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A Thousand Pieces of You
(Firebird #1)
by
Marguerite Caine's physicist parents are known for their groundbreaking achievements. Their most astonishing invention, called the Firebird, allows users to jump into multiple universes—and promises to revolutionize science forever. But then Marguerite's father is murdered, and the killer—her parent's handsome, enigmatic assistant Paul— escapes into another dimension befor
...more
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Hardcover, 368 pages
Published
November 4th 2014
by Harper Teen
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Start your review of A Thousand Pieces of You (Firebird, #1)
2.5*
This is an interesting one to review. This is a case of this book just not being for me. It's very classic Twilight era style YA, featuring a love triangle and basically every other YA trope you can think of, including the male characters protecting the female character always *major eye roll*. That's the kind of stuff that I'm just no into anymore. Younger me would have swooned over this story, but now that I'm more of a mature reader, it doesn't appeal to me. It was too predictable, insta- ...more
This is an interesting one to review. This is a case of this book just not being for me. It's very classic Twilight era style YA, featuring a love triangle and basically every other YA trope you can think of, including the male characters protecting the female character always *major eye roll*. That's the kind of stuff that I'm just no into anymore. Younger me would have swooned over this story, but now that I'm more of a mature reader, it doesn't appeal to me. It was too predictable, insta- ...more
Technically I was the fool in this case. Here’s a tip for all you out there: read the blurb in depth because your cause of complaint may actually have no merit.
I happily allowed myself to be deceived. Do you or do you not see that brilliantly crafted cover. I’m going to go ahead and make a grand exclamation: that may just be the most beauteous cover of 2014. Watercolours, reflections and Russia (which I love, setting wise)—it’s everything Jess could ever ask for. And that blurb. We’re promis ...more
**Minor Spoilers**
I've pulled up my ranty-pants, I'm fuelled by rage and coffee, let's kick this review off with a summary of my reading experience, shall we?
To my great displeasure, reading this book was like chewing on a lump of black mould just to check it ain't caviar.

I mean, what the ever-loving bejesus was that?
It was not supposed to be like this. You don't understand; I was excited. I've had my eye on this for months. This was supposed to be epic, I honestly had no doubts. With the premis ...more
me: i have sooo many series that i have started and really need to finish.
also me: i should start a new series.
i have had this book sitting on my bookshelf for ages now, so i suppose it was finally time to pick it up (sorry to the other series that need to be completed). and im so happy i did because i really enjoyed this!!
im pretty sure ive never read anything quite like this storyline before, so i was very eager to dive right into something so fresh and unique. and it really delivered. i thoug ...more
also me: i should start a new series.
i have had this book sitting on my bookshelf for ages now, so i suppose it was finally time to pick it up (sorry to the other series that need to be completed). and im so happy i did because i really enjoyed this!!
im pretty sure ive never read anything quite like this storyline before, so i was very eager to dive right into something so fresh and unique. and it really delivered. i thoug ...more
Buddy read with the lovely
May!
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ / 5 stars
Lead Male Character: ★ ★ ★ ★ / 5 stars (Theo) ★ ★ ★ ★ / 5 stars (Paul)
Lead Female Character: ★ ★ ★ ★ / 5 stars
Plotline: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ / 5 stars
Genre: Dystopian, futuristic, action, adventure, and romance
Will I recommend this book to others?: YES!
Will I reread this book?: YES!
Overall story summed up in one word: Perfection!
This book was brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.
Honestly, there are no words for how beautiful and perfect this book ...more
Rating: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ / 5 stars
Lead Male Character: ★ ★ ★ ★ / 5 stars (Theo) ★ ★ ★ ★ / 5 stars (Paul)
Lead Female Character: ★ ★ ★ ★ / 5 stars
Plotline: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ / 5 stars
Genre: Dystopian, futuristic, action, adventure, and romance
Will I recommend this book to others?: YES!
Will I reread this book?: YES!
Overall story summed up in one word: Perfection!
This book was brilliant. Absolutely brilliant.
Honestly, there are no words for how beautiful and perfect this book ...more
DAT COVER.
ERMAHGERD.

(Note: I swear I'm an intelligent reviewermost times.)
...more
ERMAHGERD.

(Note: I swear I'm an intelligent reviewer
Alternative titles for this masterpiece:
- A Thousand Pieces of My Shattered Heart
- A Thousand Reasons to Love Paul Markov
- A Thousand Moments of Pain and Happiness
This book was bloody brilliant!! Claudia Gray has spun a gorgeous tale that is dazzling, intense, and so fricken enjoyable to read!
This book has it all; dimension travel, a lesson in physics, heart-stalling plot twists, family values, and a precious love interest that has stolen my heart. And I mean look at that cover, it’s ...more
- A Thousand Pieces of My Shattered Heart
- A Thousand Reasons to Love Paul Markov
- A Thousand Moments of Pain and Happiness
This book was bloody brilliant!! Claudia Gray has spun a gorgeous tale that is dazzling, intense, and so fricken enjoyable to read!
This book has it all; dimension travel, a lesson in physics, heart-stalling plot twists, family values, and a precious love interest that has stolen my heart. And I mean look at that cover, it’s ...more
Forgive me father for I've DNF-ed.
When I set my gaze upon her she looked so innocent and promised me stories of mystery, intrigue and traveling through parallel universes and I, young and naive, took her in my embrace. Once she had me, she started showing her true nature.Foul temptress tried to lure me into her sinful ways of love triangle and teen romance.
I tried to stay strong.I tired to give her another chance to repent and denounce her wicked ways but as time went by I felt like I had no ch ...more
When I set my gaze upon her she looked so innocent and promised me stories of mystery, intrigue and traveling through parallel universes and I, young and naive, took her in my embrace. Once she had me, she started showing her true nature.Foul temptress tried to lure me into her sinful ways of love triangle and teen romance.
I tried to stay strong.I tired to give her another chance to repent and denounce her wicked ways but as time went by I felt like I had no ch ...more
This book is one of the fastest paced books I have ever read. Usually, an author will take chapter or 2 to introduce the background of the story but this book just immediately starts off at the plot, but it also doesn't confuse you. I really liked the world Claudia Gray built and the 'Firebird' concept was very well written. The inter-dimensional travel is a very crucial element of the plot and is focused on heavily, which is fascinating.
Marguerite's parents are physicists who have successfully ...more
Marguerite's parents are physicists who have successfully ...more
Sometimes, all you can do is cry happy tears. I mean, look at that cover, it is incredible. All I wanted was for the story between the pages to be just as good, to live up not only to the awesome cover design but to the hype. And man, did it deliver.

I think A Thousand Pieces of You is definitely my favorite Claudia Gray book. It kind of reminds me of All Our Yesterdays and Dissonance. It is an intricate story that keeps you on your toes. Since the beginning of the story me and my friend Lexie we ...more

I think A Thousand Pieces of You is definitely my favorite Claudia Gray book. It kind of reminds me of All Our Yesterdays and Dissonance. It is an intricate story that keeps you on your toes. Since the beginning of the story me and my friend Lexie we ...more
May 17, 2014
Ju
marked it as to-read
Is it woefully wrong to say that I want to read this because of that absolutely gorgeous cover?
3.5
A Thousand Pieces of You is a book with a 5-star premise, unfortunately laden with a few core issues that drag down my rating. Marguerite is the daughter of two genius physicists inventing a machine that allows consciousness to jump through parallel universes. Meg's father is killed for his research, so ...more
"You are not my Marguerite. And yet, you are. This essential thing you share - your soul - that is what I love.
I would love you in any shape, in any world, with any past. Never doubt that."
A Thousand Pieces of You is a book with a 5-star premise, unfortunately laden with a few core issues that drag down my rating. Marguerite is the daughter of two genius physicists inventing a machine that allows consciousness to jump through parallel universes. Meg's father is killed for his research, so ...more
BECAUSE THIS COVER *drops dead*
"Eventually you'll get used to the pain. You'll forget who you were without it; you'll forget what you looked like without your scars.”
Let me start by saying that I am perfectly aware of the scientific and logical nonsense present in this book, some of which I consider unforgivable. But this story had me hooked, it thrilled and excited me, it's well-written, compelling, wonderfully crafted, and I enjoyed it more than not. And, ultimately, that's always what matters ...more
"Eventually you'll get used to the pain. You'll forget who you were without it; you'll forget what you looked like without your scars.”
Let me start by saying that I am perfectly aware of the scientific and logical nonsense present in this book, some of which I consider unforgivable. But this story had me hooked, it thrilled and excited me, it's well-written, compelling, wonderfully crafted, and I enjoyed it more than not. And, ultimately, that's always what matters ...more
That's it. I'm starting a campaign to end love triangles as a staple of the Young Adult genre. Or I'd like to anyway, but you know, I've got a lot of books to read.
I'll admit it, I'm kind of scared to review this one because so many of my friends LOVED this, but I was let down...
Those of you who have followed me for any length of time know that one of my biggest pet peeves are love triangles. I get why authors feel the need to include them. Romance adds a bit of sizzle to the middle of a book w ...more
I'll admit it, I'm kind of scared to review this one because so many of my friends LOVED this, but I was let down...
Those of you who have followed me for any length of time know that one of my biggest pet peeves are love triangles. I get why authors feel the need to include them. Romance adds a bit of sizzle to the middle of a book w ...more
*2 AVERAGE STARS*
"Every form of art is another way of seeing the world."
Let me just cut right to the chase: I didn't like this book.
When I first read the plot and saw the stunning cover, I thought this was going to be awesome and badass but in the end this book left me really disappointed. The whole plot with the time travel and different dimensions could have been really interesting, but the author didn't use it to their full potential in my opinion. So much more could've happened but this ...more
"Every form of art is another way of seeing the world."
Let me just cut right to the chase: I didn't like this book.
When I first read the plot and saw the stunning cover, I thought this was going to be awesome and badass but in the end this book left me really disappointed. The whole plot with the time travel and different dimensions could have been really interesting, but the author didn't use it to their full potential in my opinion. So much more could've happened but this ...more
(Full review update..)

Here's a nice little spoiler free full review of my FEELS. Because that's all I can talk about without giving anything away.
The entire plot its nuts. If you, a smart reader like myself (eh, or what I tell myself that I am...) -you probably will think you can guess simply based on the description/back of the book summary that Paul Markov who is accused of killing Marguerite's father is an innocent guy and this book is all about her realizing he's innocent and blah blah bla ...more

Here's a nice little spoiler free full review of my FEELS. Because that's all I can talk about without giving anything away.
The entire plot its nuts. If you, a smart reader like myself (eh, or what I tell myself that I am...) -you probably will think you can guess simply based on the description/back of the book summary that Paul Markov who is accused of killing Marguerite's father is an innocent guy and this book is all about her realizing he's innocent and blah blah bla ...more
Edit: I read this again while on holiday and it's still fantastic. Has there ever been a fictional man more perfect than Paul? I don't think so. He is simply incomparable.
Not to be Unpopular Opinions Angela, but I'm going to have to swim against the tide with this one. I know that a lot of people think this book is shite, but I'm here, I'm queer, and I'm ready to stand up on my soapbox and yell at all of you through a crackly loudspeaker: I loved this book.
I loved my salty daughter Marguerite, ...more
Not to be Unpopular Opinions Angela, but I'm going to have to swim against the tide with this one. I know that a lot of people think this book is shite, but I'm here, I'm queer, and I'm ready to stand up on my soapbox and yell at all of you through a crackly loudspeaker: I loved this book.
I loved my salty daughter Marguerite, ...more
Aaaaaand another review that's almost 2 weeks late.
Initial reaction to this book: KFKSDH;KHDSA;KHDFKDHFKDJSHF DKHDSKNDNDAUIRHAIEONCDSNCKHF EUHFEHAFHJDHFKDSHFDHNC HEHFFDHSDAHSIAEAIDSJ ANFC KDSNVFAHFISAHF AIEIFJADFIEAFDSFHAE
Current reaction to this book: KFKSDH;KHDSA;KHDFKDHFKDJSHF DKHDSKNDNDAUIRHAIEONCDSNCKHF EUHFEHAFHJDHFKDSHFDHNC HEHFFDHSDAHSIAEAIDSJ ANFC KDSNVFAHFISAHF AIEIFJADFIEAFDSFHAE
I've been wanting to read this book for so, so long! I admit I only originally added it because of the cov ...more
Initial reaction to this book: KFKSDH;KHDSA;KHDFKDHFKDJSHF DKHDSKNDNDAUIRHAIEONCDSNCKHF EUHFEHAFHJDHFKDSHFDHNC HEHFFDHSDAHSIAEAIDSJ ANFC KDSNVFAHFISAHF AIEIFJADFIEAFDSFHAE
Current reaction to this book: KFKSDH;KHDSA;KHDFKDHFKDJSHF DKHDSKNDNDAUIRHAIEONCDSNCKHF EUHFEHAFHJDHFKDSHFDHNC HEHFFDHSDAHSIAEAIDSJ ANFC KDSNVFAHFISAHF AIEIFJADFIEAFDSFHAE
I've been wanting to read this book for so, so long! I admit I only originally added it because of the cov ...more

Don't get me wrong, I've read a couple of Claudia Gray's books and enjoyed them, but what the fuck is this?
Marguerite's parents are geniuses who built a device called the Firebird, that allows people to travel to parallel universes. But then her father is murdered and their assistant Paul is the only suspect. But wait, he also stole the Firebirds! So Meg joins her BFF Theo (who also works with her parents, how convenient) in a quest for revenge.
Don't get too excited though, it's less:

or mayb ...more
Holy cow, A Thousand Pieces of You was a serious ride.
What works so well in this book is that author Claudia Gray sets up the very complex world building, then spins philosophy, art, mystery and romance around it. There are so many threads here to think about, and the story deftly switches between them. Except for a bit of confusion and clunkiness I felt at the beginning with all the exposition (this book really does start in media res), the story flowed smoothly, with a ton of twists and turns. ...more
What works so well in this book is that author Claudia Gray sets up the very complex world building, then spins philosophy, art, mystery and romance around it. There are so many threads here to think about, and the story deftly switches between them. Except for a bit of confusion and clunkiness I felt at the beginning with all the exposition (this book really does start in media res), the story flowed smoothly, with a ton of twists and turns. ...more
Okay, okay. Am I the only one who gets really freaked out when books DON’T end in a cliff hanger? Like I know there are other books after this series but this book ended on a more than mildly happy note. So I feel like… super calm and just want to know what is going to electrocute me / drown me / tear me apart in the books to come.
That’s probably just my anxiety talking.
So this very artsy girl (Marguerite) has two super brainiac parents who invent this gadget that can take you to different-yet- ...more
That’s probably just my anxiety talking.
So this very artsy girl (Marguerite) has two super brainiac parents who invent this gadget that can take you to different-yet- ...more
Not gonna lie, A Thousand Pieces of You was a book I added to my TBR list solely for it’s cover. I didn’t even read the description of the book before I added it because the cover it so gorgeous! I mean really, just look at it! It might be one of my favorite covers ever – I’m kind of obsessed with it. That said, I’m SO glad I decided to read it because I looooved the book!
Marguerite grew up with physicists for parents, so she’s no stranger to experiments and gadgets strewn about her house. Her p ...more
Marguerite grew up with physicists for parents, so she’s no stranger to experiments and gadgets strewn about her house. Her p ...more
WHAT DID I JUST READ. IM SHOCKED. THIS IS AMAZING. IM STILL CONFUSED. I NEED MORE. WHY DONT I HAVE BOOK TWO. THANKS CAITLIN.
REVIEW TO COME MAYBE???
PS THEO STILL SUCKS.
REVIEW TO COME MAYBE???
PS THEO STILL SUCKS.
I would be lying if I said that the cover of this book was 80% of the reason that I picked it up. Like come on look at it! It is beautiful! Thankfully, when I started reading the book I was as enraptured by story as much as I was with the cover.
A Thousand Pieces of You comes off the starting blocks with a speed that I did not expect. Gray doesn’t spend the first few chapters building the world and introducing the characters instead the reader is thrust into this world where inter-dimensional tra ...more
A Thousand Pieces of You comes off the starting blocks with a speed that I did not expect. Gray doesn’t spend the first few chapters building the world and introducing the characters instead the reader is thrust into this world where inter-dimensional tra ...more
Although I wouldn't have read or finished this book if it weren't my book club's pick, I didn't hate A Thousand Pieces of You.
I sometimes forget that YA novels are actually written for TEENS, not middle-aged women like me. I don't know why other adults read YA, but I read teen books mostly because some of them are outstanding works of art.
A Thousand Pieces of You however is not a work of art, it has no adult cross-over appeal, it's not intellectually or morally challenging, and it doesn't try to ...more
I sometimes forget that YA novels are actually written for TEENS, not middle-aged women like me. I don't know why other adults read YA, but I read teen books mostly because some of them are outstanding works of art.
A Thousand Pieces of You however is not a work of art, it has no adult cross-over appeal, it's not intellectually or morally challenging, and it doesn't try to ...more
5th for Booktubeathon 2017 DOWN!
Some 3 books are just meh I didn't like it, but this is one where there are things I intensely liked and things that I just as intensely disliked.
The whole concept of this book was fascinating but when we finally started getting into the plot? Was so boring. Nothing was moving or happening and it felt like it just switched to a historical fiction book instead of a sci-fi. There were also lots of tropes including one of my least favorite ones, and it was VERY pred ...more
Some 3 books are just meh I didn't like it, but this is one where there are things I intensely liked and things that I just as intensely disliked.
The whole concept of this book was fascinating but when we finally started getting into the plot? Was so boring. Nothing was moving or happening and it felt like it just switched to a historical fiction book instead of a sci-fi. There were also lots of tropes including one of my least favorite ones, and it was VERY pred ...more
Don't be fooled by my 3-star rating. Because despite all my problems with it, I actually... liked this book. O_O
First of all, you guys know me - anything with science and traveling through space/time, I'm 100% game for that. I like exploring all kinds of possibilities and going beyond what we deem as reality. There's a kind of poetry in it, you know? The feeling that there are still so much out there that we need to understand and discover, that the universe is so much bigger and grander than we ...more
First of all, you guys know me - anything with science and traveling through space/time, I'm 100% game for that. I like exploring all kinds of possibilities and going beyond what we deem as reality. There's a kind of poetry in it, you know? The feeling that there are still so much out there that we need to understand and discover, that the universe is so much bigger and grander than we ...more
What a pleasant surprise! I enjoyed this a lot more than I thought. Sure, it had a few cliché and cringe-worthy moments, but overall it was a whole lot of fun! I can definitely recommend this if you're looking for a good YA sci-fi adventure. The concept of the "multiverse" and the characters' ability to leap into different dimensions was super interesting and had me hooked from the beginning. (One quick note though: there's a kinda-sorta-but-not-really love triangle in this book, so if that's an
...more
| topics | posts | views | last activity | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| What's the Name o...: SOLVED. 2015ish the cover is white with fireworks coming from the title, part of a trilogy about time/real travel and romance and saving her family. [s] | 3 | 16 | May 13, 2020 07:08PM | |
| Challenge Corner: Firebird Series by Claudia Gray -> Restarting September 7th 2019 | 30 | 14 | Sep 12, 2019 12:06PM | |
| The Challenge Fac...: Erin & Leo - A Thousand Pieces of You | 43 | 20 | Aug 22, 2018 03:36AM |
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Claudia Gray is not my real name. I didn't choose a pseudonym because my real name is unpleasant (it isn't), because I'd always dreamed of calling myself this (I haven't) or even because I'm hiding from the remnants of that international diamond-smuggling cartel I smashed in 2003 (Interpol has taken care of them). In short, I took a pseudonym for no real reason whatsoever. Sometimes this is actual
...more
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“I meant it when I said I didn’t believe in love at first sight. It takes time to really, truly fall for someone. Yet I believe in a moment. A moment when you glimpse the truth within someone, and they glimpse the truth within you. In that moment, you don’t belong to yourself any longer, not completely. Part of you belongs to him; part of him belongs to you. After that, you can’t take it back, no matter how much you want to, no matter how hard you try.”
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“Every form of art is another way of seeing the world. Another perspective, another window. And science –that’s the most spectacular window of all. You can see the entire universe from there.”
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