DM
Theological jokes that made me chuckle. Deus ex Machina flaw at the end, but that made it funnier.
Doesn't take itself too seriously. Author narrates her own audio book, and nails the character voices. It's a fun read if you're willing to have a Hunka Hunka Burning good time. Oh, and there are Elvis jokes.
Interesting read on the instant mass media generation that we live in. It is a YA book, but I found myself pondering some hard truths about media. Media doesn't tell us how to think, but it is amazing how tailored media is to each individual. Even by posting this review, my Goodreads account will never be the same. Fairly easy read, not a huge fan of the small bits of language and innuendo, but is what it is. A YA that is trying jump in and get what it can. You will think twice the next time you see a tailored ad.
Really enjoyed the entire book, but (trying to be spoiler free) there was an extra happily ever after that they threw in at the end. I should have seen it coming, but it felt unnecessary and took away from the emotional growth of Jack. Just my opinion.
So many great narrative devices available. Sci-Fi, Magic, and Marvel. Never could decide what it wanted to be and then in the end... .DEUS EX
This book did bring a lot of great what if Sci-Fi ideas though.
Loved the Dogma and Galaxy Quest Stuff. I just struggle with biographical stuff. Enjoyable when I knew what he was talking about. Especially his current events stuff was interesting to see his thoughts on many things.
I struggled with the length. Didn't realize it was going to have a second book, so I am a little bit more intrigued. I think I kept expecting something to tie a few more pieces together, and instead more questions kept getting set up. Now I know why. I'll give the second one a try. Overall enjoyable, I just think I missed some key plot points.
2.5 and I'll be the first to admit that I probably will need to do a reread later on. I just get the feeling I missed something. I was also frustrated by the hard left turn the Epilogue takes. I'm all for a save the earth bit, but (like I said earlier) I either missed it heading in that direction or it was a forced turn. That being said, I loved the mythology and world building. And honestly would have enjoyed more Taryn on the book tour circuit. I want to read her book.
Time Travel is like a ring with diamonds. You can skip to each diamond and no matter what happens when, it happens. This is a story of how a girl growing up in New York realizes there is more going on around her then she knows. You have to make some mistakes before you get it right.
This may have been my favorite book of the year.
Suicide themes make me nervous in books. This book handles it without glorifying it or downplaying it. Honestly, suicide makes me angry, but again credit to the author for writing a description of why some people make this choice. Depression, anxiety, and other emotions are all real and they affect people in many ways. Remember that you are loved, you make a difference, and no matter how bad it is; someone wants to help.
The happily ever after at the end is a little much. Emotions and attacks don't just go away, but there is some healing when the realization that you matter sticks. Well done!
Reminder to self: Greatly enjoyed the first part of the book, and the finale felt rushed. Maybe I just want to learn more about what happened next. 3.5 pushing 4 stars.
As Math teacher, I loved how it portrayed that sense of joy when solving math problems. As a teacher teacher, I loved how it portrayed students that process differently. And yes, I love how the relationships of the characters intertwine, get messy, and find a way out. I paraphrase a quote in the book, who needs a soap opera when you have Newton (the school they attend) Enjoy it!
Two quotes I want to save,
"That's one way to think about it," Reini continued in a calm tone. "Freedom, merit, and equality---any of these alluring words will always be pursued by a generations." -Chapter 38 Luoying"did you know that I wasn't certain about this movement at all? For a long time I debated with myself whether I should participate. In the end I decided to join because I didn't know what else I could do, where else I could find the feeling I wanted. I was looking for a sense of life, a surging sensation of releasing my self, a ... meaning. I wanted to do something that felt worthy of devoting my whole self to. I just wanted that feeling. I wasn't thinking much about the goal or the movement itself. I never even really thought about whether the movement was right. Simply, I wanted my life to burn, to feel that burn." -Chapter 38 Luoying
I love the fact that Paolini adds small nods to science fiction literature all over the place. I'm not sure if he did it on purpose, or if I just making correlations. Meatbags, Prey, Firefly, Halo, Ringworld, and much much more. Just an enjoyable audiobook.
MATURE THEMES: Rape, Sexual Assault, Description of Abortion
That being said... I really enjoy the time-travel aspect of the book. Imagine if Marty McFly kept coming in and out of reality every time an edit happens, and only the people around the edit can remember the way it was or could have been. The secondary characters are interesting and you wonder what happens to them as each edit gets closer to the final goal. As someone who believes abortion hurts women it was difficult to see abortion so glorified. There are many other things that I think help support women in situations of unplanned pregnancy. Please, don't call me a Comstocker as again, I enjoyed the story, loved how the time travel was used, and empathized with the characters.
This book may or may not end with happily ever after (I'll let you find out for yourself) but the way things end just make me happy. Fitting conclusion.
Especially a fan of MA BOYONG'S “The First Emperor's Games,” GU SHI'S “Reflection,” and BAOSHU'S “What Has Passed Shall in Kinder Light Appear.”