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frostap's review against another edition
2.0
Just blah. I'm perpetually disappointed by pop fiction.
daphelba's review against another edition
2.0
The Fever by Megan Abbott actually falls closer to a "4 star" read. It earns a 3 on characters, plot development and writing quality.
The 3/4ths star I cannot show you here is given because:
I love read on my Kindle e-reader, but I cannot read on a backlit screen like a tablet or a smart phone for more than 20 minutes at a time (it kills my eyes). This book was only available in ePub format from the library so I had no choice but put aside my Kindle. I figured I'd read a couple of chapters a day or abandon it if it wasn't worth it. IT WAS WORTH IT. My eyes were bleeding by the end, but it was worth it. :-P
Some reviewers complained that the characters were unlikable or that the pathway to the discovery of the cause of this mysterious illness was just going in too many directions.
Other readers felt that the sexual content was over-the-top or unnecessarily discussed, but I felt it was an overall theme of the book and an important facet to understanding the development of the illness and the craze around the illness. Examining the inner workings of the male brain and his view of the women around him, even if it was an underage female, added to the suspense of who or what might be responsible for the sickness AND it showed a purpose for omniscience - what men are thinking and not saying.
The 3/4ths star I cannot show you here is given because:
I love read on my Kindle e-reader, but I cannot read on a backlit screen like a tablet or a smart phone for more than 20 minutes at a time (it kills my eyes). This book was only available in ePub format from the library so I had no choice but put aside my Kindle. I figured I'd read a couple of chapters a day or abandon it if it wasn't worth it. IT WAS WORTH IT. My eyes were bleeding by the end, but it was worth it. :-P
Some reviewers complained that the characters were unlikable or that the pathway to the discovery of the cause of this mysterious illness was just going in too many directions.
I felt the characters were a good picture of what teens are like today, their relationships and how they vie to be the most important person in one another's lives. The nasty ways they push and pick and one another. The way they believe the world revolves around them and their friends. But maybe that's teens for decades running, not just now.
I thought the process of figuring out what caused the problem and whether it was an epidemic or a small collection of cases, was actually pretty true to life. Some early assumption always gets blown out of proportion, generally by an angry parent who thinks their research has made them well-informed. There's always a "conspiracy" crowd. And the news makes things out to be bigger and scarier than they are.
The final answer, at least for some reviewers, was disappointing, but I felt like it made quite a bit of sense and subtle foreshadowing was used throughout the book. Abbot was clever in a way so many authors have failed to be or not trusted themselves to be as of late.
Other readers felt that the sexual content was over-the-top or unnecessarily discussed, but I felt it was an overall theme of the book and an important facet to understanding the development of the illness and the craze around the illness. Examining the inner workings of the male brain and his view of the women around him, even if it was an underage female, added to the suspense of who or what might be responsible for the sickness AND it showed a purpose for omniscience - what men are thinking and not saying.
treepark's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
deshanejt's review against another edition
I absolutely love Megan Abbott's writing- but I could not get into this story.
ktswings's review against another edition
2.0
I was rushing to finish at the end, just so I could still read something else and not have Xmas marred by this being the book I recall reading on this day. It's just not for me.
sare1125's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Bullying
deannashu's review against another edition
2.0
I normally love Megan Abbott, but this book made me wildly uncomfortable and for really no reason. Like… I get the intention but it felt like a big swing for a pretty wild miss.
Highly recommend reading The End of Everything instead.
Highly recommend reading The End of Everything instead.
ganzfeldstate's review against another edition
5.0
Zoomed through this in a few hours and loved every minute. Pretty much my ideal book.