slimbooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
informative
inspiring
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
stellulu's review against another edition
2.5
I really did like some parts but all around I didn’t really enjoy reading it
dream_write_read's review
3.0
3/5 Stars
I loved the concept, I just don’t feel it connected with me as much as I hoped. The amount of characters sort of had me lost, and when I thought I had it down I realized I didn’t. This left with no connection to any of the characters really.
Is is odd that I like her writing by didn’t connect to it? I liked the style, but the POV’s chosen seemed like too much.
I think this book could be really good and a favorite for some readers. It wasn’t a bad book my any means, just didn’t stand out.
I loved the concept, I just don’t feel it connected with me as much as I hoped. The amount of characters sort of had me lost, and when I thought I had it down I realized I didn’t. This left with no connection to any of the characters really.
Is is odd that I like her writing by didn’t connect to it? I liked the style, but the POV’s chosen seemed like too much.
I think this book could be really good and a favorite for some readers. It wasn’t a bad book my any means, just didn’t stand out.
ozcar's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
informative
inspiring
tense
medium-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
4.5
story_sanctuary's review against another edition
5.0
It’s kind of a crazy time to read a book about being locked in, right? I didn’t think about that right away, but being under stay-at-home orders as I read WE DIDN’T ASK FOR THIS was definitely interesting– not the same by any means, but interesting.
The style the book is written in is really different from most of the books I read. It’s got an omniscient view that kind of pans through the crowd a lot of the time and then will zoom into one character for a moment and give details about what they’re thinking or experiencing or show a snippet from their past.
Normally this isn’t a writing style that I prefer, but I think it really worked for this story because it creates this big crowd feel but also personalizes so many of the characters and shows so many different points of view and treats them all as equals.
I found it really easy to like lots of the characters, too. Amira and Marisa were my favorites, but I loved Celeste and Kenji and Peejay, too. It took me a little while to get the feel for the community in which the story takes place– it’s an international school, but I kept basically picturing a very diverse American school, which isn’t the same thing at all! But once I recognized that distinction and changed how I was picturing things, I felt like I got it more. Hopefully that makes sense?
On the whole, I really enjoyed reading WE DIDN’T ASK FOR THIS. It’s the first book by Adi Alsaid that I’ve read, but I’ve wanted to read his books for a while now. I really want to check out the others.
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
The style the book is written in is really different from most of the books I read. It’s got an omniscient view that kind of pans through the crowd a lot of the time and then will zoom into one character for a moment and give details about what they’re thinking or experiencing or show a snippet from their past.
Normally this isn’t a writing style that I prefer, but I think it really worked for this story because it creates this big crowd feel but also personalizes so many of the characters and shows so many different points of view and treats them all as equals.
I found it really easy to like lots of the characters, too. Amira and Marisa were my favorites, but I loved Celeste and Kenji and Peejay, too. It took me a little while to get the feel for the community in which the story takes place– it’s an international school, but I kept basically picturing a very diverse American school, which isn’t the same thing at all! But once I recognized that distinction and changed how I was picturing things, I felt like I got it more. Hopefully that makes sense?
On the whole, I really enjoyed reading WE DIDN’T ASK FOR THIS. It’s the first book by Adi Alsaid that I’ve read, but I’ve wanted to read his books for a while now. I really want to check out the others.
Note: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
ctlnelizabeth's review against another edition
5.0
Honestly I enjoyed this book because the storyline was so unique! It was thoughtful and I enjoyed all the characters. The only qualm is that I’m Canadian and I listened to the audiobook which the reader pronounced foyer “foy-er” not “foy-ay” it made me cringe ahahaha
But that’s the tiniest thing!
Loved this book!
But that’s the tiniest thing!
Loved this book!
megs_s's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
lighthearted
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
haithisil's review against another edition
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
stenaros's review against another edition
4.0
Read for Librarian Book Group
It's Lock-in Night at an international school and the kids are excited. But when Marisa and her friends chain themselves to the doors of the school to protest the degradation of coral reefs they REALLY lock people in and plans change.
Alsaid effectively manages point of view of six characters plus a few more. Nicely done.
It's Lock-in Night at an international school and the kids are excited. But when Marisa and her friends chain themselves to the doors of the school to protest the degradation of coral reefs they REALLY lock people in and plans change.
Alsaid effectively manages point of view of six characters plus a few more. Nicely done.