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vramesh's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
First book of the series and it is already very captivating. Although I've already read the entire series, I can say that this novel was a great start.
thewildbookcase's review against another edition
4.0
Initial Thoughts: a great start to a series exploring a new take on superpowers. I love that our MC is a teen boy with Tourette’s syndrome but that the entire story isn’t solely based on his disability.
I think this is a wonderful 4 ⭐️ read for middle grade kids. Will I, as a 28 year old woman be continuing the story- no. But do I, as a middle school teacher, recommend this for my upper elementary- lower level middle school students- absolutely!
I think this is a wonderful 4 ⭐️ read for middle grade kids. Will I, as a 28 year old woman be continuing the story- no. But do I, as a middle school teacher, recommend this for my upper elementary- lower level middle school students- absolutely!
solarlavenderreads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
mckaylaboyd's review against another edition
5.0
I loved it! LOVED IT!! Can't wait for the next one! Every page was wonderful
cardiganna's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book because I am on the committee for One Book One School for my middle schooler. We were looking for something with action in it, and this book definitely delivers. This was a very entertaining read and it kept me interested. The committee ended up choosing this book for OBOS and so far the kids are loving it.
stellagramina's review against another edition
2.0
I'm not crazy about this book. It reminds me of a mix of X-Men and Spiderman, with a tiny bit of Harry Potter and a dash of Ocean's Eleven. That sounds nice in theory-and the idea behind the book could be pretty cool, but the characters were flat and the writing was a little bland. There are some funny and intriguing parts peppered in there, but I was underwhelmed overall.
kindlereads's review against another edition
2.0
I only read this for Cody. I can see the points that Cody likes, a perfectly loving mom, a dad who is proud of him and having to constantly change schools. It was a science fiction boy version of the Twilight series so pre teen geared plot, vocabulary and characters.
sarahannkateri's review against another edition
2.0
Boy with electrical powers has a crush on cheerleader who also happens to have electrical powers. Evil corporation kidnaps boy's mom and cheerleader. Action ensues.
I don't know why this is considered a teen book, unless Evans thinks teens are complete morons. Not only do the characters act much younger than their stated ages, but the entire book is over-explained and unsubtle, because apparently the author has no faith in his audience being able to understand things unless they are explicitly spelled out. Newsflash, Evans: "show, don't tell" applies to teen fiction too.
Even leaving that aside, this is just not a great book. The characters and situations are almost comically stereotypical and cliche (bully is mean because he has a hard life! goth girl is outcast who likes to hurt people! smart kid is fat and nerdy! I could go on...) and the situations are ridiculously contrived and convenient - almost insultingly so. There's also a ton of extraneous detail (why was it important to tell the reader that the narrator wanted macaroni and cheese but wasn't sure he had the ingredients, but then it turned out he did have the ingredients, so he made macaroni and cheese? does the reader really need to know which direction the characters turned on Rodeo Drive and a list of the stores they walked past? hint: no, the reader does not.)
So why 2 stars instead of 1? Because I read an interview with the author saying he tries to write for non-readers, and on that level, he succeeds. Many of the things that make this a crappy choice for a discriminating reader make it a good choice for a reluctant reader. I think tween guys and girls who like action or sci fi movies, but who aren't big readers would enjoy this one.
I don't know why this is considered a teen book, unless Evans thinks teens are complete morons. Not only do the characters act much younger than their stated ages, but the entire book is over-explained and unsubtle, because apparently the author has no faith in his audience being able to understand things unless they are explicitly spelled out. Newsflash, Evans: "show, don't tell" applies to teen fiction too.
Even leaving that aside, this is just not a great book. The characters and situations are almost comically stereotypical and cliche (bully is mean because he has a hard life! goth girl is outcast who likes to hurt people! smart kid is fat and nerdy! I could go on...) and the situations are ridiculously contrived and convenient - almost insultingly so. There's also a ton of extraneous detail (why was it important to tell the reader that the narrator wanted macaroni and cheese but wasn't sure he had the ingredients, but then it turned out he did have the ingredients, so he made macaroni and cheese? does the reader really need to know which direction the characters turned on Rodeo Drive and a list of the stores they walked past? hint: no, the reader does not.)
So why 2 stars instead of 1? Because I read an interview with the author saying he tries to write for non-readers, and on that level, he succeeds. Many of the things that make this a crappy choice for a discriminating reader make it a good choice for a reluctant reader. I think tween guys and girls who like action or sci fi movies, but who aren't big readers would enjoy this one.
smalefowles's review against another edition
3.0
- quick read
- flat characterization
- ridiculous logic
- Tourette's representation
- squeaky-clean and pretty cringe
I'm going to put it on my list for struggling readers, but they might find it too cringe.
- flat characterization
- ridiculous logic
- Tourette's representation
- squeaky-clean and pretty cringe
I'm going to put it on my list for struggling readers, but they might find it too cringe.