Nes
It's been a while since i read one of Suzanne Collins' books. I forgot how engaging and “real” they are and how great of a writer she is.
It's a testament to her abilities how Snow seems so much like a real boy, mirroring toughts and feelings we see so widespread today. The movie did not make this book justice simply because we cannot hear him. How he thinks and perceives the world. But again, I think it's her writing that makes it so the movies can't make any of her books justice. It always feels like something is missing.
Alice in wonderland is my all time favorite tale. The original is just so pretty and filled with the wonder of a child that has her wild imagination come to life. I love it. And i loved this book! It managed to keep all the wonder of wonderland. All the crazyness and curiosities. And at the same time, it managed to be a more adult novel, filled with nonsense and real world problems. The ending twist made tear up a bit, while still laughing at how I should have seen it coming. It is after all wonderland, and wonderland is filled with nonsense!
Sofia: This review is for you
I was gonna give this book 5 stars. Why didn't I you ask? Well I will tell you!
I am a woman, I am Gay and I love Amy and her raffle winning strike. And of course, because of that, i hated Dan from moment one. I do have these amazing capacity to smell the villain of a story at it's very start and I wanted to punch Dan at his first appearance. So of course I was completely happy when the bastard was meet with the girl gang he had been cheating on and just kicked out. But you know what i didn't like? Ethans reaction. I sadly do give in to the charms of the mr Darcy's and Elizabeth Bennett's types in books. I like to read about them because sometimes clichés make my heart flutter (even as I skip the sex scenes I don't really think they add much to the books honestly). So when my boy Ethan dismissed Olive's concerns and small panic attack about being proposed by his brother???? His whole reaction???? Him breaking up????? Him earing that Ami didn't know and still believing his brother?????? Nop. Nopty nopty nop. Nop man Nop. It almost ruined the book for me but honestly okay fine people can grow. I didn't like his reaction tho and unlike Olive I didn't get to see the 2 years of redemption and his efforts to make it better. So it left a bittersweet taste in my mouth.
I still loved the book but this was a real deal breaker for me.
Well more like 3.5 I guess....
Honestly, The only reason i'm giving this 3 stars is because Dylan didn't got any consequences and neither did the school little shits that bullied Jack. Tariq didn't break up with him even though he is a fucking awful person that made me want to take a punch at a near wall with every line. I hate him and because of that the ending will always feel bittersweet to me.
On the other side I love these boys with my heart and every single other part of this book was 5 stars....it's just....i just can't help but put myself in the place of poor Jack....having Dylan live so happily with no regrets to what he did to him.....I hate it. Dylan deserved some Karma that he didn't get....
And so did Tariq honestly....the final talk he got with Nate was not even near enough. I'm sorry but a cheater will cheat again. And Tariq dear this doesn't only apply to you but also to Dylan. In the end they probably deserve each other even if Dylan is more of a big fucking bully
Family. Family everywhere
Found family. An amazing trope yes. My absolutely favourite I would even say. Obviously that's one of the main attractions of Klune's books for me (besides the writting the characters the stories the narrative the...). So of couse i am extremely delighted that my dearest Sam as not ONE, not TWO, but a MILLION FATHER FIGURES AND MOTHER FIGURES AND BROTHER FIGURES AND SISTER FIGURES AND JUST SO MANY FAMILY FIGURES GOD MAN HE COLLECTS FAMILY. I love this book, I love the way it's written and how much it made me laugh. But above all else, I love Sam's big family and everything they stand for. And yes I am including Justin.
Gordo, my sweet summer child
The first time Gordo was mentioned i tought he was an old man working in a repair shop, kind enough to help our beloved Ox. Turns out that's not him, but it is the one that came before him, Marty, that did for Gordo just what he did for Oxnard. And....this is were the parallels begin isn't it? The parallels between these lovable characters that fought, loved and had their heart broken. Their lives intertwine in such a way that they mirror each other in experiences. They are a family. They are brothers. And they are pack. And honestly, their beautiful relashionship was my favourite part about this book. Gordo, my sweet summer child, you are not your father because you are so much more than him. You are pack.