timefliesaway's Reviews (588)

The sister already is annoying for me, which makes wanting to buy the sequel harder, as the first chapters begins with her. I am curious about Jax’s journey and how his mother might play a role, and the other characters seem all interesting... but the sister? Nah, man. (I do get where the sister is coming from – I mean: dragons – but that doesn’t make her less annoying.)

Also, I feel like this book series will stretch in forever, like warrior cats perhaps, with the only difference being the pages. I know it’s kinda supposed to be for kids, but gosh, 150 pages for a book? That ain’t worth my money...

2.5

I really love theorizing about what could happens after death. Will we go to heaven or to hell? Or is there just nothing? Or perhaps something completely different than what we have thought could ever be?
I already have lots of theories, except this one. Well, the ending (in the book) was actually something I thought about before, but not the beginning. How, when you die, you’re on a cruise to that island called Elswhere. It’s really interesting, which is why it’s also really disappointing that i can’t rate this higher than 2.5 stars.

I definitely want to rate this higher and I’ve thought about it a lot. But 3 stars just seem too much. Overall, it was just little things that I’ve enjoyed reading about; everything else wasn’t for me, which were sadly the most and main parts.

It’s such a great and interesting world, worth exploring, but what does the author focuses on? Minor things like romance and getting married and get your drivers license, etc, which are such earth-like things. You already have those on earth, why go through them after death as well?

At some point, I do get it. I suppose the author wanted to convey the message that death is not an ending, and even though you’ve died young, that doesn’t mean you’re gonna loose out on all the things that you experience at certain ages. I suppose the author also wanted to say that death could as well be another life, just a bit different. They never meant to make it a fantasy world where everything is possible. And god doesn’t exist after all. Death is just like life on earth.
I do respect her theory though, as we don’t know how things are after death. I get that, and that part I think was executed well. It just didn’t suit me.
Especillay because I’m so disappointed in the lazy writing when it comes to world-building. I’ll say it again: this “elsewhere” is goddamn interesting and really worth to be explored!

Yet, there were so many grounds to dive deeper into this world and establish actually something.
For example, the mysterious part of it. I noticed lots of characters there saying “I don’t know why, it just is” or “it’s always been that way”.
That seems a bit fishy there. Why would they not be interested in finding out “why” it is that way? Why are they just accepting their new life? There’s more to the world than the people seem to tell you and I want to find out.
Matters like these are always good grounds and most authors have used that before. It might be a little cliche I guess, but it works. Especially when the protagonist is new to the world and doesn’t want to accept the fact that things just seem to »be«, without knowing the reason.
But the protagonists apparently is oblivious to that and doesn’t care about it. She does asks “why” sometimes, but accepts the answer “I don’t know”.
That’s not good enough for me.

~

Another thing that upset me a lot was the romance. Now, for all the romance-lovers out there it might actually be a good thing, but for me, it definitely wasn’t. But I generally don’t like to read about romance, so there’s that.
Maybe I shouldn’t have read it in the first place, but I guess I just didn’t think it would be that much of a major topic in the book (more than half of it, that is).

And by the way, Liz is really cringe when it comes to love or dates. Teenagers are always cringe, but particular lines from her had me want to puke a bit.
For example. “You could tattoo my name on your arm, if you want.”
The context: she’s been with her date for a couple of weeks and the guy has a tattoo with his wife’s name on his arm (the wife is still on earth and he’s been in elsewhere (aka dead) for about 10 years). Liz looks at it and then concludes, now that they are dating, that he should tattoo her name on his arm.
What the actual fuck?

Another sentence, because Liz was jealous: “everything is changing, all because stupid Emily couldn’t be bothered to wash her hands properly.” (Emily had the flu btw and is Owen’s wife.)

But the most cringe part must be when Owen and Liz actually kiss. And let me tell you, that is after Emily and Owen reunited. So he literally cheated on her. And it wasn’t during a fight. The cliche and cringe way to shit someone up.
Fuck romance, I don’t ever want to have anything to do with it and for once I want to read a story that has its loyalties in check.

Emily is the best character probably because she sees it in a very mature way and handles the situation the best. Still, it’s very disappointing and makes me hate romance even more.

That line at the end though – “life is better with a little romance, you know.” – bugs me a lot.
No, romance is not better. Ever heard of aromantics? Well, google it, if not. Life can be just as happy for those who have never experienced romance, than those who have. And besides, I’m so sick of all media always putting romance above friendships. Because at the end, friendships are much stronger. It’s time authors write about that.

~

Another thing, not about romance this time, is Liz and her insensitivity towards other people’s decisions.
With Curtis, she doesn’t want to accept the fact that he doesn’t want to sing anymore.
For context: Curtis was in a band called “machine” and then died pretty much the same time when Liz did, so they kinda became friends. Yet, Curtis chose to be a fisherman instead of continuing singing or writing songs.
It’s normal, isn’t it? Some things are fun while they lasted, but even hobbies, that were there your whole life, eventually stop making you happy and you quit. And sometimes you even do something completely else, something you’ve never tried before.
I’m sure we all had that feeling in some way or another.
But Liz? She’s just completely like this: “you’re from my favorite band and I completely don’t understand why you don’t want to continue doing music!” And when he explains, she’s like: “but that’s stupid!”
Yet, her own reasons don’t make much sense anyway, and she even expects people to have empathy for her. But she doesn’t have for others.

~

So, in conclusion, the book suffers from the protagonist-syndrome (or main character syndrome) and the fact that the world is only half-built. The author decided to fill the pages with cliche teenage romance, instead of exploring and diving deeper into the mysteries.
It had potential, but the way it was executed is not worth the read, to be honest. The theory in itself is interesting, and the first 100 pages mostly had me going, but then it just went downhill...

I don’t fucking know how to rate this book.
On one hand, it’s written so so good, the writing style is amazing, so thrilling and I don’t can or want to put it down. The story in itself is also exciting and although you kind of know where this is going, you just don’t want to stop reading.
On the other hand, the characters are so damn annoying. They’re all kind of understandable and I love that we have so many point of views. But they’re all so dumb and so annoying, you kind of end up hating everyone. But at the same time you get where they’re coming from, and you mostly can’t even blame them. Well, except Drake, and for me also Caine, and maybe some few others, but really for the most part.

However, I don’t like how the author is treating the female characters. They’re always described as beautiful, being some kind of trophy to the boys, but not really treated like a partner. As in, the “friend” part in “girlfriend” is missing. We’re back in the kingdom’s era, with men at the top and women being treated like things you can own. And it seems like the author is even proud of that...
I want to like the female characters and I do like most of the background females, but the mains, especially Astrid, are pissing me so off. I don’t want to be pissed at them, but the author is practically forcing the reader to do so. Forcing dumb stuff on the female characters, so that the reader pretty much can’t do anything than be annoyed by them. That force is annoying me mostly though.

A few spoilers from now on. Not heavy spoilers, nothing that really spoils the ending for you, but yeah.

When Sam had a breakdown and was accusing Astrid of manipulating him, that was like the first time I took his side. I mean, he’s right. Astrid has always been that sidekick to Sam, bc that way she was safe and Pete was safe, and I don’t blame her for that part, but she has never really done anything. She pretty much only reads a to-do-list for Sam down, and accuses Albert for being greedy. Well, Albert really is greedy, but isn’t Astrid at some point too? Maybe not for the same thing, but kind of.
I really want to be on Astrid’s side on this, because it’s fucking annoying how the author is treating the females. Like they’re trophies of the guys, always described as beautiful. They have like one characteristic, Astrid being a genius for example, but not really having much of a purpose. Or helping in any way. Astrid is there, and she’s kinda the love of sam’s life, but does absolutely nothing. It took her 450 pages to figure out “the darkness” thingy and finally listen to her brother. I don’t really blame her for that (the darkness thingy), because that’s some vague guess, but if the author says she’s supposed to be a genius and nothing else, but then not even being able to live her up to her one and only characteristic... idk man.
I get that geniuses don’t know everything and even they need time to think. Like I said, I’m not blaming Astrid. I’m rather blaming the author, although blaming is the wrong word, for being confusing and forcing unnecessary things.
I don’t even know if the reader is supposed to like Astrid or not. Does the author like Astrid; does he like flat characters? Or does he dislike her and that’s why she’s mostly just “there”, but not really?

For example Astrid not getting when Albert explained her the issue that kids are wasting toilet paper. That felt like a whole different character there. Shes supposed to be that big genius, but doesn’t get anything, when someone else is explaining things to her. Survival things.
I mean, she just stood there, not getting it, and instead accusing Albert for being greedy. Man, we’re talking about toilet paper. Isn’t it better that someone hordes it for themselves, than little kids playing with it and wasting it?
It’s annoying. And sam was there too, accusing Albert of being greedy too. He even said that the dance club was stupid, even though that was like the only place where people were happy and could get their minds off. To me it just seemed that Sam was jealous, jealous that he didn’t come up with the idea himself.

But, just bc I sided one time with him, when he was finally speaking up to Astrid, doesn’t mean I like him much. I really don’t get him, actually.
He’s annoyed every single time, when kids ask him out little things, like what movie to watch (which I completely get, it’s dumb and annoying), but whenever someone does sth on their own, actually gets their butt up and does sth instead of lying around all day – actually working, doing sth for the community –, Sam’s annoyed too that they didn’t tell him.
What, man? You need to decide. And really, the fact he gets upset over Quinn fishing, is just...
Well, I do get where he’s coming from, all that stress and everything, but still.

At first I was like: okay, Sam’s obviously not up for the job being, then let’s make Albert the mayor. At first. But then his obsession with money – yes, fucking money – cane to the surface and... bruh, you gotta be kidding right?
You can’t eat gold. Yet he’s wasting his time by learning how to melt gold and make coins out of it. He should learn about history instead, to realize that money never helped during tough times. You can’t fucking eat money.
I really liked Albert and I think I still definitely like him more than Sam and Astrid, but the fact that he’s obsessing over money/gold, while starving? Dude, that’s sick.

Seems like Lana will stay my fav now. So far, at least.
Duck has also become a fav.
Brittney too, I’m really glad she “survived”, although I also wanted her to be somewhere better, reunited with her brother, away from this stupid world. But if that would mean eaten by the “darkness”, I’m glad she’s not with “it”, but still here.

A moment of silence for Brittney, btw. Had sacrificed herself and bought time for Sam to get there. Well, even though she didn’t know Sam was coming. But she did sacrifice herself, fully knowing she wouldn’t make it, but then again, she wasn’t afraid to die.
And men say women are weak. When in reality, Brittney stepped up and the two guys, Mike and Mickey, were hiding under a table. Fuck guys.
That’s probably the first female the author hasn’t treated like shit yet. Yet. I don’t really think I’m eager to know what he’ll do to her in the 3rd book.

And Zil, oh my god, Zil. I kind of get where he’s coming from, but what the fuck? They’re like starving and he has time and energy to start a war?
I mean, it’s clear he was the reason that Harry is dead. Like, Hunter didn’t ask for the powers. And most “freaks” can’t control them, anyway. It doesn’t help if everyone else is making you angry all the time. And if Hunter didn’t have powers, Zil would’ve probably killed him with that baseball bat (was it a bat? Can’t remember. But I mean the incident in the living room). So, like every other human, Hunter panicked and tried to protect his head. And Harry was dumb or naive or whatever to get between them, which resulted in him getting hurt instead of Zil. Well, that’s where Zil’s madness started or erupted.
I can’t blame him that much bc I get where he’s coming from, but it’s dumb. Everyone in this book is so dumb. Instead of getting to work and hunting for food (like Quinn going fishing for example), they create unnecessary wars.
And, let’s be honest, Zil’s crew is just jealous. He wants to have that kind of power that the freaks have, but he doesn’t, and he’s jealous. And, sure, part of him is also afraid, but it’s mostly jealousy (in form of hatred) that’s driving him. It’s so dumb

3.5

Oh wow. Probably the best character development this book had, since the 1st one.

Sam acknowledging his mistakes.
Astrid realizing she’s not as smart as she thought she was; and very arrogant and manipulative too.
Diana having morals.
Howard thinking for himself; seeing both Astrid and Sam as liars, and not following them anymore.
Edilio standing up to Sam, also telling him directly that he doesn’t support him anymore.

Maybe some more developments here and there, but nothing major I think. Although it took 300-400 pages to get there... well, technically around 1500, if we count the previous 2 books, as we should.

The most ironic thing about this is, that it didn’t grip me as much as the 2nd book did. Although I was more satisfied with the ending, and the characters had a better development. And I liked Diana much more.
Hmm, perhaps it was because it took so long to get there. And because the 300 pages until then were so slow-paced. Well, I mean it was still action-packed, but the main protagonists annoyed me for the most part.
Especially things like:
- sam running off while the town is burning down; at the same time being cranky that he’s not the one in charge (but when he has the decision to make, he runs off).
- Astrid spilling out Mary’s secret (bulimia), just so the crowd won’t fed on Astrid’s lies, but rather on Mary’s “craziness” (I hate Astrid for this).
- Albert being like a 2nd Astrid, but with money. When danger comes, he hides. But tells others to back off. (Basically only talking without doing)
- Penny and her crush on Caine. Annoying and completely unnecessary. Also has not been shown at all, until she said it. Completely random and out of nowhere.
- Caine. There’s nothing more to say. He’s annoying, boring and I couldn’t care less about him. Him being on the island is cool; hopefully we’ll hear less about him. Hopefully he won’t find a way off this island anytime soon. Just stay there a couple of years; no one will miss you.

I found it especially hard to keep reading during the religious themes. Religion is always a difficult debate, or beliefs in general, because no one has proof of what could be true.
I’m just wondering how some still cling on to god, while starving in the FAYZ. It’s literally hell there.
And the question whether or not someone pops back to the other side, on their 15th birthday. Like, is there an other side? I don’t think so.
Whatever Pete did at the end, I think it was just an illusion. There’s no way the adults are still alive. It’s more like the sun exploded, wiped out all earth and the FAYZ now is some kind of dwarf planet. A very little copy of earth. Or maybe they’re all already dead and this is hell. Who knows.
Either way, in my theory, when you poof out, it’s only benefiting the gaiaphage. I don’t know how exactly, but yeah.

But I did like the new characters from the island. Tho I’m afraid the author will mess them up real bad in the 4th book. I hope not, but that seems to be a hobby of the author, so the stakes aren’t high.

I’m basically just continuing for the background characters. Quinn. Lana. Edilio. Dekka. Sanjit. Choo. Pete. Roger. Howard. Brittney. Brianna.
And I’m kinda curious about whether the adults are alive, or if there’s the other side, or not.

Well, oof.

It took me 1 month to finish this book. It was really hard to get through it. I was always finding excuses not to read, even though I generally wanted to read a book, just not this one. Do anything but not read this fricking book.
It’s just... not exiting at all anymore.
I couldn’t care less for the characters. It’s always the same in each book. For every single character, always the same. And the characters I do care for, appear maybe for 5% of the story, not having much of a role.

Diana – damn, I really just want this girl to be happy. And be free. From Caine, but also generally from this world. She’s still an interesting character and I do like (more or less) reading her parts, but I really wish for her to die. Or disappear. Not that she’s gone, but so that she’s free. Which is why I liked her decision at the end.
Caine – predictable and so not interesting. It was obvious he’d want to go back to the town, it was obvious he’s lying to Diana, so that she gets what she wants to hear, so that he can sleep with her.
Sam – the better brother, but still not interesting enough for me to care. Same as Caine, he only wants sex. And he doesn’t respects his partner (Astrid). Doesn’t respect her not wanting sex. Dude should worry about not starving or getting this new disease, but somehow still finds the time to be mad at Astrid for not having sex. And guess what then? Gets drunk and kisses Taylor.

I found it a bit hard to get into the story; around the pages 15-20, it was definitely easier to get going. I don’t exactly know why. Maybe my mood today just wasn’t up for a sudden dive into a story, who knows.

Overall, i did enjoy reading the story. Once i was in, it flowed really smoothly. The characters were all very nice, even though I found Stella a bit annoying in the beginning, but still understandable. Jack and Emma were definitely my favorites.

I really love time-travels, although sometimes they can get very confusing with lots of plot-holes and all. This story I found rather wholesome, especially because their friendship basically went through 3 different time periods and that’s always amazing. :)

What bugged me though was the grammar. There were lots of missing commas and sometimes the quotation marks at the beginning of a dialogue was forgotten. The spelling and sentence structure was clean, or at least I didn’t notice anything. But for the commas... I don’t know, are there two different types of editors, one who corrects the spelling and one who corrects the commas?
Missing commas just really throw me off my reading rhythm.

Apart from that, I’d still recommend it. Story-wise I like it a lot!

Not much a fan of sexuality crises, but overall it’s good.
I definitely love that most of the time wasn’t spend on the crush thingy, aka worrying about whether he feels the same or if he should just give up this crush bc he’s straight, etc...
so, yeah, it’s cool they’re in a relationship pretty quickly.

Communication is the key in any kind of relationship and I’m really glad we have lots of this in these chapters/volumes (generally this comic).
Tori is my fav character so far, and I also love Tara & her girlfriend.

Loved the side storyline with the two teachers on the trip. Also really glad they properly talked about it later on, because, like I said, communication is key!
It’s also good that Charlie & nick talked about sex and whether they want to do it or not. Communication is key ;)

Also loved Tara’s & Darcy’s storyline, they’re definitely one of my fav couple.

Also, tori literally is me! Except for the thing with the sun – I love being in the sun.