marmoset737's review
5.0
This book is magical. Do yourself a favor - don't read the description - just pick up the book and read it. You will not be disappointed. This one will stay in my heart a long long time.
lovelife1008's review
adventurous
emotional
reflective
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
4.0
embe94's review
5.0
LOVED this book. x1000! I loved the storyline, how it dispelled conspiracy theories while also including a touch of them as truth, I love how the conflict was varied and not just one thing, I love the emotional journey, I love the cultural history wrapped up in it!!! The only thing I wish was mentioned- as this was mentioned in other places, so it would have made sense- was how most of Omar’s conspiracies were based on antisemitism. It would have tied in perfectly with Sia and how she stood against racism and sexism throughout the novel.
dairling's review against another edition
3.0
Listened to the audiobook 3.5
I think it lacked the emotional punch because it was trying to say too much. Still enjoyed it though just didn’t love it as much as the authors second book which I read first.
I think it lacked the emotional punch because it was trying to say too much. Still enjoyed it though just didn’t love it as much as the authors second book which I read first.
biblioemily's review against another edition
4.0
*Thank you to Edelweiss & Simon Pulse for the eARC* 3.5 stars. This just didn't quite hit for me, but the premise is very unique and the writing is beautiful. The shift to the sci fi aspect of the story felt kind of jarring to me, and I wasn't as connected to that part of the story. I did love the romance between Sia & Noah--consent, respect, conflicting feelings/emotions. The steaminess of it means I'll recommend this to high school & up.
Also, though I am definitely not a native Spanish speaker, nor am I terribly proficient in the language, but when the characters speak in Spanish, the Spanish feels very clunky and not at all how a native speaker would talk. The sentences seem to have been written in English grammar/sentence style, but in Spanish. I know this is an ARC, so things may change in the final copy. Overall though, this is a unique story I will happily purchase & share with YA readers!
Also, though I am definitely not a native Spanish speaker, nor am I terribly proficient in the language, but when the characters speak in Spanish, the Spanish feels very clunky and not at all how a native speaker would talk. The sentences seem to have been written in English grammar/sentence style, but in Spanish. I know this is an ARC, so things may change in the final copy. Overall though, this is a unique story I will happily purchase & share with YA readers!
annierosee's review against another edition
4.0
if you enjoyed ‘Aristotle and Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe,’ this book is for you. a beautiful blend of heritage, folklore, romance, family, and sci-fi that’s a unique blend that makes for a once in a lifetime story. Sia is an entertaining protagonist, and I enjoyed her monologues about Mexican folklore and her grandmother. My only qualm is that the third act of this book spans out for a very long time and then is wrapped up with little to no resolution. I enjoyed the first half of the book more than the second. I still highly recommend this book!
marieke17's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.25
antireading's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
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
4.5
This is a very unique read, it is one of those books that is hard to rate. I've never read anything like it. I loved the style, especially with chapter length, and the poetry to the words. The book doesn't touch on the promised story until FIFTY PERCENT OF THE WAY IN. That was crazy- this book took way longer than normal due to this pacing. So I felt like a lot of the beginning could be cut/told in a tighter way.
I ADORED Noah and Sia's romance- it is no joke one of my favorite YA romances ever and I loved the inclusion of sexuality in the story. Teenagers have sex all of the time and I liked that the author didn't shy away from that. I got legit butterflies reading some of the parts- I haven't gotten butterflies while reading in months.
I ADORED Noah and Sia's romance- it is no joke one of my favorite YA romances ever and I loved the inclusion of sexuality in the story. Teenagers have sex all of the time and I liked that the author didn't shy away from that. I got legit butterflies reading some of the parts- I haven't gotten butterflies while reading in months.