and funny! The story was cheesy, but still interesting and fun! If you're looking for an easy sci-fi read, this was definitely a quick read! I'm not saying it's a great masterpiece, but it's definitely entertaining!
skundrik87's review against another edition
4.0
https://librarianonthelake.wordpress.com/2016/03/29/dark-energy-by-robison-wells/
wmhenrymorris's review against another edition
This is a fun read with a very interesting conceit and solid plot lines and a few genuine (at least in my case) surprises. What kept me from loving it was that some of the sections seemed a little rushed for my taste and some of the characterization was inconsistent or incomplete.