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dreizehn's review
3.0
I’ll admit, I picked this book up because of the cover. It’s pretty, colorful, she has a cat eye… Once I confirmed my suspicions that What Curiosity Kills was a story about a girl turning into a cat, I knew I had to read it. After finishing the novel, I must say that it reminds me a lot of the show (I’ve never read the novels) The Nine Lives of Chloe King, except the protagonist literally turns into a cat, not a person with cat features. What Curiosity Kills had some definite strengths. While the casual narrative style Ellis adopts may turn off some readers, I found the witty dialogue and thoughts refreshing and very funny. Mary’s internal narration, the banter between her and her sister and the other characters, and the things that happen to Mary as she slowly turns into a cat had me smiling constantly as the pages flew by.
Sure, the novel has flaws. It’s short, a little absurd at times, possibly offensive to some in parts, some of the characters lack depth, the mythology is not thoroughly explained, and Mary and Nick’s relationship kind of comes out of left field. However, it’s a fast, fun read — especially for cat lovers like me. I hope Ellis does plan to release the sequel, because I look forward to spending more time with these wacky characters and seeing what happens next.
Sure, the novel has flaws. It’s short, a little absurd at times, possibly offensive to some in parts, some of the characters lack depth, the mythology is not thoroughly explained, and Mary and Nick’s relationship kind of comes out of left field. However, it’s a fast, fun read — especially for cat lovers like me. I hope Ellis does plan to release the sequel, because I look forward to spending more time with these wacky characters and seeing what happens next.
audreychamaine's review
3.0
Mary lives in Manhattan with her sister Octavia, and their adoptive parents. After having been in bad home situations earlier in life, Mary and Octavia are relishing their normal, if privileged lives. However, Mary is experiencing changes to her body, and they aren't due to puberty. She falls asleep at odd times, craves milk, and is terrified at the thought of taking a bath. Mary needs to figure out what is happening to her, and it looks like the only person who can help is her crush, Nick.
I immediately found What Curiosity Kills intriguing. I'm a cat person myself, and like to imaging what life would be like as a cat. I also thought it had a Metamorphosis aspect to the story. However, I liked it a little less after the first "turning". At that point it became much more of a standard were story. I really liked Octavia's character, and would like to see more of her in the upcoming books. There was also a bizarre, but strangely compelling, bit that takes place at one of the NYPL branches that I hope gets explored more thoroughly in the future.
I immediately found What Curiosity Kills intriguing. I'm a cat person myself, and like to imaging what life would be like as a cat. I also thought it had a Metamorphosis aspect to the story. However, I liked it a little less after the first "turning". At that point it became much more of a standard were story. I really liked Octavia's character, and would like to see more of her in the upcoming books. There was also a bizarre, but strangely compelling, bit that takes place at one of the NYPL branches that I hope gets explored more thoroughly in the future.
kaitrosereads's review
2.0
What Curiosity Kills is the first book in a new series by Helen Ellis and while it was definitely unique it’s not something I will be checking out. The first book was enough for me to realize that I am just not interested.
Mary is turning into a cat. She doesn’t know how or why but she knows that her crush, Nick, is helping her. He is finally showing interest in her and she is not going to let him slip away. Too bad her sister is terrified of cats and wants Mary’s problem fixed. What’s even worse is that there are other forces trying to keep Mary from even being human again.
So, the premise for What Curiosity Kills was beyond interesting. The bad part was that the book did not live up to it. And there were parts of the book where I was grossed out. I was not into the whole turning into a cat thing and mice were involved. Eww! Also, I was super confused part of the time. I didn’t get the point of the book and there didn’t seem to be a straight plot line.
Then there were the characters. Mary and Nick’s relationship came out of nowhere and the part with Ling Ling was odd. I didn’t get why everyone was attracted to Nick. It would have been better if the characters were more developed so that I could actually understand some of their motives.
Overall, What Curiosity Kills is the start to a series that some might enjoy but not me. I have to recommend checking this one out from your library if you are still interested.
Mary is turning into a cat. She doesn’t know how or why but she knows that her crush, Nick, is helping her. He is finally showing interest in her and she is not going to let him slip away. Too bad her sister is terrified of cats and wants Mary’s problem fixed. What’s even worse is that there are other forces trying to keep Mary from even being human again.
So, the premise for What Curiosity Kills was beyond interesting. The bad part was that the book did not live up to it. And there were parts of the book where I was grossed out. I was not into the whole turning into a cat thing and mice were involved. Eww! Also, I was super confused part of the time. I didn’t get the point of the book and there didn’t seem to be a straight plot line.
Then there were the characters. Mary and Nick’s relationship came out of nowhere and the part with Ling Ling was odd. I didn’t get why everyone was attracted to Nick. It would have been better if the characters were more developed so that I could actually understand some of their motives.
Overall, What Curiosity Kills is the start to a series that some might enjoy but not me. I have to recommend checking this one out from your library if you are still interested.
jacquelinec's review
2.0
Prior to receiving this ARC, I hadn't heard anything regarding this book or author Helen Ellis. I'm almost glad that I didn't have any preconceived notions toward it because I'm pretty sure that, if I had, they would have been blown away pretty quickly. My feelings about this book are mixed to say the least, but I'll do my best to to describe them for you.
I've read plenty of books about shapeshifters and weres. I was sure that there wasn't anything new to me in that field. Ellis showed me that I was poorly mistaken with her cat shifters. That's right, cats. Not the big leopard/lion/tiger-esque types. No, I mean the household variety. The way they are portrayed in the turning is as some potentially dangerous species. I'm still trying to parse whether or not I can take it seriously.
Regardless, the book is interesting. The main character Mary and her best friend/sister Octavia are unique characters in the YA genre. While they currently live a semi-privileged life in New York's Upper East Side, the both hail from disadvantaged backgrounds. Mary is from the south and still has a hint of her accent. After being neglected by her parents seven or eight years ago, she was adopted by her new family. Around the same time an African-American eight-year-old, Octavia, happened to lose her parents and be chosen by the same couple as Mary. The two sisters are the same age and incredibly close. It's interesting the strain that there relationship undergoes when the "turning" begins to overtake Mary. Octavia, who is deathly afraid of cats due to an incident in her past, struggles with a newfound fear and trepidation directed towards her sister. Despite this, it's clear that the two really love one another. It must be Mary's love for her sister that allows her to overlook Octavia's psuedo-ghetto attitude and slang. Being a middle-class black person myself, I understand the issue of wanting to embrace your "blackness" but I think that Octavia took it a step too far, almost into parody territory. I almost fell out of my chair when she used the phrase "wiggida, wiggida, whack" (yes, really). Even Mary thinks it's ridiculous...
To continue reading this review, visit my blog The Eclectic Book Lover.
I've read plenty of books about shapeshifters and weres. I was sure that there wasn't anything new to me in that field. Ellis showed me that I was poorly mistaken with her cat shifters. That's right, cats. Not the big leopard/lion/tiger-esque types. No, I mean the household variety. The way they are portrayed in the turning is as some potentially dangerous species. I'm still trying to parse whether or not I can take it seriously.
Regardless, the book is interesting. The main character Mary and her best friend/sister Octavia are unique characters in the YA genre. While they currently live a semi-privileged life in New York's Upper East Side, the both hail from disadvantaged backgrounds. Mary is from the south and still has a hint of her accent. After being neglected by her parents seven or eight years ago, she was adopted by her new family. Around the same time an African-American eight-year-old, Octavia, happened to lose her parents and be chosen by the same couple as Mary. The two sisters are the same age and incredibly close. It's interesting the strain that there relationship undergoes when the "turning" begins to overtake Mary. Octavia, who is deathly afraid of cats due to an incident in her past, struggles with a newfound fear and trepidation directed towards her sister. Despite this, it's clear that the two really love one another. It must be Mary's love for her sister that allows her to overlook Octavia's psuedo-ghetto attitude and slang. Being a middle-class black person myself, I understand the issue of wanting to embrace your "blackness" but I think that Octavia took it a step too far, almost into parody territory. I almost fell out of my chair when she used the phrase "wiggida, wiggida, whack" (yes, really). Even Mary thinks it's ridiculous...
To continue reading this review, visit my blog The Eclectic Book Lover.
andi10109's review
1.0
What the heck did I just read?
Read my review here: http://pandab1010.wix.com/brandiscandibooks#!What-Curiosity-Kills-The-Turning-1-REVIEW/cu6k/572ec3220cf2a6a4170d6016
Read my review here: http://pandab1010.wix.com/brandiscandibooks#!What-Curiosity-Kills-The-Turning-1-REVIEW/cu6k/572ec3220cf2a6a4170d6016
homicidoll's review
3.0
Can't wait for the next book because to me, this book seems to be a lot of figuring stuff out. Getting everything set up for the series. Hopefully, the next book will be better and Nick will be a more likeable character.
cjmichel's review
3.0
I don't know what I expected but I actually liked this story although I do think certain issues went unanswered that I would have liked more detail, especially why if he likes one girl more who just got clawed up, what is he doing comforting the girl who did the clawing?
The one thing that did bother me was that I cannot find the sequel to continue the story.
The one thing that did bother me was that I cannot find the sequel to continue the story.
foreveryoungadult's review
Graded By: Erin
BFF Charm: Yes, But . . .
Swoonworthy Scale: 4
Talky Talk: Straight Up Gossip Girl
Bonus Factors: Turf Wars,Tommyknockers, Marijuana, Craziest Library Evs
Relationship Status: Waiting In Line for Lois
Read the full book report here.
BFF Charm: Yes, But . . .
Swoonworthy Scale: 4
Talky Talk: Straight Up Gossip Girl
Bonus Factors: Turf Wars,
Relationship Status: Waiting In Line for Lois
Read the full book report here.
literaryfeline's review
3.0
It's funny really. I had every reason to say no when I was approached to read The Turning: What Curiosity Killed. I nearly did. I am not even sure why I said yes exactly. Unlike so many bloggers out there, I am not smitten with young adult novels in general. Take Peanut Buster Parfaits. I like them, but only now and then. It's the same with Young Adult fiction. Then there is the little fact that people assume that because I go by the name Literary Feline that I love to read about cats. Sometimes I do. I tend to be picky in that regard though. Animal books and I don't always get along. I have a thing for shape shifters though and it isn't too often I come across a book about shape shifting cats. So, I was more than curious.
I set aside an afternoon to read this book as part of my recent Reading Day adventure, and it made for the perfect light reading, especially after a heavier book that left me feeling a little sad. Helen Ellis has a great sense of humor that shines through in her writing. I really liked the characters, Mary and her sister Octavia in particular.
Both Mary and Octavia were once foster children and have been adopted by a loving and well-to-do family. They attend an elite private school where there is the requisite bully (Ling Ling) and the handsome crush (Nick Martin). Life couldn't get any better for Mary. She has everything she could ever hope for. That is until she begins to notice little changes: a patch of orange fur here and a sudden and undeniable craving for milk, among them. Mary is scared and embarrassed at the changes coming over her. The turning throws her into an entirely new sub-world, one of a feud between cats, the Strays and the Domestics. Not only is Mary told she must choose sides, but she also faces the threat of losing the life she's come to love.
Events unfold quickly in The Turning: What Curiosity Kills. And while I think that the author could have developed certain aspects of the story more fully, I never felt it suffered because she did not. Besides, she has to save something for future books, right? Overall, this was a fun and entertaining read. Mary is a likable character, thoughtful and kindhearted. She has the usual insecurities of a girl her age, and is a character most readers will be able to relate to. Her adopted sister Octavia is probably my favorite character. She doesn't think twice about standing up to the biggest bully in the school, but she is deathly afraid of cats, which makes things even more interesting and tests the sisters' bond. Okay, and so my affection for Octavia might have a little something to do with her love for books too, the hours she spends at the library book sale. Just saying.
I do not often complain about an ending of a book, but I had a problem with the ending of this one. It had more to do with my own personal bias, however, than quality or fit. The ending made total sense in the scheme of things. It's just, well . . . I don't want to say. Spoilers, you know. While sometimes an ending can ruin a book for me, it did not in this case. Far from it. The book has so much going for it, and I really did enjoy reading it. I just wish I didn't have to wait so long for the second book in the series!
I set aside an afternoon to read this book as part of my recent Reading Day adventure, and it made for the perfect light reading, especially after a heavier book that left me feeling a little sad. Helen Ellis has a great sense of humor that shines through in her writing. I really liked the characters, Mary and her sister Octavia in particular.
Both Mary and Octavia were once foster children and have been adopted by a loving and well-to-do family. They attend an elite private school where there is the requisite bully (Ling Ling) and the handsome crush (Nick Martin). Life couldn't get any better for Mary. She has everything she could ever hope for. That is until she begins to notice little changes: a patch of orange fur here and a sudden and undeniable craving for milk, among them. Mary is scared and embarrassed at the changes coming over her. The turning throws her into an entirely new sub-world, one of a feud between cats, the Strays and the Domestics. Not only is Mary told she must choose sides, but she also faces the threat of losing the life she's come to love.
Events unfold quickly in The Turning: What Curiosity Kills. And while I think that the author could have developed certain aspects of the story more fully, I never felt it suffered because she did not. Besides, she has to save something for future books, right? Overall, this was a fun and entertaining read. Mary is a likable character, thoughtful and kindhearted. She has the usual insecurities of a girl her age, and is a character most readers will be able to relate to. Her adopted sister Octavia is probably my favorite character. She doesn't think twice about standing up to the biggest bully in the school, but she is deathly afraid of cats, which makes things even more interesting and tests the sisters' bond. Okay, and so my affection for Octavia might have a little something to do with her love for books too, the hours she spends at the library book sale. Just saying.
I do not often complain about an ending of a book, but I had a problem with the ending of this one. It had more to do with my own personal bias, however, than quality or fit. The ending made total sense in the scheme of things. It's just, well . . . I don't want to say. Spoilers, you know. While sometimes an ending can ruin a book for me, it did not in this case. Far from it. The book has so much going for it, and I really did enjoy reading it. I just wish I didn't have to wait so long for the second book in the series!
reeshadovahsil's review
2.0
Yikes. Half-developed characters, rushed plot points that come out of nowhere, scenes of animal cruelty, meaningless (and boring) triangle "romances," casual racism (for instance, a character prances around with a shower caddy upside down on her head... I was thinking it was an imaginary hat and had to read the scene about five times because it didn't make any sense what this shower caddy was meant to represent, until I realized that the caddy was yellow and she was meant to be imitating an Asian girl from school—whose name is Ling Ling by the freaking way—so it was a dig at this girl's race)... No, thanks!
It's sad, because the beginning wasn't too bad, even if the main plot was a little silly. But I was willing to go with that at first, since it's a YA title and you know from the cover and synopsis that it's going to have a bit of nonsense. The beginning earned the second star. But it went off the rails after only a few chapters and only got worse from there.
Not recommended for anyone. I'll donate it to the library but I feel kind of bad for whoever ends up with it next.
It's sad, because the beginning wasn't too bad, even if the main plot was a little silly. But I was willing to go with that at first, since it's a YA title and you know from the cover and synopsis that it's going to have a bit of nonsense. The beginning earned the second star. But it went off the rails after only a few chapters and only got worse from there.
Not recommended for anyone. I'll donate it to the library but I feel kind of bad for whoever ends up with it next.