e_d_ivey's review against another edition
4.0
Gillespie writes for young adults without questioning their maturity. She's able to keep the tone snappy without compromising the quality of her work, something I appreciate while simultaneously reading a book whose author seems to think she's writing for kindergarteners.
Once again, April faces trauma after trauma, and her strength comes in the way she logically handles the chaos in her life. Though at times unbelievable, her ability to reason through a situation inspires readers to approach their own lives with a similar logic. Surrounded by adults, she's often one of the most reasonable voices, challenging the idea that adults know better than children. Not only that, I have loved April's travel savvy - for all the lighthearted characters and tone throughout the book, Gillespie does pack the book with subtle lessons about travel safety. And for some readers, this is all that you need to read to be drawn in: absolutely no love triangle exists in this book. In fact, as I neared the end, I was surprised at how I didn't even notice the lack of romance factor. April's life is exciting enough without boy drama.
Once again, April faces trauma after trauma, and her strength comes in the way she logically handles the chaos in her life. Though at times unbelievable, her ability to reason through a situation inspires readers to approach their own lives with a similar logic. Surrounded by adults, she's often one of the most reasonable voices, challenging the idea that adults know better than children. Not only that, I have loved April's travel savvy - for all the lighthearted characters and tone throughout the book, Gillespie does pack the book with subtle lessons about travel safety. And for some readers, this is all that you need to read to be drawn in: absolutely no love triangle exists in this book. In fact, as I neared the end, I was surprised at how I didn't even notice the lack of romance factor. April's life is exciting enough without boy drama.
jpmums's review against another edition
4.0
Great second book. Love how snarky April Mae is - she truly makes the book a fun read.
caleyk_1's review against another edition
4.0
We Will Be Crashing Shortly
By: Hollis Gillespie
Summary:
When we last caught up with April Mae Manning, she was a media darling. The fifteen-year-old had used all the skills she'd learned as an "airplane kid" shuttling cross-country between divorced parents to help land a hijacked and bombed-out airplane and save hundreds of lives. On top of that, she'd learned that she was an heiress to a transportation fortune. But wherever "Crash" Manning goes, trouble follows. She has, after all, survived four crashes, of the airplane and automobile variety, and now she's back in the thick of it. On the run after being charged with murder, she ends up with her best friend Malcolm in a crippled aircraft over the Carribean Ocean. But also aboard is April's villainous stepfather, responsible for the bombing that nearly killed April, and the cargo hold is filled with corpses. For the first time in her fifteen years, April is terrified. Time has run out, and all her smarts (not to mention her smart mouth) won't be enough to save her this time.
After finishing the first installment in April Mae Manning's story I was extremely excited to learn that there was a sequel. Hollis Gillespie did not disappoint, bringing back all our favorite characters (MacGyver references and all), creating some seriously hateable villains and enough knowledge on airplanes and the hierarchy of flight attendants to convince anyone to be nicer to your flight crew while in the air and seriously research your planes before buying an airline ticket. The book was told in media res, starting in the middle of the story before flashing back to the beginning, having the story be told until you're caught up to the current time and then continuing on with the story, the only other narrative that I'm aware of that uses this storytelling style is the Odyssey by Homer. Throughout the story, Gillespie leaves small hints that you don't pick up on until the mystery is solved at the end and you can recall every piece of the puzzle and can see how it all fits together. Overall, I immeasurably enjoyed "We Will Be Crashing Shortly" for the hilarious characters, destructive villans and a realistic plot line that leaves you wanting more. I would highly recommend this book to anyone but would strongly suggest that they read "Unaccompanied Minor" first.
By: Hollis Gillespie
Summary:
When we last caught up with April Mae Manning, she was a media darling. The fifteen-year-old had used all the skills she'd learned as an "airplane kid" shuttling cross-country between divorced parents to help land a hijacked and bombed-out airplane and save hundreds of lives. On top of that, she'd learned that she was an heiress to a transportation fortune. But wherever "Crash" Manning goes, trouble follows. She has, after all, survived four crashes, of the airplane and automobile variety, and now she's back in the thick of it. On the run after being charged with murder, she ends up with her best friend Malcolm in a crippled aircraft over the Carribean Ocean. But also aboard is April's villainous stepfather, responsible for the bombing that nearly killed April, and the cargo hold is filled with corpses. For the first time in her fifteen years, April is terrified. Time has run out, and all her smarts (not to mention her smart mouth) won't be enough to save her this time.
After finishing the first installment in April Mae Manning's story I was extremely excited to learn that there was a sequel. Hollis Gillespie did not disappoint, bringing back all our favorite characters (MacGyver references and all), creating some seriously hateable villains and enough knowledge on airplanes and the hierarchy of flight attendants to convince anyone to be nicer to your flight crew while in the air and seriously research your planes before buying an airline ticket. The book was told in media res, starting in the middle of the story before flashing back to the beginning, having the story be told until you're caught up to the current time and then continuing on with the story, the only other narrative that I'm aware of that uses this storytelling style is the Odyssey by Homer. Throughout the story, Gillespie leaves small hints that you don't pick up on until the mystery is solved at the end and you can recall every piece of the puzzle and can see how it all fits together. Overall, I immeasurably enjoyed "We Will Be Crashing Shortly" for the hilarious characters, destructive villans and a realistic plot line that leaves you wanting more. I would highly recommend this book to anyone but would strongly suggest that they read "Unaccompanied Minor" first.
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