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3.65 AVERAGE
3.65 AVERAGE
Usually, I love magic realism, but this book borders a little more on comic contemporary fantasy. The characters are stiff and unrelenting in their boredom, merely devices to drive the plot forward it seems. Once in deep enough, the twists are expected and the outcome forgone. The "romance" was hollow, in my opinion a vehicle for trippy love scenes, that frankly left me both underwhelmed and uncomfortable. I ended up not caring what happened to the main character, finishing the novel only to satisfy that conclusion. On the recommendation of a friend, I may give Christopher's work one more go with A Trip to the Stars, but do not hold high expectations based on Veronica.
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
adventurous
medium-paced
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
3.5 stars. I probably would've given it four, but I was confused for a chunk of the middle of it. I like the way Christopher writes, even though it did kind of bother me at first (soooo descriptive). The characters are built well, and the story itself is interesting. Glad I read it.
UPDATE from the week after reading: I've pinpointed how I feel about this book, or at least how I see Christopher going about writing it. He had so many great ideas (for characters, for themes, for events), but he put them all in one book when there's enough great ideas for four or five. All the little sub-plots, different character stories, weird situational things.. All could be great as standalones, yet often they felt rushed. Sometimes it felt like he felt the need to cram into 300 pages. They could be developed awesomely and beautifully in his style (which I think I love). He paints visuals beautifully, and I dunno.. Maybe I just wanted more out of the little things like the supporting characters and sub-plots.
UPDATE from the week after reading: I've pinpointed how I feel about this book, or at least how I see Christopher going about writing it. He had so many great ideas (for characters, for themes, for events), but he put them all in one book when there's enough great ideas for four or five. All the little sub-plots, different character stories, weird situational things.. All could be great as standalones, yet often they felt rushed. Sometimes it felt like he felt the need to cram into 300 pages. They could be developed awesomely and beautifully in his style (which I think I love). He paints visuals beautifully, and I dunno.. Maybe I just wanted more out of the little things like the supporting characters and sub-plots.
My best friend loaned me this book. It was just the dose of magic I needed at that time.
4.5 Stars
My first venture into a book by [a:Nicolas Christopher|3956|Christopher Hitchens|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1222684074p2/3956.jpg] produced a very good, if slightly confusing read.
Leo meets Veronica on a snowy night in Manhattan where Waverly place intersects itself. She leads him through a labyrinth of places and events in an effort to save her illusionist father. Her father has been sucked back in time and has communicated about his return. Leo is the savior of the family.
Leo’s first person narration is very well used in this book. The confusion he feels is absolutely portrayed to the reader. And that confusion, especially in the first hundred pages or so, can be off putting. It is really worth riding it out though. The book blends literary realism and New York’s grittiness and romantic qualities very well. Christopher’s prose is very poetic and lyrical. The chapters are very short and this lends itself to the poetic feel. The story moves into a fantastical realm and mystery feel all at once. This blur of literary writing and fantasy really worked for me. I like the poetic feel, I liked the characters, I even really liked the confusion that was in the early part of the book.
I mean this when I say this, Nicolas Christopher has impressed me. [b:A Trip to the Stars|14967|A Trip To The Stars|Nicholas Christopher|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1166669092s/14967.jpg|16921] is on my very soon to read list as a result. It is considered his best. I am looking forward to reading more of his work.
My first venture into a book by [a:Nicolas Christopher|3956|Christopher Hitchens|http://photo.goodreads.com/authors/1222684074p2/3956.jpg] produced a very good, if slightly confusing read.
Leo meets Veronica on a snowy night in Manhattan where Waverly place intersects itself. She leads him through a labyrinth of places and events in an effort to save her illusionist father. Her father has been sucked back in time and has communicated about his return. Leo is the savior of the family.
Leo’s first person narration is very well used in this book. The confusion he feels is absolutely portrayed to the reader. And that confusion, especially in the first hundred pages or so, can be off putting. It is really worth riding it out though. The book blends literary realism and New York’s grittiness and romantic qualities very well. Christopher’s prose is very poetic and lyrical. The chapters are very short and this lends itself to the poetic feel. The story moves into a fantastical realm and mystery feel all at once. This blur of literary writing and fantasy really worked for me. I like the poetic feel, I liked the characters, I even really liked the confusion that was in the early part of the book.
I mean this when I say this, Nicolas Christopher has impressed me. [b:A Trip to the Stars|14967|A Trip To The Stars|Nicholas Christopher|http://photo.goodreads.com/books/1166669092s/14967.jpg|16921] is on my very soon to read list as a result. It is considered his best. I am looking forward to reading more of his work.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
i gave it 50 pages, during which i just kept thinking: "yes we get it, she's magical, WHAT OF IT." so i moved on to something else.