blaskolevi's review
Modt azonnal vegye meg egy magyar kiadó a jogokat a magyar kiadásra. Zseniális Young Adult sorozat. :)
anna_sun's review against another edition
3.0
The freeganism movement explained was interesting but...
*SPOILERS*
I was disappointed on several accounts. Mostly, the lack of character development/relationships in this. I don't read the series to learn about freeganism-- I read them because I like Russel and his friends and I want to see what happens in their lives. Also, several other reviewers mentioned that Wade, the character explaining freeganism, sometimes feels too preachy. I wanted to know more about Kevin-- was he taking those hamburgers to the homeless? Tell me about his friendship with Brian Bund, his helping autistic kids, his devotion to Russel... don't just throw these things out there and never get around to addressing them. When Russel and Kevin do get back together, the chapter was too brief and felt rushed. I had been a fan of Kevin since book one-- even though "The Elephant of Surprise" could be read as a stand-alone, I had read them all and was invested in the characters. After breaking into Leah's house, the confrontation/break-up between Leah and Min was barely a blimp in the book. I wanted to know why Leah was planning a birthday party for Min while cheating, I wanted to hear more from Em and Gunnar, and I was disappointed Otto got so little focus. I really only bought the book to see who Russel ended up with, and the reunion was not worth wading through 200 pages of Wade.
*SPOILERS*
I was disappointed on several accounts. Mostly, the lack of character development/relationships in this. I don't read the series to learn about freeganism-- I read them because I like Russel and his friends and I want to see what happens in their lives. Also, several other reviewers mentioned that Wade, the character explaining freeganism, sometimes feels too preachy. I wanted to know more about Kevin-- was he taking those hamburgers to the homeless? Tell me about his friendship with Brian Bund, his helping autistic kids, his devotion to Russel... don't just throw these things out there and never get around to addressing them. When Russel and Kevin do get back together, the chapter was too brief and felt rushed. I had been a fan of Kevin since book one-- even though "The Elephant of Surprise" could be read as a stand-alone, I had read them all and was invested in the characters. After breaking into Leah's house, the confrontation/break-up between Leah and Min was barely a blimp in the book. I wanted to know why Leah was planning a birthday party for Min while cheating, I wanted to hear more from Em and Gunnar, and I was disappointed Otto got so little focus. I really only bought the book to see who Russel ended up with, and the reunion was not worth wading through 200 pages of Wade.
crtsjffrsn's review
5.0
The fourth installment in the Russel Middlebrook series is probably my favorite. The story isn't too far out from the previous three books, but there were a few things about it that I think pulled me in a bit more.
For one, I like the way the author is able to show that Russel is gaining a bit more maturity. It shows not only in the character's actions, but also in the voice of the narration. Secondly, the development of some of the side characters over the course of the series has helped to give more depth to Russel's world. And, finally, this is one where I actually didn't see one of the major twists coming until I was up to that particular scene (some of the previous books have been a bit more, well, predictable at times).
I'm not sure if there's a fifth book in store, but at this point I hope there is if the series is going to continue moving in this direction.
For one, I like the way the author is able to show that Russel is gaining a bit more maturity. It shows not only in the character's actions, but also in the voice of the narration. Secondly, the development of some of the side characters over the course of the series has helped to give more depth to Russel's world. And, finally, this is one where I actually didn't see one of the major twists coming until I was up to that particular scene (some of the previous books have been a bit more, well, predictable at times).
I'm not sure if there's a fifth book in store, but at this point I hope there is if the series is going to continue moving in this direction.
tim5alive's review against another edition
2.0
I didn't really understand the point of this book. It didn't really add anything to the story except creating drama for the sake of drama in my opinion.
This series really needs to spend more time on the deeper conversations that are merely skimmed over in a sentence. For example, Russell's relationship with his parents is glossed over as is the end of Otto x Russell. It only served one purpose...to allow Russell to get with Kevin.
...Except instead of focusing on Kevin, we have to get this long segue about Wade, which honestly I cared nothing for. It was unnecessary to have this additional plot and place these teenagers in pretty dangerous/not realistic scenarios. As well, we spent what, like 10 pages on reuniting with Kevin? Come on, if it's the last book of the series and we've been teased about them coming together again, this book should have focused mainly on that.
This series really needs to spend more time on the deeper conversations that are merely skimmed over in a sentence. For example, Russell's relationship with his parents is glossed over as is the end of Otto x Russell. It only served one purpose...to allow Russell to get with Kevin.
...Except instead of focusing on Kevin, we have to get this long segue about Wade, which honestly I cared nothing for. It was unnecessary to have this additional plot and place these teenagers in pretty dangerous/not realistic scenarios. As well, we spent what, like 10 pages on reuniting with Kevin? Come on, if it's the last book of the series and we've been teased about them coming together again, this book should have focused mainly on that.
douglasplease's review
2.0
Unique story, just like all of Hartinger's other books, but I read it in one sitting without the usual excitement that comes from doing that. At some points, he talks down to his readers (by defining big words, but then dismissing their use several sentences later), but it was still relatively enjoyable. I enjoyed the other three novels in the series much more.
kaje_harper's review
5.0
4.5 stars rounded up.
This is the fourth book in the Russel Middlebrook YA series. If you haven't yet read the award-winning first book, [b:Geography Club|94072|Geography Club (Russel Middlebrook, #1)|Brent Hartinger|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388423697s/94072.jpg|891138], you should start there. The characters learn and grow throughout the series. That book will introduce you to Russel, and to his wide-eyed, fun and engaging narrative voice. Russel is a young man learning how to navigate the world, trying to fit his desires, his curiosity and his good intentions alongside his worries, mistakes and tendency to be over-imaginative. The teen voice feels authentic, and I've enjoyed the whole series.
In this book, Russel and his friends come to grips with the Elephant of Surprise - the way things are so often not what they seem, and how sometimes finding out the truth stomps you flat. But then, other times, it can lift you to ride above the crowd. His straight, quirky friend Gunnar and bi best friend Min are familiar and well-loved characters who add depth, humor and plot twists to this story.
Russel and his friends meet up with a group of "freegans", social activists who try to live lightly on the planet by using things that otherwise would be wasted or thrown away, living by scavenging, gathering, and borrowing. One of them is Wade, a good-looking guy who seems taken by Russel. But what's the truth behind Wade? And is freeganism a way to save the world from our horribly wasteful modern ways, or just a quirky cult that has a few good ideas among the rest of the dross?
Min is in a relationship, but her girlfriend is acting strangly. Imagination, or is something going on?
Gunnar is chronicling his day to day life by the minute. Will this be just boring, or will evidence of every moment reveal important secrets? Or inconvenient and private ones?
I enjoyed this chapter in the life of Russel and his friends. There were twists I didn't see coming any better than the main characters. A stomp or two from the Elephant of Surprise. But the tone is generally upbeat, despite some of the things Russel and his friends have to face. His forward-looking optimism and clean narrative voice make this book a fun read. This is the opposite of wallowing in overdone YA angst - it slides through the muddy waters of life up in the sunshine, and even when someone's heart is bruised, there is room for a better tomorrow. I like that.
This is the fourth book in the Russel Middlebrook YA series. If you haven't yet read the award-winning first book, [b:Geography Club|94072|Geography Club (Russel Middlebrook, #1)|Brent Hartinger|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388423697s/94072.jpg|891138], you should start there. The characters learn and grow throughout the series. That book will introduce you to Russel, and to his wide-eyed, fun and engaging narrative voice. Russel is a young man learning how to navigate the world, trying to fit his desires, his curiosity and his good intentions alongside his worries, mistakes and tendency to be over-imaginative. The teen voice feels authentic, and I've enjoyed the whole series.
In this book, Russel and his friends come to grips with the Elephant of Surprise - the way things are so often not what they seem, and how sometimes finding out the truth stomps you flat. But then, other times, it can lift you to ride above the crowd. His straight, quirky friend Gunnar and bi best friend Min are familiar and well-loved characters who add depth, humor and plot twists to this story.
Russel and his friends meet up with a group of "freegans", social activists who try to live lightly on the planet by using things that otherwise would be wasted or thrown away, living by scavenging, gathering, and borrowing. One of them is Wade, a good-looking guy who seems taken by Russel. But what's the truth behind Wade? And is freeganism a way to save the world from our horribly wasteful modern ways, or just a quirky cult that has a few good ideas among the rest of the dross?
Min is in a relationship, but her girlfriend is acting strangly. Imagination, or is something going on?
Gunnar is chronicling his day to day life by the minute. Will this be just boring, or will evidence of every moment reveal important secrets? Or inconvenient and private ones?
I enjoyed this chapter in the life of Russel and his friends. There were twists I didn't see coming any better than the main characters. A stomp or two from the Elephant of Surprise. But the tone is generally upbeat, despite some of the things Russel and his friends have to face. His forward-looking optimism and clean narrative voice make this book a fun read. This is the opposite of wallowing in overdone YA angst - it slides through the muddy waters of life up in the sunshine, and even when someone's heart is bruised, there is room for a better tomorrow. I like that.
foreveryoungadult's review
Graded By: Brian
Cover Story: When You See It, You'll Poop Bricks
Drinking Buddy: Pass the Dandelion Wine
Testosterone Level: Meh to Eighty in 200 Pages
Talky Talk: LGBTQ
Bonus Factors: Freeganism, Crazy Friend
Bromance Status: Nerd of My Dreams
Read the full book report here.
Cover Story: When You See It, You'll Poop Bricks
Drinking Buddy: Pass the Dandelion Wine
Testosterone Level: Meh to Eighty in 200 Pages
Talky Talk: LGBTQ
Bonus Factors: Freeganism, Crazy Friend
Bromance Status: Nerd of My Dreams
Read the full book report here.
sherman19's review
4.0
I'm going to miss you Russel, Min, Gundar, Otto and Kevin <3 . That's why I don't like to end sagas.