laneyvonhall's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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? It's complicated
5.0
jessicalouise25's review against another edition
5.0
The Age of Miracles is very possibly the most beautiful book I’ve ever read and certainly the most haunting.
Firstly I need to mention the quality of the description within the book, it is vivid and incredibly intense. I can picture this book as a movie and it actually felt like one due to the imagery produced throughout the story.
When I initially started reading I was immediately unsettled by how surreal it felt. It had this dreamlike, majestic quality that I just can’t explain but that I loved.
The concept of the story is a an apocalyptic event. I haven't read much in the way of apocalyptic novels or dystopia but what I have read failed to be as haunting as this book. The reason for that it that it’s hard to believe that zombie apocalypse will happen or that the world will end in some spectacular way. It is much easier though to believe that the world may end in a way similar to the way the world begins to deteriorate in this book. The concept of ‘the slowing’ was so simple and understated for an apocalyptic novel that it began to feel real, or at least the possibility of such an event did. I can’t envision zombie taking over any time soon but I can see this kind of even happening in the future which is why this book was so haunting and creepy.
The metaphors used in the book were wonderful to read and the observations by the protagonist were intelligent.
The girl, Julia, is 11/12 years old in this book, hence she is starting to see changes in herself which occur for most people around that age. She is experiencing these changes though alongside the changes in the world. Seeing the two changes, one natural and expected and the other quite the opposite, parallel to one another makes the story so much more intense. Julia is often questioning whether changes are happening in her life because it is just time for that particular change or if ‘the slowing’ has something to do with it. She has to second guess everything and the struggle she has is woven into the story in the most subtle, yet immense, way.
Writing this book in past tense allowed the author to creep me out so much more by utilizing foreshadowing and hindsight within the story. This is potentially the most creepy aspect of the book because it would leave me terrified to find out how the book would end. I was desperate to know where Julia was when she was telling the story and what the world had become. This writing style was beautiful, captivating and like nothing I’ve ever read.
This book was heartbreaking for me, I cried several times throughout it and especially at the end. After I closed the book I felt lost. I didn’t know what to do with myself. Was I happy? Was I sad? I didn't know. Since then I haven’t been able to stop thinking about the book, feeling different emotions for it and just thinking ‘wow’.
The Age of Miracles is a powerful book, one that has effected me enormously. I gave five stars to this heartbreakingly beautiful story that I’m sure I’ll remember forever.
Firstly I need to mention the quality of the description within the book, it is vivid and incredibly intense. I can picture this book as a movie and it actually felt like one due to the imagery produced throughout the story.
When I initially started reading I was immediately unsettled by how surreal it felt. It had this dreamlike, majestic quality that I just can’t explain but that I loved.
The concept of the story is a an apocalyptic event. I haven't read much in the way of apocalyptic novels or dystopia but what I have read failed to be as haunting as this book. The reason for that it that it’s hard to believe that zombie apocalypse will happen or that the world will end in some spectacular way. It is much easier though to believe that the world may end in a way similar to the way the world begins to deteriorate in this book. The concept of ‘the slowing’ was so simple and understated for an apocalyptic novel that it began to feel real, or at least the possibility of such an event did. I can’t envision zombie taking over any time soon but I can see this kind of even happening in the future which is why this book was so haunting and creepy.
The metaphors used in the book were wonderful to read and the observations by the protagonist were intelligent.
The girl, Julia, is 11/12 years old in this book, hence she is starting to see changes in herself which occur for most people around that age. She is experiencing these changes though alongside the changes in the world. Seeing the two changes, one natural and expected and the other quite the opposite, parallel to one another makes the story so much more intense. Julia is often questioning whether changes are happening in her life because it is just time for that particular change or if ‘the slowing’ has something to do with it. She has to second guess everything and the struggle she has is woven into the story in the most subtle, yet immense, way.
Writing this book in past tense allowed the author to creep me out so much more by utilizing foreshadowing and hindsight within the story. This is potentially the most creepy aspect of the book because it would leave me terrified to find out how the book would end. I was desperate to know where Julia was when she was telling the story and what the world had become. This writing style was beautiful, captivating and like nothing I’ve ever read.
This book was heartbreaking for me, I cried several times throughout it and especially at the end. After I closed the book I felt lost. I didn’t know what to do with myself. Was I happy? Was I sad? I didn't know. Since then I haven’t been able to stop thinking about the book, feeling different emotions for it and just thinking ‘wow’.
The Age of Miracles is a powerful book, one that has effected me enormously. I gave five stars to this heartbreakingly beautiful story that I’m sure I’ll remember forever.
megsherer's review against another edition
4.0
A great addition to the "end of the world" canon that's growing larger every year. Walker does an excellent job of mixing the recalled viewpoint of 11 year old Julia as she watches her world change around her, both her tiny 6th grade world and the actual decay of Earth, while also mixing in the ominous asides of an older sensibility, creating excellent tension. You can guess based on her tone that Julia makes it out of adolescence, but just how far she and the Earth make it is kept until the very end. Run of the mill junior high experiences (her first kids-only party) are mixed with observations of the last time she experienced something common place (the last time she ate a grape) and you're left to ponder which circumstance is more significant for her that it caused the memory to stick there to begin with.
jhalloran99's review against another edition
5.0
Awesome. Absolutely incredible. A very honest and gut wrenching look at growing up in a time of chaos. Julia, the narrator, is very insightful, wise, and easy to relate to. I borrowed it from the library, but I can't wait to go out and get a copy of my own so it can grace my bookshelves and I can reread it as many times as I want:)
kaitp617's review against another edition
4.0
I never would have expected to enjoy a book from an 11 yr old's point of view so much, but gosh this book was awesome. I read it in a 12 hour period. The concept of this book is terrifying, yet almost realistic, and the way it was executed was just fantastic. Julia was only eleven for the majority of this book, but once I placed myself in my 11 year old self's shoes, I really related to Julia. This book was just crazy but addicting and really made me think. I would give it around a 4 star rating!
untitledlullaby's review against another edition
4.0
I was gonna give this five stars but then the ending happened. I think the writing and the coming of age story were great. The protagonist was good. It was quite scary to me and I have no qualms besides the ending.
rebbemcc's review against another edition
4.0
Really enjoyed this one. While some reviewers have complained about slow pacing, I thought of it more as quiet. I thought the characters were believable and although the story was sometimes heartbreaking the way characters dropped in and out of each other's lives, it really captured the angst of teen friendships.
nglofile's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars. A story full of wonder and impact. This is a remarkable book, and I found myself enveloped right from the start. The premise is imaginative, the developments perceptive, and the narrator heartbreakingly engaging. I can't help but wish the author had taken it a bit farther or deeper, but still I know this is one I will eagerly recommend.
Additional comment: I don't consider this to be inherently a YA book. Quite frankly, I am aggravated by the increasingly widespread belief that if a book features a teen character as narrator and/or protagonist, it belongs to YA. Please don't misread me. I'm NOT saying that teens couldn't read or enjoy this book; I have no doubt they will. However, the POV is a specific narrative choice that speaks to a broader theme. I won't win this argument (and I've had it in regards to many titles), but neither am I giving up.
re-read (audio): April 2013
audiobook note: Emily Rankin gives lovely voice to Julia's viewpoint. Her pains, her hopes, her confusion, and her joys are nearly palpable thanks to skillful narration.
Additional comment: I don't consider this to be inherently a YA book. Quite frankly, I am aggravated by the increasingly widespread belief that if a book features a teen character as narrator and/or protagonist, it belongs to YA. Please don't misread me. I'm NOT saying that teens couldn't read or enjoy this book; I have no doubt they will. However, the POV is a specific narrative choice that speaks to a broader theme. I won't win this argument (and I've had it in regards to many titles), but neither am I giving up.
re-read (audio): April 2013
audiobook note: Emily Rankin gives lovely voice to Julia's viewpoint. Her pains, her hopes, her confusion, and her joys are nearly palpable thanks to skillful narration.
l_walkes's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
bendy_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
3.0