andrewjstillman's review
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-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? Yes
4.0
mghill40's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
donnaehm's review against another edition
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
good_peony's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
leo_the_first's review
3.0
Great book, but the ending is a flop. Doesn't measure up to Gwendy's Button Box.
I was ecstatic to read a new Gwendy book. Gwendy's life from where we left her off in the last book and the beginning of this one feels like a natural progression, similarly to the previous book we get to see that in a fast-paced progression where a few lines span many years of her life. But after that, the last three-quarters of the book span only a couple of weeks, turning the fast-paced narrative into one that drags a bit too much.
Unfortunately, the author, when writing this book, didn't seem to be able to decide between writing a sequel to Gwendy's story or a mystery novel. The former is a precious gem, watching Gwendy struggle, thinking that everything she's achieved is only thanks to the Button Box and not herself, and other plot points I will not discuss to keep this review spoiler-free. But the mystery aspect turns out to be quite unsatisfying, solved almost as an afterthought through unconvincing, and a bit too convenient, means, leaving a disappointing aftertaste to an otherwise good novel.
I was ecstatic to read a new Gwendy book. Gwendy's life from where we left her off in the last book and the beginning of this one feels like a natural progression, similarly to the previous book we get to see that in a fast-paced progression where a few lines span many years of her life. But after that, the last three-quarters of the book span only a couple of weeks, turning the fast-paced narrative into one that drags a bit too much.
Unfortunately, the author, when writing this book, didn't seem to be able to decide between writing a sequel to Gwendy's story or a mystery novel. The former is a precious gem, watching Gwendy struggle, thinking that everything she's achieved is only thanks to the Button Box and not herself, and other plot points I will not discuss to keep this review spoiler-free. But the mystery aspect turns out to be quite unsatisfying, solved almost as an afterthought through unconvincing, and a bit too convenient, means, leaving a disappointing aftertaste to an otherwise good novel.
tms98's review against another edition
3.0
Vermakelijk vervolg, al zat er in de eerste 70% geen plot en was het plot wel weer over na 10 pagina's. Voor de rest gewoon leuk om Gwendy weer tegen te komen zoveel jaren later.
jconfess's review
3.0
Rounded up from 2.5. There were spots where the book did not quite work but I was still invested almost to the end where it fell horribly flat. This one is a pale comparison to the first novella.
nicole_cob_reads's review
dark
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0