My grade 12 English class listened to Mario Kart as a writing prompt last week. They enjoyed it so much that I decided to start our next unit off by listening to Three Farmers on Their Way to a Dance. We have been discussing photo essays and the importance of words and pictures working together to tell the whole story. They truly enjoyed the essays and the inspiration was evident. Many of my students have now requested their own copies from the school’s library. 

saeko and yachi introductions happen in the same volume??? 💓💓💓💓

I really tried to like this book. I bought it last summer and read the first chapter - then never picked it up again until earlier this month. Within the first chapter, the author suggested checking out his podcast and I cringed. CRINGED!! I've read some seriously cringe-worthy fiction novels but non-fiction usually has me seated still until the very end. His writing, while casual and easy on the audience, almost felt like a guy at a party, trying to keep my attention even though I'm obviously making eyes at my friends to come save me. Each chapter starts with a "you wouldn't believe" kind of story to "hook" the reader but at what cost? In college I was obsessed with Buzzfeed, but why was that kind of writing published: regarding animal cruelty, malaria, and lobotomies no less! The content is interesting but the writing didn't feel appropriate for the topics covered. 

I love the premise and I think it has so much potential — especially with the cliff hanger at the end! 

However, written in first person POV with stellar lines like “holy cupcakes” and “sweet spaghetti” the MC is mind numbingly daft. After being transported into a new body in a new world, she does nothing to help herself. “My God! His male sex organ was the size of a decent cucumber” really sealed the deal for me because what the heck. 

I had no interest in the love interests until it finally switch to their POV 50% into the book. They’re all fairly surface level for the time being but, like I said before, there’s potential.

I’m just not sure who the intended audience for this book is. It feels like the MC is a 13 year old (even though she is 19 in her old body and 25 in her new body) and the writing itself is very immature. 

This review will contain some (but not all) trigger warnings. These are the ones that stood out to me but overall this story is not as dark as previous reads. 

Will I read the next one? Ehhhhhhhh maybe. Like a solid maybe. I think I need a break from first person POV.