imskylow's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Short and sweet
wanderaven's review
4.0
I'm not the best source for recommending this short story, primarily because this is my first Rowell!
Rainbow Rowell is a young adult writer and although I've always been interested in reading her, I didn't take the opportunity to do so until I picked up this (what used to be a) Independent Bookstore Day Exclusive this last spring in Seattle. With adrenaline and caffeine coursing through me after waiting in line for one of my favourite bookstores to open, I snatched up anything and everything to do with the day.
If you've read this short story (or do), you'll find this amusing, as this is the same thing the characters in Kindred do - wait in line for something exciting - in this case, The Force Awakens in 2015. Elena joins the queue not because she has to to get into the movie (as everyone keeps reminding her, she can buy the tickets online - and already has) but rather for a prime seat and, more importantly, with hopes of celebrating with all the other Star Wars fans also waiting in line.
There's two of them.
I admit, I had some difficulty with the notion of Elena sleeping out in the cold for four nights (and her two companions for a week) when she didn't have to, particularly given that I am old enough to have actually done the same thing (though never for four nights) in my youth but because I had to in order to get the tickets. Rowell, however, admittedly does an excellent job of justifying the increasingly silly vigil. My favourite character was Elena's mother, constantly circling the block to check up on her daughter.
Yep, Rowell is what I expected, which is why I've been interested in reading her, and will do so again. Fun and lighthearted and the perfect touch of romance and fandom.
Oh, and also - Kindred is now available in the U.S. via Kindle (links on the image and title above) or in an illustrated short story collection (only two stories, however, which I guess technically qualifies it as a collection...), Almost Midnight which in the States you'll need to source from Book Depository. It looks to me like if you're a significant Rowell fan and haven't read either story yet, it might be worth it!
Rainbow Rowell is a young adult writer and although I've always been interested in reading her, I didn't take the opportunity to do so until I picked up this (what used to be a) Independent Bookstore Day Exclusive this last spring in Seattle. With adrenaline and caffeine coursing through me after waiting in line for one of my favourite bookstores to open, I snatched up anything and everything to do with the day.
If you've read this short story (or do), you'll find this amusing, as this is the same thing the characters in Kindred do - wait in line for something exciting - in this case, The Force Awakens in 2015. Elena joins the queue not because she has to to get into the movie (as everyone keeps reminding her, she can buy the tickets online - and already has) but rather for a prime seat and, more importantly, with hopes of celebrating with all the other Star Wars fans also waiting in line.
There's two of them.
I admit, I had some difficulty with the notion of Elena sleeping out in the cold for four nights (and her two companions for a week) when she didn't have to, particularly given that I am old enough to have actually done the same thing (though never for four nights) in my youth but because I had to in order to get the tickets. Rowell, however, admittedly does an excellent job of justifying the increasingly silly vigil. My favourite character was Elena's mother, constantly circling the block to check up on her daughter.
Yep, Rowell is what I expected, which is why I've been interested in reading her, and will do so again. Fun and lighthearted and the perfect touch of romance and fandom.
Oh, and also - Kindred is now available in the U.S. via Kindle (links on the image and title above) or in an illustrated short story collection (only two stories, however, which I guess technically qualifies it as a collection...), Almost Midnight which in the States you'll need to source from Book Depository. It looks to me like if you're a significant Rowell fan and haven't read either story yet, it might be worth it!
taylorreadsbooks's review
4.0
Way to short. I'm gonna need Kindred Spirits part II where we see more of Elena and Gabe post Star Wars. I need to know how they feel about Rouge One, and Star Wars Land. It's extremely necessary. In a full length book please.
julija_1975's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
fgriff's review against another edition
5.0
This short story was truly lovely. I am a big fan of Rainbow Rowell's dialogue and character descriptions, and even though this was short, it still held the integrity of that quality in her writing. It was the perfect mix of silly and serious, relatable and deep.
Funny enough, the aspect of my life that relates most to the plot is the main character's mom driving by at different parts of the day to check in on her and tell her that camping outside of a theater with strangers is a terrible and dangerous idea. I have not camped outside of a theater, but if this isn't how my mom would react, even now that I'm an adult, I don't know what she'd do.
Funny enough, the aspect of my life that relates most to the plot is the main character's mom driving by at different parts of the day to check in on her and tell her that camping outside of a theater with strangers is a terrible and dangerous idea. I have not camped outside of a theater, but if this isn't how my mom would react, even now that I'm an adult, I don't know what she'd do.
vantereads's review against another edition
4.0
*4,5 stars*
Rainbow Rowell writing about Star Wars was everything I needed to cheer me up. The whole time I kept imagining Elena as she was Cath. It definitely made me want to read Carry On even more!
I just wish there could be a sequel but it's still amazing!
Rainbow Rowell writing about Star Wars was everything I needed to cheer me up. The whole time I kept imagining Elena as she was Cath. It definitely made me want to read Carry On even more!
I just wish there could be a sequel but it's still amazing!