jandi's review against another edition
5.0
It's hard to say much about it without spoilers. Magical near future-ism? The first third of the book was marvelous. It flails around a bit in the middle, but it is worth sticking around for the ending. As much as I liked this book, I would hesitate to suggest reading it to my hard sci-fi loving husband - the book is primarily about the relationship between the main characters.
pixe1's review against another edition
5.0
Highly enjoyable, one of the best things I've read in a long, long while. This was exactly the right level of fantasy, sci-fi and big ideas with a gentle touch that appealed to me. As a whole, it felt fresh and creative and I never knew where I was headed, in the best possible way. This was definitely one of those books that I didn't want to end, even as I devoured it.
dorhastings's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I am really struggling to figure out how I feel about this book. I don't think I'm going to have a lot to say about it, honestly, in part because I feel like I just didn't get it.
I also just genuinely did not enjoy the reading of this book. I marked it as science fiction (which was in part why I read the book; I vaguely remember looking for recommendations for newer scifi and this popping up), which means I will probably need to work to pay more attention. I can't read scifi at night. Granted, this book has won fantasy awards, but there are at least some pretty scifi elements to it. Anyway. I did like the blend of magic and science, although even the book was quite elusive when tying down what magic actually is.
The first half of the book felt like forever. I was determined to finish the book, but it would have been that much harder if that first section had continued on. Even then, not a lot of this book made sense to me. It was entirely too easy for me to put this book down. The plot felt very weird to me, but not in a super engaging way.
I did end up liking Patricia and Laurence quite a bit by the end, mostly because of how their relationship shifted over time. I appreciated how honest they were with each other, and how they dedicated a lot to each other. I found myself especially liking Patricia. As she got older, there was a whole list of reasons for people to not approve of her, and in the end she saw what they were saying, but I didn't really like it.
I feel like this is one of those books where you love it or you don't. It just didn't do it for me, but I know quite a few folks really like it.
I also just genuinely did not enjoy the reading of this book. I marked it as science fiction (which was in part why I read the book; I vaguely remember looking for recommendations for newer scifi and this popping up), which means I will probably need to work to pay more attention. I can't read scifi at night. Granted, this book has won fantasy awards, but there are at least some pretty scifi elements to it. Anyway. I did like the blend of magic and science, although even the book was quite elusive when tying down what magic actually is.
The first half of the book felt like forever. I was determined to finish the book, but it would have been that much harder if that first section had continued on. Even then, not a lot of this book made sense to me. It was entirely too easy for me to put this book down. The plot felt very weird to me, but not in a super engaging way.
I did end up liking Patricia and Laurence quite a bit by the end, mostly because of how their relationship shifted over time. I appreciated how honest they were with each other, and how they dedicated a lot to each other. I found myself especially liking Patricia. As she got older, there was a whole list of reasons for people to not approve of her, and in the end she saw what they were saying, but I didn't really like it.
I feel like this is one of those books where you love it or you don't. It just didn't do it for me, but I know quite a few folks really like it.
citizenkahn's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
constancemn's review against another edition
4.0
I don't have an effective way to describe this book's plot or theme. The convergence of technology and nature? Religion and science? Magic and logic? Those all sort of seem right, but in no way describe the effectiveness of the storytelling and the enjoyability of the prose. Almost five stars.
reasie's review against another edition
5.0
Wow.
I was skeptical for the first chapter or so - the story starts with the characters very young and has a fairytale quality that isn't quite my cup of tea, but what this book does is just extraordinary. It's almost a story about healing the divide between Science Fiction and Fantasy ... it's very meta... you have a very real Fantasy Heroine dealing with going to Magic School and a very real Science Fiction Hero dealing with being the smartest kid in regular school and building an AI friend.
You have the most realistic end of the world I've ever read. So many times I was saying 'YES! This is the way it should be written! Finally!'
My only quibble is the Assassin character and his odd side-plot. I really, really didn't get him. I almost wonder if he was there just to remind you it's all fiction.
Anyway, highly recommended, great read. I'm sad it's over.
I was skeptical for the first chapter or so - the story starts with the characters very young and has a fairytale quality that isn't quite my cup of tea, but what this book does is just extraordinary. It's almost a story about healing the divide between Science Fiction and Fantasy ... it's very meta... you have a very real Fantasy Heroine dealing with going to Magic School and a very real Science Fiction Hero dealing with being the smartest kid in regular school and building an AI friend.
You have the most realistic end of the world I've ever read. So many times I was saying 'YES! This is the way it should be written! Finally!'
My only quibble is the Assassin character and his odd side-plot. I really, really didn't get him. I almost wonder if he was there just to remind you it's all fiction.
Anyway, highly recommended, great read. I'm sad it's over.
caith's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
jonmhansen's review against another edition
5.0
Really engaging read. I can totally see why it got the Nebula nomination.