kelseyrhds18's review against another edition
3.0
I hate how Nicholas is portrayed.
So I super enjoyed this novel. It was very interesting I loved seeing all the characters stories get developed. I also found Aiden and Harvard's miscommunication to be realistic. However, I also ultimately I feel like Aiden should have just explained how he felt.
Why I'm giving this three stars is because I hate how Nicholas is made out to be an idiot. Also it seems to be suggesting he is an idiot because of his socioeconomic status.
Also I found it odd how Aiden abruptly changed after meeting one of his step moms. I like that he experienced some character growth but it was very abrupt and without him contemplating how he felt. Ultimately, due to four character perspectives some characters were skimmed over. Especially Nicholas and Seiji.
So I super enjoyed this novel. It was very interesting I loved seeing all the characters stories get developed. I also found Aiden and Harvard's miscommunication to be realistic. However, I also ultimately I feel like Aiden should have just explained how he felt.
Why I'm giving this three stars is because I hate how Nicholas is made out to be an idiot. Also it seems to be suggesting he is an idiot because of his socioeconomic status.
Also I found it odd how Aiden abruptly changed after meeting one of his step moms. I like that he experienced some character growth but it was very abrupt and without him contemplating how he felt. Ultimately, due to four character perspectives some characters were skimmed over. Especially Nicholas and Seiji.
paziinyaa's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
themelodyofspring's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
5.0
This was really good. Read this without reading the graphic novels and had one hell of a time. Everyone is so stupid and precious 🥺 not a single braincell in sight. Harvard and Seiji had some but lost them by the end. RIP! I need the stupid plot to be resolved!!!!!! So much angst and for what!
tetiana's review
3.0
It was… fine, I guess?
Full disclosure: I find Brennan’s writing style incredibly annoying, like she tries way too hard to seem quirky and clever. I do not mean she tries to make her characters sound quirky and clever, no, it’s like she personally wink-wink nudge-nudges me through the pages. That’s the main reason I DNFed [b:In Other Lands|31944679|In Other Lands|Sarah Rees Brennan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1496783711l/31944679._SY75_.jpg|52603350] after, like, 50 pages. That book is insufferable.
It’s the same problem here. Sometimes I felt like the characters are a parody of themselves and the book is just… way too farcical for what I’ve come to expect from Fence. Look, I often joked in my reviews that these boys are idiots, but that wasn’t a challenge to turn them into literal cretins because… What, they’re 16 and know nothing? I felt like these teens aren’t actual teens, but versions of them imagined by an adult. I didn’t have this problem reading the comic.
I didn’t particularly enjoy the tone of the book, too, because it’s ultimately humorous, and I already established I find Brennan’s attempts at humor annoying.
There were good moments, though (Seiji’s talk with his father or, like, the whole of Eugene. I think Eugene suffered the least in the comic-to-book translation), but ultimately, I wanted something a bit more serious out of this, something that resembles the comic more. More fencing would’ve been great, too.
Overall, if you like YA and find Brennan’s style agreeable – you’ll have a great time. Otherwise, I would recommend just reading the comic.
Full disclosure: I find Brennan’s writing style incredibly annoying, like she tries way too hard to seem quirky and clever. I do not mean she tries to make her characters sound quirky and clever, no, it’s like she personally wink-wink nudge-nudges me through the pages. That’s the main reason I DNFed [b:In Other Lands|31944679|In Other Lands|Sarah Rees Brennan|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1496783711l/31944679._SY75_.jpg|52603350] after, like, 50 pages. That book is insufferable.
It’s the same problem here. Sometimes I felt like the characters are a parody of themselves and the book is just… way too farcical for what I’ve come to expect from Fence. Look, I often joked in my reviews that these boys are idiots, but that wasn’t a challenge to turn them into literal cretins because… What, they’re 16 and know nothing? I felt like these teens aren’t actual teens, but versions of them imagined by an adult. I didn’t have this problem reading the comic.
I didn’t particularly enjoy the tone of the book, too, because it’s ultimately humorous, and I already established I find Brennan’s attempts at humor annoying.
There were good moments, though (Seiji’s talk with his father or, like, the whole of Eugene. I think Eugene suffered the least in the comic-to-book translation), but ultimately, I wanted something a bit more serious out of this, something that resembles the comic more. More fencing would’ve been great, too.
Overall, if you like YA and find Brennan’s style agreeable – you’ll have a great time. Otherwise, I would recommend just reading the comic.
erick_tion's review
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
paola_malagrida's review
4.0
I enjoyed this book very much, I laughed, suffered but most of all just felt it good, is perfect to get out of a reading slump, I've been reading for hours without (voluntary) rest.
The novel is easy to read, specially since it's about a story I love and has a very good narration in four voices that I learned to love in those pages.
I just finished this book, I'm euphoric and I don't know what to say exactly except that I loved it.
AND I LOVE AIDEN PLEASE HUG AND PROTECT HIM!!!
The novel is easy to read, specially since it's about a story I love and has a very good narration in four voices that I learned to love in those pages.
I just finished this book, I'm euphoric and I don't know what to say exactly except that I loved it.
AND I LOVE AIDEN PLEASE HUG AND PROTECT HIM!!!
alairuiz's review
4.0
Los personajes se comportaban como adolescentes asĂ que no les puedo recriminar su dramatismo, me gustĂł mucho el libro y los personajes, solo desearĂa que se comunicaran más.
marineb09's review
2.0
I LOVE the comics, they are funny, sweet and the drawings are amazing.
I was hoping this book would be the same but ARRGHHH so childish, unrealistic, boring, I didn't get the comic vibe with each characters, you don't see fencing much to be honest and the worst : the writing was not for me, way too many repetition (7 sentences = 6x the name of one character ^^ and it felt like reading a grocery list)...
I hope you will love this book, I truly do ;)
I was hoping this book would be the same but ARRGHHH so childish, unrealistic, boring, I didn't get the comic vibe with each characters, you don't see fencing much to be honest and the worst : the writing was not for me, way too many repetition (7 sentences = 6x the name of one character ^^ and it felt like reading a grocery list)...
I hope you will love this book, I truly do ;)
bookishexpat's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
4.5