Reviews

Now Is Not the Time to Panic by Kevin Wilson

Only show reviews with written explanations

wsher99's review against another edition

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emotional funny inspiring reflective fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

lauracooleyjohnson's review against another edition

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4.0

There is a small genre of emerging novels that I’m going to call Gen Z fiction. (Maybe they have another name, but I don’t know what that is, so I get to name it whatever I want.) Gen Z fiction takes place in our modern day, and has a self awareness of itself. In this case, our main character Frankie makes a piece of 3D art, and the whole thing goes “viral,” but the twist here is that the story takes place before the internet is created. So the act of “going viral” is depicted how it would play out if something went viral in real life, or not on screen. Think in libraries or park benches, lockers, fast food joints, and lawns. The self reflection of the internet age in this novel is what makes me call it Gen Z fiction. Another novel in this category is Hank Green’s “An Absolutely Remarkable Thing,” if you are looking for other examples. Beneath all of that though, is a heartwarming message as we watch the character arc for Frankie about being true to herself and coming to grips with her past and what makes her who she is. Recommend!

jillian23's review against another edition

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challenging emotional hopeful sad tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

5.0

plagiarizzim's review against another edition

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1.5

can we, like, stop, like, saying like?

where was the character description?? other than that zeke had dark hair, dark eyes and a goofy smile? i don’t know what anyone looks like. hobart got more physical description than frankie.

no clues to zeke even having bipolar throughout the book, other than MAYBE his one violent outburst (but that feels so stereotypical)

the whole book is set around the coalfield panic, and a journalist finding out who caused it 20 years after the fact, but we didn’t even get to read the article? or what happened to frankie’s life/ reputation after? not even just a snippet as an epilogue?

it felt very rushed at the end, i think it could’ve been far better if the ending was more thought out.

georgiahi's review against another edition

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reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No

4.0

Uncomfortably and unsettling evocative of a certain kind of teenage brilliance, loneliness, and awkwardness.

copascribe's review against another edition

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4.0

It's official, I'm a Kevin Wilson fan. "The edge is a shanty town filled with gold seekers..." I dare you not to have this in your head by the end of this book. This is a book about friendship and holding onto that last summer of your childhood. Frankie and Zeke are teens who make a poster and in their little town, it starts a frenzy of conspiracy theories, from Satanic Panic to drug dealers and becomes a cultural icon. The novel tells the story on two timelines, that amazing summer of mischief and when Frankie is an adult whose one secret has been discovered. This was a fun read with some awesome callbacks to my own youth (Sonic Ocean Waters!).
4.5 stars