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ryanpfw's review
3.0
Given the overwhelmingly positive reviews this trilogy and its first book (my previous read was an absolute stinker), I had hoped for a stronger start. I have all three books in one collection so I know that Flicker is about 25% of the full series, but not a lot happens here and it doesn't stand very well on its own.
As an adult, I read a lot of young adult novels, but this one felt a little bit too much like the young adult novels I used to read back when I was a young adult myself. The foreshadowing was obvious. Unnamed? Dad clearly had a secret. With the reference to Biz's birth coinciding with his deteriorating health, I had hoped there was a more complicated connection between their stories, and there's a lot of time left for that to happen, especially with his continued, unexplained seizures. "I too am in the family business" was too obvious a plot line for such consistent foreshadowing . It needed more depth.
The reveal of Turner being the bad guy actually had me flicker back myself to dozens of RL Stein novels I used to read in my teens. It was incredibly convenient that it was someone Biz knows quite well without any plausible substantiation. It just happened to be someone she knew. A serial kidnapper. Who recently deputized a classroom full of students with cameras to go out and be observant. Leading to him getting caught.
It was too by the numbers for simplicity and convenience, and the pacing of the final chapters was jarring. The resolution with Turner effectively happens off-screen due to plot reasons. Martinez's reveal as a doctor was a letdown and oddly written. Biz refers to the Doctor in the room and I had to read it a couple of times because in her own mind she wouldn't have referred to Martinez as "the doctor."
With the oddness of the man at the games, the creepy factor with Martinez, the prospect of photography and resetting worlds, I had expected more than a reasonable explanation, an inexplicable misdirection, and the fact that she just happened to be standing near the next kidnap victim. The concept of flickering was awesome. I had hoped somehow that would factor into it. The most alarming scene in the entire book was, just as she flickered from her car, a child's ball rolled into the street. When she relives the moment again, it's another student who hit and killed the child. It seems like any depth here was ignored
I know I sound terribly negative in this review. I plan to jump back in shortly to Fractured. I customarily give 3 star reviews if I enjoy a book but found a substantive problem, and 2 star reviews if I truly don't enjoy reading the book. I enjoyed reading Flicker, but the ending just sort of fell apart for me. 3 stars is about right, and I am hopeful with 75% to go the best is yet to come!
As an adult, I read a lot of young adult novels, but this one felt a little bit too much like the young adult novels I used to read back when I was a young adult myself. The foreshadowing was obvious. Unnamed? Dad clearly had a secret. With the reference to Biz's birth coinciding with his deteriorating health, I had hoped there was a more complicated connection between their stories, and there's a lot of time left for that to happen, especially with his continued, unexplained seizures. "I too am in the family business" was too obvious a plot line for such consistent foreshadowing . It needed more depth.
The reveal of Turner being the bad guy actually had me flicker back myself to dozens of RL Stein novels I used to read in my teens. It was incredibly convenient that it was someone Biz knows quite well without any plausible substantiation. It just happened to be someone she knew. A serial kidnapper. Who recently deputized a classroom full of students with cameras to go out and be observant. Leading to him getting caught.
It was too by the numbers for simplicity and convenience, and the pacing of the final chapters was jarring. The resolution with Turner effectively happens off-screen due to plot reasons. Martinez's reveal as a doctor was a letdown and oddly written. Biz refers to the Doctor in the room and I had to read it a couple of times because in her own mind she wouldn't have referred to Martinez as "the doctor."
With the oddness of the man at the games, the creepy factor with Martinez, the prospect of photography and resetting worlds, I had expected more than a reasonable explanation, an inexplicable misdirection, and the fact that she just happened to be standing near the next kidnap victim. The concept of flickering was awesome. I had hoped somehow that would factor into it. The most alarming scene in the entire book was, just as she flickered from her car, a child's ball rolled into the street. When she relives the moment again, it's another student who hit and killed the child. It seems like any depth here was ignored
I know I sound terribly negative in this review. I plan to jump back in shortly to Fractured. I customarily give 3 star reviews if I enjoy a book but found a substantive problem, and 2 star reviews if I truly don't enjoy reading the book. I enjoyed reading Flicker, but the ending just sort of fell apart for me. 3 stars is about right, and I am hopeful with 75% to go the best is yet to come!
ladymoneypenny's review against another edition
3.0
I VOLUNTARILY REVIEWED A COPY FROM THE "RACHEL E. CARTER YA BOOK CLUB ON GOODREADS.
When I read the blurb for this book, I was immediately intrigued. Biz, a seemingly ordinary teenage girl, has a strange ability. When she is exposed to flickering light and shadows she goes back in time. Sometimes this happens whether she likes it or not.
Biz's best friend Cameron's little sister was snatched 4 years earlier, and a recent spate of young girls disappearing brings the case back up. Can Biz's ability help stop these girls from disappearing, and maybe even help find Cameron's missing sister?
This story captivated me from the start. Its not like anything I have read before, which is a huge bonus in my eyes.
I admit I did find Biz a bit annoying at times. She seemed quite self absorbed for most of the book (but then, I guess most people are!)
I loved her relationship with Cam - lots of chemistry, and very sweetly done - though it did seem a little rushed. One minute he is in the friend zone, the next she is noticing his muscles and (internally) swooning.
Despite the few flaws, this was a great read!
When I read the blurb for this book, I was immediately intrigued. Biz, a seemingly ordinary teenage girl, has a strange ability. When she is exposed to flickering light and shadows she goes back in time. Sometimes this happens whether she likes it or not.
Biz's best friend Cameron's little sister was snatched 4 years earlier, and a recent spate of young girls disappearing brings the case back up. Can Biz's ability help stop these girls from disappearing, and maybe even help find Cameron's missing sister?
This story captivated me from the start. Its not like anything I have read before, which is a huge bonus in my eyes.
I admit I did find Biz a bit annoying at times. She seemed quite self absorbed for most of the book (but then, I guess most people are!)
I loved her relationship with Cam - lots of chemistry, and very sweetly done - though it did seem a little rushed. One minute he is in the friend zone, the next she is noticing his muscles and (internally) swooning.
Despite the few flaws, this was a great read!
junekramin's review against another edition
5.0
I was absolutely thrilled at the chance to read this book before its launch. I don’t use the term “couldn’t put it down” lightly. This was a truly unique concept, and that is not easy to come by these days. I loved the “down to earth” and truly real personalities of the characters in all their teenage glory! Every chapter left you wanting more and the end of the book made you want a sequel. This certainly made me a lover of YA! I can’t wait to see what Melanie has in store for us next!
johnsonracing1k's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
kitkat07210's review against another edition
4.0
I VOLUNTARILY REVIEWED A COPY FROM THE RACHEL E. CARTER YA BOOK CLUB ON GOODREADS.
I really enjoyed this book. I felt slightly disconnected for the first few chapters, but after that I didn't want to stop reading. I've already purchased the other two books in this trilogy too, and look forward to reading them.
I was intrigued by the story, the way Biz could Flicker (time travel) was a different read. I didn't really feel much of a connection between her and Cameron. Supposedly they're super close, but she knows nothing about his home life, suddenly starts ogling his muscles and they spend a lot of time avoiding each other. Hopefully they're relationship will develop more in the next book. I also guessed what was going on with her Dad, but still found it interesting the way they connect more than Biz and her Mum seem to.
A solid, enjoyable read.
I really enjoyed this book. I felt slightly disconnected for the first few chapters, but after that I didn't want to stop reading. I've already purchased the other two books in this trilogy too, and look forward to reading them.
I was intrigued by the story, the way Biz could Flicker (time travel) was a different read. I didn't really feel much of a connection between her and Cameron. Supposedly they're super close, but she knows nothing about his home life, suddenly starts ogling his muscles and they spend a lot of time avoiding each other. Hopefully they're relationship will develop more in the next book. I also guessed what was going on with her Dad, but still found it interesting the way they connect more than Biz and her Mum seem to.
A solid, enjoyable read.
caitthereader's review against another edition
4.0
I VOLUNTARILY REVIEWED A COPY OF THIS BOOK FROM THE RACHEL E. CARTER YA BOOK GROUP
As soon as I read the blurb of this book I immediately signed up for the book! I have always wanted to go back and relive great days or change somethings. That's exactly what Biz gets to do. She does all this all while helping her best friend find out who kidnapped his sister. It's something you can't put down. If you get a chance to read this book, please do you won't regret it!
As soon as I read the blurb of this book I immediately signed up for the book! I have always wanted to go back and relive great days or change somethings. That's exactly what Biz gets to do. She does all this all while helping her best friend find out who kidnapped his sister. It's something you can't put down. If you get a chance to read this book, please do you won't regret it!
theresajs's review
5.0
loved this book!!!
I was sucked into the story right away and I couldn't put it down until I had finished!
(and then immediately started reading the 2nd book in this series because I just had to know what was going to happen next!!!)
I was sucked into the story right away and I couldn't put it down until I had finished!
(and then immediately started reading the 2nd book in this series because I just had to know what was going to happen next!!!)
simonlorden's review
4.0
I liked this book, although honestly I was more interested in Biz trying to stop the kidnapper than all the high school drama, and the focus was more on the second despite the blurb. That's why I'm wary of the second book too - I'm interested in her powers, but I'm so not hyped about the implied jealousy plotline in the blurb, so I'll decide later if I wanna continue this.
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