vr_alyssa's review against another edition
3.0
2014 reviews:
When Lightning Strikes
I thought it was interesting to read. Very different from how books are normally written. It was like reading a diary, which is almost true. Jessica is writing down her statement and this is what the book consists off. She explains everything rather detailed and thoroughly.
While reading this story I kept thinking about Mia. The main character is very down to earth. Funny but honest. Her sense of humor is much like Mia her sense of humor, which explains why she likes the book so much. I couldn't see the problem in the book as a serious problem because of the funny way it's written. Sarcastically.
It scared me that the government/military got hold of Jess. It scared me that she might have to do things against her will and she didn't see that yet. A little disappointed in her brain but I still like her better than other heroines.
I do not like Ruth. She is supposed to be very bright but to me she's just judgmental and annoying (sorry Jess). She doesn't give much to the story for me, she's only in the way. Especially when she starts saying this about Rob.. grrr..
Code Name Cassandra
So after reading the first of this series I immediately moved on to this book. Its hard to see think of a place where it stopped, it sort of became a blur. Still different from reading anything else. Again written as if you are reading Jess her diary, which is amusing and refreshing. Luckily there was less of Ruth in this book and Mike and Douglas weren't in it at all.
I was surprised about a few things, where did this camping counselor idea come from and how could she go away for 6 weeks, from ROB?? But I guess it fit well into the story. Otherwise there wouldn't have been a Dave or Scott to become friends with. Or a Shane to annoy the living crap out of her. She's not such a good camp counselor. I would get kicked out for the stuff she does with the kids.
There were a few factors that started to annoy me even more though. Rob is being a pain in the ass. He keeps holding on the the stupid excuse for not getting together with Jessica, while he goes across the country for her. Ruth is being unbearably annoying and whiny. Most of the characters are stressing Jess about her gift not being gone, which of course is true, but they are forcing her to be that way. The feds keep taps on her and follow her around everywhere.
When Lightning Strikes
I thought it was interesting to read. Very different from how books are normally written. It was like reading a diary, which is almost true. Jessica is writing down her statement and this is what the book consists off. She explains everything rather detailed and thoroughly.
While reading this story I kept thinking about Mia. The main character is very down to earth. Funny but honest. Her sense of humor is much like Mia her sense of humor, which explains why she likes the book so much. I couldn't see the problem in the book as a serious problem because of the funny way it's written. Sarcastically.
Spoiler
I was rather annoyed by Rob. I obviously like him, but he is being difficult about the age thing, since he is on probation. Very very annoying. Obviously he likes her (even if it's not so clear to her) and she obviously likes him a lot (which might not be obvious to him). Yet he is keeping them apart for a silly silly reason.It scared me that the government/military got hold of Jess. It scared me that she might have to do things against her will and she didn't see that yet. A little disappointed in her brain but I still like her better than other heroines.
I do not like Ruth. She is supposed to be very bright but to me she's just judgmental and annoying (sorry Jess). She doesn't give much to the story for me, she's only in the way. Especially when she starts saying this about Rob.. grrr..
Code Name Cassandra
So after reading the first of this series I immediately moved on to this book. Its hard to see think of a place where it stopped, it sort of became a blur. Still different from reading anything else. Again written as if you are reading Jess her diary, which is amusing and refreshing. Luckily there was less of Ruth in this book and Mike and Douglas weren't in it at all.
I was surprised about a few things, where did this camping counselor idea come from and how could she go away for 6 weeks, from ROB?? But I guess it fit well into the story. Otherwise there wouldn't have been a Dave or Scott to become friends with. Or a Shane to annoy the living crap out of her. She's not such a good camp counselor. I would get kicked out for the stuff she does with the kids.
There were a few factors that started to annoy me even more though. Rob is being a pain in the ass. He keeps holding on the the stupid excuse for not getting together with Jessica, while he goes across the country for her. Ruth is being unbearably annoying and whiny. Most of the characters are stressing Jess about her gift not being gone, which of course is true, but they are forcing her to be that way. The feds keep taps on her and follow her around everywhere.
annanymos's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
emmaghanem's review
4.0
Both books were good, but they weren't amazing. First, there were a lot of grammar errors, like words that weren't spelled right. It was quite frequent, that it bothered me a lot. Second, there were some parts of the book that I found were stressful. That is why I come to the conclusion that this is not a book that I would enjoy reading a second time. I will however say that after reading the book, it makes me want to read the second one. I will most likely buy it later. The second Vanished bind-up is not at the top of my to-buy list.
Apart from that, I did enjoy this book. I thought that the idea for the book was quite original. I also liked the fact that the romance in this book was not the main focus. The novel was serious at some times, but it did have quite a bit of humour and sarcasm which I liked. Also, the ending wasn't a cliffhanger. It was the sort of ending that was cute, and funny. The kind of ending that you can end a series with. This is the first Meg Cabot book that I have read, and I am thoroughly impressed with her work. I really enjoyed the fact that Jessica was sarcastic, had a sense of humour, but was also serious when she needed to be. I will definitely be reading more of Meg Cabot's work, in the near future.
Apart from that, I did enjoy this book. I thought that the idea for the book was quite original. I also liked the fact that the romance in this book was not the main focus. The novel was serious at some times, but it did have quite a bit of humour and sarcasm which I liked. Also, the ending wasn't a cliffhanger. It was the sort of ending that was cute, and funny. The kind of ending that you can end a series with. This is the first Meg Cabot book that I have read, and I am thoroughly impressed with her work. I really enjoyed the fact that Jessica was sarcastic, had a sense of humour, but was also serious when she needed to be. I will definitely be reading more of Meg Cabot's work, in the near future.
helenkat's review
4.0
Fun read - Jess Mastirani is a girl with anger issues, but has a wicked sense of humour. She's an ordinary kid but then lightning hits her and she finds that she has the ability to find missing kids. The FBI track her down and want to use her but she wants none of it.
Funny and witty with a heroine that is flawed but has a heart of gold.
Funny and witty with a heroine that is flawed but has a heart of gold.
teaganpotter's review
2.0
I finished book 1/2 in this collection. I loved Meg Cabot’s Princess Diaries and Airhead series as a teenager, so I was eager to jump into this series as well. Perhaps the nostalgia wore off, but I found this book problematic. Besides the fact that the main character, Jess, is completely full of herself, she has a lot of issues that make this read so unrealistic. 1. She singlehandedly takes on the FBI, including assaulting them? The book ends without any indication of what happens to her in regards to the law. 2) She’s 16, but she just dumps her family and is able to solve all of the problems? The book never comes back to her family and whether or not her brother is okay. 3) her best friend is self-described as fat. Well, Jess never encourages body positivity for her friend and even tears her down in her narration. Additionally, when the super mega hot guy likes her and makes fun of her friend for being fat, Jess simply agrees and flirts back. Eh, as a teenager who suffered from body positivity when I was younger, I think this book would’ve really set me back. 4) she dumps said friend and never really interacts with her again as soon as she gets a boyfriend. Pretty crappy friend. 5) there’s another love interest with a 12-year-old. Although her boyfriend points out it’s a crush, Jess really takes it and runs with it and obsessed about how he feels about her. Kind of disturbing that she couldn’t play it off, but instead took it as a compliment that a young BOY “loved” her? Nooottt a fan of that at all.
The plot was interesting enough for me to keep reading, but it was wholly so unrealistic, I found myself rolling my eyes through most of it. I won’t be finishing the series.
The plot was interesting enough for me to keep reading, but it was wholly so unrealistic, I found myself rolling my eyes through most of it. I won’t be finishing the series.
emtms8's review
5.0
Jessica lives a (nearly) normal life. Lived that is. When she gets struck by lightning (Her best friend's fault) she inherits the ability to find missing people. Everyone says it's a blessing but she's not so sure. When her gift doesn't work as she thought it would, she'll stop at nothing to write her wrongs.
I loved this book. I was laughing throughout and it is impossible to put down. Jessica is so likable and so much fun to follow as she sorts out her... 'gift'.
I loved this book. I was laughing throughout and it is impossible to put down. Jessica is so likable and so much fun to follow as she sorts out her... 'gift'.
bossycilantro's review
4.0
The first one was better than the second. But I loved them :) They made me laugh out loud. Jess is hilarious. Meg Cabot's characters always have such a strong voice. They make me giggle.
rachieturtle's review
5.0
This is a really good series so far! I can't wait to read the rest of the books.