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bibi003's review
3.0
I have mixed feelings about this novel (which I listened to on audiobook, read by the author). Things I liked: 90s Portland, a diverse cast of characters, girl punk bands, sex positivity, and a sibling coming of age story. What I didn't like: it felt hard to sink into at times (I had to force myself to come back to this story again and again) and the sudden shift into magical realism lost me, somewhat, towards the end.
The dream sequence and Orestes' transformation into a deer were a bit too woo-woo for me. I love magic and I love fantasy, but something about this just didn't quite work. Listening to the author's notes at the end sort of helped me to understand what she was trying to do. But not enough for me to give it a 4th star in my gr rating.
I do really really love the cover art.
The dream sequence and Orestes' transformation into a deer were a bit too woo-woo for me. I love magic and I love fantasy, but something about this just didn't quite work. Listening to the author's notes at the end sort of helped me to understand what she was trying to do. But not enough for me to give it a 4th star in my gr rating.
I do really really love the cover art.
jazose's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review
2.0
2.5/5
I was so excited to pick up this book. I knew with both perspectives I would be getting an adventure. I loved the book through the first and second act. sadly, when it came to the third act they put in tarot cards and things of that nature, which made me personally, uncomfortable. I loved the writing of the book, as well as the characters backstories. I loved reading about Iph exploring the city, as well as Orr exploring the wilderness and trying to make his way back home. The relationships in the book were another thing that I didn't enjoy. I felt like the story didn't need a romance element. the third act was were the book went downhill for me. I was so exited about the magical realism element but the way it was presented wasn't what I expected. Georges character was so interesting and I loved how his story was together in the book. There were questions that were answered. Overall, it was alright, it could have been better to me.
I was so excited to pick up this book. I knew with both perspectives I would be getting an adventure. I loved the book through the first and second act. sadly, when it came to the third act they put in tarot cards and things of that nature, which made me personally, uncomfortable. I loved the writing of the book, as well as the characters backstories. I loved reading about Iph exploring the city, as well as Orr exploring the wilderness and trying to make his way back home. The relationships in the book were another thing that I didn't enjoy. I felt like the story didn't need a romance element. the third act was were the book went downhill for me. I was so exited about the magical realism element but the way it was presented wasn't what I expected. Georges character was so interesting and I loved how his story was together in the book. There were questions that were answered. Overall, it was alright, it could have been better to me.
annamickreads's review
4.0
A lush, gorgeous modern fairytale through 1990s Portland. The tone of this book is really unlike anything I've ever read before, rooted in reality but combining a Greek myth-Grimm's fairytale retelling that's dreamy, yet, I think holds a lot of emotional weight.
Our main characters are Iphigenia and Orestes Santos Velos, who have been essentially exiled for the summer after their mother leaves on a three-month dance residency. Their father, a Greek businessman, decides to send Orr (who is implied to have some sort of anxiety disorder) to a rehabilitation-boot-camp that only upsets him further, and he manages to escape and run away. When Iph gets wind of her brother's absence and subsequent flight, she blames her father and runs off..only to find her father has abandoned her as well.
Iph runs into local community Robin Hood, George, who whisks her away on an epic quest of young love, summer fun, and family. Orr, meanwhile, finds himself hitching a ride with Portland punk band The Furies, who are teaching him life lessons of his own.
The descriptions in this book manage to find magical even in the ordinary, and turn regular events into extraordinary. I loved the many subtle conversations happening about unhoused youths, drug addiction, sex work, and sexuality that appear with a very empathetic, thoughtful lens. The sprinkling of Shakespeare in combination with everyday life only adds to the fairytale-esque feeling this book lends itself to.
The one thing that I wasn't sure about was the pacing. Because Iph is trying to figure out where her brother could be, she spends a lot of time running errands while waiting by a (pay) phone. Meanwhile, Orr is uncertain if he wants to go back to his family or exist on his own while his mother is away, so it creates kind of a hurry-up-and-wait situation while the family members slowly learn of each other's whereabouts.
Our main characters are Iphigenia and Orestes Santos Velos, who have been essentially exiled for the summer after their mother leaves on a three-month dance residency. Their father, a Greek businessman, decides to send Orr (who is implied to have some sort of anxiety disorder) to a rehabilitation-boot-camp that only upsets him further, and he manages to escape and run away. When Iph gets wind of her brother's absence and subsequent flight, she blames her father and runs off..only to find her father has abandoned her as well.
Iph runs into local community Robin Hood, George, who whisks her away on an epic quest of young love, summer fun, and family. Orr, meanwhile, finds himself hitching a ride with Portland punk band The Furies, who are teaching him life lessons of his own.
The descriptions in this book manage to find magical even in the ordinary, and turn regular events into extraordinary. I loved the many subtle conversations happening about unhoused youths, drug addiction, sex work, and sexuality that appear with a very empathetic, thoughtful lens. The sprinkling of Shakespeare in combination with everyday life only adds to the fairytale-esque feeling this book lends itself to.
The one thing that I wasn't sure about was the pacing. Because Iph is trying to figure out where her brother could be, she spends a lot of time running errands while waiting by a (pay) phone. Meanwhile, Orr is uncertain if he wants to go back to his family or exist on his own while his mother is away, so it creates kind of a hurry-up-and-wait situation while the family members slowly learn of each other's whereabouts.
showthisbooksomelove's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I didn't like the sporadic narration style, but overall enjoyed the characters although I didn't feel very connected to them.
knittyreader's review
5.0
I have practically not been able to put this book down.
As a '90's kid, 'Summer in the City of Roses' felt nostalgic to me right from the start. Blend in some important social issues and increasing fantasy elements, and it contains basically everything I love in a book story-wise. That is paired with a beautiful writing style that made me want to suck up every sentence and never let it go.
I received a free copy through Netgalley.
As a '90's kid, 'Summer in the City of Roses' felt nostalgic to me right from the start. Blend in some important social issues and increasing fantasy elements, and it contains basically everything I love in a book story-wise. That is paired with a beautiful writing style that made me want to suck up every sentence and never let it go.
I received a free copy through Netgalley.
brettwhisler's review
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-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
4.0
ameserole's review
3.0
I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I'm just going to say it loud and proud right now. Summer in the City of Roses was such a weird book. Don't get me wrong, the first half of it completely sucked me in and I was enjoying the adventures that Iph and Orr were going on. I was also super invested in their little reunion because of what went down in the beginning. Then I get to the half-way mark and it just kept getting weirder and weirder.
It honestly probably got weird and confusing way before that part but I was so engaged that it didn't even matter to me. Once I started to realized how things weren't even making sense to me anymore.. well, that is when I was like..
Lots and lots of WTF is going on here kind of moments for me. I'm still not even sure how to understand the actual ending of this book. Things just didn't make sense to me. I tried to understand some of it but in the end.. I will just stick to not knowing anything.
Overall, it was an interesting book with a weird ass ending.
I'm just going to say it loud and proud right now. Summer in the City of Roses was such a weird book. Don't get me wrong, the first half of it completely sucked me in and I was enjoying the adventures that Iph and Orr were going on. I was also super invested in their little reunion because of what went down in the beginning. Then I get to the half-way mark and it just kept getting weirder and weirder.
It honestly probably got weird and confusing way before that part but I was so engaged that it didn't even matter to me. Once I started to realized how things weren't even making sense to me anymore.. well, that is when I was like..
Lots and lots of WTF is going on here kind of moments for me. I'm still not even sure how to understand the actual ending of this book. Things just didn't make sense to me. I tried to understand some of it but in the end.. I will just stick to not knowing anything.
Overall, it was an interesting book with a weird ass ending.
pantsreads's review
3.0
This book took a decided turn into the magical realm that I wasn't expecting—and honestly decreased my enjoyment of the entire thing. Had the two parts been better integrated, I would have enjoyed it a whole lot more.
Full review to come, but you can check out a teaser mini-review over on the Forever Young Adult Instagram.
Full review to come, but you can check out a teaser mini-review over on the Forever Young Adult Instagram.