The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
deedoodah_reads's review against another edition
5.0
Says a lot that even nearly four years after reading this one, I can still remember the plot.
mallorykjorgensen's review against another edition
5.0
I love, love, love this book! I really wish that Valentine could have left out the references to smoking pot, as I would love to recommend this book to ages 14-18.
emrythequeer's review against another edition
3.0
I really enjoyed how this story was told. It was well paced and an interesting story. However I felt like it was a little anticlimactic.
ashleylm's review against another edition
5.0
Once again, surprised by how much I enjoyed a book. This was wonderfully not pigeon-hole-able ... it wasn't a mystery, it wasn't a fantasy, it wasn't a ghost story, it wasn't a romance, it wasn't general fiction, it wasn't an "issues" book, but in some ways it was all of that--it was just great writing.
I listened via Audible, and at first worried the narrator's strong (but accurate) accent would be difficult to understand, but that worry went away quickly as Ms. Valentine's compelling tale unfolded. Her protagonist (who wouldn't realise this) is a great storyteller, and his first-person account of events kept me riveted. It was gripping, it was moving, it was funny, it was great.
There's some mention of casual recreational drug use, which is treated as if it's of very little consequence, which isn't my family's attitude, so if that's a concern you might want to contextualize it more than the author does. That's my only quibble.
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s).
I listened via Audible, and at first worried the narrator's strong (but accurate) accent would be difficult to understand, but that worry went away quickly as Ms. Valentine's compelling tale unfolded. Her protagonist (who wouldn't realise this) is a great storyteller, and his first-person account of events kept me riveted. It was gripping, it was moving, it was funny, it was great.
There's some mention of casual recreational drug use, which is treated as if it's of very little consequence, which isn't my family's attitude, so if that's a concern you might want to contextualize it more than the author does. That's my only quibble.
(Note: 5 stars = amazing, wonderful, 4 = very good book, 3 = decent read, 2 = disappointing, 1 = awful, just awful. I'm fairly good at picking for myself so end up with a lot of 4s).
mcipher's review against another edition
5.0
This is a book I can point to when people ask why I read books meant for teenagers. It couldn't have been nearly as good if it was meant for adults and written without the innocence and youth that it had, but it definitely appeals to both teens and adults. It was funny and smart and sweet and sad and true, the characters were interesing and real, and I loved Lucas' voice and his ideas. I listened to it as an audiobook and plan to go back and actually read it in book form because I imagine it would be even better that way, and I adored this book. Can't wait to read more by Jenny Valentine (who has a very cool name, too.)
kba76's review against another edition
3.0
This is one of those stories that you'll read, and then look up to think 'what on earth?' As with the other Jenny Valentine novels I've read, there's a weird mix of totally unbelievable coincidences and really charming quirky characters.
In this story we are asked to believe that teenage Lukas discovers the ashes of an old woman in a cab firm, decides to work out who she is and then uncovers all manner of odd links between himself and the deceased.
I liked the way Lukas pursues this, even though most teenage boys wouldn't give it a second thought. He gets the opportunity to grow as a character, learning more about himself/his family and finally being given the chance to join a few missing dots in his life. However, the reality of what he discovers - and the seeming lack of response to it - struck me as beyond reasonable.
For too many teen readers this will not grab their attention, and the obvious message we're being given will probably put them off.
In this story we are asked to believe that teenage Lukas discovers the ashes of an old woman in a cab firm, decides to work out who she is and then uncovers all manner of odd links between himself and the deceased.
I liked the way Lukas pursues this, even though most teenage boys wouldn't give it a second thought. He gets the opportunity to grow as a character, learning more about himself/his family and finally being given the chance to join a few missing dots in his life. However, the reality of what he discovers - and the seeming lack of response to it - struck me as beyond reasonable.
For too many teen readers this will not grab their attention, and the obvious message we're being given will probably put them off.
bookidaddy's review
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
thebrainlair's review against another edition
4.0
Lucas Swain walks into the cab office because he is too tired to walk home. He's got money that his sister, Mercy, accidently left in his coat and he plans on using it. Everyone was staring at him. He looked away and then he saw her - the urn, I mean, Violet Park, she was in the urn. He didn't know her name then. But she was calling to him, compelling him to take her home. So he did, eventually.
"The main thing about my mom is that she's sad." (42) Lucas' dad, Pete, disappeared five years ago, when Lucas was 11. He wears Pete's clothes in the hopes that it will help everyone remember him. His mom hasn't moved on because no one knows what happened to Pete, and for Lucas this means he may be coming back any day now!
It turns out the dead lady in the urn, Violet Park, knew Lucas' dad The more Lucas uncovers about Violet the less he thinks it's a coincidence that he found her. His hope is that Violet will lead him to his dad and help Lucas bring Pete home. Funny though, the more he learns about Violet, the more he learns about Pete and he has to wonder, "Have I been remembering my dad correctly?" (88)
As Lucas uncovers the mystery of how Violet and Pete's connection he learns things about his mom, and his Gramps, and his little brother, Jed. Some things he wish he didn't know. "I went to my room and punched a hole in the wall, but I didn't cry." (200)
This was a fast but satisfying read. I felt as if I knew Lucas and could understand his need to idolize his dad and to find out what actually happened to Pete. I enjoyed this book very much and will book talk it April 16th.
"The main thing about my mom is that she's sad." (42) Lucas' dad, Pete, disappeared five years ago, when Lucas was 11. He wears Pete's clothes in the hopes that it will help everyone remember him. His mom hasn't moved on because no one knows what happened to Pete, and for Lucas this means he may be coming back any day now!
It turns out the dead lady in the urn, Violet Park, knew Lucas' dad The more Lucas uncovers about Violet the less he thinks it's a coincidence that he found her. His hope is that Violet will lead him to his dad and help Lucas bring Pete home. Funny though, the more he learns about Violet, the more he learns about Pete and he has to wonder, "Have I been remembering my dad correctly?" (88)
As Lucas uncovers the mystery of how Violet and Pete's connection he learns things about his mom, and his Gramps, and his little brother, Jed. Some things he wish he didn't know. "I went to my room and punched a hole in the wall, but I didn't cry." (200)
This was a fast but satisfying read. I felt as if I knew Lucas and could understand his need to idolize his dad and to find out what actually happened to Pete. I enjoyed this book very much and will book talk it April 16th.