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Reynje's Reviews > Pushing the Limits
Pushing the Limits (Pushing the Limits, #1)
by Katie McGarry (Goodreads Author)
by Katie McGarry (Goodreads Author)
Reynje's review
bookshelves: contemp-or-realistic, e-book-kindle, dual-or-multiple-pov, out-of-the-loop, read-2012, release-the-drama-llamas, young-adult
Aug 05, 12
bookshelves: contemp-or-realistic, e-book-kindle, dual-or-multiple-pov, out-of-the-loop, read-2012, release-the-drama-llamas, young-adult
2.5 stars
Part way through Pushing The Limits, I put down my kindle and thought: Am I (gasp) tooold crotchety and cynical for this? I wanted to like this book, but ultimately I just ended up feeling like I’d been caught in a stampede of drama llamas.
Contemporary YA is probably my favourite genre. And I like books that challenge me emotionally. But while I had no real problem with Noah and Echo’s respective Issues-with-a-capital”I”, something about this just felt off to me. It didn’t feel sincere, and therefore it didn’t resonate with me.
Don’t get me wrong – McGarry’s characters have valid, realistic obstacles and conflicts to contend with. It was just something about the execution that didn’t work for me. It felt too overwrought, too obvious, too overwhelmingly angsty for me to really engage with the story. The treatment of several of the (abundant) issues fell flat for me – it read more like an grab for an emotional reaction than a really nuanced discussion of serious topics like mental illness and abuse.
On a scale of Elkeles (Chain Reaction) to Echols (Going Too Far), Pushing The Limits falls somewhere in the middle for me. There’s probably a time when I would have adored this book, and I can honestly see why others love it, but it was a problematic book for me on a few levels. The lack of subtlety for one (which is probably just a personal taste thing), and the reliance on over-used clichés for another. I feel like I’ve met all of these characters before, I’ve heard the same bad-boy meets former popular girl angst too many times before.
(Also, Noah’s repeated use of expressions like “siren”, “nymph” and “seductress” produced more snort-laughs than swoons from me. For example:"A ghost of that siren smile graced her lips as she tilted her head closer to mine, creating the undeniable pull of the sailor lost at sea to the beautiful goddess calling him home." If that quote just made you melt, go read this book immediately. However if, like me, you just stifled a pterodactyl-like screech of hysteria, this book might not really set your loins on fire. )
Definitely recommended for fans of Perfect Chemistry. Just not really my thing, unfortunately.
Part way through Pushing The Limits, I put down my kindle and thought: Am I (gasp) too
Contemporary YA is probably my favourite genre. And I like books that challenge me emotionally. But while I had no real problem with Noah and Echo’s respective Issues-with-a-capital”I”, something about this just felt off to me. It didn’t feel sincere, and therefore it didn’t resonate with me.
Don’t get me wrong – McGarry’s characters have valid, realistic obstacles and conflicts to contend with. It was just something about the execution that didn’t work for me. It felt too overwrought, too obvious, too overwhelmingly angsty for me to really engage with the story. The treatment of several of the (abundant) issues fell flat for me – it read more like an grab for an emotional reaction than a really nuanced discussion of serious topics like mental illness and abuse.
On a scale of Elkeles (Chain Reaction) to Echols (Going Too Far), Pushing The Limits falls somewhere in the middle for me. There’s probably a time when I would have adored this book, and I can honestly see why others love it, but it was a problematic book for me on a few levels. The lack of subtlety for one (which is probably just a personal taste thing), and the reliance on over-used clichés for another. I feel like I’ve met all of these characters before, I’ve heard the same bad-boy meets former popular girl angst too many times before.
(Also, Noah’s repeated use of expressions like “siren”, “nymph” and “seductress” produced more snort-laughs than swoons from me. For example:"A ghost of that siren smile graced her lips as she tilted her head closer to mine, creating the undeniable pull of the sailor lost at sea to the beautiful goddess calling him home." If that quote just made you melt, go read this book immediately. However if, like me, you just stifled a pterodactyl-like screech of hysteria, this book might not really set your loins on fire. )
Definitely recommended for fans of Perfect Chemistry. Just not really my thing, unfortunately.
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Comments (showing 1-32 of 32) (32 new)
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Nafiza
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rated it 3 stars
Aug 05, 2012 12:59am
Oh that line, it was awful. Haha.
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Nafiza wrote: "Oh that line, it was awful. Haha."I know.. I feel bad for laughing so much, but seriously, that line!
I loved Perfect Chemistry but I'm torn about this one, it seems like a poor imitation. But then I may love it. That quote is pretty cringey though.
Belle wrote: "I loved Perfect Chemistry but I'm torn about this one, it seems like a poor imitation. But then I may love it. That quote is pretty cringey though."I'd be interested to hear what you think Belle... lots of other people seem to really like it. I just think it's case where less would have been more. And oh yeah, Noah loves talking up his siren's lure.. (also staring at her cleavage, but that's less surprising).
This is a great review, but you've scared me...I'm just starting it and I really like it so far :/ I'm really hoping that it doesn't go downhill from here :)
Maree wrote: "This is a great review, but you've scared me...I'm just starting it and I really like it so far :/ I'm really hoping that it doesn't go downhill from here :)"Don't be scared, I hope you do like it! I think it's just not my cup of tea, but I totally understand why a lot of people are liking it :) Happy reading, and sorry for being a bit of a downer!
"On a scale of Elkeles (Chain Reaction) to Echols (Going Too Far)" I love this line Rey! Such a clever, witty girl you are :)
Eleanor wrote: ""On a scale of Elkeles (Chain Reaction) to Echols (Going Too Far)" I love this line Rey! Such a clever, witty girl you are :)"Hehe, you are too kind, lady :)
Reynje wrote: "Maree wrote: "This is a great review, but you've scared me...I'm just starting it and I really like it so far :/ I'm really hoping that it doesn't go downhill from here :)"Don't be scared, I hope..."
Thanks :) and you're not a downer, it's great to hear other people's opinions about books, that's why we're all on here! :)
I loved Perfect Chemistry, but the Drama-Llama... meh! This is my next kindle read so I'm a bit wary after thjis review. That quote totally made me laugh xD Purple prose? Overdone!
I am 17 years old and I think I might be too old for it. I am at the beginning of this book and I am cringing at the dialogue and the main character.
Alex (More Than Just A Book) wrote: "I am 17 years old and I think I might be too old for it. I am at the beginning of this book and I am cringing at the dialogue and the main character."I found the dialogue a bit cheesy too, Alex. Some of the conversations just felt unrealistic to me.
And okay I just read this a while ago "Luke use to give me butterflies. Noah spawned mutant pterodactyls." I mean how is that appealing to anyone? There was so much hype behind this book and I really wanted to like it. Yes, the conversations were nowhere near to what I hear among my peers or my friends, or anyone for that matter.
Alex (More Than Just A Book) wrote: "And okay I just read this a while ago "Luke use to give me butterflies. Noah spawned mutant pterodactyls." I mean how is that appealing to anyone? There was so much hype behind this book and I real..."Just wait until the mutant pterodactyls start playing roller derby in her stomach. That's not a joke :/
Oh I believe you. I stopped reading it for the sake of my sanity but I must continue on and keep a positive attitude, maybe it gets better?
You might end up liking it Alex - it's not a bad book, it just wasn't for me in the end. Happy reading!
However if, like me, you just stifled a pterodactyl-like screech of hysteria, this book might not really set your loins on fire. --- I will be avoiding this one but I do love that line, Reynje.
Nicole wrote: "However if, like me, you just stifled a pterodactyl-like screech of hysteria, this book might not really set your loins on fire. --- I will be avoiding this one but I do love that line, Reynje."Thanks Nicole - I laughed more than I should probably admit while reading this book. I almost feel bad..
oh god. i feel like i'm at this stage right now too , so i can totally relate. that quote made me cringe. pretty much looks like this book isn't for me. awesome review!
"I put down my kindle and thought: Am I (gasp) too old crotchety and cynical for this?" <--- I asked myself the very same thing! brilliant review!
I missed this when you posted it but yes to everything you said!"However if, like me, you just stifled a pterodactyl-like screech of hysteria, this book might not really set your loins on fire" - I am screeching while rolling my eyes ;)
Girl, I CANNOT with this book. The drama and the delivery of that drama is like the best/worse kinds of Lifetime movies. D list actors showing their bad acting skills. This is how I'm feeling watching it all play out on the page.
