booksherlocked's review against another edition
4.0
It wasn't as good as his other books but I really enjoyed it.
northornbell's review against another edition
4.0
4.5/5 stars
It was an entirely unique premise for me, and I adored getting myself lost in it...though I myself have never gotten into RPGs I suppose I can see the appeal. Perhaps they're not too far off from books themselves, really. You are in each one, the protagonist.
It was an entirely unique premise for me, and I adored getting myself lost in it...though I myself have never gotten into RPGs I suppose I can see the appeal. Perhaps they're not too far off from books themselves, really. You are in each one, the protagonist.
melaniipon's review against another edition
5.0
This was a cute and fun read. Even as a girl, I understood what Perry was going through. I adored him, and the supporting characters!
vonitapplebum's review against another edition
2.0
Ned, above all the authors writing about social remoteness, is my perfect cup of tea. He had me at It's Kind of a Funny Story, his own story. He had a night of full blown episode of suicidal tendency, he called 911 and admitted himself in a Mental Ward, he chose life. He had me then, then just when I started searching for him, turned out he actually did it. He killed himself at thirty.
Again, he is my cup of tea, but this book is coffee. It lacks the dark humor often seen in his books. This is about a guy obsessed with Dungeons and Dragons, and discovered a loop between real world the the other dimensions, where D&D is real. What happens in other dimension, counteracts with real life. It's my fault, I expected something different from what the book can actually offer.
You are still my number one, Ned. This book is just not for me.
Again, he is my cup of tea, but this book is coffee. It lacks the dark humor often seen in his books. This is about a guy obsessed with Dungeons and Dragons, and discovered a loop between real world the the other dimensions, where D&D is real. What happens in other dimension, counteracts with real life. It's my fault, I expected something different from what the book can actually offer.
You are still my number one, Ned. This book is just not for me.
choosejoytoday's review against another edition
4.0
Ned Vizzini is quirky and nerdy and that totally works for me. Good guy or girl appeal. Might recommend to my sister's Magic: the Gathering playing boyfriend. He might relate well to this one. I was never a big gamer, but the bit of fantasy appealed to me in the same way that Firefly does.
nlevesque27's review against another edition
4.0
I really liked this book a lot. I'm glad that I decided to pick it up at the library
lazygal's review against another edition
4.0
This was such a great book for the slightly geeky boy who is into RPGs (and possibly a fan of "The Big Bang Theory"). Perry's experience playing Creatures & Caverns by himself makes him a sadder character than the usual hero, but his actions in the World of the Other Normals will make them cheer.
It's his incredible geekiness and lack of social skills that makes him endearing. The scene at the dance? Priceless, and one that will resonate with just the boys who should read this book. Ditto his rant about being a Late Bloomer (and the Discovery of the Hair). He's so out of place in our world that you know that something will have to change. The changes he undergoes are obviously not normal (how many readers will end up in another version of the universe?) so aren't really inspirational except that they may give those gamers hope for the future.
My biggest complaint was that the C&C game wasn't well-explained, and the Other Normals' world didn't seem to match the game. Had that happened, it would have tipped the book into a 5-star.
ARC provided by publisher.
It's his incredible geekiness and lack of social skills that makes him endearing. The scene at the dance? Priceless, and one that will resonate with just the boys who should read this book. Ditto his rant about being a Late Bloomer (and the Discovery of the Hair). He's so out of place in our world that you know that something will have to change. The changes he undergoes are obviously not normal (how many readers will end up in another version of the universe?) so aren't really inspirational except that they may give those gamers hope for the future.
My biggest complaint was that the C&C game wasn't well-explained, and the Other Normals' world didn't seem to match the game. Had that happened, it would have tipped the book into a 5-star.
ARC provided by publisher.
bluenicorn's review against another edition
2.0
I really wanted to like this book- and I did find parts of it really endearing. But on the whole, I guess it would have resonated more with me if I was a teenage boy. So, I would recommend this for teens, especially those who may have some geeky tendencies. They will probably find some comfort here.
colbydcox's review against another edition
1.0
Sadly, this is the first book that Ned Vizzini has written that isn't worth your time.
cerrismatic's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, this book was excellent. Although I am definitely biased when it comes to Ned Vizzini's works, that's not why I loved this. It's a superb coming of age tale that I feel many can relate to.
This story revolves around Peregrine "Perry" Eckert, perpetual dork who is obsessed with the role playing game, Creatures & Caverns. (Think Dungeons & Dragons.) His parents feel like he may be too into the game, so they send him to Camp Washika Lake for the summer, so he can learn how to be a man. As soon as he gets there he learns just how much of an outcast he is. Even the one friend he had back home, Sam - fellow C&C player, seems to be ignoring him to maintain his status. After Perry gets into a fight and is brought to the nurse's office, he meets a girl named Anna, and for the first time in his life, manages to have a half conversation with someone of the opposite gender. Unfortunately for Perry, he totally screws it up by talking about C&C. He hears someone call him an idiot from behind and when he goes to investigate he comes across a ferrule. A creature from his game, his preferred creature. After following the ferrule, who reveals himself to be Mortin Enaw, he gets brought to "The World of the Other Normals," the land from his game. There he's put on a mission to help save the Princess of the land. The people he meets and the situation he gets himself into there helps him learn how to become a man. Perry learns the importance of putting away childish things in order to grow.
This story really resonated with me. I personally never liked Dungeons & Dragons, and still don't but, it really doesn't matter when it comes to the core story of things. You'll feel as if you've been transported somewhere else yourself. Ned Vizzini has outdone himself with this one. I was very pleased.
This story revolves around Peregrine "Perry" Eckert, perpetual dork who is obsessed with the role playing game, Creatures & Caverns. (Think Dungeons & Dragons.) His parents feel like he may be too into the game, so they send him to Camp Washika Lake for the summer, so he can learn how to be a man. As soon as he gets there he learns just how much of an outcast he is. Even the one friend he had back home, Sam - fellow C&C player, seems to be ignoring him to maintain his status. After Perry gets into a fight and is brought to the nurse's office, he meets a girl named Anna, and for the first time in his life, manages to have a half conversation with someone of the opposite gender. Unfortunately for Perry, he totally screws it up by talking about C&C. He hears someone call him an idiot from behind and when he goes to investigate he comes across a ferrule. A creature from his game, his preferred creature. After following the ferrule, who reveals himself to be Mortin Enaw, he gets brought to "The World of the Other Normals," the land from his game. There he's put on a mission to help save the Princess of the land. The people he meets and the situation he gets himself into there helps him learn how to become a man. Perry learns the importance of putting away childish things in order to grow.
This story really resonated with me. I personally never liked Dungeons & Dragons, and still don't but, it really doesn't matter when it comes to the core story of things. You'll feel as if you've been transported somewhere else yourself. Ned Vizzini has outdone himself with this one. I was very pleased.