flaggums's review
4.0
I read this in one day, and is definitely worth picking up for a summer or quick read. The author has a good voice, and I was sucked into the story, even when I knew what would happen.
heykellyjensen's review
2.0
2.5
There was stuff I really liked in here and some stuff that didn't work for me. This is a good one for reluctant readers and those looking for a good story about alternate athletes -- these kids are bikers! I saw the mystery from a mile away but I don't think that other readers will nor will it deter them. Longer review to come.
Full review here: http://stackedbooks.blogspot.com/2011/02/chasing-alliecat-by-rebecca-fjelland.html
There was stuff I really liked in here and some stuff that didn't work for me. This is a good one for reluctant readers and those looking for a good story about alternate athletes -- these kids are bikers! I saw the mystery from a mile away but I don't think that other readers will nor will it deter them. Longer review to come.
Full review here: http://stackedbooks.blogspot.com/2011/02/chasing-alliecat-by-rebecca-fjelland.html
andye_reads's review
4.0
I'm going to be honest, when I first heard that this book was about teens who mountain bike I was skeptical. But, I was wrong. Although I did think it was a little convenient that the only other girl she met also was a mountain biker, and then Joe came to live with her family and he rode mountain bikes as well. But, it's a story so whatever. I loved how strong Allie was, my favorite part was probably when she screamed her head off at Joe because he smoked, and after that he stopped. She always knew what she wanted, and she gave her all to get it. Also, the different levels to the story made it addictive. There was the mystery with the priest in the woods, the intense training for the race on July 4th, Allie was a puzzle all on her own, and then of course the chemistry between Allie and Joe or maybe it's Joe and Sadie or was it Sadie and Allie? You'll have to figure that one out on your own. Their strength and growth by the end of the book was amazing and inspiring.
What I didn't like about this book was the excessive cussing. I understand that almost every book on the planet has some profanity, but this seemed overboard and unnecessary. I felt like they were just cussing to cuss. And Joe, who I respected at the beginning for standing up for himself when Allie made fun of him for not cussing, ended up with just as dirty of a mouth as the other two, and they acted like it was some great thing that he'd finally gotten over it. By the end I found myself rolling my eyes every time they did because it was a new sentence, so of course it needed another cuss word.
Even though I know that sounds bad, I really did enjoy this book, and if the cussing wouldn't bother you, then I think it's a fantastic, exciting story that I would recommend to you.
~Kit
http://ReadingTeen.net/
What I didn't like about this book was the excessive cussing. I understand that almost every book on the planet has some profanity, but this seemed overboard and unnecessary. I felt like they were just cussing to cuss. And Joe, who I respected at the beginning for standing up for himself when Allie made fun of him for not cussing, ended up with just as dirty of a mouth as the other two, and they acted like it was some great thing that he'd finally gotten over it. By the end I found myself rolling my eyes every time they did because it was a new sentence, so of course it needed another cuss word.
Even though I know that sounds bad, I really did enjoy this book, and if the cussing wouldn't bother you, then I think it's a fantastic, exciting story that I would recommend to you.
~Kit
http://ReadingTeen.net/
hdbblog's review
4.0
In terms of realistic fiction, Chasing Alliecat was my first foray into this world in YA fiction. This book hooked its fingers into me and drew me into reading from the very first chapter. If this is what all realistic fiction is like, well please let me say that I'm more than happy to go find some more! I felt so invested in these characters that I loved every minute of this book. Absolutely amazing.
If you are the type of reader who wants their characters to be well developed and drive the plot, this book is for you! Sadie, Joe and Allie are all so different and yet there are similar parts in their lives that draw them together. Like a band of lovable misfits, I had a blast watching them interact. Sadie provides the sensibility, Allie the toughness and Joe the adorable awkwardness. The three of them just meshed so perfectly that I really felt like they were real people. I'd hang with them in a heartbeat.
Their love of mountain biking especially ties them together. I loved the descriptions of the way they felt as they rode. The sheer adrenaline that was described sounds amazing! Reading about how mountain bikers have such respect for nature and their bikes, it really blew me away. How much do we really hear about mountain bikers anyway? I have to say that it was refreshing to see a book about a sport like this. Mountain bikers have always impressed me, but to see younger characters who were so invested? Wow, just wow. You can definitely tell that Rebecca has a passion for this.
Story wise, Chasing Alliecat felt to me like a roller coaster. A wild ride indeed, this book starts out slow and allows you to meet the characters and get to know them. Then all of the sudden things start to happen, the characters are moving at a lightning pace and there are times when you'll forget to breathe. Trust me. The ending of this book especially just blew me away. To say that I loved Allie, Sadie and Joe's story is a bit of an understatement. I'd say more that I actually felt a part of their story. It's so true to life.
Am I being vague? Definitely. I won't give a single part of this book away for you because honestly that would be doing you a disservice my friends. Suffice it to say that this is a fantastic story! Chasing Alliecat has it all. Friendship, romance, mystery and intrigue. You want it, it's there! You'll need to go grab a copy as soon as you can to see what I'm talking about.
If you are the type of reader who wants their characters to be well developed and drive the plot, this book is for you! Sadie, Joe and Allie are all so different and yet there are similar parts in their lives that draw them together. Like a band of lovable misfits, I had a blast watching them interact. Sadie provides the sensibility, Allie the toughness and Joe the adorable awkwardness. The three of them just meshed so perfectly that I really felt like they were real people. I'd hang with them in a heartbeat.
Their love of mountain biking especially ties them together. I loved the descriptions of the way they felt as they rode. The sheer adrenaline that was described sounds amazing! Reading about how mountain bikers have such respect for nature and their bikes, it really blew me away. How much do we really hear about mountain bikers anyway? I have to say that it was refreshing to see a book about a sport like this. Mountain bikers have always impressed me, but to see younger characters who were so invested? Wow, just wow. You can definitely tell that Rebecca has a passion for this.
Story wise, Chasing Alliecat felt to me like a roller coaster. A wild ride indeed, this book starts out slow and allows you to meet the characters and get to know them. Then all of the sudden things start to happen, the characters are moving at a lightning pace and there are times when you'll forget to breathe. Trust me. The ending of this book especially just blew me away. To say that I loved Allie, Sadie and Joe's story is a bit of an understatement. I'd say more that I actually felt a part of their story. It's so true to life.
Am I being vague? Definitely. I won't give a single part of this book away for you because honestly that would be doing you a disservice my friends. Suffice it to say that this is a fantastic story! Chasing Alliecat has it all. Friendship, romance, mystery and intrigue. You want it, it's there! You'll need to go grab a copy as soon as you can to see what I'm talking about.
srenee213's review
3.0
I would definitely recommend this to teens looking for a good mystery book (or coming of age/romance). It's pretty simple (like most YA books, I guess), but I liked the mystery surrounding Allie and I really loved that the girls in this book were strong and tomboyish. It felt really modern in that way, as well as the teens' view of homosexuality. I didn't love it, but I don't think I'm the ideal reader for this book either. Preteen and teen girls with a tomboyish side would probably really love it.
Find more book reviews at A Quick Red Fox.
Find more book reviews at A Quick Red Fox.
lorny's review
4.0
Summary: Sadie Lester has been forced to stay with her aunt and uncle in the boonies, Minnesota, for the summer while her parents have a wild Egyptian adventure. While escaping from her relatives’ packed house one night, Sadie meets Allie, a girl who seems to have quite a few secrets and a passion for mountain biking. Sadie and Allie become fast friends, and one day they stumble upon something heinous while biking in the woods, setting off a chain of events that leave Allie missing and Sadie in grave danger.
My thoughts: Chasing AllieCat is an exciting story about friendship and facing your fears. Though the real action doesn’t start until halfway through the book, the slower beginning builds the setting and the three main characters until you feel like you’ve known them a while.
Chasing AllieCat centered around mountain biking, and I enjoyed how the author used biking to parallel the themes she later introduced through the Allie and Joe’s misfortunes. I’ve never been mountain biking before, but now I’d kind of like to give it a go! Rebecca Fjelland Davis makes it sound so exhilarating!
The thing I enjoyed most about Chasing AllieCat was the story. There were humorous moments, suspenseful moments, and downright scary moments. Every sub-plot woven into the story felt developed. The mystery revolving around Allie, though somewhat confusing at first, was very realistic and intense.
Overall, I would definitely suggest reading Chasing AllieCat. It was a real breath of fresh air for me, and I was pleased with how satisfied it left me feeling. If you’re looking for something different and exciting, give it a go!
My thoughts: Chasing AllieCat is an exciting story about friendship and facing your fears. Though the real action doesn’t start until halfway through the book, the slower beginning builds the setting and the three main characters until you feel like you’ve known them a while.
Chasing AllieCat centered around mountain biking, and I enjoyed how the author used biking to parallel the themes she later introduced through the Allie and Joe’s misfortunes. I’ve never been mountain biking before, but now I’d kind of like to give it a go! Rebecca Fjelland Davis makes it sound so exhilarating!
The thing I enjoyed most about Chasing AllieCat was the story. There were humorous moments, suspenseful moments, and downright scary moments. Every sub-plot woven into the story felt developed. The mystery revolving around Allie, though somewhat confusing at first, was very realistic and intense.
Overall, I would definitely suggest reading Chasing AllieCat. It was a real breath of fresh air for me, and I was pleased with how satisfied it left me feeling. If you’re looking for something different and exciting, give it a go!
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