jazzyjan94's review against another edition
2.0
This review appears on my blog: https://confessionsofabookwormweb.wordpress.com/2019/11/22/book-review-unlocked-by-karen-kingsbury/
Last time I read Unlocked, I was a junior in high school and absolutely loved Karen Kingsbury’s books and read most of the Baxter Family series. I decided to reread Unlocked because last year I decided to reread the Baxter Family books (up through Love Story) so that I could refresh myself on what had happened before I read the latest books about the Baxter Family. And in the Above the Line series, one of the books that makes an appearance is Unlocked, so I thought it would be good to reread it before I moved onto the Bailey Flannigan series. I don’t know if it’s because I’ve grown up in the last eight years or if there are certain topics that I think differently about now than I did back when I was in high school, but I honestly didn’t love this book as much as I did the first time I read it.
One of the first things that I did not like about this book is that is a seemingly anti-vaccinations undertone, going so far as assuming that the main character’s autism was due to vaccinations he received when he was three. I’m not hear to write a treatise about why vaccinations are important, but rather to say as someone who works with the public on a daily basis, I see the definite need for most vaccinations. Also, autism is a genetic condition, not some illness that can be caught, and it hasn’t really ever been proven academically that there is truly a connection between vaccinations and autism. However, I feel that to discuss this several times throughout the book as the “cause” of autism rubbed me the wrong way. Again, I’m not here to argue about the subject of vaccinations, but just that I didn’t like that that was an undertone that was in the book, especially for the first 100 pages.
Secondly, a lot of the characters are flat throughout the novel, and everything seems to be solved neatly in the end by the power of prayer. I’m not saying I don’t believe in the power of prayer, I do, but for everything to end perfectly like that is not an accurate depiction of how God answers prayer. Sometimes His answer is no for reason we may never understand.
I almost put this book down and decided to call it quits, but I’d already made it this far and also, I was curious to see if it got any better and to see if there was a reason why I loved it over eight years ago. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much I ended up loving about it, except it was nice that there was a happy ending, but things seemed tied up to neatly. The novel deals with some hard issues like bullying and suicide, but in the end the bullies magically seem to turn over a new leaf, at least for one night. I felt that there was more that could have been done, but it just seemed very rushed to get to the end.
Overall, I can’t really remember why I thought this book was one of the best that had been written when I was a junior in high school. It was cheesy, attempts to deal with hard topics but doesn’t spend enough time on them, and then there was of course trying to subtly blame the main character’s autism on vaccinations that also bugged me. I would like to say that this hasn’t put me off Karen Kingsbury’s books for good, but this one was just disappointing because it also has a lot of potential too. 2/5 Stars.
Last time I read Unlocked, I was a junior in high school and absolutely loved Karen Kingsbury’s books and read most of the Baxter Family series. I decided to reread Unlocked because last year I decided to reread the Baxter Family books (up through Love Story) so that I could refresh myself on what had happened before I read the latest books about the Baxter Family. And in the Above the Line series, one of the books that makes an appearance is Unlocked, so I thought it would be good to reread it before I moved onto the Bailey Flannigan series. I don’t know if it’s because I’ve grown up in the last eight years or if there are certain topics that I think differently about now than I did back when I was in high school, but I honestly didn’t love this book as much as I did the first time I read it.
One of the first things that I did not like about this book is that is a seemingly anti-vaccinations undertone, going so far as assuming that the main character’s autism was due to vaccinations he received when he was three. I’m not hear to write a treatise about why vaccinations are important, but rather to say as someone who works with the public on a daily basis, I see the definite need for most vaccinations. Also, autism is a genetic condition, not some illness that can be caught, and it hasn’t really ever been proven academically that there is truly a connection between vaccinations and autism. However, I feel that to discuss this several times throughout the book as the “cause” of autism rubbed me the wrong way. Again, I’m not here to argue about the subject of vaccinations, but just that I didn’t like that that was an undertone that was in the book, especially for the first 100 pages.
Secondly, a lot of the characters are flat throughout the novel, and everything seems to be solved neatly in the end by the power of prayer. I’m not saying I don’t believe in the power of prayer, I do, but for everything to end perfectly like that is not an accurate depiction of how God answers prayer. Sometimes His answer is no for reason we may never understand.
I almost put this book down and decided to call it quits, but I’d already made it this far and also, I was curious to see if it got any better and to see if there was a reason why I loved it over eight years ago. Unfortunately, there wasn’t much I ended up loving about it, except it was nice that there was a happy ending, but things seemed tied up to neatly. The novel deals with some hard issues like bullying and suicide, but in the end the bullies magically seem to turn over a new leaf, at least for one night. I felt that there was more that could have been done, but it just seemed very rushed to get to the end.
Overall, I can’t really remember why I thought this book was one of the best that had been written when I was a junior in high school. It was cheesy, attempts to deal with hard topics but doesn’t spend enough time on them, and then there was of course trying to subtly blame the main character’s autism on vaccinations that also bugged me. I would like to say that this hasn’t put me off Karen Kingsbury’s books for good, but this one was just disappointing because it also has a lot of potential too. 2/5 Stars.
joramglp's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kellywriting's review against another edition
3.0
This is one of those "good not great" reads for me. Having an autistic son myself, I wanted to love it, but it seemed to beat you over the had with a few of the themes. I am a Christian, but that seemed almost...too unrealistically brought out at times? I loved Holden's prayers though. I also agree about some of the others commenting about the vaccine mentions, that seemed worked in for no purpose other than to bring it up, and often it felt like a bucket of cold water dumped on me while I really was getting into the story. I thought it was well done enough to enjoy though, a quick and enjoyable read overall, and I commend the bravery to deal with so many "touchy" subjects.
kaleyb25's review against another edition
3.0
Strong 5/10. It was okay.
While I can appreciate how this was based on a true event involving an autistic kid, and I think the autism representation was alright, most of the story was framed with repetitive Christian themes and too many character perspectives that were too similar.
Holden was definitely the best character; he was sweet and most positive character. Ella was kind with good intentions and was willing to learn for Holden. I grew to like Tracy (Holden's mom) as she did only want what's best for her child. I wish the book stuck with those three perspectives, cuz every one else didn't really provide much. I do wanna mention that one side character did commit suicide and he only had a perspective cuz of it, and I think it could've been handled better.
The first 100 pages aren't the best; it had negative messages about Holden and I didn't like it. The last 2/3 of the book were better, was more positive and encouraging. It wouldn't be the first mental health contemporary I recommend, but I did think the author handled the topic as best as she could.
While I can appreciate how this was based on a true event involving an autistic kid, and I think the autism representation was alright, most of the story was framed with repetitive Christian themes and too many character perspectives that were too similar.
Holden was definitely the best character; he was sweet and most positive character. Ella was kind with good intentions and was willing to learn for Holden. I grew to like Tracy (Holden's mom) as she did only want what's best for her child. I wish the book stuck with those three perspectives, cuz every one else didn't really provide much. I do wanna mention that one side character did commit suicide and he only had a perspective cuz of it, and I think it could've been handled better.
The first 100 pages aren't the best; it had negative messages about Holden and I didn't like it. The last 2/3 of the book were better, was more positive and encouraging. It wouldn't be the first mental health contemporary I recommend, but I did think the author handled the topic as best as she could.
harleelamb's review against another edition
4.0
Once again, Karen Kingsbury has ripped my heart out. All of her books are just.. so emotional.. and just really give me hope for humanity... even tho these people are characters...All of her books have really just, opened my eyes to so many things. She has made me realize things that I wouldn't have realized without reading this book. I really loved the characters in this book... They were all (besides Jake and his gang) were really good characters.
wendyg's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book! I wish more people realized that every person is dfferent. Autistic people can be heard!
marypetrushko's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Suicide
serene216's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of Karen Kingsbury's best books! It is wonderful the way she covered the copy of Teen Bullying. I was moved to tears by this book and would recommend it to anyone. Ms. Kingsbury takes the areas of Autism and teen bullying and covers them well! HIGHLY recommended!
5hawna's review against another edition
4.0
Great story, though I have to admit that I worry it's a little overly-optimistic. She does include a note explaining that she has seen a real-life success occur in bringing someone out of Autism in the manner shown in her book... and fully cautions that this isn't a common occurrence.
jess_rawr's review against another edition
3.0
I enjoyed the story a lot. I didn't realized when i first picked it up that it was a christian fiction book but putting that aside I really enjoyed watching the transformation of Holden (even though it is pretty hard to believe),