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tthe_cancerian's review
1.0
I have no idea what to rate this novel (Edit: I've decided on a 1.5 star rating)
I hated it so much more than I liked it. I'm not trying to take anything away from the discussion on domestic & family violence it provided. I really appreciate the messages and themes 'The Build-Up Season' relays. I just don't like the way it was written and I really, really hate most of the characters.
The writing was so repetitive and the language was irksome. I've lived in Australia for 3 years and I've never heard anyone say "hey" so many times after almost every sentence. I can understand that it's supposed to be a dialect of Darwin but I felt that it was the main reason I was disengaged from the story.
It was an important story to raise awareness of this horrible yet very present problem and I'm glad I read it but I didn't have a great reading experience. It left me angry and I don't want that. But I don't want deter anybody from picking this novel up. I've been feeling guilty for not liking this novel and I'm trying not to.
I hated it so much more than I liked it. I'm not trying to take anything away from the discussion on domestic & family violence it provided. I really appreciate the messages and themes 'The Build-Up Season' relays. I just don't like the way it was written and I really, really hate most of the characters.
Spoiler
Iliad was insufferable, I do understand her anger and hostility towards everyone around her and she didn't deserve what Jared or her father did to her, nobody does. But I cannot forgive her for slapping her mother while she was in the hospital, already broken and for hurling plates towards her. The way she treated Mia wasn't acceptable as well. Mia was the purest character in this novel. I really liked Max as well, he was a fun and intuitive person. I wish we would've explored more about him and his family life. I felt so much sympathy for Eve, Iliad's mother and her grandma. They were such patient, caring and strong female characters. Although, I really wanted Eve to put Iliad in her place more often. Jared is the perfect example of an abusive asshole wrapped up in the picture perfect, artsy guy. I don't care for his motivations and his excuses, he always blamed his family for his temper. His brother hitting him was wrong but I can't forgive Jared anyway. So I can't be expected to forgive Iliad. I get that this is a book that's supposed to make you angry and want to take down the patriarchy. I just wasn't a fan.The writing was so repetitive and the language was irksome. I've lived in Australia for 3 years and I've never heard anyone say "hey" so many times after almost every sentence. I can understand that it's supposed to be a dialect of Darwin but I felt that it was the main reason I was disengaged from the story.
It was an important story to raise awareness of this horrible yet very present problem and I'm glad I read it but I didn't have a great reading experience. It left me angry and I don't want that. But I don't want deter anybody from picking this novel up. I've been feeling guilty for not liking this novel and I'm trying not to.
e33215's review
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
ashrocc's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
6031intergalactic's review
4.0
Between this and Yellow, Megan Jacobson is now on my auto-buy list. Intense, violent, bittersweet with moments of real loveliness.
zohal99's review
4.0
4.5 Stars
An excellent Australian Young Adult novel that deals with Domestic Violence. It also has representation for Indigenous Australians which is excellent.
An excellent Australian Young Adult novel that deals with Domestic Violence. It also has representation for Indigenous Australians which is excellent.
gswizzel's review
4.0
NOTE: I was sent an Advanced Reader Copy of this book from Penguin Teen Australia. All thoughts and opinions I have for this book are 100% honest and entirely my own.
Actual Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
I'm crying. This book is a lot more powerful than I expected it to be. This is initially one of my most anticipated #LoveOzYA releases of this year because it was written by one of my favourite Australian Young Adult authors. I think I read the synopsis once and then completely forgot about it. As I was reading this, it was like everything was unfolding as the story went on. I was wondering why some things happened very quickly as if it was by mistake, but as you keep reading you realise you've been put in someone else's shoes. You see all the bad signs, but the protagonist is oblivious to it all, because it's all masked as something different.
If anything, I found this to be realistic. Heart-breaking. Haunting. Raw. Eye-opening.
As much as this book was those things, it also had an amazing message about self-worth. It was touching. It was honest.
From reading Megan Jacobson's debut last year to reading The Build-Up Season this year, I can definitely see how her writing has developed, and it has in the best way possible.
This is definitely one of the best #LoveOzYA books I've ever read! This book is very important and I think everyone should read it!
Actual Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
I'm crying. This book is a lot more powerful than I expected it to be. This is initially one of my most anticipated #LoveOzYA releases of this year because it was written by one of my favourite Australian Young Adult authors. I think I read the synopsis once and then completely forgot about it. As I was reading this, it was like everything was unfolding as the story went on. I was wondering why some things happened very quickly as if it was by mistake, but as you keep reading you realise you've been put in someone else's shoes. You see all the bad signs, but the protagonist is oblivious to it all, because it's all masked as something different.
If anything, I found this to be realistic. Heart-breaking. Haunting. Raw. Eye-opening.
As much as this book was those things, it also had an amazing message about self-worth. It was touching. It was honest.
From reading Megan Jacobson's debut last year to reading The Build-Up Season this year, I can definitely see how her writing has developed, and it has in the best way possible.
This is definitely one of the best #LoveOzYA books I've ever read! This book is very important and I think everyone should read it!
crazybooklady_'s review
2.0
The Build-Up Season follows Iliad Piper. Seventeen, angry and at war with the world, as her name suggests. Living with her mother and grandmother hiding from her violent father Iliad struggles with personal relationships and letting people in, until she meets Jared, the principal's son.
Full disclosure: overall I did not like this book. I forced my way through it although part of me did not want to continue. I do feel guilty at my harsh rating of this book but I can't help the way I feel. I will tell you straight up that this is no criticism on this book or the writing, in fact I do want to read Jacobsen's debut novel Yellow, my dislike comes from my personal reaction to the story. I did enjoy the character immensely. Mum, Nan, Mia and Max. They were all great, exuberant, memorable characters that I feel in love with. For the most part I enjoyed Ily too. Unique, defiant, not afraid to stand up for herself. I just disliked how much of an asshole she was. Personally I found the flaws of her character difficult to reconcile with, especially with the extremes she took it too. I mean, I get the misdirected anger don't get me wrong but she was awful and took it way too far. I actually found Jared repulsive to read about. He was awful from pretty much the beginning and I just could not understand how Ily could not see it. Personally, for me to believe it more I would have liked to see a little more subtlety and intricacy in their relationship.
What I did love was that Jacobsen took on such a taboo and important subject in domestic violence. We need novels like this, particularly in YA, getting people talking about these issues and the general response to this novel was that it was done well. There are a plethora of positive reviews out there for this book and if you think it is something you will like I do urge you to give it a go. I wish I could have given it more but sadly it wasn't a fit for me. I give The Build-Up Season two flowers, that Illy detests so much.
Full disclosure: overall I did not like this book. I forced my way through it although part of me did not want to continue. I do feel guilty at my harsh rating of this book but I can't help the way I feel. I will tell you straight up that this is no criticism on this book or the writing, in fact I do want to read Jacobsen's debut novel Yellow, my dislike comes from my personal reaction to the story. I did enjoy the character immensely. Mum, Nan, Mia and Max. They were all great, exuberant, memorable characters that I feel in love with. For the most part I enjoyed Ily too. Unique, defiant, not afraid to stand up for herself. I just disliked how much of an asshole she was. Personally I found the flaws of her character difficult to reconcile with, especially with the extremes she took it too. I mean, I get the misdirected anger don't get me wrong but she was awful and took it way too far. I actually found Jared repulsive to read about. He was awful from pretty much the beginning and I just could not understand how Ily could not see it. Personally, for me to believe it more I would have liked to see a little more subtlety and intricacy in their relationship.
What I did love was that Jacobsen took on such a taboo and important subject in domestic violence. We need novels like this, particularly in YA, getting people talking about these issues and the general response to this novel was that it was done well. There are a plethora of positive reviews out there for this book and if you think it is something you will like I do urge you to give it a go. I wish I could have given it more but sadly it wasn't a fit for me. I give The Build-Up Season two flowers, that Illy detests so much.
caitlin_hamilton2003's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
zoey1999's review
4.0
4.5 Stars
An excellent Australian Young Adult novel that deals with Domestic Violence. It also has representation for Indigenous Australians which is excellent.
An excellent Australian Young Adult novel that deals with Domestic Violence. It also has representation for Indigenous Australians which is excellent.