lindsayreads21's review against another edition
5.0
This book is SO good. Fantastic sci-fi that I was pulled into from the first page. I am instantly acquiring the second book to continue to feel this way.
amy_puz's review against another edition
4.0
I finally got around to actually reading this book (after many failed first attempts to get into it). Now, I have been a fan of the Green brothers since I was in middle school. I have only grown to love their work more over the years.
I think what made me feel more drawn to this novel now was the absolute grip that social media has on society. Now, that is not to say that in 2018 (when it was published) social media did not have a grip on us, but I wasn't as aware of it. Plus, now with TikTok, I feel like this kind of conversation is even more important to have.
The beginning of the novel feels a bit slow to me. However, I think that the pace speeds up in the final third of the novel (this caused me to finish the last chunk of it all at once).
Fame comes for April all at once. We can see this kind of thing happen all the time with random creators. Just off the top of my head, I can find myself listing: Alex from Target, the Walmart Yodel kid, Corn boy, and the list can go on and on. What is different about April's story is that her fame does not fade once she has been on TV. Her fame is rooted in something that is truly affecting all humanity, the Carls.
I really liked this novel. I think it provided some of the commentaries on social media that I personally needed now more than ever.
I think what made me feel more drawn to this novel now was the absolute grip that social media has on society. Now, that is not to say that in 2018 (when it was published) social media did not have a grip on us, but I wasn't as aware of it. Plus, now with TikTok, I feel like this kind of conversation is even more important to have.
The beginning of the novel feels a bit slow to me. However, I think that the pace speeds up in the final third of the novel (this caused me to finish the last chunk of it all at once).
Fame comes for April all at once. We can see this kind of thing happen all the time with random creators. Just off the top of my head, I can find myself listing: Alex from Target, the Walmart Yodel kid, Corn boy, and the list can go on and on. What is different about April's story is that her fame does not fade once she has been on TV. Her fame is rooted in something that is truly affecting all humanity, the Carls.
I really liked this novel. I think it provided some of the commentaries on social media that I personally needed now more than ever.
therealmette's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars
This one might become a favorite if I re-read it but as of now I am not completely sure.
It falls right into my alley of innovative, funny yet dramatic, pieces of art with realistic characters. April May is more of an anti hero in this story but somehow you can't help but root for her. The writing is witty and Hank Green definitely has his own style and isn't just following in the footsteps of John. I love that this book is about adults and not teens, and that he took on such an ambitious topic for his first novel.
There are so many themes to unpack here, but most of all this book made me think of all the polarization that is happening due to covid at the moment.
Anyway, I would recommend this book to most people really. Just don't listen to the audiobook, I tried and I hated it.
This one might become a favorite if I re-read it but as of now I am not completely sure.
It falls right into my alley of innovative, funny yet dramatic, pieces of art with realistic characters. April May is more of an anti hero in this story but somehow you can't help but root for her. The writing is witty and Hank Green definitely has his own style and isn't just following in the footsteps of John. I love that this book is about adults and not teens, and that he took on such an ambitious topic for his first novel.
There are so many themes to unpack here, but most of all this book made me think of all the polarization that is happening due to covid at the moment.
Anyway, I would recommend this book to most people really. Just don't listen to the audiobook, I tried and I hated it.
readingwithleslie's review against another edition
4.25
Can’t believe this was a debut novel. So thought provoking. This was such a good read and I can’t wait to read the sequel.
kirstysbookishworld's review against another edition
4.0
I have thoughts. But mostly I have feelings about this book. I felt like I was April’s friend despite not liking everything she said or did. I felt like I could see so much of the real world through April’s eyes that there were moments when I had to stop and think about what was said.
I liked the look into fame and how April is just someone doing the best she can but some people are only out there to stir trouble and make money and that sadly is as true as pretty much anything else.
My thoughts are that Hank writes in a similar yet vastly different way then his brother but they both have a beautiful way with words. Hank is just more about the the way the world is and John’s writing is more about how the world affects your prescription of it. All in all I think I’d absolutely love to see a co authored book one day.
This isn’t a new favourite but I will say that this book has taught me a lot about myself, about the world and about how we’d suck at first contact. Thanks for the recommendation Rach
I liked the look into fame and how April is just someone doing the best she can but some people are only out there to stir trouble and make money and that sadly is as true as pretty much anything else.
My thoughts are that Hank writes in a similar yet vastly different way then his brother but they both have a beautiful way with words. Hank is just more about the the way the world is and John’s writing is more about how the world affects your prescription of it. All in all I think I’d absolutely love to see a co authored book one day.
This isn’t a new favourite but I will say that this book has taught me a lot about myself, about the world and about how we’d suck at first contact. Thanks for the recommendation Rach
nj_14's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you, Hank, for that wild ride. I'm already looking forward to re-reading this. DFTBA.
aspirationalpolyglot's review against another edition
5.0
I was so unprepared to fall in love with this book, and I am extremely and pleasantly surprised that it is now an all-time favourite read of mine. The twists in this book were unexpected and fantastic, and I absolutely LIVED for the commentary on social media and branding. I’d definitely recommend AART for adults and young adults who enjoy contemporary stories and dystopian/science fiction.
aperschke's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
wayward_books's review
adventurous
challenging
funny
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0