helen000's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
diba_a's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-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
4.5
livrad's review against another edition
3.0
2.75
Elsewhere is the story of Liz, who dies too young and crosses over to Elsewhere, an afterlife where you age in reverse before returning to Earth again as a baby.
I originally found this book from a published review and mistakenly thought it was a book with a teen/adolescent protagonist but written for an adult audience (think: Prep, The Lovely Bones, The Graveyard Book). Once I started listening to it, it didn’t even sound like a YA book, but more of a middle grades. This is exacerbated by a narrator who sounds like she’s 9 and uses very young vocal affectations. The writing of Liz is also emotionally shallow and not with the intellectual depth of a fifteen-year-old. (Once I realized how juvenile this book was, I listened to it with my children, ages 13, 11, and 6, and they all agreed Liz was remarkably young.) Then, there were mentions of more adult content that felt totally jarring (losing one’s virginity, one night stands, etc.) The concept of Elsewhere seems very interesting, but the book didn’t capitalize on that enough and was scant on world building. Still, it was an entertaining enough family listen.
Elsewhere is the story of Liz, who dies too young and crosses over to Elsewhere, an afterlife where you age in reverse before returning to Earth again as a baby.
I originally found this book from a published review and mistakenly thought it was a book with a teen/adolescent protagonist but written for an adult audience (think: Prep, The Lovely Bones, The Graveyard Book). Once I started listening to it, it didn’t even sound like a YA book, but more of a middle grades. This is exacerbated by a narrator who sounds like she’s 9 and uses very young vocal affectations. The writing of Liz is also emotionally shallow and not with the intellectual depth of a fifteen-year-old. (Once I realized how juvenile this book was, I listened to it with my children, ages 13, 11, and 6, and they all agreed Liz was remarkably young.) Then, there were mentions of more adult content that felt totally jarring (losing one’s virginity, one night stands, etc.) The concept of Elsewhere seems very interesting, but the book didn’t capitalize on that enough and was scant on world building. Still, it was an entertaining enough family listen.
potatoplank's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
christy_david's review against another edition
5.0
I think I’m biased bc of my love of the good place and beetlejuice but I love after life stories and this was so creative and fun - wish it was sadder and longer but that’s okay
ciaostacia's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kassi_kennedy's review against another edition
2.0
I really enjoyed the premise of the book. However, I didn't like that the writing style was in the present tense through-out the entire book. I thought the characters weren't developed enough and felt very flat to me. Each character had the same manner of speaking and same sense of humor, so they all were basically the same characters but with different names or genders and different backgrounds. But then again, I'm an adult reader and well aware that the book was intended for young-adults. In all, I did find it gripping enough to read all the way through (in one day no less) and I did find some interesting nuances about it. Unfortunately (and this is probably because of the age range that the book targeted), I found more annoyances than gems.
That said, for a children's book, this would be an excellent read. I could see how it could bring comfort to a child dealing with the loss of a loved one and I can also see how it would be entertaining to a child who is interested in the author's creation of the afterlife. Some of the sub plots and developments in the book itself outside of the characters would make for a very gripping read for years 4th grade - 9th grade (depending on the maturity level of the child; there is some mild cussing).
That said, for a children's book, this would be an excellent read. I could see how it could bring comfort to a child dealing with the loss of a loved one and I can also see how it would be entertaining to a child who is interested in the author's creation of the afterlife. Some of the sub plots and developments in the book itself outside of the characters would make for a very gripping read for years 4th grade - 9th grade (depending on the maturity level of the child; there is some mild cussing).
katrinacharleston's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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
3.5
jenheartbooks's review against another edition
3.0
Strangely impactful for a book that could have fulfilled its potential with some editing and rewriting, despite the narrator sounding like a chipmunk with an awful attempt at a British accent. I do NOT recommend the audiobook.
esheridan's review against another edition
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Really good easy-to-read book, although the ending is really sad in my opinion even though she gets to go to earth.