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snowwhitehatesapples's review
4.0
Review can also be found on Snow White Hates Apples.
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
This sneak peak of Nina LaCour’s upcoming book We Are Okay is the best that I’ve ever read. Never have I been immediately sucked into a book’s world—not even by my utmost favourite books, but this one got me hooked at its very first sentence, leaving no room for objections whatsoever because it’s just that good at keeping my attention.
The imagery LaCour’s narrative creates is a beautiful one—fittingly depressing but ultimately beautiful. Of course, they can be clichéd and I do feel like I’ve read certain lines many books before, but nothing is truly new these days so I can’t really complain about that here, particularly since those clichés aren’t as blatantly obvious as they can be. Furthermore, the way LaCour writes this is almost poetic. However, some lines in this book are rather repetitive and although repetition provides emphasis, I find myself on the fence on whether I like it or not here. At times, I feel that it assists with making this book beautiful, other times I’m doubtful because it holds flickers of ingenuity.
Additionally, I really like how normal and relatable the characters are. I don’t know how much they develop in the rest of the book, but I like what I’ve read thus far. Though, neither Marin (despite my being able to relate a lot to her) nor Mabel are my favourites at this point since Hannah holds that position. From the bits about her, I think she’s a very sweet and understanding person. Also, reading about Marin’s relationship with her grandpa is enjoyable. However, I cannot help but be a little irked by the presence of the Absent Parents/Guardian trope. I get that people die every day, and I get that this book wouldn’t be as depressing as it is had Marin’s last known and living relative not die, but darn it, I wish the grandpa is alive. Or her mother didn’t die. Or that she has an aunt or an uncle—just someone with familial ties because the lack of YA heroines with an extended family (minus the grandparents) that I’ve been coming across recently just baffles me.
Chapter Three (aka ‘blast from the past’) is, to me, a little sudden—disjointed. I don’t know how else to explain it but for two chapters, it felt like I was floating on water in a world where only the waves and my own breathing made sounds and then, bam! The water’s gone and I’m in a clearing filled with animal sounds and rustling plants and such. Even so, it gives a nice contrast between the person Marin is now and the person she was then.
Only the first four chapters are included in this sneak peak but it’s definitely enough to cement my desire to read the entire book. I’m certain that it’ll be worth it, especially when faced with the cliff-hanger in Chapter Four!
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 stars
This sneak peak of Nina LaCour’s upcoming book We Are Okay is the best that I’ve ever read. Never have I been immediately sucked into a book’s world—not even by my utmost favourite books, but this one got me hooked at its very first sentence, leaving no room for objections whatsoever because it’s just that good at keeping my attention.
The imagery LaCour’s narrative creates is a beautiful one—fittingly depressing but ultimately beautiful. Of course, they can be clichéd and I do feel like I’ve read certain lines many books before, but nothing is truly new these days so I can’t really complain about that here, particularly since those clichés aren’t as blatantly obvious as they can be. Furthermore, the way LaCour writes this is almost poetic. However, some lines in this book are rather repetitive and although repetition provides emphasis, I find myself on the fence on whether I like it or not here. At times, I feel that it assists with making this book beautiful, other times I’m doubtful because it holds flickers of ingenuity.
Additionally, I really like how normal and relatable the characters are. I don’t know how much they develop in the rest of the book, but I like what I’ve read thus far. Though, neither Marin (despite my being able to relate a lot to her) nor Mabel are my favourites at this point since Hannah holds that position. From the bits about her, I think she’s a very sweet and understanding person. Also, reading about Marin’s relationship with her grandpa is enjoyable. However, I cannot help but be a little irked by the presence of the Absent Parents/Guardian trope. I get that people die every day, and I get that this book wouldn’t be as depressing as it is had Marin’s last known and living relative not die, but darn it, I wish the grandpa is alive. Or her mother didn’t die. Or that she has an aunt or an uncle—just someone with familial ties because the lack of YA heroines with an extended family (minus the grandparents) that I’ve been coming across recently just baffles me.
Chapter Three (aka ‘blast from the past’) is, to me, a little sudden—disjointed. I don’t know how else to explain it but for two chapters, it felt like I was floating on water in a world where only the waves and my own breathing made sounds and then, bam! The water’s gone and I’m in a clearing filled with animal sounds and rustling plants and such. Even so, it gives a nice contrast between the person Marin is now and the person she was then.
Only the first four chapters are included in this sneak peak but it’s definitely enough to cement my desire to read the entire book. I’m certain that it’ll be worth it, especially when faced with the cliff-hanger in Chapter Four!
thebookadvocate's review
4.0
I felt like I related to this book so much because of how the author wrote about grief. Marin and I grieve the same way, isolating and running away, so it felt very real to me. I loved the narrative style and the story was very well-paced and quick. Plus who doesn't love diverse characters and good LGBTQ theme underlying the plot. Definitely a must read, especially if you want something quick and meaningful.
btwnseaandsun's review
5.0
I cried with each chapter and I have fallen in love with this book. It's wonderful and sad and beautiful in a haunting way. No words do this book justice but it is something that will stick with me for the rest of my life.
kristin's review
1.0
I would like to thank penguin for this sneak peak free in exchange for an honest review.
I didn't connect to this at all and skimmed read. I will not be getting the full book.
I didn't connect to this at all and skimmed read. I will not be getting the full book.
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