Scan barcode
ollieoxnfree's review against another edition
5.0
I could see where some ppl would feel this book was written in a confusing manner. But I felt it was very poetic and just beautifully written.
The story was not ridiculous in that it's all about the girl crushing on a ridiculous boy. This book reminded me what I love about YA novels. The characters were excellent and never flat. The romance was well rounded. Maybe I felt this way because I identified with the protagonist so much. She was strong and intelligent. She wasn't fooled by a pretty boy with a pretty tongue and I appreciated that.
There were times I felt it predictable but loved the story anyway.
In the long run I never once felt like this book could be in the same league as Twilight. And for that, Franny, thank you.
The story was not ridiculous in that it's all about the girl crushing on a ridiculous boy. This book reminded me what I love about YA novels. The characters were excellent and never flat. The romance was well rounded. Maybe I felt this way because I identified with the protagonist so much. She was strong and intelligent. She wasn't fooled by a pretty boy with a pretty tongue and I appreciated that.
There were times I felt it predictable but loved the story anyway.
In the long run I never once felt like this book could be in the same league as Twilight. And for that, Franny, thank you.
breezy610's review against another edition
2.0
it was okay. I had to push myself to finish this book. Only because it pick up in the end, i gave it two stars.
njdarkish's review against another edition
2.0
Some good ideas, but I didn't care for the way the book was written. Very jargon-heavy in a way that feels unnatural and clunky.
laureenreads's review against another edition
2.0
At this point I should be glad that I can at least say I didn't hate it. I think that the plot was interesting, the idea of the Old Ones and the Chime Child, and the story of the Stepmother and the truth coming out by the end. It was interesting. But the writing... Suffice it to say that I have read better fanfiction. The author jumps around and adds in side notes with throw away lines of "Did I forget to mention...". Some things that Briony says and thinks are completely random and while eventually it can vaguely tie in with the rest of the story, I found it very difficult to read. In fairness, I am a big fan of a linear storyline.
I think the storyline was good. I enjoyed it. The writing is what brought my opinion down quite so much. I'm glad I managed to finish reading it at least.
I think the storyline was good. I enjoyed it. The writing is what brought my opinion down quite so much. I'm glad I managed to finish reading it at least.
emrodav's review against another edition
3.0
I don't know exactly how I feel about this book (which seems to be how a lot of my reviews start, lol, but I can say I mostly enjoyed this book. The world of the Swampsea is wonderfully created, and all the creatures--the Old Ones-- are very interesting. The main character, Briony, is very repetitively harsh on herself, which can get quite annoying. However, it makes sense for what Briony believes she's done. I just wish it had been a little less.
The method of story-telling can both enjoying and off-putting. Billiingsley uses some stream-of-consciousness that I enjoyed most of the time. She also frequently switched to second person,which I generally don't like. I suppose, though, that it adds to some of the confusion of the story.
The plot is quite thin, and I figured out the twist very early on. The plot is definitely not the main reason I enjoyed the book. I liked the fantasy elements, but was sometimes bored by the plot and confused by the writing style.
The method of story-telling can both enjoying and off-putting. Billiingsley uses some stream-of-consciousness that I enjoyed most of the time. She also frequently switched to second person,which I generally don't like. I suppose, though, that it adds to some of the confusion of the story.
The plot is quite thin, and I figured out the twist very early on. The plot is definitely not the main reason I enjoyed the book. I liked the fantasy elements, but was sometimes bored by the plot and confused by the writing style.
andiemags53's review against another edition
2.0
Couldn't even finish it.... Horrible writing... No connection at all with the characters.
alicebme's review against another edition
2.0
This was one weird ass book. You know, I think it would make a great movie! The swamp setting, the different Old Ones, and the human characters are all well written. I also liked the plot. I just didn' t like the path of the plot. It made me too angry before it explained. = not so perfect reading experience.
emath98's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
slow-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
4.75
mhouser14's review against another edition
3.0
Several things about this book caught my eye: the cover, the title, and the overview. I was ready to sweep myself away into a bizarre new world, and Chime looked promising. I really wanted to love this book, as I do most of my others, but it was hard to go on. Ms. Billingsley's language is unique and definitely takes imagination and talent to create and write with, but it was hard for me to read.
The first half wasn't what I wanted or imagined, but the ending... brilliant! Getting through the confusing beginning was completely worth the twist at the end. I loved he way all loose ends were tied up and explained, and the complete story was worth the slow start.