Reviews

I REALLY got into this book! The plot is very confusing and some parts seem weird just for the sake of being weird (without adding anything to the story), but I was still interested and anxious to find out what was going to happen. I love Bray's writing style; she made me think, laugh, and really care about the characters, all at the same time. I think she does a great job of narrating as a teenage guy, which is rare for middle-aged female authors. This is the first book of Bray's that I've read, and I'm definitely going to try some others soon.

cloudwings's review against another edition

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4.0

Overall, the book was good.........BUT I didn't enjoy the beginning. It traveled slowly and dragged on a bit then - YAY PLOT! I found the ending to be nice and a bit happy and sad at the same time

shanryn's review against another edition

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4.0

Great read for young adults looking for adventure.

foxygalaxy's review against another edition

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3.0

The only novel about hallucinations from Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease? That being said, the dialogue annoyed me.

tashaseegmiller's review against another edition

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4.0

This book was funny, quirky, hilarious and strange, but incredibly addicting. I could not stop reading it and the conclusion was heart-wrenching yet offering answers and closure. Can only give four stars because while the language used completely suits the characters,and is how many teens speak, I got tired of it at times.

sierras9's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

emrodav's review against another edition

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5.0

I surprisingly enjoyed this book. As some others have noted, the first 100 pages or so can be difficult. Setting the scene and presenting a non-sympathetic character like Cameron takes time, and I'm glad I stuck with it.

Going Bovine is like the lovechild of Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World and John Green's novels. A strange combination, but it works surprisingly well. Bray combines comedy, absurdity, and just enough tragedy to turn the annoying slacker Cameron into someone you root for and want to read more about. The supporting characters are just as good. Gonzo, the video-game addicted dwarf, was awesome. And Balder, Norse god and current yard gnome, was one of my favorite parts of the story.

Plot-wise, the crazy quest Cameron is presented with can seem over-wrought at times, but I still enjoyed it and wanted to see what happens. The conclusion and denouement, however, were perfect. It was sad and happy and funny and perfect. And even though you may think you know what's happening, there's still enough doubt to leave open possibilities.

I've always like Bray's writing. The Gemma Doyle trilogy will always be dear to me, but it's so comforting to know that Bray can move beyond that world into the crazy mix of contemporary Don Quixote that we see in Going Bovine.

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