This was a really good book. Well beyond the "teens with cancer" genre, if you can call it that, this is a beautifully written book about life and dea...moreThis was a really good book. Well beyond the "teens with cancer" genre, if you can call it that, this is a beautifully written book about life and death and cancer, and it is everything you expect: moving, sad, affecting, painful, and so on. But it is much more. I'm still digesting it, so I'll try to say more later. I keep having intrusive thoughts about cancer so be aware that...that's a thing. But I am glad I read it, even then. It was very, very good. (less)
I am honestly not sure what I think about this! I have mixed feelings! This was an enjoyable little horror story, not particularly horrifying because...moreI am honestly not sure what I think about this! I have mixed feelings! This was an enjoyable little horror story, not particularly horrifying because it is sort of kitschy and silly...but the paranoia is well-built and the tension is good. It's all a little obvious somehow, and the ending is...well, I think I actually laughed? But I don't know, I sort of liked it. Despite its problematic, product-of-its-time nature, despite the silliness, there is something real and dark underneath...and that is actually genuinely scary. (less)
This didn't hook me, and I finished it anyway. There were some really interesting things in this story, it is very original and vaguely philosophical...moreThis didn't hook me, and I finished it anyway. There were some really interesting things in this story, it is very original and vaguely philosophical in a teenage boy kind of way - like, "what if God were a grumpy, lazy teenage boy? Whoa dude, that would explain, like, SO MUCH."
I didn't engage with it as strongly as I probably could have. Like I said, there was no real hook, nothing that dragged me in, so I just sort of coasted through. But I felt like it could have gone places it just...didn't. I don't really understand what went wrong in this book, but for me, something really did.(less)
Is a Holocaust novel ever an enjoyable read? No, and I actually avoided reading this for a while despite the praise for it because I didn't feel up to...moreIs a Holocaust novel ever an enjoyable read? No, and I actually avoided reading this for a while despite the praise for it because I didn't feel up to reading about it from a child's point of view. However, I picked it up one day and read it in one sitting. It's difficult to write a Holocaust novel that isn't affecting - in fact, I don't know that it's possible, since merely describing the events is horrifying in and of itself - but this one was affecting in a very specific way because of it's narrator's perspective, and that made it unique in both it's hopefulness and its absolute desolation.
Felix is a child, a small child who was sheltered from the realities of his situation for years. So when he escapes from the orphanage, he views the things he sees with naive eyes, assuming the best of people and seeing his task as difficult but within his ability to accomplish. And even as his eyes are opened, even as the horror because undeniable, he is able to help the children around him hold on to hope and life through the his ability to tell stories. Stories keep him alive, and they keep the other children alive. Even at the end, at the grimmest, darkest hour, stories are the small white light - even in the saddest possible way.
This was a difficult, painful book, potent and sucker-punch brief. I don't know if I'm glad I read it, but I do know I picked up the sequel at the library today because at this point, I can't look away. There's a power in that, the same power that Felix wields in this book. (less)
I love Olivia's takedown of the stereotypical suffocating pink princess cultural obsession ("why do they all want to be the same?") and Ian Falconer's...moreI love Olivia's takedown of the stereotypical suffocating pink princess cultural obsession ("why do they all want to be the same?") and Ian Falconer's consistent style of humor. Olivia is "trying to develop a more stark, modern style" - she is above the sea of pink taffeta. :) The Olivia books are great, this one is no exception.(less)
There is some intensely beautiful, deep, deeply felt writing in this book, and I savored it. I did not really connect with all of it, and it took me a...moreThere is some intensely beautiful, deep, deeply felt writing in this book, and I savored it. I did not really connect with all of it, and it took me a while to actually read it...but there are some really gleaming moments and it was a very worthwhile read.(less)
A coming-of-age story based around music and travel and art. It's sort of about becoming disenchanted and then finding some enchantment again, realer,...moreA coming-of-age story based around music and travel and art. It's sort of about becoming disenchanted and then finding some enchantment again, realer, maybe, but still beautiful. I liked the imagery of this book a lot, and the relationships were well-drawn. It has the effect of making one wish they were more artistic, or freer to travel, or...you know, young. :) That isn't really a bad feeling to have, it felt wistful and good to me. (less)
I think many kids will love this book, and I enjoyed aspects of it. It's certainly unique, and the alternate history as well as the tweaked-out-evolut...moreI think many kids will love this book, and I enjoyed aspects of it. It's certainly unique, and the alternate history as well as the tweaked-out-evolution vs. tweaked-out-machines conflict are interesting. The illustrations are a really nice bonus - that's a neglected realm when it comes to fiction for older kids and teens, and I think it's a really nice addition.
I do think this book reads young, probably appealing most to 4th-8th grade as opposed to the intended YA audience. Fans of history, war stories, and steampunk of any age will probably get something out of it, though.(less)
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