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laurenkara's review against another edition
5.0
Everything a contemporary should aspire be. I've been crying for the past 30 minutes. Full review to come.
bookishmadness's review against another edition
4.0
What I thought: Wow. If I had to write this review in one line, that line would be "Sad, funny, tragic and hauntingly beautiful."
The First Third is a comical look at family ties, and what holds us all together. For Billy, that glue is his Yiayia. But now she's sick, and she wants Billy to complete her bucket list for her, though it isn't going to be easy. Her tasks involve messing with his families personal lives in the hope of keeping them all together after she's gone.
Billy and all the characters in this story are completely lovable, despite their varying demeanor's. But mostly, I love the way Will Kostakis opens up this Greek world that someone like me is not accustomed to. I laughed like a hyena and cried like a baby, but what I've taken away from this story is the value of family, and the value of time. Kostakis has this way of putting it into perspective, without making you feel depressed by life.
If you're looking for something different, then this is the book for you!
The Good: Everything that happens in this book is completely dramatic, yet so relatable. Plus it's quite hilarious.
The Bad: It took me longer than expected to get into it.
Rating: 4 bookstacks
The First Third is a comical look at family ties, and what holds us all together. For Billy, that glue is his Yiayia. But now she's sick, and she wants Billy to complete her bucket list for her, though it isn't going to be easy. Her tasks involve messing with his families personal lives in the hope of keeping them all together after she's gone.
Billy and all the characters in this story are completely lovable, despite their varying demeanor's. But mostly, I love the way Will Kostakis opens up this Greek world that someone like me is not accustomed to. I laughed like a hyena and cried like a baby, but what I've taken away from this story is the value of family, and the value of time. Kostakis has this way of putting it into perspective, without making you feel depressed by life.
If you're looking for something different, then this is the book for you!
The Good: Everything that happens in this book is completely dramatic, yet so relatable. Plus it's quite hilarious.
The Bad: It took me longer than expected to get into it.
Rating: 4 bookstacks
esshgee's review against another edition
3.0
Quite enjoyable although didn't properly explain Peter's backstory, and a bit much of a "now we're a happy family" ending. Sticks was awesome, definitely my favourite character
clare__emm's review against another edition
4.0
3.75/B+ - I liked this very much; more than the author’s other book, though I very much enjoyed that too. This one felt richer. The sibling relationships were fraught but so relatable, and I love how Kostakis writes about family.
seggler's review against another edition
3.0
A lovely story about family (with some teen angst of course).
reuben_books's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was a lighthearted yet at times powerful novel.
I thought the discussions around family and death were really meaningful, and I found myself tearing up at points.
I also haven't read many books from Australia, so it was refreshing to read this one.
The only thing that drew me out of the story was the weird way the author wrote about social media. I have to assume that Kostakis is quite a bit older than the teenagers in this book, and I was actually shocked that it was published so recently with the social media wording. The characters post new status updates multiple times a day, and I don't know ANY social media like that that's been used in (at least) the last 5 years. The teenagers also sound awkward when talking about technology: 'Theres this app for my phone' - no-one under the age of 30 would EVER say that.
Apart from that point... what an enjoyable and heartwarming novel.
I thought the discussions around family and death were really meaningful, and I found myself tearing up at points.
I also haven't read many books from Australia, so it was refreshing to read this one.
The only thing that drew me out of the story was the weird way the author wrote about social media. I have to assume that Kostakis is quite a bit older than the teenagers in this book, and I was actually shocked that it was published so recently with the social media wording. The characters post new status updates multiple times a day, and I don't know ANY social media like that that's been used in (at least) the last 5 years. The teenagers also sound awkward when talking about technology: 'Theres this app for my phone' - no-one under the age of 30 would EVER say that.
Apart from that point... what an enjoyable and heartwarming novel.
demonsreadtoo's review against another edition
5.0
It’s hard to believe how good this was. After Felicity hyping it at the Brisbane PTA event earlier in the year, I decided I’d probably keep an eye out for it. But with three or four months to wait for the release, and adding in my goldfish memory, it slipped by me until a random trip into a Dymocks store on Election Day. I’m so glad I spotted it, finally finding something that was able to reignite my love of reading. Honestly, this past year, I haven’t been able to say I was truly hooked on anything I’ve picked up, well, until now. I’ve enjoyed some of them, but The First Third was just plain freaking awesome. And yes, I’m sure my roommates have heard me use those exact words these past few days. If I could have skipped my cousin’s wedding yesterday to finish this book, I would have.
Read the full review at my blog, Demons Read Too
Read the full review at my blog, Demons Read Too
reneelizabeth_'s review against another edition
4.0
Lovely & Heartwarming, I'm not an Greek, but as an Italian it was all so relatable, nostalgic and lovely.
sharyn_swanepoel's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
A delight.
zwsimon's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75