Scan barcode
kateitorloveitbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
searobin56's review against another edition
4.0
Great book! A very different apocalyptic story. The characters were interesting although annoying at times. It definitely is a YA novel with lots of teenage drama. Still, some of the drama was understandable with the looming “end of the earth” scenario. Loved the ending!
alongreader's review against another edition
4.0
BE AWARE: this novel was originally published under the title Consider in 2016.
I was lucky enough to get both books in this series, so I was able to read them one straight after the other, which doesn't often happen with series. I'm reviewing them as their own things, though, as I think the tone is quite different from one to the next. Even within this volume, the tone shifted quite a bit from one section to another.
First: it's an amazing representation of anxiety. Alex's attacks made me feel nervous, and I was only reading about them - I can't imagine going through them on a regular basis! Her thoughts at the end that, while everyone around her was panicking and didn't know how to deal with it, but she was practised at this, hit me very hard. I had to set the book aside and think about that. (but not for too long as I wanted to see what happened!)
I'm glad I had the second book to hand, as that cliffhanger ending is cruel.
There were a few spots I felt the pace dragged, and Alex seemed to have odd priorities...I can excuse it as a form of wilful blindness, considering what was going on, but it was odd to go from 'GIANT EARTH KILLING ASTEROID' to 'which college are we going to? (none they'll all be destroyed shush)' in the same chapter. It didn't put me off reading, though, I really enjoyed these.
I was lucky enough to get both books in this series, so I was able to read them one straight after the other, which doesn't often happen with series. I'm reviewing them as their own things, though, as I think the tone is quite different from one to the next. Even within this volume, the tone shifted quite a bit from one section to another.
First: it's an amazing representation of anxiety. Alex's attacks made me feel nervous, and I was only reading about them - I can't imagine going through them on a regular basis! Her thoughts at the end that, while everyone around her was panicking and didn't know how to deal with it, but she was practised at this, hit me very hard. I had to set the book aside and think about that. (but not for too long as I wanted to see what happened!)
I'm glad I had the second book to hand, as that cliffhanger ending is cruel.
There were a few spots I felt the pace dragged, and Alex seemed to have odd priorities...I can excuse it as a form of wilful blindness, considering what was going on, but it was odd to go from 'GIANT EARTH KILLING ASTEROID' to 'which college are we going to? (none they'll all be destroyed shush)' in the same chapter. It didn't put me off reading, though, I really enjoyed these.
sillydog43's review against another edition
5.0
When I picked this book up I had no idea it would be this good. I absolutely adored this book from beginning to end. From the top notch characters to the little nods to Doctor Who, this book was everything that is good in the world.
When reading this book, I felt like it could actually be a doctor who episode, but the focus is on a random family, instead of the doctor and his companion. I can easily imagine David Tennant running around in his chucks with his sonic screwdriver checking out the vertex, hooking up the TARDIS to it, figuring out everything. The book kind of gave me Army of Ghosts/Doomsday vibes, like when Rose was about to fall through the vortex but Pete saved her, but she could never get back to her one true love. Yeah, those kind of feels.
Another thing I really loved about this book was how realistic it was. They never sweep formalities of an apocalyptic situation under the rug. Acevedo explains how credit card companies react, how to handle prisoners, the struggle of choice, the pull and pain of religion an earth-ending event. Also, Acevedo gives us a protagonist who is not just a super badass female, but someone who, at least to me, is very relatable. She has anxiety order and has to really fight not only through the possible end of the world and a very difficult choice, but also has to figure herself out in the process, even when it seems like everyone can't understand her problems and are against her. The way she handled the situations just seemed so real and raw, not like Alex just easily overcame everything that came her way with the snap of a finger.
~"I've decided since the world may be ending, that I'm more of a David Tennant. And you're more of a Rose." First of all, relationship goals right there. And also the fact that this is my OTP, made the book 100X better!
~ I love Alex because I have struggled with anxiety and used to think I was always about to have a heart attack after I had a series of panic attacks. The fact that her struggle is so distinctly similar to something I went through is really helpful and also makes for a really poignant and amazing story that sticks with you and empowers you.
When reading this book, I felt like it could actually be a doctor who episode, but the focus is on a random family, instead of the doctor and his companion. I can easily imagine David Tennant running around in his chucks with his sonic screwdriver checking out the vertex, hooking up the TARDIS to it, figuring out everything. The book kind of gave me Army of Ghosts/Doomsday vibes, like when Rose was about to fall through the vortex but Pete saved her, but she could never get back to her one true love. Yeah, those kind of feels.
Another thing I really loved about this book was how realistic it was. They never sweep formalities of an apocalyptic situation under the rug. Acevedo explains how credit card companies react, how to handle prisoners, the struggle of choice, the pull and pain of religion an earth-ending event. Also, Acevedo gives us a protagonist who is not just a super badass female, but someone who, at least to me, is very relatable. She has anxiety order and has to really fight not only through the possible end of the world and a very difficult choice, but also has to figure herself out in the process, even when it seems like everyone can't understand her problems and are against her. The way she handled the situations just seemed so real and raw, not like Alex just easily overcame everything that came her way with the snap of a finger.
~"I've decided since the world may be ending, that I'm more of a David Tennant. And you're more of a Rose." First of all, relationship goals right there. And also the fact that this is my OTP, made the book 100X better!
~ I love Alex because I have struggled with anxiety and used to think I was always about to have a heart attack after I had a series of panic attacks. The fact that her struggle is so distinctly similar to something I went through is really helpful and also makes for a really poignant and amazing story that sticks with you and empowers you.
samanthasview's review against another edition
5.0
I just.. I did NOT SEE THAT COMING (No Spoilers)
I feel like it is so common that I read a book like this and think, oh, been here, done this. I can often predict the whole plot from chapter three. NOT SO with this one! I loved it, from beginning to end, and can't wait for the next one.
Thanks Kristy!
I feel like it is so common that I read a book like this and think, oh, been here, done this. I can often predict the whole plot from chapter three. NOT SO with this one! I loved it, from beginning to end, and can't wait for the next one.
Thanks Kristy!
robmichz's review against another edition
adventurous
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
booksandladders's review against another edition
5.0
Actual Rating: 4.5*
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
With the synopsis -- and the holograms -- telling everyone to make a choice, I spent the whole novel weighing my options. Which made it a really fun and engaging read for me. I put myself into Alex's shoes and thought "What would I do in this situation?" At the end, when it was do or die, I had made the decision to stay. When you read the book, you should try this and see which decision is the right one. To stay or to go.
Let's start with our MC, Alex. I really liked her. She felt so real and made so many brave and great decisions throughout the novel. I liked being inside her mind and seeing her anxiety disorder up close and personal -- although I would warn anyone who suffers from anxiety to be cautious because some of her attacks are described so well that I found myself starting to have panic attacks of my own. So just a head's up on that one. But the descriptions and the portrayal was so accurate and that was so important to me. It was one of the main reasons I wanted to pick this one up, tbh. And it did not disappoint on that front.
I think what I liked most about this one is that while it is a Science Fiction novel, it is almost a pre-Science Fiction novel: (almost) all the events in this novel take place before the actual main event (which is the ending). So it was interesting to see the sort of pack mentality that cropped up in the people of the world as it came closer to the deadline. I think this was it's strongest point though. I think one of the biggest problems in YA Science Fiction is that we don't get to see characters think about the decisions they make -- they just make them and live with the consequences. In this one, we get to see Alex weigh her options before (and after) making her decision and having to live with the consequences every time she made a decision. And I think as time went on, I felt more and more connected to Alex. It was almost as though I adopted her personality and thinking as my own (I even started chipping at my nail polish! Why! I just painted them today!).
Acevedo really brings her characters to life in this one. I liked the side characters as well. They all had their own stories, arcs, and decisions to make. And while Alex's decisions impacted their lives, it didn't stop them from doing what they thought was best for themselves. I liked that as each character made a decision, it made Alex reevaluate what she believed in. But I also really liked that she stood firm in her beliefs no matter what others said to her. I do think some of them were a tad bit self-destructive, but we all make decisions like that sometimes.
My only tiny little complaint was that Alex started going for counselling and it was helping but then that plotline kinda got dropped. I know that Alex says her counsellor probably jumped ship but it seems like it had some potential to go some place and then was sort of forgotten. And I think I liked this arc so much because it was positive about therapy! Therapy isn't always a nightmare and while some people don't get help from it, lots of people do! And I just kinda wish it had been expanded on a bit more -- or at least acknowledged a bit more.
Overall, I highly highly highly recommend this one. It has a great MC who is strong even though she has a mental disorder! And it has holograms! And people being idiots but being called out for it! And it shows you legit what would happen if we had time to make a decision about staying or leaving. And this can transfer into any aspect of your life, really. If you have a choice to make, you have to consider your options. And THAT ENDING. OMG. It was something I really should have seen coming, but I was blindsided by it and LOVED IT ALL AT THE SAME TIME. I'm so glad I don't have to wait too long for the next book to come out, but until then: Pick up CONSIDER on April 19th, friends!
Books and Ladders | Queen of the Bookshelves | Books Are My Fandom | Twitter | Instagram | Bloglovin'
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
With the synopsis -- and the holograms -- telling everyone to make a choice, I spent the whole novel weighing my options. Which made it a really fun and engaging read for me. I put myself into Alex's shoes and thought "What would I do in this situation?" At the end, when it was do or die, I had made the decision to stay. When you read the book, you should try this and see which decision is the right one. To stay or to go.
Let's start with our MC, Alex. I really liked her. She felt so real and made so many brave and great decisions throughout the novel. I liked being inside her mind and seeing her anxiety disorder up close and personal -- although I would warn anyone who suffers from anxiety to be cautious because some of her attacks are described so well that I found myself starting to have panic attacks of my own. So just a head's up on that one. But the descriptions and the portrayal was so accurate and that was so important to me. It was one of the main reasons I wanted to pick this one up, tbh. And it did not disappoint on that front.
I think what I liked most about this one is that while it is a Science Fiction novel, it is almost a pre-Science Fiction novel: (almost) all the events in this novel take place before the actual main event (which is the ending). So it was interesting to see the sort of pack mentality that cropped up in the people of the world as it came closer to the deadline. I think this was it's strongest point though. I think one of the biggest problems in YA Science Fiction is that we don't get to see characters think about the decisions they make -- they just make them and live with the consequences. In this one, we get to see Alex weigh her options before (and after) making her decision and having to live with the consequences every time she made a decision. And I think as time went on, I felt more and more connected to Alex. It was almost as though I adopted her personality and thinking as my own (I even started chipping at my nail polish! Why! I just painted them today!).
Acevedo really brings her characters to life in this one. I liked the side characters as well. They all had their own stories, arcs, and decisions to make. And while Alex's decisions impacted their lives, it didn't stop them from doing what they thought was best for themselves. I liked that as each character made a decision, it made Alex reevaluate what she believed in. But I also really liked that she stood firm in her beliefs no matter what others said to her. I do think some of them were a tad bit self-destructive, but we all make decisions like that sometimes.
My only tiny little complaint was that Alex started going for counselling and it was helping but then that plotline kinda got dropped. I know that Alex says her counsellor probably jumped ship but it seems like it had some potential to go some place and then was sort of forgotten. And I think I liked this arc so much because it was positive about therapy! Therapy isn't always a nightmare and while some people don't get help from it, lots of people do! And I just kinda wish it had been expanded on a bit more -- or at least acknowledged a bit more.
Overall, I highly highly highly recommend this one. It has a great MC who is strong even though she has a mental disorder! And it has holograms! And people being idiots but being called out for it! And it shows you legit what would happen if we had time to make a decision about staying or leaving. And this can transfer into any aspect of your life, really. If you have a choice to make, you have to consider your options. And THAT ENDING. OMG. It was something I really should have seen coming, but I was blindsided by it and LOVED IT ALL AT THE SAME TIME. I'm so glad I don't have to wait too long for the next book to come out, but until then: Pick up CONSIDER on April 19th, friends!
Books and Ladders | Queen of the Bookshelves | Books Are My Fandom | Twitter | Instagram | Bloglovin'
vegaa025's review against another edition
3.0
Very slow book. It picked up in the last couple of chapters, just enough that now I have to hunt for the second book.
raeanne's review against another edition
4.0
I was really surprised with Consider!
I had this on my shelf for so long, I had forgotten about it. I searched for something to read, read the blurb, and was interested. Everything else about it I didn't remember. Like the fact that it's a series. After a bit, I had predictions on ending on an unsatisfying ending before the comet hit and I was nervous since this keeps happening to me. Luckily, I was pleasantly surprised that not only is this not the case, but it ends in a way I hadn't expected at all!
I don't know about continuing the series yet, I have to read the next blurb. Part of me is really interested, part of me is really okay with leaving it as is. Which, if you know me is VERY surprising. I don't like open ended questions but this one works for me and I feel comfortable walking away from it.
I really liked the anxiety rep. It's toward the extreme end of the spectrum but all realistic and well done.
It's the right length, with enough of the breakdown of society and relationship angst. If it was longer or had more relationship drama, I'd have been frustrated and bored in the middle.
It is all white and I'm surprised MC's father/family didn't have any racist incidents given the profile. Of course, having nothing but white people makes it easier to avoid....
I had this on my shelf for so long, I had forgotten about it. I searched for something to read, read the blurb, and was interested. Everything else about it I didn't remember. Like the fact that it's a series. After a bit, I had predictions on ending on an unsatisfying ending before the comet hit and I was nervous since this keeps happening to me. Luckily, I was pleasantly surprised that not only is this not the case, but it ends in a way I hadn't expected at all!
I don't know about continuing the series yet, I have to read the next blurb. Part of me is really interested, part of me is really okay with leaving it as is. Which, if you know me is VERY surprising. I don't like open ended questions but this one works for me and I feel comfortable walking away from it.
I really liked the anxiety rep. It's toward the extreme end of the spectrum but all realistic and well done.
It's the right length, with enough of the breakdown of society and relationship angst. If it was longer or had more relationship drama, I'd have been frustrated and bored in the middle.
It is all white and I'm surprised MC's father/family didn't have any racist incidents given the profile. Of course, having nothing but white people makes it easier to avoid....
eleanor_graceee's review
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0