katietotallybooked's Reviews (785)

I didn't overly enjoy it and I also didn't overly dislike it. I actually couldn't stop thinking about how it reminded me of a Series of Unfortunate Events. I feel both have similar writing tones, although I haven't re-read a Series of Unfortunate Events as an adult. I enjoyed the mystery elements, and I enjoyed the sibling dynamics. I think what I didn't enjoy was the multi-verse elements. I found it very confusing to follow. This added a sci-fi element to the book and that just doesn't often appeal to me. The book felt very fall-like so it was a fitting seasonal read. I pictured dreary grey skies and no leaves on the trees. Even the cover reminds me of Fall weather.

As a Youth Librarian I will recommend this to young readers who are interested in mysteries and can handle a book that is intricately plotted. There is a lot to unpack in this books - kidnapping, secret rooms and the multi-verse. Plus that cliff hanger ending will keep young readers who are enjoying it hooked and wanting to read book #2 immediately. Not to mention that Haddix has an extensive backlist so she is a great author to dive into for a reader looking for something new.

I am not liking the tone of her writing, and I just don’t care about the characters at this point. It’s like reading a stupid romantic comedy movie. 

I enjoyed this book and it did help me get back into reading nonfiction as part of my morning routine.

I took some quotes from it as well. A lot of her ideas and insights wasn’t new to me. But I did enjoy her personal stories and experiences that she sprinkled throughout in this one.

 Quotes I liked the most
p.2 • "Forget what the world is telling you. You don't have to constantly strive to be more. You are enough. You deserve simple, slow, and sweet. You are worthy of happiness. You deserve silly, extravagant joy, belly laughs, and rich memories worthy of being slowly retold in rocking chairs on front porches. This is attainable-where you are, as you are, with what you have right now."
p.8 • "Perfect doesn’t equal worthy. "
p.36 • "So how do we tactically set ourselves up for joy? It starts with grace, continues with a plan, and ends with grace. When you make a plan, wrap it up in a giant hug of grace, because it may not happen, or it may not happen the way you intended Let go of the perfect plan, and pursue a good and flexible plan-one that will give you the freedom to go with the flow and find the joy hidden in the in-between moments."
p.39 • "Don’t sacrifice the good to chase the perfect. "
p.66 • "“I’m slowly learning that my happiest, most special moments happen when the circus is at its peak.”
"
• "Our need to be in control, to orchestrate the perfect scenario for every journey of our lives, breeds anxiety in our hearts.
With each piece of the puzzle we release, we find true freedom and true joy. When we're able to let the pieces fall where they will, we free our hands for better purposes."
p.128 • "Give yourself grace to do what you can, where you are, with what you have. "

p.180 • "No matter what your passions are in this life or what road you're traveling or what goal you're chasing, know this: it's okay to get dirty. It's okay to try one thing, mess up, and try something else. It's also okay to keep trying to climb that same tree, even if you fall down ten times. The difference between people who achieve their goals and people who don't is their ability to dust themselves off and wear their dirty outfit proudly."
p.211 • "Stop right there. How is it supposed to look? When we create fantasy images in our heads, we slay the beauty in our lives. Comparison truly is the thief of joy. And we've established that standard of perfection in our work and our families based on what? Social media highlight reels? Perfect people? (I'm telling you-they're like unicorns. They don't exist.) Being a woman with many loves and responsibilities will test your patience, stretch your will, and make you love more fiercely than you ever thought possible-because time is your most precious commodity. Remember, though, that this part of life-this busy, crazy, circus-like place you're in -is but a season. It will come and go just like all the others."
p.213 • "Do what works. Forget the rest!"

I found this book a bit too light and fluffy for me. I loved Evvie Drake so I was excited to pick this one up. However it just was pretty average. 
I liked the wooden duck mystery element and I like the inheritance trope, but that’s about it. It was overall a pretty “meh” book. Second chance romances are ok but they aren’t my favourite either so that also probably impacted my feelings about it. 

It’s very closed door, fade to black as well. Think a 1/5 on the spice scale, and 4/5 on the fluff one.

Typically I am not a high fantasy reader so I was very hesitant about reading this Canadian middle - grade novel. However, I was pleasantly surprised by my enjoyment of it! I think because it is middle-grade, the world building and storyline was written at a level that was easy for me to grasp and understand. I found that between my first and second reading sessions I had created a foundational understanding that carried me through reading the rest of the novel. 

This is definitely a fantasy series I would recommend to readers! I think fans of the Warriors might enjoy the animal-themes. It also features dynamic and relatable sibling and friend relationships. It is medium-paced but full of adventure that keeps the storyline moving. 

I will not hesitate to continue the series or pick up books by this author if I need to in the future. 

I’m just not interested in this right now. It’s definitely a wrong book, wrong time, me problem. 

I’m a bit disappointed that I didn’t enjoy this book. It’s been a highly anticipated read for me since a trusted book friend read it last year, and unfortunately it didn’t really hit right with me. 

Turns out I do need to like a main character to really enjoy a book and I just wasn’t a big fan of Patrick. I also didn’t connect with the author’s humour or the writing. 

However, I do appreciate the conversation of grief and the sibling dynamics/relationship portrayed. Those were the book’s greatest strengths in my opinion. I’m just sad that I didn’t enjoy this more and that I spent most of the book just pushing through to get to the end. 

While I enjoyed reading this Nicholas Sparks book, it kind of missed the mark for me a bit. It follows two point’s of view, Colby and Beverly. We know from the synopsis that the two timelines are going to connect but we don’t know how. 

I did enjoy both points of view. I liked Colby’s character a lot. But I didn’t really buy his instant romance with Morgan, although I did like Morgan as a character and love interest. I was much more engaged by Beverly’s timeline. It had some mystery, it was quickly paced. It was more entertaining overall. 

But how the timelines connected at the end kind of made me feel sick to my stomach. I didn’t really like it. I didn’t think it was a good portrayal or representation. 
Then the epilogue was too unbelievable for me too. 

So overall, I’m giving this book a 3 star rating because I liked it but I was kind of bothered by the 2nd half of the book. It’s certainly not in my top favourites of his books that I have read. Since it’s his newest release too, I’m not even sure where his writing & stories will go next. But I’m sure I’ll still add them to my tbr. 🤣