shidoburrito's Reviews (1.54k)

I'm glad I bought this book, because it's definitely something I needed to read. I am that white person that doesn't understand what the teens I'm working with here at my job are going through, and this book, while it has some little unrealistic bits, is a window I needed, to see a bit into their world. Reading, when written well, has the power to really pull you into it and give you a glimpse through a character's eyes. So thank you Starr, and thank you Angie, for this book as I hope it's a eye-opener for many other people as well.

I do love my Spider-man/Deadpool team ups!

We're just moving right along! Finished this and then immediately bought the 5 others that are already out and published. At this rate it's going to surpass the anime within the next volume or two!

Aw, that was a pretty darn good graphic novel. I really enjoyed it! You had your different views of feminism: from the main character who is lesbian, to a new friend she makes who is trans, to the troop leader who has a strong faith in God, but a God that made women strong. Also, the colorful illustrations in this (all done in colored pencil) are gorgeous.

Also, it has an open ending, which I have recently learned not everyone enjoys as much as I do... >_<

More like 1.5 stars because it wasn't bad enough for "did not like it" and I hated reading it too much to even say "it was okay" so... there you go. This is the kind of book I don't really like reading anyway. Yes, it was very informational and educational about what the Syrian refugees are going through, even Afghan refugees, as the violence and war are forcing people from their homes if bombs and guns or the Taliban or the Daesh don't kill them first. But Angie doesn't like non-fiction. You have to be a very good writer to get Angie to enjoy historical fiction or realistic fiction like this. I couldn't quite get myself into the rhythm of the book since the writing was so choppy and blunt. Having it told by the point of view of Destiny was a good idea, but it hindered more than helped the book's flow. It allowed the author to write in the style of her true profession of journalist, correspondent, and reporter. I feel she wrote the book as she normally would then said, "Oh! I meant to write this for teens, better add in some flowery language," and then proceeded to go back through her book and tack things on.

Spoiler

Like the ending and the random kidnapping that is resolved in a few pages.

Also, the volunteer Alexia's character was...am I a horrible person saying that she was a "goody-two-shoes"? All her thoughts and actions were saintly and I feel awful saying that I disliked this character because the volunteers in real life that truly went over to Greece and gave so much of their time helping the refugees truly are wonderful, awesome people! But someone who does what she does, sees what she sees, is not going to be devoid of stressed thoughts, jaded thinking, and a selfish thought or two. Actually, a lot of the characters are like that. I suppose it's to counteract all the awful images of families lying dead in rubble, people being executed by the Daesh, babies turning blue and dying in the hypothermia-inducing waters of the ocean.

TL;DR If you want a book about Syrian refugees that was created for teens but reads like a report, this book is for you.

Not as creepy as the first, but better than the second, this is yet another spoopy story involving teens and spoops. This time it's a book that's acting as a portal for the devil and evil. Which is spoopy, but there's one HUGE flaw that was never really addressed in the book. Wiccans don't believe in the devil. Oh well, it still was a nice, quick read and a break from my realistic-fiction streak.

Um, a book of clever fairy tales with beautiful illustrations that grow and build around the borders as the story goes on and the complete picture also becomes a part of the twist ending? Yes please!

I'm trying to think what other book I read recently that dealt with Asperger's and I couldn't STAND IT! Meanwhile, this book, where the main character also has Aperger's, was so much more intriguing, genuine, and I loved reading this book with her in it! And Stanley too, he was also great. Need a teen book that deals with mental health? This one. Rare bone diseases? This one. Zoos and treating animals humanely? This book. Unhealthy relationships and abusive parents? This book.

Spoiler

Homelessness? This book. Sex for first timers with constant and enthusiastic consent? This book. The first time I've ever seen a YA book with a blow job in it?
This book!

Obviously it's for older teens as Alvie is 17 and is attempting to become legally emancipated, but it covers so many topics in such a good way I think any mature teen could read it.

Nope, can't do it. I can't finish it. The writing is just so... juvenile and awful. You don't use ALL CAPS like THIS to accentuate or make a point. You use italics! And this is a teen book. I'm not a prude, but the overabundance of the F-word in here was just ridiculous. This is not how teens talk. Sure, they cuss, sure stressful situations will cause cursing, but seriously, this is ridiculous. And the horror part of it made me think of the off-brand Goosebump book series I used to read called "Strange Matter" which I loved as a tween. So the age range is all over the map for this: juvenile writing and horror situations but enough cursing to rank the rating up to R.

Yay! This book definitely does not suffer from Second-Book Syndrome, a horrible ailment that occurs in many teen book series where it's mostly setup for the next book and not much action. Also, after you've waited a year for it to be released, you've forgotten much of what happened in the last book. Not so here. I was able to dive right back in and just get right back into the action and the plot. I think I just really love Shusterman and his books. They're just perfect to my tastes in writing and reading!