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nannahnannah's reviews
744 reviews
Peeps by Scott Westerfeld
4.0
Wow. I certainly know a lot more about parasites now!
This was definitely a page-turner. I couldn't put it down. I'm freaking out over a major exam but I didn't study because I had to finish this novel. Scott Westerfeld certainly knows how to spin prose along. Beautiful descriptions, and a voice that will seduce you. The amazing thing with Scott Westerfeld is that he changes his voice for each book. Not just when the character's thinking. He changes the prose to fit the protagonist. THAT is something that I haven't seen in young adult books for a long time.
The plot will keep you on your toes, and you will fall in love with the main characters almost immediately. Twists and turns abound, and most of them you won't see coming.
I would have rated this five stars in a heartbeat, except for the ending. Don't get me wrong, the concept is cool (marvelous even) but I didn't like some details of it. I'll keep this a spoiler-free review so I can't say what that is.
But an action-packed, fascinating read that I'm going to recommend to a bunch of my friends. :)
This was definitely a page-turner. I couldn't put it down. I'm freaking out over a major exam but I didn't study because I had to finish this novel. Scott Westerfeld certainly knows how to spin prose along. Beautiful descriptions, and a voice that will seduce you. The amazing thing with Scott Westerfeld is that he changes his voice for each book. Not just when the character's thinking. He changes the prose to fit the protagonist. THAT is something that I haven't seen in young adult books for a long time.
The plot will keep you on your toes, and you will fall in love with the main characters almost immediately. Twists and turns abound, and most of them you won't see coming.
I would have rated this five stars in a heartbeat, except for the ending. Don't get me wrong, the concept is cool (marvelous even) but I didn't like some details of it. I'll keep this a spoiler-free review so I can't say what that is.
But an action-packed, fascinating read that I'm going to recommend to a bunch of my friends. :)
The Outcasts by John Flanagan
1.0
I'm sorry to say I didn't enjoy this book.
This is a young adult book, I understand, but I couldn't help but feel insulted by the writing. It was all function and nothing else, and worse than that it had so many repetitions and explanations of gestures that it made me think John Flanagan thought his readers would be idiots who didn't understand that when a character nodded it meant they agreed with something. Everything is told, nothing shown. I was TOLD that someone was angry or confused or happy, I was hardly ever shown it. And when it did occur, it happened with "in anger" or "in frustration" after it, so consistently redundant that I actually flinched every time it appeared, which was maybe fifteen plus times on a single page. The writing was awkward and contrived; I can't even count the number of times I saw the phrase, "as a result, . . . "
The plot just a competition between boys. I was waiting for the plot to pick up into some romping adventure but it just sat there at a competition.
The characters were flat, especially the boys in Hal's brotherband. One of them was a thief. Everything about him, every character trait had to do with the fact he was a thief. He run really fast, because he's a thief, I guess that would be a helpful trait if you were a thief (literally it was explained like that in the book). It's mentioned he's a thief almost every time his name comes up in paragraph. Or the "I'm short-sighted, not stupid" appeared in the dialogue at least two times. These characters had pretty much one defining feature and it was all they were throughout the entire novel. Not to mention the random love interest present in maybe two pages tops. I had forgotten about her until near the end she randomly kissed Hal. It's as if she was an afterthought, "oh yeah I need a girl character, she should probably just be a love interest but I don't want to deal with her so she'll appear just two times and it'll just be defending her from the antagonist and then a kiss for the hero."
Exposition made up half the dialogue, all awkward and sounding out-of-character. I'm not actually sure what was in-character though, to be honest, everything was so stilted and cliche and written in one voice, all the characters could be the same if not for their defining feature.
Sorry, I'm being really mean. It's my opinion only.
This is a young adult book, I understand, but I couldn't help but feel insulted by the writing. It was all function and nothing else, and worse than that it had so many repetitions and explanations of gestures that it made me think John Flanagan thought his readers would be idiots who didn't understand that when a character nodded it meant they agreed with something. Everything is told, nothing shown. I was TOLD that someone was angry or confused or happy, I was hardly ever shown it. And when it did occur, it happened with "in anger" or "in frustration" after it, so consistently redundant that I actually flinched every time it appeared, which was maybe fifteen plus times on a single page. The writing was awkward and contrived; I can't even count the number of times I saw the phrase, "as a result, . . . "
The plot just a competition between boys. I was waiting for the plot to pick up into some romping adventure but it just sat there at a competition.
The characters were flat, especially the boys in Hal's brotherband. One of them was a thief. Everything about him, every character trait had to do with the fact he was a thief. He run really fast, because he's a thief, I guess that would be a helpful trait if you were a thief (literally it was explained like that in the book). It's mentioned he's a thief almost every time his name comes up in paragraph. Or the "I'm short-sighted, not stupid" appeared in the dialogue at least two times. These characters had pretty much one defining feature and it was all they were throughout the entire novel. Not to mention the random love interest present in maybe two pages tops. I had forgotten about her until near the end she randomly kissed Hal. It's as if she was an afterthought, "oh yeah I need a girl character, she should probably just be a love interest but I don't want to deal with her so she'll appear just two times and it'll just be defending her from the antagonist and then a kiss for the hero."
Exposition made up half the dialogue, all awkward and sounding out-of-character. I'm not actually sure what was in-character though, to be honest, everything was so stilted and cliche and written in one voice, all the characters could be the same if not for their defining feature.
Sorry, I'm being really mean. It's my opinion only.
Trash by Andy Mulligan
3.0
This book was okay, it had a really good message, a fantastic setting, and intriguing characters, but I think the execution took me out of the story most of the time.
Most of all it's the multiple POV's that bug me. Normally I don't actually mind multiple POV's, but only when they're done well and they actually contribute to the story in some way. The POV's here seemed almost random, and I feel the idea wasn't introduced as early as it should have, to get me acquainted with the idea. Also, the POV's didn't have a consistent or even separate voices, they all were written more or less the same as the others, despite that one of the storytellers was one of the dumpsite kids and another an educated person from a different country. There were very, very few indications of voice. And sometimes the boys would use really formal language that removed me from the scene.
The setting though, is phenomenal. I think that's what really shined in this book. I could imagine everything perfectly, in all its stinking and hideous glory. I loved that Mulligan didn't soften any details down, he didn't lessen the poverty or the filth in which the three main boys lived.
But all in all, an okay read. I wasn't particularly drawn into the storyline but the setting and the boys kept me reading.
Most of all it's the multiple POV's that bug me. Normally I don't actually mind multiple POV's, but only when they're done well and they actually contribute to the story in some way. The POV's here seemed almost random, and I feel the idea wasn't introduced as early as it should have, to get me acquainted with the idea. Also, the POV's didn't have a consistent or even separate voices, they all were written more or less the same as the others, despite that one of the storytellers was one of the dumpsite kids and another an educated person from a different country. There were very, very few indications of voice. And sometimes the boys would use really formal language that removed me from the scene.
The setting though, is phenomenal. I think that's what really shined in this book. I could imagine everything perfectly, in all its stinking and hideous glory. I loved that Mulligan didn't soften any details down, he didn't lessen the poverty or the filth in which the three main boys lived.
But all in all, an okay read. I wasn't particularly drawn into the storyline but the setting and the boys kept me reading.
The Dead-Tossed Waves by Carrie Ryan
3.0
Trigger warnings: attempted rape
A friend had told me the second installment was about Mary's daughter, so I prepared myself accordingly, but I wasn't prepared for ANOTHER love triangle and another heroine who depended on the love of two boys to function, to feel self-worth and to make any decisions. There has to be something said for someone who feels the need to put two love triangles in two successive books involving separate characters. Seems a bit excessive to me . . . at least unimaginative.
So yes, I didn't like Gabry much. She did feel stronger in the end, but I felt cheated, because she kept talking about this newfound strength, and I know she only felt that way because some boy told her he loved her. She spent the whole first three-quarters of the book moaning about these two boys and that she was doing something wrong and pushing them away and then yanking them closer. Pages after pages were spent on this interior monologue that basically ran over the same issues: "I NEED HIM, OMG GET AWAY." The writing in general was a bit redundant: chapters spent discussing the same thing that happened earlier, or treating the same issues, etc.
But what really bothered me the most was the heroine's dependence on the male protagonists of the book. It seems that every YA book I pick up geared towards a more "female audience," if I have to be so stereotypical, has this same attitude. And it's starting to worry me. That, and it's plain aggravating as all heck.
I'd add more here, but I'm starting to care less and less, unfortunately. The plot didn't seem strong enough to hold its own (hence the love triangle forming most of the focus), Ryan also had to put some totalitarian-feeling controlling figure to make the book a bit more cliche as a YA book and it just went on and on, spiraling into the same issues without resolving most of them.
However, I'm being overwhelmingly negative, and I did rate this thing three stars. The climax, when it did happen, was pretty darn well-done. The scene was chilling (the not-so-much-a-waterfall concept made me literally shiver), and I started to root for the main protags in a way I hadn't done the whole book.
. . . but I might just look up a detailed summary of the third installment instead of reading it, I'm that frustrated . . . or at least I'll see if the love triangle makes a comeback. If it doesn't, I'll give The Dark and Hollow Places a shot.
A friend had told me the second installment was about Mary's daughter, so I prepared myself accordingly, but I wasn't prepared for ANOTHER love triangle and another heroine who depended on the love of two boys to function, to feel self-worth and to make any decisions. There has to be something said for someone who feels the need to put two love triangles in two successive books involving separate characters. Seems a bit excessive to me . . . at least unimaginative.
So yes, I didn't like Gabry much. She did feel stronger in the end, but I felt cheated, because she kept talking about this newfound strength, and I know she only felt that way because some boy told her he loved her. She spent the whole first three-quarters of the book moaning about these two boys and that she was doing something wrong and pushing them away and then yanking them closer. Pages after pages were spent on this interior monologue that basically ran over the same issues: "I NEED HIM, OMG GET AWAY." The writing in general was a bit redundant: chapters spent discussing the same thing that happened earlier, or treating the same issues, etc.
But what really bothered me the most was the heroine's dependence on the male protagonists of the book. It seems that every YA book I pick up geared towards a more "female audience," if I have to be so stereotypical, has this same attitude. And it's starting to worry me. That, and it's plain aggravating as all heck.
I'd add more here, but I'm starting to care less and less, unfortunately. The plot didn't seem strong enough to hold its own (hence the love triangle forming most of the focus), Ryan also had to put some totalitarian-feeling controlling figure to make the book a bit more cliche as a YA book and it just went on and on, spiraling into the same issues without resolving most of them.
However, I'm being overwhelmingly negative, and I did rate this thing three stars. The climax, when it did happen, was pretty darn well-done. The scene was chilling (the not-so-much-a-waterfall concept made me literally shiver), and I started to root for the main protags in a way I hadn't done the whole book.
. . . but I might just look up a detailed summary of the third installment instead of reading it, I'm that frustrated . . . or at least I'll see if the love triangle makes a comeback. If it doesn't, I'll give The Dark and Hollow Places a shot.
Across the Universe by Beth Revis
4.0
Trigger warnings: attempted rape, what seems like unnecessary abuse to the female lead.
Now, this book has me a little torn on the ratings. Because while there were things that really just HURT to read (and not in a good way, I mean like she should NOT have put that in her book), I admit I still enjoyed the novel as a whole. I loved the concept and many of the twists made me literally gasp . . . well, except for one, which I called from the beginning, but maybe that's one we're supposed to know about.
But let's get the negatives out right away because almost everything I didn't like about Across the Universe are issues I find EXTREMELY important--especially in YA books, and ESPECIALLY in YA books that more girls will read than boys.
First, the attempted rape scene. Is it a new fad or something to write a scene for a the lead woman protag to almost be sexually violated? No, seriously, is it? Because I've been seeing it a lot in new YA books, especially those targeting a young female audience, and it's making me sick. And worst off, it served no real purpose in the book other than showing (though it had already been shown) that the people aren't reacting to situations like people should. I get that that particular point wanted to be put across, but putting this poor girl through that pain, and then dropping the issue for the rest of the book pretty much is inexcusable to me. Maybe it's because I have a particular rough background with the issue, but I don't think it's fair to have the female lead go through such a traumatic experience just so we readers get "oh, something's not right." Especially since we already got that a long time ago.
Secondly, to make things worse, a couple chapters after this Amy gets her will taken away (and yes, this review has some spoilers, but I won't go as far to say by what). She gets abused AGAIN, this time mentally. And this time the abuse is only for Elder's development. So her first abuse was for our understanding, the second was for Elder's character development. There's nothing I hate more than the abuse of a woman for the sake of a man's character development. It happens ALL the time in stories and media, and it just hurts and it makes me sad.
Thirdly, it's Elder's obsession with Amy that makes me feel really uncomfortable. Yes, I get that she's different and that makes her super interesting. But in the beginning when he's thinking about her, I feel violated. I didn't want them to get together, I wanted her to run, yes, run Amy! Far away! (I'd like to point out as the book progressed I forgot about that scene, as did the characters, and Elder seemed to gravitate towards her because of the way she was, every aspect of her personality, etc., not just how exotic she looked, so thank you, Revis, for that).
Okay. Fourthly, and lastly, I come to the issue of the extremely light racism that came across here. I get that Revis wanted to portray a mono-ethnic culture (and goodness, she stressed the point enough), but I did get a little uncomfortable when Amy thought at one point, "they all look the same!" or something to that effect, and also "and I'm so bright" in comparison to them. It just made me cringe. Also, when describing the ship's population for the first time, she kept using words relating to food, which always gets me going.
ANYWAYS. I'm sorry to have ranted on so much about the negatives. Because, as you see, I gave this book four stars! But yes, these issues are important to me. And yes, I think they're all sorts of wrong and should have had no part in the story. However, I did enjoy the overall story. I enjoyed the plights of a culture stuffed onto a ship for over 250 years, I enjoyed the concept of the Elder/Eldest and how that concept came to be. I loved how there was no "evil/good" because you could sympathize with both ways of thinking. You could understand why everyone did what they did, even if it sickened you. And Elder's thoughts really put those feelings across well.
And Harley. God, I love Harley. I'm going to go out on a limb here without having read any other reviews and say that he's probably everyone's favorite character. What a vibrant personality. I knew how his story was going to end, even if I think it didn't have a function in the overall picture (and even if it did make me really sad, like oh please WHY sad).
And the writing was very nice, GORGEOUS at some points.
So yeah, I'm looking forward to reading the second installment.
Now, this book has me a little torn on the ratings. Because while there were things that really just HURT to read (and not in a good way, I mean like she should NOT have put that in her book), I admit I still enjoyed the novel as a whole. I loved the concept and many of the twists made me literally gasp . . . well, except for one, which I called from the beginning, but maybe that's one we're supposed to know about.
But let's get the negatives out right away because almost everything I didn't like about Across the Universe are issues I find EXTREMELY important--especially in YA books, and ESPECIALLY in YA books that more girls will read than boys.
First, the attempted rape scene. Is it a new fad or something to write a scene for a the lead woman protag to almost be sexually violated? No, seriously, is it? Because I've been seeing it a lot in new YA books, especially those targeting a young female audience, and it's making me sick. And worst off, it served no real purpose in the book other than showing (though it had already been shown) that the people aren't reacting to situations like people should. I get that that particular point wanted to be put across, but putting this poor girl through that pain, and then dropping the issue for the rest of the book pretty much is inexcusable to me. Maybe it's because I have a particular rough background with the issue, but I don't think it's fair to have the female lead go through such a traumatic experience just so we readers get "oh, something's not right." Especially since we already got that a long time ago.
Secondly, to make things worse, a couple chapters after this Amy gets her will taken away (and yes, this review has some spoilers, but I won't go as far to say by what). She gets abused AGAIN, this time mentally. And this time the abuse is only for Elder's development. So her first abuse was for our understanding, the second was for Elder's character development. There's nothing I hate more than the abuse of a woman for the sake of a man's character development. It happens ALL the time in stories and media, and it just hurts and it makes me sad.
Thirdly, it's Elder's obsession with Amy that makes me feel really uncomfortable. Yes, I get that she's different and that makes her super interesting. But in the beginning when he's thinking about her, I feel violated. I didn't want them to get together, I wanted her to run, yes, run Amy! Far away! (I'd like to point out as the book progressed I forgot about that scene, as did the characters, and Elder seemed to gravitate towards her because of the way she was, every aspect of her personality, etc., not just how exotic she looked, so thank you, Revis, for that).
Okay. Fourthly, and lastly, I come to the issue of the extremely light racism that came across here. I get that Revis wanted to portray a mono-ethnic culture (and goodness, she stressed the point enough), but I did get a little uncomfortable when Amy thought at one point, "they all look the same!" or something to that effect, and also "and I'm so bright" in comparison to them. It just made me cringe. Also, when describing the ship's population for the first time, she kept using words relating to food, which always gets me going.
ANYWAYS. I'm sorry to have ranted on so much about the negatives. Because, as you see, I gave this book four stars! But yes, these issues are important to me. And yes, I think they're all sorts of wrong and should have had no part in the story. However, I did enjoy the overall story. I enjoyed the plights of a culture stuffed onto a ship for over 250 years, I enjoyed the concept of the Elder/Eldest and how that concept came to be. I loved how there was no "evil/good" because you could sympathize with both ways of thinking. You could understand why everyone did what they did, even if it sickened you. And Elder's thoughts really put those feelings across well.
And Harley. God, I love Harley. I'm going to go out on a limb here without having read any other reviews and say that he's probably everyone's favorite character. What a vibrant personality. I knew how his story was going to end, even if I think it didn't have a function in the overall picture (and even if it did make me really sad, like oh please WHY sad).
And the writing was very nice, GORGEOUS at some points.
So yeah, I'm looking forward to reading the second installment.
Lament: The Faerie Queen's Deception by Maggie Stiefvater
4.0
Wow, this story really grew on me.
At first, I rolled my eyes, sighed, groaned, and lolled my head around every single time Luke made another appearance because he was just another one of those love interests. But then, when I really started to think about it, and forgive me my inner feminist, what's so bad about having the leading woman getting a super attractive guy? All the men have been getting perfect princesses in stories for centuries.
However, I start having problems when these super-hot dudes begin bordering on stalkerish behavior, which Luke had a tendency to do at some points. Also, Deirdre's a smart girl, so why didn't she ever feel wary about hanging out with Luke when he continually told her he was a dangerous guy? It took her absolute proof of his past to convince her he was a not-so-innocent fellow. Other than that, and Luke's annoying pet name, "pretty girl" and his sexist remarks that were never addressed and/or corrected, which made me want to smack him, their relationship was quite touching and pretty to read.
All in all, though, the best part about this book was the faeries. They actually acted like faeries. Imagine that! I can't even begin to describe how refreshing they were to experience and to learn about. They weren't some creatures made to appear romantic or to fulfill some fantasy of the author or whatever crap some people write nowadays. That aspect was brilliant.
Although four-leaf clovers really aren't all that rare . . . in case anyone was wondering.
Lament was a nice read and, though it was too slow for me at times, and I didn't think the love triangle had a point, as well as some of the characters, I enjoyed it far more than I expected to.
At first, I rolled my eyes, sighed, groaned, and lolled my head around every single time Luke made another appearance because he was just another one of those love interests. But then, when I really started to think about it, and forgive me my inner feminist, what's so bad about having the leading woman getting a super attractive guy? All the men have been getting perfect princesses in stories for centuries.
However, I start having problems when these super-hot dudes begin bordering on stalkerish behavior, which Luke had a tendency to do at some points. Also, Deirdre's a smart girl, so why didn't she ever feel wary about hanging out with Luke when he continually told her he was a dangerous guy? It took her absolute proof of his past to convince her he was a not-so-innocent fellow. Other than that, and Luke's annoying pet name, "pretty girl" and his sexist remarks that were never addressed and/or corrected, which made me want to smack him, their relationship was quite touching and pretty to read.
All in all, though, the best part about this book was the faeries. They actually acted like faeries. Imagine that! I can't even begin to describe how refreshing they were to experience and to learn about. They weren't some creatures made to appear romantic or to fulfill some fantasy of the author or whatever crap some people write nowadays. That aspect was brilliant.
Although four-leaf clovers really aren't all that rare . . . in case anyone was wondering.
Lament was a nice read and, though it was too slow for me at times, and I didn't think the love triangle had a point, as well as some of the characters, I enjoyed it far more than I expected to.
Ashes by Ilsa J. Bick
3.0
Oh . . .
I was so ready to give this book 5 solid, beautiful stars. I was so ready.
Until I got about halfway and it was as if some undistinguished dystopian author ran up to Bick, snatched her pen, said, "I got this," and wrote the rest of the novel in the style of every other YA book out there, adding a second love interest, 15+ unnecessary characters, what seemed like a whole other plot, and took away what I loved (did I mention absolutely loved)about the book's first half.
Basically, the first half of the book: 5 stars.
Second half: 2 stars. Maybe less. I can't decide right now. Talk to me later after I recover from this heartbreak and betrayal and downed at least 3 cups of tea.
However, let's return to the glorious, dark, and awesome 250 pages of Ashes. Gosh, I wanted to run up to my friends and shove this thing into their faces, waving it around and screaming. I wanted to wail its praises and everything. I mean, it's not without its flaws, certainly--the prose is somewhat clunky, especially in action scenes, where sentences continue to be very long and flowery, taking me out of the scene and the energy; not to mention that the Minnesota was described literally as a "lumberjack" wearing plaid and a turtleneck. I'm surprised Bick didn't take a swing at his accent, too. But maybe I'm just sore because I'm a Minnesotan myself . . .
In any case, I loved the slow and simplistic approach to the beginning, especially with Alex's brain tumor and the introduction of the zombies and the three main characters' predicament. And what I love most is that the zombie cause is explained here, and in a way that's actually quite possible, or more believable that in most stories. Not to mention I actually get to experience it happening! That's so fascinating (in a sick, horrid way). Still going on about this brilliant first half, the character relationships were amazingly done. The growth between all of them made me melt into this puddle of emotions. Really, it did. I absolutely adored the relationship between Tom and Ellie, I can't emphasize that enough. It was so real and sweet, and so refreshing compared to most relationships emphasized in YA books published today (AKA: romance romance ROMANCE ROMANCE DID I MENTION?).
So the most disappointing aspect about when the book switched gears completely was when all that was lost, and Bick gave up those subtle and beautiful relationships for the shallow standard YA garble that's swarming the shelves everywhere. Around page 250, I swear that's when it happens, smack in the middle of the book, everything changes. I wanted to run up and help the Ents release the river and drown what was once beautiful but now had started to stink (forgive me for this reference, I really just had to say it!).
Had the author just decided three characters weren't enough to carry a plot? I was shocked. Really, I was completely thrown when I had to deal with all these new characters thrusted upon me with no warning and was expected to care for them in some way. Why would I care? Why should I care? This whole town of Rule is just another dystopian city setup, a horrible city disguised as something nice (a ruse everyone can see through right away, so why the lengthy shtick at all?) that carries on for another 200 pages. Like I said earlier, another love interest is added, I assume because the concept of two love interests is soin fashion right now, with a whole bunch of random super powers and random dogs and random side plots and characters that really don't seem to have any immediacy or point right now. Maybe they do in the future, but it doesn't seem all that important to me. The plot in the beginning was so tight, so pressing and beautiful (yes, that's probably the 50th time I've used that word to describe the first 250), and then it's completely disregarded for a disorganized mess--for what? To set up something else? To add some sparkle?
The zombies seemed an afterthought in this part, even. Really, an afterthought; as in, mentioned at the very end. Oh yeah, this book has to do with zombies! I forgot!
I almost want to cry I feel so betrayed.
I was so ready to give this book 5 solid, beautiful stars. I was so ready.
Until I got about halfway and it was as if some undistinguished dystopian author ran up to Bick, snatched her pen, said, "I got this," and wrote the rest of the novel in the style of every other YA book out there, adding a second love interest, 15+ unnecessary characters, what seemed like a whole other plot, and took away what I loved (did I mention absolutely loved)about the book's first half.
Basically, the first half of the book: 5 stars.
Second half: 2 stars. Maybe less. I can't decide right now. Talk to me later after I recover from this heartbreak and betrayal and downed at least 3 cups of tea.
However, let's return to the glorious, dark, and awesome 250 pages of Ashes. Gosh, I wanted to run up to my friends and shove this thing into their faces, waving it around and screaming. I wanted to wail its praises and everything. I mean, it's not without its flaws, certainly--the prose is somewhat clunky, especially in action scenes, where sentences continue to be very long and flowery, taking me out of the scene and the energy; not to mention that the Minnesota was described literally as a "lumberjack" wearing plaid and a turtleneck. I'm surprised Bick didn't take a swing at his accent, too. But maybe I'm just sore because I'm a Minnesotan myself . . .
In any case, I loved the slow and simplistic approach to the beginning, especially with Alex's brain tumor and the introduction of the zombies and the three main characters' predicament. And what I love most is that the zombie cause is explained here, and in a way that's actually quite possible, or more believable that in most stories. Not to mention I actually get to experience it happening! That's so fascinating (in a sick, horrid way). Still going on about this brilliant first half, the character relationships were amazingly done. The growth between all of them made me melt into this puddle of emotions. Really, it did. I absolutely adored the relationship between Tom and Ellie, I can't emphasize that enough. It was so real and sweet, and so refreshing compared to most relationships emphasized in YA books published today (AKA: romance romance ROMANCE ROMANCE DID I MENTION?).
So the most disappointing aspect about when the book switched gears completely was when all that was lost, and Bick gave up those subtle and beautiful relationships for the shallow standard YA garble that's swarming the shelves everywhere. Around page 250, I swear that's when it happens, smack in the middle of the book, everything changes. I wanted to run up and help the Ents release the river and drown what was once beautiful but now had started to stink (forgive me for this reference, I really just had to say it!).
Had the author just decided three characters weren't enough to carry a plot? I was shocked. Really, I was completely thrown when I had to deal with all these new characters thrusted upon me with no warning and was expected to care for them in some way. Why would I care? Why should I care? This whole town of Rule is just another dystopian city setup, a horrible city disguised as something nice (a ruse everyone can see through right away, so why the lengthy shtick at all?) that carries on for another 200 pages. Like I said earlier, another love interest is added, I assume because the concept of two love interests is soin fashion right now, with a whole bunch of random super powers and random dogs and random side plots and characters that really don't seem to have any immediacy or point right now. Maybe they do in the future, but it doesn't seem all that important to me. The plot in the beginning was so tight, so pressing and beautiful (yes, that's probably the 50th time I've used that word to describe the first 250), and then it's completely disregarded for a disorganized mess--for what? To set up something else? To add some sparkle?
The zombies seemed an afterthought in this part, even. Really, an afterthought; as in, mentioned at the very end. Oh yeah, this book has to do with zombies! I forgot!
I almost want to cry I feel so betrayed.