This book blew me away. I read it because a couple of book club friends loved and recommended it. I have never (to my knowledge) read sci-fi. I thought I preferred the genre as a movie. I was ready to not like it very much, but oh man... I was so wrong. It made me laugh, it made me cry, it taught me stuff. Yes, it took some time to get used to the MC's voice and truth be told, I'm not a HUGE fan of his because

Spoiler

I found him to be too cocky, too smartass. I also didn't enjoy the several mentions of "I'm a science teacher, we know random facts." I got it the first time you said it, you're not some special genius, get on with it.

But he grew on me, I started to enjoy him more and more and

Spoiler

I'm glad he made the right choice at the end.

I loved the juxtaposition of his past and present. And most of all, I loved

Spoiler

the unexpected friendship.

Mõte oli hea, kuid ootasin enamat. Lugu jäi minu jaoks poolikuks. Tegelased olid üksluised ja neis ei toimunud terve aasta vältel mingit arengut. Armusuhted tundusid sunnitud ja ebareaalsed.

This story seems deceptively simple. The subtle allusions to trauma, assault, loneliness, etc. are what make this story so powerful. The way the author lets the reader know slowly what happened and is able to make me feel that heaviness in my soul that Melinda must have felt is so carefully thought out. I loved the parallels she drew between Melinda's and the school's identity, or rather the lack thereof. I love the way the author addresses the issues so prominent in our society. And considering this book is banned, it definitely struck the nerve of many, which means she did it right.