morgan_champine's review against another edition
3.0
This book was very sweet and lovely! I felt the writing was very simplistic. It lacked a little for me in the thriller aspect, and wasn’t as exciting as I expected, but there are some things that make this book incredibly unique.
This book is very touching. The main character, Kasia, struggles with ME/CFS, and the Joelson’s portrayal of it is astounding. Kasia feels like a very real person, and a very real teenager. Nav is a very sweet side character who was a big fan of, and the story has a very happy ending with promises of happiness for all of the characters. It was a very cute story and definitely worth the read!
This book is very touching. The main character, Kasia, struggles with ME/CFS, and the Joelson’s portrayal of it is astounding. Kasia feels like a very real person, and a very real teenager. Nav is a very sweet side character who was a big fan of, and the story has a very happy ending with promises of happiness for all of the characters. It was a very cute story and definitely worth the read!
ainsley_j5's review against another edition
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
gemee99's review
3.0
A nice little read. I was interested the whole way through, but a lot of the plotline was quite predictable. It was really interesting to read about someone with ME as it's not a common subject, really eye-opening. Overall, 3.5 stars.
bestdressedbookworm's review
1.0
I am 100% prepared for the comments I am going to get because I do not see how this book has a 4 star average!This book frustrated me so much!!!!! Kasia is an unlikable character whom I did have moments where I felt empathy with her illness but as explained below it felt all to contrived.
The issue I encountered with this story (that unfortunately continued) that I find difficult is the fact that at the start of the story she hadn't been downstairs in 10 weeks due to her illness and now that it serves the plot line she is at her neighbours house completely fine not 50 pages later, and as soon as the neighbour won't offer anymore information she remembers she sick. A little to convenient......i had hoped it wouldn't continue like this but it did, all these little inconsistencies that felt to convenient like:
Doesn't feel up to writing, can't get all her maths homework done but can investigate a mystery with no issue?
Doesnt have the energy to wash her hair but she can writer out Morse code and go to a party.
Is it the mental illness that (understandably) makes a lot of her actions contradictory? or is it the author using her mental illness when its needed and forgetting it when the story needs to progress? I dont know a lot about this disorder and im not in anyway shaming someone for having it! But i feel like if I had ME I may be a little in suites by this portrayal, not necessarily because of the factual parts of the use of this illness, but more the abuse of it to alter the story line. her ups and downs, her drama and pitfalls seemed to be too convenient and when she starts using her illness as a tantrum method to get her own way the story loses its credibility of taking mental illness seriously or discussing proper ways to address it.
There is a line where she says " sorry mum, I just want to be treated like I am normal for once not some delicate peice of china"
Hmmmm well the solution to that is don't throw a tantrum for 2 week where you stay in bed because you were tired and crabby because you went to a party that you (according to you and your illness) should not be healthy enough to go to and make it everyone else's fault when you cannot handle it but when a cute boy asks you out on a date act like your mature and don't need anyone to help you!!!!
This book has her feeling 12 when the story requires it and 18 when the story requires it. At no point did I remember she was 14. i get its hard for her but her complaining was getting on my nerves the most. The only reason I kept with the story was because I wanted to know what the mystery behind the girl in the window was..... Which although did not match the other 2 story lines running through the book, it was interesting enough and realistic until two 14 year Olds decide that rather than telling the police that they think someone is in danger and Kasia is almost purposefully killed by a hit and run, they instead take the law into their own hands! Big loud sigh sound!!!!
Sorry I have few positives with this. And is it ever explained why all of a sudden the daughter comes back into their lives or why she went away in the first place or was that just another plot assist to introduce Nav?
The issue I encountered with this story (that unfortunately continued) that I find difficult is the fact that at the start of the story she hadn't been downstairs in 10 weeks due to her illness and now that it serves the plot line she is at her neighbours house completely fine not 50 pages later, and as soon as the neighbour won't offer anymore information she remembers she sick. A little to convenient......i had hoped it wouldn't continue like this but it did, all these little inconsistencies that felt to convenient like:
Doesn't feel up to writing, can't get all her maths homework done but can investigate a mystery with no issue?
Doesnt have the energy to wash her hair but she can writer out Morse code and go to a party.
Is it the mental illness that (understandably) makes a lot of her actions contradictory? or is it the author using her mental illness when its needed and forgetting it when the story needs to progress? I dont know a lot about this disorder and im not in anyway shaming someone for having it! But i feel like if I had ME I may be a little in suites by this portrayal, not necessarily because of the factual parts of the use of this illness, but more the abuse of it to alter the story line. her ups and downs, her drama and pitfalls seemed to be too convenient and when she starts using her illness as a tantrum method to get her own way the story loses its credibility of taking mental illness seriously or discussing proper ways to address it.
There is a line where she says " sorry mum, I just want to be treated like I am normal for once not some delicate peice of china"
Hmmmm well the solution to that is don't throw a tantrum for 2 week where you stay in bed because you were tired and crabby because you went to a party that you (according to you and your illness) should not be healthy enough to go to and make it everyone else's fault when you cannot handle it but when a cute boy asks you out on a date act like your mature and don't need anyone to help you!!!!
This book has her feeling 12 when the story requires it and 18 when the story requires it. At no point did I remember she was 14. i get its hard for her but her complaining was getting on my nerves the most. The only reason I kept with the story was because I wanted to know what the mystery behind the girl in the window was..... Which although did not match the other 2 story lines running through the book, it was interesting enough and realistic until two 14 year Olds decide that rather than telling the police that they think someone is in danger and Kasia is almost purposefully killed by a hit and run, they instead take the law into their own hands! Big loud sigh sound!!!!
Sorry I have few positives with this. And is it ever explained why all of a sudden the daughter comes back into their lives or why she went away in the first place or was that just another plot assist to introduce Nav?
shortcakeriahhh's review against another edition
4.0
It wasn't what I was expecting but I really enjoyed it. The summary makes you think you may be reading a possible thriller but I wouldn't categorize it as that. I also love how the author goes against societal norms and brings in topics that are not usually discussed. I would go into detail but no spoilers :) It was an easy read and I finished it 2 sittings so it is easy to get lost in. Or maybe I have no life... One or the other.
beetleandbooks's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this book! It was incredibly gripping and such a great read. The storyline flowed really nicely as there was a balance of mystery, love and friendship. The main character Kasia was a very determined, curious teenager and I really enjoyed reading the story in her POV and seeing her character develop throughout the book. Joelson wrote about Kasia, dealing with a chronic illness called ME (in simpler terms - chronic fatigue) . I found this to help with the storyline because Kasia struggled to venture around, so it slowed down clues and information about the girl in the window, which gave the book added suspense.
I did not know what to expect with the girl in the window, I had a few ideas on what could be the truth however, it wasn’t predictable in the slightest! I really enjoyed the ending and I was impressed with how Joelson writes about serious issues and how to deal with them the correct way. A perfect read for young adults and it is a true coming of age story. Highly recommend!
I did not know what to expect with the girl in the window, I had a few ideas on what could be the truth however, it wasn’t predictable in the slightest! I really enjoyed the ending and I was impressed with how Joelson writes about serious issues and how to deal with them the correct way. A perfect read for young adults and it is a true coming of age story. Highly recommend!