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armontheroad's review against another edition
I'm halfway through this book and there is not a single positive thing I can say about it. This feels very much like an unedited rough draft. The characters are all 2-Dimensional, the queer rep is bad (in my own opinion), and there are a lot of very strange and uncomfortable ideologies the author holds that clearly make their way into the text. I realized that if I pushed myself to finish this book it would end up being a one or two star rating and I'd rather just spend my time reading things that I'm actually enjoying.
cathyatratedreads's review against another edition
2.0
I liked this book for about half of the pages, then it went crazy. In part, I was not pleased at all that it all of a sudden went from using maybe one f-word to using A TON. Then what I thought was also a fairly realistic exploration of a group of friends' individual issues and how the group could help each other went off the rails (in my opinion). The writer has a nice style and I liked the characters, but the book just didn't work for me.
Read my full review, including a rating for content, at RatedReads.com: https://ratedreads.com/infinite-number-parallel-universes-young-adult-book-review/
Read my full review, including a rating for content, at RatedReads.com: https://ratedreads.com/infinite-number-parallel-universes-young-adult-book-review/
shelvesofsecrets's review against another edition
2.0
I was excited to read this one, as I'm an occasional D&D player and the synopsis mentions that the characters are in a playing group together. However, I found it to be disappointing.
The D&D aspect was probably the thing I was most excited for. However, this turned out to be a bit misleading. They don't play any games at all until the final chapter.
Instead, this book just got on my nerves. More specifically, the characters got on my nerves. They were so whiny! Seriously, these characters were the epitome of teenage angst, which is not really my thing. And I only liked one of the 4 main characters. Archie was acting like a spoiled little brat and I felt super bad for his dad. Mari was just an unlikable character for me because it felt like she had no interest in anything. She's a storyteller, but she had no enthusiasm for anything. Dante was the only character I was close to liking and even then I found his characterization week. And don't even get me started on Sam. I just wanted to shake an enormous amount of sense into him. I have no ida why any of the other characters eve bothered with him.
Which brings me to my other major complaint. The whole premise of the roadtrip together was really weak in my opinion. Sam was obviously the instigator, but why Mari and Archie would ever agree to go is beyond me.
My dislike of three quarters of the main characters made it impossible to rate this book above 2 stars.
The D&D aspect was probably the thing I was most excited for. However, this turned out to be a bit misleading. They don't play any games at all until the final chapter.
Instead, this book just got on my nerves. More specifically, the characters got on my nerves. They were so whiny! Seriously, these characters were the epitome of teenage angst, which is not really my thing. And I only liked one of the 4 main characters. Archie was acting like a spoiled little brat and I felt super bad for his dad. Mari was just an unlikable character for me because it felt like she had no interest in anything. She's a storyteller, but she had no enthusiasm for anything. Dante was the only character I was close to liking and even then I found his characterization week. And don't even get me started on Sam. I just wanted to shake an enormous amount of sense into him. I have no ida why any of the other characters eve bothered with him.
Which brings me to my other major complaint. The whole premise of the roadtrip together was really weak in my opinion. Sam was obviously the instigator, but why Mari and Archie would ever agree to go is beyond me.
My dislike of three quarters of the main characters made it impossible to rate this book above 2 stars.
bluebeereads's review against another edition
4.0
Istyria book blog ~ B's world of enchanted books
Aahh this was such a nice, fun book to read! It was a very lighthearted read with some very serious moments and yes, lots of diversity! And that's always awesome! This was exactly what I needed at the moment.
An Infinite Number of Parallel Universes is about four friends: Mari, Archie, Dante and Sam. Each deals with their own problems. Mari's mother has cancer and urges her to contact her birth-mother. Archie's dealing with the divorce of his parents. Dante is working up the courage to come out to his friends and family. And Sam's girlfriend broke up with him right before she moved away to the other side of the country. They then leave on a cross-country road trip to Sam's ex-girlfriend's new home and they each face their own problems along the way.
I really enjoyed this one! It didn't blow my mind, but not every book should. I love books like this that I just simply love. The writing was great and I loved the style of the book. The first have tells the same week four times. One time for each friend. And I liked that! Because this way we got the full story. The second half covers their road trip and them dealing with their problems. I found this a very fast and easy read and I just read it in one sitting. In my humble opinion that's the way to read this. Just in one go. Don't put it down. That's the best way to experience this novel. There's fun, geek stuff but also some hard-hitting serious moments. Luckily the light moments cushion the blows of the emotional ones.
I loved the four friends in this book and how they each had their own voice, especially in the first half of the book when we got to see how their week went. They were all great characters and they grew individually and as friends throughout this story! There's a bit of a romance and it's very nicely done. Also, for those looking for a diverse read, look no further! This book offers plenty. Diversity in race, upbringing, sexuality and relationships. It's all there! And it's not forced, if anything it feels very realistic because the world just is diverse like this and I like that this book didn't shy away from that.
All in all I'd say that An Infinite Number of Parallel Universes is a must-read for every fan of contemporary and of course for everyone that longs for more diversity in young adult books. It's touching and heartbreaking but also a lot of fun and so very sweet.
debi_g's review against another edition
3.0
My Positive Reactions
funny parts
road trip
open-eyed about life
characters who are not just plain and white
written by an English teacher
D&D (Although, is this mainstream now?)
My Lukewarm Reactions
Every problem could be easily solved by better communication or by honesty with self and others. Except one.
The plot could be more evenly paced.
I couldn't tell what the romantic pairs saw in each other. No genuine sizzle.
BIG DEAL problems were ignored or /then easily surmounted.
funny parts
road trip
open-eyed about life
characters who are not just plain and white
written by an English teacher
D&D (Although, is this mainstream now?)
My Lukewarm Reactions
Every problem could be easily solved by better communication or by honesty with self and others. Except one.
The plot could be more evenly paced.
I couldn't tell what the romantic pairs saw in each other. No genuine sizzle.
BIG DEAL problems were ignored or /then easily surmounted.
joyannmac's review against another edition
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
4.5
itsmytuberculosis's review against another edition
1.0
Everyone in this book is an asshole who went on a road trip to become not an asshole but just ended up exposing their asshole nature and decided to be assholes together.
leanmealone's review against another edition
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
jhahn's review against another edition
3.0
It was ok. Parts I really liked and some not so much. Quick read.