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ninetalevixen
I received an advance review copy through Netgalley; all opinions are my own and honest.
I think the aftermath of a literary Boss Battle tends to get overlooked, but I really like that in this case we get to watch our heroes recovering, joking around, questioning morality. As in the previous two books, the individual characters and their relationships with each other absolutely stole my heart.
Unfortunately, something about the plot — maybe the pacing, including a big twist / arc that came out of seemingly nowhere; maybe just the change from earlier books — just didn’t fully capture my attention. A few lines stood out to me as awkward, and in some parts the manifestation of their powers felt a little too hand-wavey and/or underdeveloped.
Though I didn’t enjoy this as much as others in the series, it’s still a solid read with exciting action and a sympathetic cast; I look forward to seeing what happens next!
content warnings:
rep:
I think the aftermath of a literary Boss Battle tends to get overlooked, but I really like that in this case we get to watch our heroes recovering, joking around, questioning morality. As in the previous two books, the individual characters and their relationships with each other absolutely stole my heart.
Unfortunately, something about the plot — maybe the pacing, including a big twist / arc that came out of seemingly nowhere; maybe just the change from earlier books — just didn’t fully capture my attention. A few lines stood out to me as awkward, and in some parts the manifestation of their powers felt a little too hand-wavey and/or underdeveloped.
Though I didn’t enjoy this as much as others in the series, it’s still a solid read with exciting action and a sympathetic cast; I look forward to seeing what happens next!
content warnings:
Spoiler
sexually explicit content, graphic violence, self-harm (to use powers)rep:
Spoiler
Asian trans secondary character, F/F secondary relationship, WLW secondary character, nonbinary minor character (xe/xem)
I received a review copy from the author through #ReviewPit. This does not affect my rating or opinions.
4.75 stars. 4.5 stars. (I had originally planned to reread this after reading the first book, but it was such an intense experience that I don't feel prepared to undergo again. Reread-ability is a factor in ratings for me, but I also don't want to ignore my initial impression.)
Mindreaders. Telepaths. Psychics. There are many names, but here at the Institute, they like the scientific terms. We are the Psionics, and they use us without shame.
One of my very first thoughts was that this story flows incredibly well and is immediately engaging: in just a few paragraphs, I was hooked by the action and deeply invested in the protagonists; I don't generally enjoy action scenes, but the ones in this book were so well written. I couldn't put the book down
It's disconcerting to find yourself rooting for multiple sides in a conflict, and it takes masterful writing to pull off — which this book definitely exhibits. The juxtaposition of soft wholesome human interactions with fancy tech and violent conflict kept me on my toes; it was the epitome of an emotional roller coaster, and if your mental state is right, it's an incredible ride. (But if you're a mood reader and/or sensitive to certain topics, please be aware and take care of your own mental state. Content warnings are listed below.)
I think this is what happiness is. Making your own decisions, feeling safe as you do whatever you want.
The plot is nuanced and the worldbuilding detailed (with lots of diverse characters, by the way!), but at its heart this narrative felt refreshingly straightforward. It's poignant and memorable. It's one of the best books I've read this year.
(Also, this review was so hard to write because honestly, this just blew me away.)
content warnings:
rep:
I was in the mood to reread this after a mini-marathon of the Anne books, but to be honest I think most of my enjoyment comes from nostalgia rather than actual merits of this book. It's very heteronormative and the main characters definitely live in a privileged bubble; however, the book club and friendship and growing-up aspects hit enough of the right beats.
From a literary standpoint, this may be the best-constructed book in the series, with the obvious parallel between Pride and Prejudice's Elizabeth and Darcy and Pies's Cassidy and Tristan . Upon reread I find the heteronormative completely-PG romances to be more overpowering and nauseating than I previously did, but then again, I'm not in the target audience anymore.
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[original 2013 review - 4.5 stars]
Of course I loved this book, it's Emma on the cover and she's my favorite! The boy drama finally came to a head (all of the couples are so cute, too), but the girl friendship is what really came through to make this story what it is.
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[original 2013 review - 4.5 stars]
Of course I loved this book, it's Emma on the cover and she's my favorite! The boy drama finally came to a head (all of the couples are so cute, too), but the girl friendship is what really came through to make this story what it is.
Despite my incredible excitement upon discovering its existence, I didn’t think that this book could possibly live up to my expectations — some combination of nostalgic memories and (hopefully) refined taste in books. But oh, it did, it absolutely did. I laughed and cried and cheered alongside my childhood literary friends, and I had so much fun.
Now, I’m not saying this book is perfect; it’s somewhere between middle grade and YA, and about as heteronormative as it gets (both in romances and gender roles). It follows the same formulas and patterns of the series, with lots of drama and many predictable twists with heartwarming outcomes. But there are callbacks to all the best parts of the previous books, with a special charm all its own from seeing our girls almost-all-grown-up and passing on the wonderful tradition that’s gotten them through some rough years.
Some miscellaneous musings: I’ve only been a sleepaway-camp counselor and a day camp counselor once each, neither at an outdoorsy camp (both at schools, in fact) but I really loved every moment of those experiences and now especially I really want to look into it again. The book club I tried to start in high school was a flop, but friends really are forever — even (especially) when boys aren’t. I’m so delighted for the couples that managed to stay together, and I hated hearing that my absolute favorite broke up, and having to see the Daughter I related to most being so heartbroken. I hadn’t noticed (or wanted to realize?) before how much I identify with Becca, but her uncertainty about her future and concern about the cost of college was a pleasantly familiar feeling. I adored meeting all the little campers, and getting to briefly see how big Cassidy’s baby sister Chloe has gotten! And of course I am so glad to have had this chance to peek a little further down the line at how the journey goes for some of my favorite girlfriends.
tl;dr This book was like coming home. I would ask for a years-later reunion (a la Sisterhood Everlasting), at least a short story, but perhaps the magic of this series is just the inherent and universal potential of girlhood, amplified by those around us.
Now, I’m not saying this book is perfect; it’s somewhere between middle grade and YA, and about as heteronormative as it gets (both in romances and gender roles). It follows the same formulas and patterns of the series, with lots of drama and many predictable twists with heartwarming outcomes. But there are callbacks to all the best parts of the previous books, with a special charm all its own from seeing our girls almost-all-grown-up and passing on the wonderful tradition that’s gotten them through some rough years.
Some miscellaneous musings: I’ve only been a sleepaway-camp counselor and a day camp counselor once each, neither at an outdoorsy camp (both at schools, in fact) but I really loved every moment of those experiences and now especially I really want to look into it again. The book club I tried to start in high school was a flop, but friends really are forever — even (especially) when boys aren’t. I’m so delighted for the couples that managed to stay together, and I hated hearing that my absolute favorite broke up, and having to see the Daughter I related to most being so heartbroken. I hadn’t noticed (or wanted to realize?) before how much I identify with Becca, but her uncertainty about her future and concern about the cost of college was a pleasantly familiar feeling. I adored meeting all the little campers, and getting to briefly see how big Cassidy’s baby sister Chloe has gotten! And of course I am so glad to have had this chance to peek a little further down the line at how the journey goes for some of my favorite girlfriends.
tl;dr This book was like coming home. I would ask for a years-later reunion (a la Sisterhood Everlasting), at least a short story, but perhaps the magic of this series is just the inherent and universal potential of girlhood, amplified by those around us.
The more I reread this one, the more I have mixed feelings about the Asian-American representation — particularly since this is where we first meet Gigi, Megan Wong's grandmother from Hong Kong, which leads to Megan actually starting to have (some) meaningful engagement with her heritage. (In a nutshell, I think it's well-intentioned and not glaring problematic ... but it could be much better done.)
Identity issues aside, I've always seen <i>Dear Pen Pal</i> as kind of a pivot point in the series. The MDBC are growing up and more noticeably apart, and also they are getting really interested in what Cassidy calls "the boy/girl stuff."
Identity issues aside, I've always seen <i>Dear Pen Pal</i> as kind of a pivot point in the series. The MDBC are growing up and more noticeably apart, and also they are getting really interested in what Cassidy calls "the boy/girl stuff."
Okay, yeah, this one doesn't totally hold up. I think nostalgia did most of the heavy lifting, because this time around I wasn't quite as charmed by all the teen-girl drama (I generally don't like that phrase, but the events of this book epitomize it) and heteronormative tropes. But still, this is a light and ultimately feel-good read if you can get past its failings that scratched my holiday-read itch.
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[2019 review]
3.5 stars
While this is far from my favorite in the series, it's still a great nostalgia read — lots of references to previous books, with brief explanations in case the reader has forgotten (though these are more infodump-y than incorporated into the narrative); totally believable friendship and romantic drama, even if it is fairly tropey; just enough plot to keep things interesting as we check in with characters we've watched grow up over several years.
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CONVERSION: 10.4 / 15 = 3.5 stars
Prose: 6 / 10
Characters & Relationships: 7 / 10
Emotional Impact: 7 / 10
Development / Flow: 4 / 10
Setting: 8 / 10
Diversity & Social Themes: N/A
Intellectual Engagement: N/A
Originality / Trope Execution: 3 / 5
Rereadability: 5 / 5
Memorability: 4 / 5
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[2013 review]
Soooooo much drama. Realistic and relatable, of course, just like the Betsy-Tacy books seem to be. Still Team Tristan, Zach's cute but idk man. Simon's an idiot; I'd say Megan deserves better but, well, if he makes her happy. Pretty great debut for Becca, a great reminder that even the "mean girl" is a person too, with her own dreams and struggles.
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[2019 review]
3.5 stars
While this is far from my favorite in the series, it's still a great nostalgia read — lots of references to previous books, with brief explanations in case the reader has forgotten (though these are more infodump-y than incorporated into the narrative); totally believable friendship and romantic drama, even if it is fairly tropey; just enough plot to keep things interesting as we check in with characters we've watched grow up over several years.
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CONVERSION: 10.4 / 15 = 3.5 stars
Prose: 6 / 10
Characters & Relationships: 7 / 10
Emotional Impact: 7 / 10
Development / Flow: 4 / 10
Setting: 8 / 10
Diversity & Social Themes: N/A
Intellectual Engagement: N/A
Originality / Trope Execution: 3 / 5
Rereadability: 5 / 5
Memorability: 4 / 5
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[2013 review]
Soooooo much drama. Realistic and relatable, of course, just like the Betsy-Tacy books seem to be. Still Team Tristan, Zach's cute but idk man. Simon's an idiot; I'd say Megan deserves better but, well, if he makes her happy. Pretty great debut for Becca, a great reminder that even the "mean girl" is a person too, with her own dreams and struggles.
This series really should have ended after Book 4. In some ways the MDBC has regressed (childish pranks, black-and-white morality), and in others they are caricatures of teenage girls. The plot feels like a remix of the previous books, with a somewhat melodramatic climax and superficial falling action/ resolution.
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[original 2014 review - 4 stars]
Kind of overplays the nostalgia/memory lane aspect of coming-of-age journeys - not necessarily justified, considering the daughters aren't even graduating yet, even if they are growing up and slightly apart. The ending was kind of corny, too.
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[original 2014 review - 4 stars]
Kind of overplays the nostalgia/memory lane aspect of coming-of-age journeys - not necessarily justified, considering the daughters aren't even graduating yet, even if they are growing up and slightly apart. The ending was kind of corny, too.
