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john_the_captain's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this book and the story of Adam coming to terms with changes in his life. His first love and now ex-boyfriend is leaving town and everything is just falling apart. Read my full review here - https://johnthecaptainryan.blogspot.com/2018/07/release-by-patrick-ness-book-review.html
rachelosullivan's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
blurrypetals's review against another edition
3.0
I am torn directly down the middle about this. Half of me is here like, "Dude that was one of the best coming of age contemporaries I've read since The Perks of Being a Wallflower" and wants to give this book a 5/5. The other half is like, "What the fuck was going on with that queen? And the faun? And a ghost??? WHAT" and is feeling like that specific part of the book deserves a 2/5 or 1/5.
So I gave it a 3/5 because I genuinely, absolutely adored one huge aspect of the story (the part of the story I signed up for, too, mind) and I was incredibly confused and disoriented by the other huge aspect of the story (one I did not sign up for, was open to when it was introduced, and then ended up even more confused with it in the end even than I was at the beginning). So, unless I have an epiphany or a sudden change of heart, this is going to sit directly in the middle of the road because I am so fucked up by what feels like two completely different story concepts got set next to one another and were accidentally published as one thing.
That said, I did absolutely adore Adam's story. If there's a way I could get an edited, alternate-universe copy of this book, I'd be giving this 5 big beautiful brilliant stars, pleading with my family to buy it for me for Christmas, and putting it among the likes of Perks, as previously mentioned, and Looking for Alaska and Between Us and the Moon and A Certain Slant of Light...but, alas...dreams do not come true, I suppose.
So I gave it a 3/5 because I genuinely, absolutely adored one huge aspect of the story (the part of the story I signed up for, too, mind) and I was incredibly confused and disoriented by the other huge aspect of the story (one I did not sign up for, was open to when it was introduced, and then ended up even more confused with it in the end even than I was at the beginning). So, unless I have an epiphany or a sudden change of heart, this is going to sit directly in the middle of the road because I am so fucked up by what feels like two completely different story concepts got set next to one another and were accidentally published as one thing.
That said, I did absolutely adore Adam's story. If there's a way I could get an edited, alternate-universe copy of this book, I'd be giving this 5 big beautiful brilliant stars, pleading with my family to buy it for me for Christmas, and putting it among the likes of Perks, as previously mentioned, and Looking for Alaska and Between Us and the Moon and A Certain Slant of Light...but, alas...dreams do not come true, I suppose.
oxnard_montalvo's review against another edition
The split narrative didn't quite work for me. I got the why of it as a framing device, and it was compelling in theory, but the pseudo-action/fantasy/horror thread couldn't hold my attention. It should have; it was certainly interesting, and I am not one to shy away from weirdness, but it fell flat in my opinion.
Adam's side of things was compelling as well and I honestly wanted to spend more time in his world. So many TERRIBLE THINGS happen in one day which... fine. Bit of a reach, but fine. The teenagers were exceptionally wise and eloquent too, even when they weren't being eloquent which didn't grate exactly but... I'm old lol. Just something one has to accept when reading YA. I think the book I wanted to see was something closer to a collection of interconnected stories. Adam's story. Katherine's. Maybe Enzo's? Maybe Angela's? Maybe Adam's parents?
Quibbles aside, this was a very sweet, heartaching, brief coming of age story.
Adam's side of things was compelling as well and I honestly wanted to spend more time in his world. So many TERRIBLE THINGS happen in one day which... fine. Bit of a reach, but fine. The teenagers were exceptionally wise and eloquent too, even when they weren't being eloquent which didn't grate exactly but... I'm old lol. Just something one has to accept when reading YA. I think the book I wanted to see was something closer to a collection of interconnected stories. Adam's story. Katherine's. Maybe Enzo's? Maybe Angela's? Maybe Adam's parents?
Quibbles aside, this was a very sweet, heartaching, brief coming of age story.
randomnumber's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
queenneehola's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment, Homophobia, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Addiction, Sexual content, Death, Toxic relationship, and Grief
Minor: Alcohol, Violence, Sexual assault, Rape, Injury/Injury detail, Drug abuse, Blood, and Drug use
asaph95's review against another edition
3.0
A full review is available on my blog!
I was asked by the publisher if I wanted to review this book and honestly JUMPED at the chance. Patrick Ness is a hit and miss author for me, but when it's a hit, it's a MAJOR hit. I really liked the main themes of this book, I liked the main character (even if I did have some problems with him) and I liked the raw truthfulness of it all, it's something that you don't really see much in YA books. There were a few moments when I was like... okay is this going anywhere or? Because it really was just a story about a boy having a bad day. There was a little fantasy element to the novel, but I don't think it added much to it, I mean this book would have been just as great without it. I feel like if the fantasy element HAD to be there then it should have been more prominent in the book- but maybe it was only me that didn't get it.
ladybaela's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars
To quote the main character Adam:
“Well, that was weird”
To quote the main character Adam:
“Well, that was weird”
kat7890erina's review against another edition
4.0
This is my second time reading this book and it is just as moving. The tenderness, fear, and utter honesty of feeling that Ness seems to capture so effortlessly are what make this story so heart-rending and compelling.
My only complaint is in the neatness of the final scene; when everything else is as messy as real life, it seemed a shame to put a bow on any part. Still, I'm sure I'll be back to read this again.
My only complaint is in the neatness of the final scene; when everything else is as messy as real life, it seemed a shame to put a bow on any part. Still, I'm sure I'll be back to read this again.