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Everything Everything was everythang! Nicola Yoon has quickly become one of my favorite authors. I reviewed The Sun is Also a Star before this, and Yoon's first book is just as good (TSIAAS is just a bit more polished).
STORY:
In Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon (310 pages), Madeline Whittier (I'm going to be calling her Maddy throughout the review) is sick, in a way, she's allergic to the entire outside world. Her mom and the best nurse ever, Carla, keep her monitored closely and on a tight schedule. Nothing in Maddy's life is unplanned or out of the ordinary until (wait for it...) a boy, parkour-black-clothes-only-wearing boy with one dimple in his right cheek, moves in next door.
Yoon is awesome at "showing" and not telling. I love reading her descriptions of characters and things, basically just nouns. She describes nouns well.
I also like how the real-world references didn't feel cringy. This book taught me a word that I never knew existed, uxorious. Aww! My favorite English word is pugnacious (or adore), but it might change!
I want to say Olly and Maddy were attracted to each other too quickly (instalove!), but if you were basically trapped in an impenetrable bubble your feelings might be intensified. Also, hormones.
There are some mentions of domestic abuse (not with Olly and Maddy btw), and a heavy-handed hint at mental trauma. Oh yeah, there's a sex scene too, a little edgy but not explicit. Blink and you miss it. I don't know how I feel about it.
No one had to tell me, but I just knew from the minute I picked up this book that there would be adorable "aww-worthy" moments and some punches in the gut. This book has a mean right hook.
CHARACTERS:
Maddy was sheltered and compliant, but her head was also in the clouds (or rather outer space) and Olly sent her thoughts and health awry.
Olly was agile, witty, and fun. He harbored a lot more pain than he let on, and Maddy intrigued him in every way. He also loved black clothing but wasn't goth.
Wow. The mom was so believable. I just... She really loved Maddy, almost to a fault.
I loved Carla! She was the absolute best!
OVERALL:
I enjoyed it! The characters, the humor, and, even though it made my heart physically drop, those gut punches. The climax was very climatic. I can't wait for the movie!
STORY:
"...The world barely knows I exist. I mean, I exist online. I have online friends and my Tumblr book reviews, but that's not the same as being a real person who can be visited by strange boys bearing Bundt cakes" (pg 29).
In Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon (310 pages), Madeline Whittier (I'm going to be calling her Maddy throughout the review) is sick, in a way, she's allergic to the entire outside world. Her mom and the best nurse ever, Carla, keep her monitored closely and on a tight schedule. Nothing in Maddy's life is unplanned or out of the ordinary until (wait for it...) a boy, parkour-black-clothes-only-wearing boy with one dimple in his right cheek, moves in next door.
Yoon is awesome at "showing" and not telling. I love reading her descriptions of characters and things, basically just nouns. She describes nouns well.
"Maddy: What color are your eyes?
Olly: Blue
Maddy: Be more specific, please.
Olly: jesus. girls. ocean blue
Maddy: Atlantic or Pacific?
Olly: Atlantic. What color are yours?
Maddy: Chocolate brown
Olly: More specific, please
Maddy: 75% cacao butter dark chocolate brown
Olly: hehe. nice" (pg 51).
I also like how the real-world references didn't feel cringy. This book taught me a word that I never knew existed, uxorious. Aww! My favorite English word is pugnacious (or adore), but it might change!
"Maddy: Friends don't kiss, Olly.
Olly: really good ones can" (pg 123).
I want to say Olly and Maddy were attracted to each other too quickly (instalove!), but if you were basically trapped in an impenetrable bubble your feelings might be intensified. Also, hormones.
There are some mentions of domestic abuse (not with Olly and Maddy btw), and a heavy-handed hint at mental trauma. Oh yeah, there's a sex scene too, a little edgy but not explicit. Blink and you miss it. I don't know how I feel about it.
No one had to tell me, but I just knew from the minute I picked up this book that there would be adorable "aww-worthy" moments and some punches in the gut. This book has a mean right hook.
CHARACTERS:
Maddy was sheltered and compliant, but her head was also in the clouds (or rather outer space) and Olly sent her thoughts and health awry.
Olly was agile, witty, and fun. He harbored a lot more pain than he let on, and Maddy intrigued him in every way. He also loved black clothing but wasn't goth.
Wow. The mom was so believable. I just... She really loved Maddy, almost to a fault.
I loved Carla! She was the absolute best!
OVERALL:
I enjoyed it! The characters, the humor, and, even though it made my heart physically drop, those gut punches. The climax was very climatic. I can't wait for the movie!
It was definitely okay, but it dragged a bit when the focus changed away from the Dragon's tower. The entire plot revolving around the Wood and the many times they try to kill that junk with fire is exciting, and Agnieszka's initial blunders with magic were interesting (then they got tedious).
I also loved the fantasy setting and the Dragon's dry wit could be nice sometimes. I found it very cute how Agnieszka has the hardest time keeping her clothes clean, and it's sweet how much her family loves her and vice-versa.
Now, some of the stuff that was 'meh' to me.
Well, how many doggone times does Agnieszka need to worry about/save Kasia!?!
Why is there the most ill-placed love scene? I mean junk has gotten real and people just got murdered, but the Dragon needs to finger Agnieszka's goodies. Then she gotta ride her man into the sunset. Priorities.
And why are these two in love? I'm not necessarily against it even tho the age difference is a little weird (I understand girls got married in their teens in the olden days, but why is a centuries' old wizard in love with her?)
The Dragon is too snarky. For these type of characters, you have to have a little bit of tenderness to make them lovable.
Agnieszka's a little basic too.
forgot to add. Hated Prince Marvek. He tries to sexually-assault Agnieszka before his memory is later altered. I was disappointed he became such a central character.
Anyway, for slightly older YA readers or someone new to the fantasy genre, I recommend this book.
I also loved the fantasy setting and the Dragon's dry wit could be nice sometimes. I found it very cute how Agnieszka has the hardest time keeping her clothes clean, and it's sweet how much her family loves her and vice-versa.
Now, some of the stuff that was 'meh' to me.
Why is there the most ill-placed love scene? I mean junk has gotten real and people just got murdered, but the Dragon needs to finger Agnieszka's goodies. Then she gotta ride her man into the sunset. Priorities.
And why are these two in love? I'm not necessarily against it even tho the age difference is a little weird (I understand girls got married in their teens in the olden days, but why is a centuries' old wizard in love with her?)
The Dragon is too snarky. For these type of characters, you have to have a little bit of tenderness to make them lovable.
Agnieszka's a little basic too.
forgot to add. Hated Prince Marvek. He tries to sexually-assault Agnieszka before his memory is later altered. I was disappointed he became such a central character.
Anyway, for slightly older YA readers or someone new to the fantasy genre, I recommend this book.