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cricca's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
caszriel's review
4.0
Initial thoughts: This is quite a nice read :) I didn't absolutely LOVE it, but it's definitely really good.
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~I received a copy from Hachette NZ and willingly reviewed it~
Laura Chant isn't normal. She receives warnings, feelings of premonition which only proceeds bad things. Sometimes, she acknowledges them; but sometimes she ignores them, and what happens after is always unchangeable, set in stone. To save her younger brother Jacko's life, she must talk to Sorenson Carlisle, the school prefect she knows is a witch. But this journey won't be easy...
The Changeover is a short book, nevertheless a good one. It's not often that I read books set in New Zealand, with typical 'New Zealand' problems such as a single mum raising a child (or children!) alone, and lack of money. The book has a great storyline of ups and downs, however what prevented me from liking it more is actually just the fact that it has such an ordinary setting.
Sorry (short for Sorenson) is another thing I really like about this book. His nickname is quite ironic I think, considering his personality which is unveiled bit by bit. I love his broken-ness I suppose, just the fact that his past still haunts him and certainly has stopped him into the boy Laura meets. His mother and grandmother have their own mysteries about them too; his whole family is an intrigue.
One peculiar thing that occurs in this book is Laura telling her mother these supernatural feelings. Although she isn't really believed, in most Young Adult books the main characters just go off on an adventure with little regard or mention of their parents. In The Changeover Laura's mum Kate is still quite a big part of the novel even though they aren't always around. Margaret Mahy has created a next atmosphere in which her characters grow and inspire others.
——————————————
~I received a copy from Hachette NZ and willingly reviewed it~
Laura Chant isn't normal. She receives warnings, feelings of premonition which only proceeds bad things. Sometimes, she acknowledges them; but sometimes she ignores them, and what happens after is always unchangeable, set in stone. To save her younger brother Jacko's life, she must talk to Sorenson Carlisle, the school prefect she knows is a witch. But this journey won't be easy...
The Changeover is a short book, nevertheless a good one. It's not often that I read books set in New Zealand, with typical 'New Zealand' problems such as a single mum raising a child (or children!) alone, and lack of money. The book has a great storyline of ups and downs, however what prevented me from liking it more is actually just the fact that it has such an ordinary setting.
Sorry (short for Sorenson) is another thing I really like about this book. His nickname is quite ironic I think, considering his personality which is unveiled bit by bit. I love his broken-ness I suppose, just the fact that his past still haunts him and certainly has stopped him into the boy Laura meets. His mother and grandmother have their own mysteries about them too; his whole family is an intrigue.
One peculiar thing that occurs in this book is Laura telling her mother these supernatural feelings. Although she isn't really believed, in most Young Adult books the main characters just go off on an adventure with little regard or mention of their parents. In The Changeover Laura's mum Kate is still quite a big part of the novel even though they aren't always around. Margaret Mahy has created a next atmosphere in which her characters grow and inspire others.
chelseas_reads's review against another edition
3.0
i haven't read many books by new zealand authors and i love when i find one. i was sent the changeover to review from hachette nz and was surprised when it arrived (i don't recall requesting it, but i'm not complaining either).
i liked this book more than i thought i would. i'm not really a fan of older books (the language/writing style/etc tends to throw me off and makes it harder for me to really get into the book), but i found this book was quite interesting. i wish it was longer, with more worldbuilding. i found i didn't know much about the witches, i didn't even properly understand the changeover process. being a short and simple read, it wasn't too much of a problem, but it's something that i wish was explained more.
i like how family is an important thing in this book. i mean, the whole story is about laura trying to save her brother. i absolutely love how laura's mum gets a boyfriend and later on her father comes back into her life. i thought it was very important that there was no hate between the two older men in her life (i've read so many stories where either the new boyfriend is hated on or the biological father is shunned. i love how both men are given a fair chance).
i wasn't a fan of the romance in this book. (yes, i know it's promoted as a "supernatural romance" but that's not the point okay). i found sorry, the love interest, quite difficult to like. he was a 'mysterious boy with a dark past' type of love interest, except not much of his dark past/mysteriousness was really explained.
i did find this an entertaining read. it was vastly different than anything i've read before (in a good way). there are some things i would've changed but it's a worthwhile read nonetheless.
i liked this book more than i thought i would. i'm not really a fan of older books (the language/writing style/etc tends to throw me off and makes it harder for me to really get into the book), but i found this book was quite interesting. i wish it was longer, with more worldbuilding. i found i didn't know much about the witches, i didn't even properly understand the changeover process. being a short and simple read, it wasn't too much of a problem, but it's something that i wish was explained more.
i like how family is an important thing in this book. i mean, the whole story is about laura trying to save her brother. i absolutely love how laura's mum gets a boyfriend and later on her father comes back into her life. i thought it was very important that there was no hate between the two older men in her life (i've read so many stories where either the new boyfriend is hated on or the biological father is shunned. i love how both men are given a fair chance).
i wasn't a fan of the romance in this book. (yes, i know it's promoted as a "supernatural romance" but that's not the point okay). i found sorry, the love interest, quite difficult to like. he was a 'mysterious boy with a dark past' type of love interest, except not much of his dark past/mysteriousness was really explained.
i did find this an entertaining read. it was vastly different than anything i've read before (in a good way). there are some things i would've changed but it's a worthwhile read nonetheless.
aaron_j136's review against another edition
3.0
Some parts were really good. But some parts were really boring. I felt that the book dragged on a bit. I would recommend a nice quick read though.
vincef's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
drcbooks's review against another edition
3.0
OK this book has so much I love about it. It is well written, interesting, powerful, and tingly. The women in the novel are overall empowering, strong, and complex.
!
But why, oh why, the terrible discussion and dismissal of sexual assault.
!
!
But why, oh why, the terrible discussion and dismissal of sexual assault.
!
mbudas_5640's review
dark
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
alexandraidonea's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed this much more than I expected to. The writing is beautiful, particularly in the chapter also titled 'The Changeover.' The ending really left me wanting for more, but on the whole I'm glad I invested time in it.
odinblindeye's review against another edition
2.0
Old Children's Book. Liked it as a kid, but haven't read it in years.