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3.22 AVERAGE
3.22 AVERAGE
emotional
funny
sad
medium-paced
Ugh. I have awfully I lot of mixed feelings for this book. One second I would adore it and then the next I'd loathe it. So a 3 because even though there were so many scenes I really, really loved, there were also so many scenes where Alice is being such a prick.
I thought this book would be really good but for the first time this book did not exceed my expectations. The whole bucket list thing was not the highlight of the story, rather the feelings of Alice about life and Harvey were. It's not really about her cancer, either. It's more about what happens after she goes into remission (Now), with a little flashbacks (Then) along the way.
After being diagnosed with leukemia, Alice was ready to face death - until her remission, that is. Now that she has more time to live, she has to face the things she didn't want to face like Harvey, her best friend/the guy she likes but doesn't have the guts to say it because she knows she can't offer him anything. There's also the revenge she plans to do against her enemies now that she knows she has the time to live a bit longer. This book was more about the revenge and Alice's feelings - you know, those feelings where she hates everyone.
Alice and Harvey's relationship went like this:
Alice : I need you to do something for me.
Harvey : Anything for you.
Alice : *leans against Harvey*
Harvey : *sharp intake of breath*
Alice : *kisses another guy*
Harvey : *shocked*
Harvey : *kisses another girl*
Alice: I want to ruin her. But if I do, I'd ruin Harvey, too.
Harvey : Say you love me!
Alice : *silence (but in reality, "I love you but I can't give anything to you.")*
And the cycle repeats until the end of the book.
Alice is not nice. She's manipulative and a pain in the butt. Unfortunately I don't like girls like Alice even if that person is having difficulties in life. Then there's Harvey - that guy who endures all the crap Alice gives him, and he stills loves her. Harvey finally comes into his senses (that he can no longer let Alice manipulate his life) but obviously that's like, towards the end of the book. **Sighs** There were times when I found Harvey dreamy and cute, but really? He was so obsessed with Alice. He loved her, and Alice would not even say it back.
Just when it was starting to get good for me, it ends with " Alice stood, closing the gap between us, and whispered in my ear." Heck, I was disappointed. So yes, the ending was also a let down, going down hill.
The writing ...hmm.. Told in the point of views of Alice and Harvey, with "Then" and "Now" where "then" is before she went in remission. It was confusing for me, keeping up, that is due to the different timelines. But what I liked about the writing was that I could really feel (?) the voices of the different characters Alice and Harvey.
Conclusion: This book is frustrating. Damn frustrating. For the TFiOS fans, don't get your hopes up.
I thought this book would be really good but for the first time this book did not exceed my expectations. The whole bucket list thing was not the highlight of the story, rather the feelings of Alice about life and Harvey were. It's not really about her cancer, either. It's more about what happens after she goes into remission (Now), with a little flashbacks (Then) along the way.
After being diagnosed with leukemia, Alice was ready to face death - until her remission, that is. Now that she has more time to live, she has to face the things she didn't want to face like Harvey, her best friend/the guy she likes but doesn't have the guts to say it because she knows she can't offer him anything. There's also the revenge she plans to do against her enemies now that she knows she has the time to live a bit longer. This book was more about the revenge and Alice's feelings - you know, those feelings where she hates everyone.
Alice and Harvey's relationship went like this:
Alice : I need you to do something for me.
Harvey : Anything for you.
Alice : *leans against Harvey*
Harvey : *sharp intake of breath*
Alice : *kisses another guy*
Harvey : *shocked*
Harvey : *kisses another girl*
Alice: I want to ruin her. But if I do, I'd ruin Harvey, too.
Harvey : Say you love me!
Alice : *silence (but in reality, "I love you but I can't give anything to you.")*
And the cycle repeats until the end of the book.
Alice is not nice. She's manipulative and a pain in the butt. Unfortunately I don't like girls like Alice even if that person is having difficulties in life. Then there's Harvey - that guy who endures all the crap Alice gives him, and he stills loves her. Harvey finally comes into his senses (that he can no longer let Alice manipulate his life) but obviously that's like, towards the end of the book. **Sighs** There were times when I found Harvey dreamy and cute, but really? He was so obsessed with Alice. He loved her, and Alice would not even say it back.
Just when it was starting to get good for me, it ends with " Alice stood, closing the gap between us, and whispered in my ear." Heck, I was disappointed. So yes, the ending was also a let down, going down hill.
The writing ...hmm.. Told in the point of views of Alice and Harvey, with "Then" and "Now" where "then" is before she went in remission. It was confusing for me, keeping up, that is due to the different timelines. But what I liked about the writing was that I could really feel (?) the voices of the different characters Alice and Harvey.
Conclusion: This book is frustrating. Damn frustrating. For the TFiOS fans, don't get your hopes up.
Wow. Alice is such a mean and terrible person that it was extremely difficult for me to get through this book, despite being intrigued by the premise. I've never read anything like it. Every time we think she'll redeem herself, she disappoints. Over and over again, she tells us her thoughts, which would be the nicer way to react to something, but then can't find it in her to actually act on those thoughts. Most of the people in this book are just mean and selfish, and it's unbelievable. And OK, great, Alice sort of redeems herself at the end, but it's too late for me. I don't at all buy in to her becoming a terrible person all because she's mad at her mom and suddenly having a change of personality once they finally talk it out. Too much has happened and she's treated too many people — especially Harvey — like garbage. And would Harvey really stick by her through everything? No. So the fact that he supposedly does just makes him pathetic as far as I'm concerned, which is unfortunate because he was one of two decent characters in the whole book.
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Positives: Easy, fast read. In my opinion, very well written. Characters come alive and truly make you feel them.
Negatives: I hate Alice. I cannot recommend a book whose main protagonist I loathe.
Negatives: I hate Alice. I cannot recommend a book whose main protagonist I loathe.
What would you do if you were only given 6 months to live? Exact revenge on those who hurt you? And then what would you do if you were given a second chance?
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Where I expected a deep and meaningful plot there was a bland storyline mostly based on the petty revenge of a young girl. Where I expected a mature, old-soul type main character there was a shallow teen who recovered from cancer and hates the world for it.
Characters in a Gif: Alice
I’m going to get right into this with Alice. This girl. This girl literally has a personal grudge against what seems like everyone on Earth. She’s a total bitch to her best friend Harvey, who has done nothing but care for her and a terrible daughter to her parents who have to deal with their only child having cancer. Alice’s M.O. is taking advantage of others, which includes manipulating people’s feelings and using a serious disease to get whatever she wants.
And her first words after she finds out she is in remission? (Which isn’t a spoiler because it’s in the synopsis) is “Motherfucker.” I mumbled. Alice was ready to die, expecting it, and almost even wanting it. She’s upset because the day before she told her best guy friend something and doesn’t know “how to live with that.”
Let’s look at a few Alice quotes:
“I wasn’t a very good person unless I really made the effort to be.”
“These last couple of weeks, I’d pushed him farther away while keeping him barely in reach.”
Let me explain that one. Harvey, Alice’s friend, has done nothing but be by Alice’s side, care for her, and help her out with her revenge bucket list. He has made his feelings for her clear multiple times and she uses that to get him to do things for her and admits it. For example, Harvey had to drive her home one time and he waited right in front of her in his car while she flirts with another guy right in front of him and makes him feel like he’s the rude one. Knowing he is pissed at her, she gives him a kiss on the cheek before she gets out of the car just to “appease” him.
“I think I like you,” he said. It was more statement than confession. I flipped through channels, trying to pretend like I hadn’t heard him because I didn’t know how to respond.”
“I liked that it was hard for him to be mad at me. And maybe I liked it a little too much.”
“…every chance I could to bend over with my ass in the air or to brush my boobs up against Harvey’s arm. I felt pretty stupid.”
“I found myself plotting her demise. This wasn’t okay. He couldn’t be with someone, not so soon. I wanted to destroy her.”
Characters in a Gif: Harvey
Poor Harvey spends almost his entire SIDE EFFECTS MAY VARY life being played like a fiddle by Alice. He is constantly being pulled towards her then being pushed back, and has no idea what’s going on. Does Alice like him? Why is Alice being such a bitch? Alice Alice Alice Alice etc. I would pity him if I didn’t think he was so stupid for going along with all this.
He does finally come to his senses and stands up to her but it’s pretty anticlimactic and doesn’t last very long. So he redeemed his character (unlike Alice did) even if it was only for a moment. Someone needed to bring Alice back to the playing ground of the mere mortals after all her power trips.
As for the writing, I didn’t have any real issues with it, although it was definitely more telling than showing, which can be very straightforward at times. Pacing wasn’t all that spectacular either, as I found myself 20% done and thought it was more like 70%.
This is not as deep or engrossing as The Fault in Our Stars, it has more of a Better Off Friends feel combined with Revenge of the Girl with the Great Personality. It does have entertainment value, but if you can’t get past Alice’s behavior, this is one you might want to avoid.
*Quotes are to be check against a final version of the book.
More reviews like this on Readers in Wonderland.
Characters in a Gif: Alice
I’m going to get right into this with Alice. This girl. This girl literally has a personal grudge against what seems like everyone on Earth. She’s a total bitch to her best friend Harvey, who has done nothing but care for her and a terrible daughter to her parents who have to deal with their only child having cancer. Alice’s M.O. is taking advantage of others, which includes manipulating people’s feelings and using a serious disease to get whatever she wants.
And her first words after she finds out she is in remission? (Which isn’t a spoiler because it’s in the synopsis) is “Motherfucker.” I mumbled. Alice was ready to die, expecting it, and almost even wanting it. She’s upset because the day before she told her best guy friend something and doesn’t know “how to live with that.”
Let’s look at a few Alice quotes:
“I wasn’t a very good person unless I really made the effort to be.”
“These last couple of weeks, I’d pushed him farther away while keeping him barely in reach.”
Let me explain that one. Harvey, Alice’s friend, has done nothing but be by Alice’s side, care for her, and help her out with her revenge bucket list. He has made his feelings for her clear multiple times and she uses that to get him to do things for her and admits it. For example, Harvey had to drive her home one time and he waited right in front of her in his car while she flirts with another guy right in front of him and makes him feel like he’s the rude one. Knowing he is pissed at her, she gives him a kiss on the cheek before she gets out of the car just to “appease” him.
“I think I like you,” he said. It was more statement than confession. I flipped through channels, trying to pretend like I hadn’t heard him because I didn’t know how to respond.”
“I liked that it was hard for him to be mad at me. And maybe I liked it a little too much.”
“…every chance I could to bend over with my ass in the air or to brush my boobs up against Harvey’s arm. I felt pretty stupid.”
“I found myself plotting her demise. This wasn’t okay. He couldn’t be with someone, not so soon. I wanted to destroy her.”
Characters in a Gif: Harvey
Poor Harvey spends almost his entire SIDE EFFECTS MAY VARY life being played like a fiddle by Alice. He is constantly being pulled towards her then being pushed back, and has no idea what’s going on. Does Alice like him? Why is Alice being such a bitch? Alice Alice Alice Alice etc. I would pity him if I didn’t think he was so stupid for going along with all this.
He does finally come to his senses and stands up to her but it’s pretty anticlimactic and doesn’t last very long. So he redeemed his character (unlike Alice did) even if it was only for a moment. Someone needed to bring Alice back to the playing ground of the mere mortals after all her power trips.
As for the writing, I didn’t have any real issues with it, although it was definitely more telling than showing, which can be very straightforward at times. Pacing wasn’t all that spectacular either, as I found myself 20% done and thought it was more like 70%.
This is not as deep or engrossing as The Fault in Our Stars, it has more of a Better Off Friends feel combined with Revenge of the Girl with the Great Personality. It does have entertainment value, but if you can’t get past Alice’s behavior, this is one you might want to avoid.
*Quotes are to be check against a final version of the book.
More reviews like this on Readers in Wonderland.
*** Received this one from Around the World ARC Tours for a honest review!***
Well how can I say it? I enjoyed this one. It was sad, at times frustrating and in the end I fell in love! There was a lot in this one and Murphy did a great job keeping me hooked form the start. I had just read another book like this, two friends dealing with one with a life threating disease but this one it had a little something more and I think you will love it like me!
Well you we follow two different people in this one and its fun. Well in a way! You will see, you will love to be able to see both sides of the story! Alice is sixteen and has leukemia. She has faced it and is now living her life the best she can till her finial days. Now she must persuade her old BFF Harvey to help her with her bucket list. Even though these two have grown apart since high school yet they have never stopped thinking of each other. Then there is a bump in the road, Alice has gone into remission and things start to get a little crazy after this.
I think I was loving it when Alice and Harvey where on a mission to do all of her bucket list. I loved these tow together they were so cute! They should have never stopped being friends. But once she finds out she is getting better Alice does not stay on my NICE list. She now has no idea how to live when all she has thought doe so long that she will not have a future. She will start to hurt the once she loves in the process of dealing with all this.
I really liked how I felt for each and ever character in the book, even if there were some I did not like much at all. I like that you got a little of each charterer’s personal life outside each other and the drama they have to face being a teen as well as dealing with losing each other and maybe there life.
If you like a book that will make you a little upset but still fall in love this is for you. Murphy has written one intense read!! I hope you read more from her!
Well how can I say it? I enjoyed this one. It was sad, at times frustrating and in the end I fell in love! There was a lot in this one and Murphy did a great job keeping me hooked form the start. I had just read another book like this, two friends dealing with one with a life threating disease but this one it had a little something more and I think you will love it like me!
Well you we follow two different people in this one and its fun. Well in a way! You will see, you will love to be able to see both sides of the story! Alice is sixteen and has leukemia. She has faced it and is now living her life the best she can till her finial days. Now she must persuade her old BFF Harvey to help her with her bucket list. Even though these two have grown apart since high school yet they have never stopped thinking of each other. Then there is a bump in the road, Alice has gone into remission and things start to get a little crazy after this.
I think I was loving it when Alice and Harvey where on a mission to do all of her bucket list. I loved these tow together they were so cute! They should have never stopped being friends. But once she finds out she is getting better Alice does not stay on my NICE list. She now has no idea how to live when all she has thought doe so long that she will not have a future. She will start to hurt the once she loves in the process of dealing with all this.
I really liked how I felt for each and ever character in the book, even if there were some I did not like much at all. I like that you got a little of each charterer’s personal life outside each other and the drama they have to face being a teen as well as dealing with losing each other and maybe there life.
If you like a book that will make you a little upset but still fall in love this is for you. Murphy has written one intense read!! I hope you read more from her!
I wished it went on a little longer for some of the story between Harvey and Alice!