Scan barcode
amyredgreen's review
3.0
3 1/2. There is a lot to like about this, solid four star book for maybe the first 200 pages or so. I felt like it really fell apart in the end and I don't know why every storyline had to ramp into high drama. (Tilda and Tip's story was the most believable/least dramatic, everything else went overboard for me.) Nitpicking, but the "one month later" chapter at the end made it feel very rushed; a LOT happened in a month! Would've made more sense to be three months later. I really liked her first book and I'm still interested in what she does next.
mlrio's review
5.0
This book is really quite unlike anything else I've ever read; that uniqueness alone is enough to recommend it but it's bolstered by Ream's solid prose, tragically human characters, and remarkable sense of place. (I went into this story not knowing it took place in the San Juan Islands, where I spent a long, disastrous ocean kayaking expedition at age 18. She does a terrific job with the weird, spooky atmosphere of those islands. That was my favorite part of the whole book.) A striking balance of character and intrigue and an all-around great read.
cosmichorrorbrownie's review
2.0
If it wasn't for the fact that I'm currently very behind on my reading challenge this year, I would not have finished this. Every character is just...inconsistent? Irresponsible? Like it's a cast of adults acting like toddlers without any sort of forethought. The ending is indeed pretty unsatisfying, but I was glad it was over.
bookworm42's review
2.0
The concept was really cool, I liked the idea but the delivery left something behind and I ended up after about 75 pages really not enjoying this read.
mizannie4's review
3.0
Compelling premise and suspenseful story. However, none of the characters were likeable, and the ending felt rushed Read for “book by an author with the same initials as you” (Popsugar 2023 reading challenge).
Spoiler
and was wholly unsatisfying. Not in a mysterious "life can be unfathomable" way, but in a "everyone missed every opportunity and really fucked things up" kind of way. In the end, not one character had learned anything, grew as a person, solved a problem, contributed anything, or understood the world or themselves better. (with the small exception of Tilda figuring out that Tip was trying to use her to finance his restaurant, and so what). The two characters who could have really taken something from the 100 year miracle and made an impact on the world - either scientifically or in terms of understanding it as a traditional and mystical experience - ended up dead.sheri_w's review
2.0
I definitely would not have picked this book up if I hadn't gotten it in my muse box.
The idea of a magical bioluminecesnt organism that could help ease pain and lead to hallucinations is interesting, but parts of the story around it were odd. The obsession and the way it transforms a person were on display here, and were well written, but the ability to write well doesn't always equal a great story.
There were parts that seemed glossed over, Hooper was basically a bad guy, but there's not enough to know why or how. (or why.)The whole John plot line could have been more substantial as well.
All together this seemed like bits of a story, but it didn't gel all the way.
The idea of a magical bioluminecesnt organism that could help ease pain and lead to hallucinations is interesting, but parts of the story around it were odd. The obsession and the way it transforms a person were on display here, and were well written, but the ability to write well doesn't always equal a great story.
There were parts that seemed glossed over, Hooper was basically a bad guy, but there's not enough to know why or how. (or why.)The whole John plot line could have been more substantial as well.
All together this seemed like bits of a story, but it didn't gel all the way.
shelf_love's review
5.0
A two part review...
First, the audio book. I received this as a GoodReads First Read. FANTASTIC. Xe Sands narration was brilliant. I highly recommend this audio book and I might have to look for others narrated by her. She brought the story alive and painted a vivid picture.
Second, (a digression from the book itself) I purchased the June Muse Monthly box, and this was the hardback included. I was unimpressed with Muse Monthly customer service this month. My first box with them arrived timely and the tea selection was top notch. This second box, while I still got it in June, barely made it in time as it arrived at 5pm on the last day of the month. The tea though smells amazing and I cannot wait to try it. The book selection once again though was top notch. The only problem is they were promoting the book for so long before I received it I could have purchased it for myself long before it arrived (which I already know their July and August books and the July book is already out and most book clubs have it as a June book...)
Anyways, back to the story. I LOVED it. Though I love a happy ending I loved how realistic this story was and that it wasn't a "happily ever after". Not only are the characters relate-able but the "miracles" that occur are not outlandish and you can imagine yourself there with this small group of people suffering right along with them. I cannot recommend the story highly enough! I am excited to share this book with my friends.
First, the audio book. I received this as a GoodReads First Read. FANTASTIC. Xe Sands narration was brilliant. I highly recommend this audio book and I might have to look for others narrated by her. She brought the story alive and painted a vivid picture.
Second, (a digression from the book itself) I purchased the June Muse Monthly box, and this was the hardback included. I was unimpressed with Muse Monthly customer service this month. My first box with them arrived timely and the tea selection was top notch. This second box, while I still got it in June, barely made it in time as it arrived at 5pm on the last day of the month. The tea though smells amazing and I cannot wait to try it. The book selection once again though was top notch. The only problem is they were promoting the book for so long before I received it I could have purchased it for myself long before it arrived (which I already know their July and August books and the July book is already out and most book clubs have it as a June book...)
Anyways, back to the story. I LOVED it. Though I love a happy ending I loved how realistic this story was and that it wasn't a "happily ever after". Not only are the characters relate-able but the "miracles" that occur are not outlandish and you can imagine yourself there with this small group of people suffering right along with them. I cannot recommend the story highly enough! I am excited to share this book with my friends.
mypalmerskeeper's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
literarylover37's review
3.0
2.5 rounded up to 3.
This was one of those books that I enjoyed for the writing and the journey but once we got to the destination I was not entirely sure of the payoff. Like, what was all of that? Still not sure but worth the read regardless.
This was one of those books that I enjoyed for the writing and the journey but once we got to the destination I was not entirely sure of the payoff. Like, what was all of that? Still not sure but worth the read regardless.