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scrollsofdragons's review against another edition
4.0
Whats with ya thrillers cutting off as soon as the action is over? I like to know what happens after you know.
littlebookmunchkin's review against another edition
5.0
Maybe it is because I haven't read many books on that topic, but I have to say, that this book was really good and I feel like that every message this book wanted to carry into the world, it shouted it loud and clear. I was always on the edge and could not stop reading. I was so intrigued by this story and the writing style was, in my opinion as amazing. Usually I am not person to tear up over a book, but that one got those tears filling my eyes!
carotpwk's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
3.0
celinee04's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
tobyyy's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book while it was on PulseIt (today was the last day and since I started it yesterday, I really had to zoom through it!). I really enjoyed it; it really was an edge-of-the-seat sort of ride.
I liked Liva, but for a protagonist, she was somewhat mysterious, even though the book was told in first-person. I think part of that is due to the fact that she had such a different life from 98% of the world's population, and definitely different from mine. Growing up overseas, having a bodyguard at all times, etc.
I also really think this book has a lot to offer the world of YA fiction. It deals with two fairly tough topics -- although IMO they're tough in different ways. Throughout the book, Liva realizes how much she forces herself not to feel anything -- and throughout the book, Jay shows her that feeling something is better than feeling nothing. Even if that something is not a pleasant feeling. Because when you learn to numb yourself to feelings, sure, you deprive yourself of the negative ones (like guilt, grief, anger) -- but you also deprive yourself of the wonderful ones (happiness, joy, excitement). That's the first tough topic; the reason I call it "tough" is because once you get used to numbing your feelings -- in whatever way, whether it involves drugs, alcohol, self-injury, or just shutting them out and refusing to think about them -- it's so hard to reverse that and learn to feel again. And so many teens/young adults that I know do numb their feelings because it's painful to be sad, to be depressed, to be grieving.
The other tough topic was that of human trafficking. Gotta admit, I totally did not see where this book was going with that. In grad school, whenever we had to write papers on injustice in today's society, I wrote mine on human trafficking. Even where I live (a rural county in Northeast PA), it's an issue. It's an operation that, world-wide, earns billions of dollars a year. And I am so glad that it was tackled in a YA book, in a manner that was not too brutal (IMO) yet gave valuable information about human trafficking.
Definitely a good read. Thought-provoking, too. Well done, Ms. Alderson!
I liked Liva, but for a protagonist, she was somewhat mysterious, even though the book was told in first-person. I think part of that is due to the fact that she had such a different life from 98% of the world's population, and definitely different from mine. Growing up overseas, having a bodyguard at all times, etc.
I also really think this book has a lot to offer the world of YA fiction. It deals with two fairly tough topics -- although IMO they're tough in different ways. Throughout the book, Liva realizes how much she forces herself not to feel anything -- and throughout the book, Jay shows her that feeling something is better than feeling nothing. Even if that something is not a pleasant feeling. Because when you learn to numb yourself to feelings, sure, you deprive yourself of the negative ones (like guilt, grief, anger) -- but you also deprive yourself of the wonderful ones (happiness, joy, excitement). That's the first tough topic; the reason I call it "tough" is because once you get used to numbing your feelings -- in whatever way, whether it involves drugs, alcohol, self-injury, or just shutting them out and refusing to think about them -- it's so hard to reverse that and learn to feel again. And so many teens/young adults that I know do numb their feelings because it's painful to be sad, to be depressed, to be grieving.
The other tough topic was that of human trafficking. Gotta admit, I totally did not see where this book was going with that.
Spoiler
The fact that Liva's father was in charge of a human trafficking ring -- and to the end, continued to justify it -- was horrific to me.Spoiler
I think that many teens/young adults think that they are "immune" to being victims of things such as that -- and so the the fact that Liva was a target for a trafficking operation (well, to be used as a bargaining chip, but I have no doubt that she would endure horrific things during that time) was really quite clever on the part of Alderson, since it kind of takes away that sense of immunity to being a victim from the reader, especially if they can find anything at all to identify with in Liva.Definitely a good read. Thought-provoking, too. Well done, Ms. Alderson!
ac223's review against another edition
4.0
Also posted @ http://thepaperbackaddict.blogspot.com/
The description of Out of Control doesn't do a great job of portraying what a good book this is. When I first read it, I thought it sounded a little ridiculous. I mean she witnesses a murder, gets taken into protective custody, and the police station is shot up, and she's on the run with a car thief she met at the police station. It's plot is improbable, but Alderson does a pretty good job of making you forget that part.
Olivia "Liva" is at the police station giving her version of events about the murder she witnessed. Jay is brought in around the same time for stealing a car, and asks her to make a phone call on his behalf when she leaves. Liva can't explain why she agrees, but the instant connection between the two is undeniable. When bullets start flying, the two of them escape together, and do their best to stay ahead of the psycho cop killer. Most of the book is happening within a few days span, and it's a pretty thrilling ride. I do wish the book would have gone on a little while longer, but it was a good read all the same.
The description of Out of Control doesn't do a great job of portraying what a good book this is. When I first read it, I thought it sounded a little ridiculous. I mean she witnesses a murder, gets taken into protective custody, and the police station is shot up, and she's on the run with a car thief she met at the police station. It's plot is improbable, but Alderson does a pretty good job of making you forget that part.
Olivia "Liva" is at the police station giving her version of events about the murder she witnessed. Jay is brought in around the same time for stealing a car, and asks her to make a phone call on his behalf when she leaves. Liva can't explain why she agrees, but the instant connection between the two is undeniable. When bullets start flying, the two of them escape together, and do their best to stay ahead of the psycho cop killer. Most of the book is happening within a few days span, and it's a pretty thrilling ride. I do wish the book would have gone on a little while longer, but it was a good read all the same.
sknappy1's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
toja02's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
simplysapir's review
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Felt like an action packed teenage rom com but I ate it up lol
trulybooked's review against another edition
1.0
When I was reading it and caught up in the novel, I thought it would end up as a solid 3. But I can only suspend my disbelief so far. When a teenager is out smarting the FBI and her father and mobsters and gang members... What.
Also she's a ballet dancer. Who can climb buildings like she was born to be a thief because I've heard that ballet and free climbing overlap. And she happens to meet a sexy good boy who's down on his luck and so hot. Did we mention that? We're running for our lives but let's ogle each other.
And the stereotyping... I can't with it or with the leaps of logic. All the good will I initially had for this book was siphoned away as I spent more time with the main character.
Also... This is petty, but I hate that they took the name Jaime and shortened it to Jay.
Also she's a ballet dancer. Who can climb buildings like she was born to be a thief because I've heard that ballet and free climbing overlap. And she happens to meet a sexy good boy who's down on his luck and so hot. Did we mention that? We're running for our lives but let's ogle each other.
And the stereotyping... I can't with it or with the leaps of logic. All the good will I initially had for this book was siphoned away as I spent more time with the main character.
Also... This is petty, but I hate that they took the name Jaime and shortened it to Jay.