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elsa_k's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
"I don't know if that's possible, completely turning off the heart. I think the heart is always working. Whether you want it to or not." (135)
As my third Carol Plum-Ucci book, I'd have to say the main difference is the pacing and overarching conflict. With Lani Garver and Christopher Creed, the conflicts are mostly character(s) vs society, but The She is very character vs self. It didn't captivate me as much until I'd say halfway through the second part. Once I got past the initial world-building and introduction of characters, I could not put it down.
And the characters?? *chef's kiss* I don't even know how to describe it. At times, it felt a little bit like Grey was the main character, and we were just hearing her story from Evan's perspective (like a side character). But then during other parts Grey felt like Evan's supporting character.
Another thing I absolutely adored was that Grey and Evan getting together wouldn't have solved anything. I think a lot of times romance is used to solve at least half of the main character's problems, but in The She both Evan and Grey knew they had their own problems to work through before they'd potentially be a good match, and they actually acknowledged that and didn't get together.
And finally, I really enjoyed the fact that neither Evan or Emmet were afraid to show their emotions. Multiple times, Evan breaks down and cries. During the climax, Emmet is panicking and emotional and you can see how much he cares for his brother. It's easy to see just how much his parents' disappearance affected him (and his relationship to Evan). And Grey wasn't afraid to help them through it, while still maintaining her "stiff upper lip" composure. (i.e. physically consoling Evan, holding him, giving him tissues, etc) It was all very different from what I'm used to. Maybe that has to do with when The She was written-- books now relying heavily on the "tortured, bad boy, emotionally distant" character trope (Kaz Brekker being the exception of course, but SJ Mass, I'm looking at you). Or maybe it's just Carol Plum-Ucci's writing style, which is a great thing. We definitely need more of that type of thing in modern literature, in my opinion. It was definitely there with Lani's character in What Happened to Lani Garver? (that book was so ahead of its time, I 100% recommend it to anyone who liked this book, or any fans of Carol Plum-Ucci's other works).
With every book I read by Carol Plum-Ucci, the more I really get inspired by her. She takes these important moral and philosophical discussions and addresses them directly. No metaphors, no "well, I'm not going to take a stance...". Chris Creed's parents and peers were responsible. People believe the truths that fit their life, whether they're good or bad people. Confirmation bias is easier than having an open mind and learning.
10/10 just get past the world building in the beginning; it's so worth it.
As my third Carol Plum-Ucci book, I'd have to say the main difference is the pacing and overarching conflict. With Lani Garver and Christopher Creed, the conflicts are mostly character(s) vs society, but The She is very character vs self. It didn't captivate me as much until I'd say halfway through the second part. Once I got past the initial world-building and introduction of characters, I could not put it down.
And the characters?? *chef's kiss* I don't even know how to describe it. At times, it felt a little bit like Grey was the main character, and we were just hearing her story from Evan's perspective (like a side character). But then during other parts Grey felt like Evan's supporting character.
Another thing I absolutely adored was that Grey and Evan getting together wouldn't have solved anything. I think a lot of times romance is used to solve at least half of the main character's problems, but in The She both Evan and Grey knew they had their own problems to work through before they'd potentially be a good match, and they actually acknowledged that and didn't get together.
And finally, I really enjoyed the fact that neither Evan or Emmet were afraid to show their emotions. Multiple times, Evan breaks down and cries. During the climax, Emmet is panicking and emotional and you can see how much he cares for his brother. It's easy to see just how much his parents' disappearance affected him (and his relationship to Evan). And Grey wasn't afraid to help them through it, while still maintaining her "stiff upper lip" composure. (i.e. physically consoling Evan, holding him, giving him tissues, etc) It was all very different from what I'm used to. Maybe that has to do with when The She was written-- books now relying heavily on the "tortured, bad boy, emotionally distant" character trope (Kaz Brekker being the exception of course, but SJ Mass, I'm looking at you). Or maybe it's just Carol Plum-Ucci's writing style, which is a great thing. We definitely need more of that type of thing in modern literature, in my opinion. It was definitely there with Lani's character in What Happened to Lani Garver? (that book was so ahead of its time, I 100% recommend it to anyone who liked this book, or any fans of Carol Plum-Ucci's other works).
With every book I read by Carol Plum-Ucci, the more I really get inspired by her. She takes these important moral and philosophical discussions and addresses them directly. No metaphors, no "well, I'm not going to take a stance...". Chris Creed's parents and peers were responsible. People believe the truths that fit their life, whether they're good or bad people. Confirmation bias is easier than having an open mind and learning.
10/10 just get past the world building in the beginning; it's so worth it.
jengennari's review against another edition
5.0
Impressed by setting and the storytelling. Great to see characters talking about big things like belief systems, capitalism v socialism. And gripping, too!
booksandbraids's review against another edition
5.0
I would absolutely recomend this book. It is an amazing book that has you unable to put it down because you want to know what happens.
littlebookwormmarina's review against another edition
4.0
I’ve reread this book several times growing up, this is my first reread as an adult. I don’t reread books often but I always seem to come back to this one. Must be a personal favorite. I loved that I had a general idea of the bigger storyline but that I had forgotten most of the finer details, so it was similar to reading it for the first time. I enjoyed the main points of the story, felt the love connection was kind of unnecessary but okay, and that overall it’s a really good read. Personally, I still have some unanswered questions that I wish had been addressed, but it’s still a good book!
weepinbelle's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
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