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Stim #2
Kaleidoscope
The sequel to STIM...an Aspie new adult contemporary novel set in an earthquake zone. Chloe is different. She has Asperger's Syndrome, Bipolar Disorder and probably a few other inconvenient conditions as well. She's a quirky, resourceful and clever psychology student, but her world is literally about to be shaken apart. A devastating earthquake sparks a chain of events that spiral her life out of control. She's off her meds. Her oddly-named cat is missing. She doesn't know what she wants out of life any more. Misfortune and uncertainty don't mix well with bundles of energy and Chloe's tendency to ignore consequences. It's as if mayhem and trouble are her constant companions. Will Chloe be able to cope with the earth-shaking events that rock her world? Share her journey.
173 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 3, 2014
About the author
Kevin Berry
40 books46 followersI've always written stories. I started out as a kid creating monster stories with a $5 typewriter from the early 1900's. Now I write novels: speculative fiction (SpecFic), crime fiction, or contemporary fiction according to whatever ideas occur to me. I live in Christchurch, New Zealand, about as far away from anywhere as it is possible to be. Earthquakes devastated the city in 2010 and 2011. They appear in my books. I've got a degree that I've never used and two diplomas, one in Hypnotherapy and the other in a subject I don't mention to anyone, as it was so long ago. I read widely: particularly SpecFic, YA, contemporary and non-fiction. My favourite author is Connie Willis, but I mostly read indie authors nowadays. I also enjoy copy-editing and proofreading other authors' manuscripts.
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Displaying 1 - 28 of 28 reviews
August 1, 2014
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Chloe has Asperger’s Syndrome and Bi Polar just to name a few that many doctor have diagnosed her with. She is quirky but likes to be organized or else it would throw her off the structured world she has made for herself. Chloe has her own routine and must follow it to function in the normal world. Her dad is hardly around but makes up for it by giving Chloe money. An earthquake happens and her house is destroyed along with her medication. The medication is what helps her function and without having it she retreats back into her dark hole with no hope. This is Chloe’s journey in how she deals with the aftermath of an earthquake and also other events going on in her life.
This book was very different from anything I have ever read. I read the first book called Stim and already knew of Chloe’s character. I love the fact she had Asperger’s Syndrome and how the author gave you such insight into her thoughts. It is a unique story and I love Chloe’s character. I highly recommend this book! It’s an enjoyable read and gives you insight into a person with Asperger’s Syndrome. I give this 5 stars
Chloe has Asperger’s Syndrome and Bi Polar just to name a few that many doctor have diagnosed her with. She is quirky but likes to be organized or else it would throw her off the structured world she has made for herself. Chloe has her own routine and must follow it to function in the normal world. Her dad is hardly around but makes up for it by giving Chloe money. An earthquake happens and her house is destroyed along with her medication. The medication is what helps her function and without having it she retreats back into her dark hole with no hope. This is Chloe’s journey in how she deals with the aftermath of an earthquake and also other events going on in her life.
This book was very different from anything I have ever read. I read the first book called Stim and already knew of Chloe’s character. I love the fact she had Asperger’s Syndrome and how the author gave you such insight into her thoughts. It is a unique story and I love Chloe’s character. I highly recommend this book! It’s an enjoyable read and gives you insight into a person with Asperger’s Syndrome. I give this 5 stars
September 15, 2014
This book is set in New Zealand and is based around the Christchurch Earthquake in February 2011.
This is Chloe's story. She has Asperger's syndrome. We read of her difficulties of dealing with change after the earthquake.
This is a really beautiful and wonderful story of a courageous woman. Highly recommend for anyone interested in reading about Asperger's syndrome as the author did a great job with this.
This is Chloe's story. She has Asperger's syndrome. We read of her difficulties of dealing with change after the earthquake.
This is a really beautiful and wonderful story of a courageous woman. Highly recommend for anyone interested in reading about Asperger's syndrome as the author did a great job with this.
June 14, 2017
Kevin Berry is now my favourite indie NA author. I loved Stim (the prequel to this book) and I enjoyed this one even more. Chloe is an Aspie (on the Autism Spectrum) and she's also bipolar. This book looks at her experiences during the Christchurch NZ earthquakes of 2011. She's a flawed, but inspiring heroine. Because the book is told from her perspective it is painful to watch how deep she gets into a manic episode before anyone around her notices. By the time they do she's hit rock bottom. Where she goes from there is even more compelling than her descent. If you are a woman on the spectrum and want a deliciously honest portrayal this is the book for you. It can be read alone or after Stim. I'd recommend you grab both books.
December 6, 2017
I think the writing is good but this book just didn't pull me in like the first one.
August 1, 2014
Kaleidoscope begins just before Chloe and Robert's new semester at school, as Chloe is returning from an unsatisfactory summer visit with her father. She's looking forward to getting back to her usual setting and routines...little does she realize as the novel starts out that life will soon be anything but routine--troubling for anyone, but particularly problematic for Chloe.
Chloe has Asperger’s Syndrome, Bipolar Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder (which she doubts, because she "can concentrate on most things for as much as several minutes at a time"), Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and dyscalculia, as well as other disorders she doesn't list for us. In short, she's on a lot of meds, and maintaining a specific order for just about everything in her life is very important to her.
Unfortunately, her world is thrown almost right away when she finds out that her roommates Stef (also her cousin) and Robert (also an Aspie, and Chloe's boyfriend) have moved to a new house in her absence--events at the end of book one (Stim, Robert's book) have led to making the move necessary--but no one told Chloe until she got off the plane. Now Chloe can't walk to university anymore, and she has to figure out where to put all of her things (she has certain clothes for each day of the week, and each day must have its own drawer--but her new dresser has only six drawers--a problem), and Robert's already started reshelving her books for her, which means she'll probably have to rearrange them as soon as he's done...
And that's all before the earthquake hits.
It happens in the middle of a school and work day, just as Chloe was sitting down to get started on her course reading for the new school year.
Next thing she knows, her dresser being one drawer short is no longer such a big issue--she's lost all of her clothes. And her cat. And her cousin--Stef's older sister is MIA. It takes her a few more days to realize she doesn't have her meds, either.
But by then she's discovered coffee, and an energy she never had before. Why fix what's not broken? Clearly the drugs were only holding her back...
Some of my favorite bits were when she talked about becoming a bestselling novelist, one of her new post-meds life goals:
Dealing with a devastating act of nature would be hard enough for anyone, but for someone like Chloe who's also suddenly taken off meds? Recipe for disaster. Watching her nearly lose everything and then try to wrest her life back is quite a journey--with many funny and moving moments along the way. Kaleidoscope is definitely a worthy sequel to Stim.
(Kaleidoscope could probably work as a standalone if needed, but getting the full picture of these two characters' lives from both sides--Stim is from Robert's point of view--will definitely enhance the reading experience.)
Rating: 4 stars / B+
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
Chloe has Asperger’s Syndrome, Bipolar Disorder, Oppositional Defiant Disorder, Attention Deficit Disorder (which she doubts, because she "can concentrate on most things for as much as several minutes at a time"), Generalized Anxiety Disorder, and dyscalculia, as well as other disorders she doesn't list for us. In short, she's on a lot of meds, and maintaining a specific order for just about everything in her life is very important to her.
Unfortunately, her world is thrown almost right away when she finds out that her roommates Stef (also her cousin) and Robert (also an Aspie, and Chloe's boyfriend) have moved to a new house in her absence--events at the end of book one (Stim, Robert's book) have led to making the move necessary--but no one told Chloe until she got off the plane. Now Chloe can't walk to university anymore, and she has to figure out where to put all of her things (she has certain clothes for each day of the week, and each day must have its own drawer--but her new dresser has only six drawers--a problem), and Robert's already started reshelving her books for her, which means she'll probably have to rearrange them as soon as he's done...
I felt hesitant about letting anyone, even Robert, sort through my books one by one. They're too personal. Seeing and touching all of someone's books is a bit like fondling their underwear.(A disturbingly apt simile...it was too good not to use it!)
And that's all before the earthquake hits.
It happens in the middle of a school and work day, just as Chloe was sitting down to get started on her course reading for the new school year.
I sat and pulled out a photocopy of "Unskilled and Unaware of It: How Difficulties in Recognising One's Own Incompetence Lead to Inflated Self-Assessments" (Kruger & Dunning, 1999) an article I was supposed to read for Psychology. This actually sounded intriguing. I'd always wondered why losers and idiots think they're talented at everything.(Chloe doesn't see the point in prevarication, as you discover about thirty seconds into the novel.)
Next thing she knows, her dresser being one drawer short is no longer such a big issue--she's lost all of her clothes. And her cat. And her cousin--Stef's older sister is MIA. It takes her a few more days to realize she doesn't have her meds, either.
But by then she's discovered coffee, and an energy she never had before. Why fix what's not broken? Clearly the drugs were only holding her back...
Some of my favorite bits were when she talked about becoming a bestselling novelist, one of her new post-meds life goals:
"What makes you think you can write a bestseller?" demanded Stef. "Apart from your university essays, you've never written anything longer than a shopping list."Because that's totally how it works, right? ;)
"I'm going to buy heaps of books about writing bestsellers. I'll read them, and then I'll just do it. Obviously."
Dealing with a devastating act of nature would be hard enough for anyone, but for someone like Chloe who's also suddenly taken off meds? Recipe for disaster. Watching her nearly lose everything and then try to wrest her life back is quite a journey--with many funny and moving moments along the way. Kaleidoscope is definitely a worthy sequel to Stim.
(Kaleidoscope could probably work as a standalone if needed, but getting the full picture of these two characters' lives from both sides--Stim is from Robert's point of view--will definitely enhance the reading experience.)
Rating: 4 stars / B+
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 20, 2021
Awesome Indies Book Awards is pleased to include STIM by KEVIN BERRY in the library of Awesome Indies'
Seal of Excellence
recipients.
AIBA Book of the Day: 21 April, 2021
Original Awesome Indies' Assessment (5 stars):
Sometimes you can tell from the beginning that a book is going to be awesome. Kaleidoscope by Kevin Berry was one of them, and it was primarily due to the strength of the author’s voice. Chloe leapt off the very first page like the vibrant and delightfully individual character that she is, and her unwavering honesty and cheerful acceptance of her various ‘conditions’ made her highly endearing.
This book follows on from STIM, but you don’t need to have read it first. The central character in STIM is Robert, Chloe’s boyfriend, and near the end of that book, they experience the earthquake that shocked Christchurch, New Zealand, in September 2010. Kaleidoscope is narrated by Chloe, a bipolar Aspie (person with Asperger’s syndrome), and near the beginning of this book, she and Robert experience the more disastrous February 2011 Earthquake that demolished Christchurch’s central business district and killed over 100 people. The earthquake and the difficulties it imposes on the people of Christchurch in the following months makes this book more dramatic and action orientated than STIM, which for many will make it the better book, but both books are excellent; STIM simply has a different kind of energy. It reflects Robert’s placid and stable nature, whereas Kaleidoscope reflects Chloe’s volatility. She is prone to impulses and wild schemes, which allows for more surprises.
People with Asperger’s syndrome find change difficult to handle, so Chloe has particular difficulty adjusting to the aftermath of the earthquake. Her task in this book is to come back to some level of personal stability.
As with STIM, this book has a striking ‘realness’ about it. There is no pretense or artifice; like the characters, Berry simply tells it as it is. I have read the speculative fiction books Berry co-authored and, though well worth a read for those who like fantasy parody, they pale into insignificance beside these simple and charming masterpieces. It is wonderful to see an author’s true talent emerge in this way, and I hope we can look forward to more books written with the same honesty and integrity.
One of the charming things about this book is Berry’s humour. It comes out in puns and delightful neologisms, e.g. ‘The university towers quagswagged like populars in a breeze’, and the dialogue about time travel between Chloe, who is in the middle of a manic episode, and a woman waiting outside a portable toilet had me chuckling. ‘It’s a freaking port-a-loo, not a tardis,’ she says. ‘It doesn’t go anywhere and it’s definitely no bigger on the inside than it looks on the outside.’
We also get a real glimpse into the Kiwi spirit in how they handle life in post-quake Christchurch. Chloe and Robert are trying to have sex in a tree when an aftershock happens. They are shaken from the tree and fall in the river. When their neighbour hauls them out, he makes no comment on what they were doing in the tree, simply gives his estimate of the strength, depth and epicentre of the quake. Apparently, the locals are very good at guessing now. Another interesting point is how Chloe receives her first information immediately post-quake about what’s happening in the Christchurch CBD via a text from her father in Melbourne who is watching it unfold on television.
Chloe’s dreams of the CBD Red Zone, the demolition area roped off by the army, are particularly powerful, as is her reaction when she skates around the perimeter and looks in at the destruction. Her thoughts and feelings mirror mine exactly when I saw the damage for myself a year after the quake.
All up, this is a wonderful book, I highly recommend it to all readers, especially to anyone with someone with Asperger’s or bi-polar disorder in their life. Berry brings this charming and ruthlessly honest story alive with a clear and distinctive voice.
AIBA Book of the Day: 21 April, 2021
Original Awesome Indies' Assessment (5 stars):
Sometimes you can tell from the beginning that a book is going to be awesome. Kaleidoscope by Kevin Berry was one of them, and it was primarily due to the strength of the author’s voice. Chloe leapt off the very first page like the vibrant and delightfully individual character that she is, and her unwavering honesty and cheerful acceptance of her various ‘conditions’ made her highly endearing.
This book follows on from STIM, but you don’t need to have read it first. The central character in STIM is Robert, Chloe’s boyfriend, and near the end of that book, they experience the earthquake that shocked Christchurch, New Zealand, in September 2010. Kaleidoscope is narrated by Chloe, a bipolar Aspie (person with Asperger’s syndrome), and near the beginning of this book, she and Robert experience the more disastrous February 2011 Earthquake that demolished Christchurch’s central business district and killed over 100 people. The earthquake and the difficulties it imposes on the people of Christchurch in the following months makes this book more dramatic and action orientated than STIM, which for many will make it the better book, but both books are excellent; STIM simply has a different kind of energy. It reflects Robert’s placid and stable nature, whereas Kaleidoscope reflects Chloe’s volatility. She is prone to impulses and wild schemes, which allows for more surprises.
People with Asperger’s syndrome find change difficult to handle, so Chloe has particular difficulty adjusting to the aftermath of the earthquake. Her task in this book is to come back to some level of personal stability.
As with STIM, this book has a striking ‘realness’ about it. There is no pretense or artifice; like the characters, Berry simply tells it as it is. I have read the speculative fiction books Berry co-authored and, though well worth a read for those who like fantasy parody, they pale into insignificance beside these simple and charming masterpieces. It is wonderful to see an author’s true talent emerge in this way, and I hope we can look forward to more books written with the same honesty and integrity.
One of the charming things about this book is Berry’s humour. It comes out in puns and delightful neologisms, e.g. ‘The university towers quagswagged like populars in a breeze’, and the dialogue about time travel between Chloe, who is in the middle of a manic episode, and a woman waiting outside a portable toilet had me chuckling. ‘It’s a freaking port-a-loo, not a tardis,’ she says. ‘It doesn’t go anywhere and it’s definitely no bigger on the inside than it looks on the outside.’
We also get a real glimpse into the Kiwi spirit in how they handle life in post-quake Christchurch. Chloe and Robert are trying to have sex in a tree when an aftershock happens. They are shaken from the tree and fall in the river. When their neighbour hauls them out, he makes no comment on what they were doing in the tree, simply gives his estimate of the strength, depth and epicentre of the quake. Apparently, the locals are very good at guessing now. Another interesting point is how Chloe receives her first information immediately post-quake about what’s happening in the Christchurch CBD via a text from her father in Melbourne who is watching it unfold on television.
Chloe’s dreams of the CBD Red Zone, the demolition area roped off by the army, are particularly powerful, as is her reaction when she skates around the perimeter and looks in at the destruction. Her thoughts and feelings mirror mine exactly when I saw the damage for myself a year after the quake.
All up, this is a wonderful book, I highly recommend it to all readers, especially to anyone with someone with Asperger’s or bi-polar disorder in their life. Berry brings this charming and ruthlessly honest story alive with a clear and distinctive voice.
January 29, 2014
Sometimes you can tell from the beginning that a book is going to be awesome. This was one of them, and it was primarily due to the strength of the author's voice. Chloe leapt off the very first page like the vibrant and delightfully individual character that she is, and her unwavering honesty and cheerful acceptance of her various 'conditions' made her highly endearing.
This book follows on from STIM, but you don't need to have read it first. The central character in STIM is Robert, Chloe's boyfriend, and near the end of that book, they experience the earthquake that shocked Christchurch, New Zealand, in September 2010. Kaleidoscope is narrated by Chloe, a bipolar Aspie (person with Asperger's syndrome), and near the beginning of this book, she and Robert experience the more disastrous February 2011 Earthquake that demolished Christchurch's central business district and killed over 100 people. The earthquake and the difficulties it imposes on the people of Christchurch in the following months makes this book more dramatic and action orientated than STIM, which for many will make it the better book, but both books are excellent; STIM simply has a different kind of energy. It reflects Robert's placid and stable nature, whereas Kaleidoscope reflects Chloe's volatility. She is prone to impulses and wild schemes, which allows for more surprises.
People with Asperger's syndrome find change difficult to handle, so Chloe has particular difficulty adjusting to the aftermath of the earthquake. Her task in this book is to come back to some level of personal stability.
As with STIM, this book has a striking 'realness' about it. There is no pretense or artifice; like the characters, Berry simply tells it as it is. I have read the speculative fiction books Berry co-authored and, though well worth a read for those who like fantasy parody, they pale into insignificance beside these simple and charming masterpieces. It is wonderful to see an author's true talent emerge in this way, and I hope we can look forward to more books written with the same honesty and integrity.
One of the charming things about this book is Berry's humour. It comes out in puns and delightful neologisms, e.g. 'The university towers quagswagged like poplars in a breeze', and the dialogue about time travel between Chloe, who is in the middle of a manic episode, and a woman waiting outside a portable toilet had me chuckling. 'It's a freaking port-a-loo, not a Tardis,' she says. 'It doesn't go anywhere and it's definitely no bigger on the inside than it looks on the outside.'
We also get a real glimpse into the Kiwi spirit in how they handle life in post-quake Christchurch. Chloe and Robert are trying to have sex in a tree when an aftershock happens. They are shaken from the tree and fall in the river. When their neighbour hauls them out, he makes no comment on what they were doing in the tree, simply gives his estimate of the strength, depth and epicentre of the quake. Apparently, the locals are very good at guessing now. Another interesting point is how Chloe receives her first information immediately post-quake about what's happening in the Christchurch CBD via a text from her father in Melbourne who is watching it unfold on television.
Chloe's dreams of the CBD Red Zone, the demolition area roped off by the army, are particularly powerful, as is her reaction when she skates around the perimeter and looks in at the destruction. Her thoughts and feelings mirror mine exactly when I saw the damage for myself a year after the quake.
All up, this is a wonderful book, I highly recommend it to all readers, especially to anyone with someone with Asperger's or bi-polar disorder in their life. Berry brings this charming and ruthlessly honest story alive with a clear and distinctive voice.
I received a copy from the author for free in exchange for an honest review. I review for the Awesome Indies and recommend this book for a AIA Seal of Excellence in Independent Fiction.
This book follows on from STIM, but you don't need to have read it first. The central character in STIM is Robert, Chloe's boyfriend, and near the end of that book, they experience the earthquake that shocked Christchurch, New Zealand, in September 2010. Kaleidoscope is narrated by Chloe, a bipolar Aspie (person with Asperger's syndrome), and near the beginning of this book, she and Robert experience the more disastrous February 2011 Earthquake that demolished Christchurch's central business district and killed over 100 people. The earthquake and the difficulties it imposes on the people of Christchurch in the following months makes this book more dramatic and action orientated than STIM, which for many will make it the better book, but both books are excellent; STIM simply has a different kind of energy. It reflects Robert's placid and stable nature, whereas Kaleidoscope reflects Chloe's volatility. She is prone to impulses and wild schemes, which allows for more surprises.
People with Asperger's syndrome find change difficult to handle, so Chloe has particular difficulty adjusting to the aftermath of the earthquake. Her task in this book is to come back to some level of personal stability.
As with STIM, this book has a striking 'realness' about it. There is no pretense or artifice; like the characters, Berry simply tells it as it is. I have read the speculative fiction books Berry co-authored and, though well worth a read for those who like fantasy parody, they pale into insignificance beside these simple and charming masterpieces. It is wonderful to see an author's true talent emerge in this way, and I hope we can look forward to more books written with the same honesty and integrity.
One of the charming things about this book is Berry's humour. It comes out in puns and delightful neologisms, e.g. 'The university towers quagswagged like poplars in a breeze', and the dialogue about time travel between Chloe, who is in the middle of a manic episode, and a woman waiting outside a portable toilet had me chuckling. 'It's a freaking port-a-loo, not a Tardis,' she says. 'It doesn't go anywhere and it's definitely no bigger on the inside than it looks on the outside.'
We also get a real glimpse into the Kiwi spirit in how they handle life in post-quake Christchurch. Chloe and Robert are trying to have sex in a tree when an aftershock happens. They are shaken from the tree and fall in the river. When their neighbour hauls them out, he makes no comment on what they were doing in the tree, simply gives his estimate of the strength, depth and epicentre of the quake. Apparently, the locals are very good at guessing now. Another interesting point is how Chloe receives her first information immediately post-quake about what's happening in the Christchurch CBD via a text from her father in Melbourne who is watching it unfold on television.
Chloe's dreams of the CBD Red Zone, the demolition area roped off by the army, are particularly powerful, as is her reaction when she skates around the perimeter and looks in at the destruction. Her thoughts and feelings mirror mine exactly when I saw the damage for myself a year after the quake.
All up, this is a wonderful book, I highly recommend it to all readers, especially to anyone with someone with Asperger's or bi-polar disorder in their life. Berry brings this charming and ruthlessly honest story alive with a clear and distinctive voice.
I received a copy from the author for free in exchange for an honest review. I review for the Awesome Indies and recommend this book for a AIA Seal of Excellence in Independent Fiction.
July 29, 2014
4.5 stars
Kaleidoscope continues the story that began in Stim. While it is able to stand alone, I would highly recommend beginning with Stim, just so you can get to know Robert better. He doesn’t have much of a role in this story, and I found that I really missed his inner monologue.
Chloe was a favorite character from Stim, but it wasn’t until I started reading Kaleidoscope that I really had an awakening. She had always seemed so put together. She was able to help Robert adjust to his surroundings, and she had a firm grip of NS (non-spectrum) behavior and expectations. It wasn’t until I got a peek into her mind that I realized how in turmoil she was. It’s all about perspective. From this end of things, Robert seems much more relaxed and calm. He’s the one who has it all put together.
Kevin Berry’s writing style is phenomenal. In the first book, he wrote very much in Robert’s voice. It was sharp and clean, and often lacked contractions. Now, he is writing as Chloe and it reads in a completely different way. While it is similar to Stim, in that the main character has Asperger’s and is struggling with medication imbalances, it is a completely different story. Chloe is hit unexpectedly hard by the earthquake, and isn’t prepared for all of the dramatic changes that occur in her life. And once one thing goes wrong, it’s like a domino effect. I almost feel like someone said the dreaded words “It can’t get any worse” and then Murphy decided to prove them wrong. Some of the most bizarre things happen to poor Chloe! Life is stranger than fiction… or rather… Fictional life is stranger than fiction.
The earthquake hit Christchurch in February of 2011. It devastated the whole city, destroying lives for years to come. I had thoroughly prepared myself for the emotional impact of reading this story, when in fact, I wasn’t ready at all. At the first mention of the Christchurch Cathedral, I misted up. I’ve already explained my connection with Christchurch, but the cathedral itself is a new story. We watched in horror from Canada as the earthquake struck at our friends homes. A friend of my mother’s was working in the cathedral that day, when the spire toppled. It was torturous waiting to hear from her. She was tremendously lucky/fated/blessed to have been standing by a window at the exact moment of the quake and she made international headlines as “the woman in the window”.
Kevin has done an outstanding job shining a spotlight on this tragedy. The destruction of the buildings is an obvious side effect of the earthquake, but it is the flooding, the lack of water and electricity, the rampant crime, that people rarely think of. I really hope the story will continue in a third book. It would be a great way to not only check back on the characters, but to also see how Christchurch is adjusting.
A copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
"The way I see things is like through a kaleidoscope – disjointed and broken, ever-changing, yet somehow beautiful in a structured way."
Kaleidoscope continues the story that began in Stim. While it is able to stand alone, I would highly recommend beginning with Stim, just so you can get to know Robert better. He doesn’t have much of a role in this story, and I found that I really missed his inner monologue.
Chloe was a favorite character from Stim, but it wasn’t until I started reading Kaleidoscope that I really had an awakening. She had always seemed so put together. She was able to help Robert adjust to his surroundings, and she had a firm grip of NS (non-spectrum) behavior and expectations. It wasn’t until I got a peek into her mind that I realized how in turmoil she was. It’s all about perspective. From this end of things, Robert seems much more relaxed and calm. He’s the one who has it all put together.
Kevin Berry’s writing style is phenomenal. In the first book, he wrote very much in Robert’s voice. It was sharp and clean, and often lacked contractions. Now, he is writing as Chloe and it reads in a completely different way. While it is similar to Stim, in that the main character has Asperger’s and is struggling with medication imbalances, it is a completely different story. Chloe is hit unexpectedly hard by the earthquake, and isn’t prepared for all of the dramatic changes that occur in her life. And once one thing goes wrong, it’s like a domino effect. I almost feel like someone said the dreaded words “It can’t get any worse” and then Murphy decided to prove them wrong. Some of the most bizarre things happen to poor Chloe! Life is stranger than fiction… or rather… Fictional life is stranger than fiction.
The earthquake hit Christchurch in February of 2011. It devastated the whole city, destroying lives for years to come. I had thoroughly prepared myself for the emotional impact of reading this story, when in fact, I wasn’t ready at all. At the first mention of the Christchurch Cathedral, I misted up. I’ve already explained my connection with Christchurch, but the cathedral itself is a new story. We watched in horror from Canada as the earthquake struck at our friends homes. A friend of my mother’s was working in the cathedral that day, when the spire toppled. It was torturous waiting to hear from her. She was tremendously lucky/fated/blessed to have been standing by a window at the exact moment of the quake and she made international headlines as “the woman in the window”.
Kevin has done an outstanding job shining a spotlight on this tragedy. The destruction of the buildings is an obvious side effect of the earthquake, but it is the flooding, the lack of water and electricity, the rampant crime, that people rarely think of. I really hope the story will continue in a third book. It would be a great way to not only check back on the characters, but to also see how Christchurch is adjusting.
A copy of this book was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.
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August 14, 2019This review and many others can be found on my blog - Feed Your Fiction Addiction
Book #2 in the Stim series gives us another fresh perspective on the Aspie world. In Kaleidoscope, we see Chloe's tumultuous response to the earthquakes that continue to plague her home. While I didn't love this book as much as I did the first in the series, I did enjoy it, and I think I might have enjoyed it even more if I hadn't read the two books back-to-back (read on for more details about why I think that ...)
What I loved:
Chloe.
I fell in love with Chloe in the first book, so I was very happy that this book would be told from her perspective. Chloe is fun, interesting and quirky - and she knows it. She's used to having a pretty good grasp on how to handle the world, despite her Aspergers, but she finds herself completely adrift when the earthquakes take away all of her routine and stability. In the first book, Chloe always seemed pretty self-aware, but she definitely loses some of that confidence in herself in this book - I enjoyed her journey to get that back!
Depiction of Asperger's and Bi-Polar Disorder.
Just like Stim, this book gives great inside into the heart and mind of someone with Asperger's. I love Chloe's perspective - the fact that she doesn't see herself as having anything wrong with her, she's just different. At the same time, she does have parts of her personality (mostly her bi-polar disorder) that need to be tempered with medication. Otherwise, she puts her own life and the lives of those around her into turmoil. Chloe struggles with this - and her internal struggle makes for very interesting reading!
The negatives:
Similarities to book #1.
I think my biggest issue with this book was actually that I read it right after reading Stim, and it just felt a bit too similar to the first book without all the fun, lighthearted moments (which were a big part of what made me love the first book!). Chloe's voice is very similar to Robert's, except that she replaces strange economics references with her own made up hybrid words. When disaster strikes and she finds herself without medication for an extended period of time, she responds much the same way that Robert did in book #1 when he upped his dosage of medication. I felt like it was just a little too similar, and therefore didn't enjoy it as much. But if more time had passed between reading the first and second books, I really think I would have appreciated the unique Aspie voice more and Robert's story wouldn't have been right at the forefront of my mind. It was hard not to compare the two books - and I found this one to feel a bit repetitive - similar, but a bit more depressing and not as much fun. Still a good read, though!
While I didn't love this book quite as much as the first one, I still think that it's a great read and that anyone touched by Asperger's (which is pretty much everyone, in some way or another) should definitely check it out! I give this one 3/5 stars.
***Disclosure: This book was provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given. All opinions are my own***
Book #2 in the Stim series gives us another fresh perspective on the Aspie world. In Kaleidoscope, we see Chloe's tumultuous response to the earthquakes that continue to plague her home. While I didn't love this book as much as I did the first in the series, I did enjoy it, and I think I might have enjoyed it even more if I hadn't read the two books back-to-back (read on for more details about why I think that ...)
What I loved:
Chloe.
I fell in love with Chloe in the first book, so I was very happy that this book would be told from her perspective. Chloe is fun, interesting and quirky - and she knows it. She's used to having a pretty good grasp on how to handle the world, despite her Aspergers, but she finds herself completely adrift when the earthquakes take away all of her routine and stability. In the first book, Chloe always seemed pretty self-aware, but she definitely loses some of that confidence in herself in this book - I enjoyed her journey to get that back!
Depiction of Asperger's and Bi-Polar Disorder.
Just like Stim, this book gives great inside into the heart and mind of someone with Asperger's. I love Chloe's perspective - the fact that she doesn't see herself as having anything wrong with her, she's just different. At the same time, she does have parts of her personality (mostly her bi-polar disorder) that need to be tempered with medication. Otherwise, she puts her own life and the lives of those around her into turmoil. Chloe struggles with this - and her internal struggle makes for very interesting reading!
The negatives:
Similarities to book #1.
I think my biggest issue with this book was actually that I read it right after reading Stim, and it just felt a bit too similar to the first book without all the fun, lighthearted moments (which were a big part of what made me love the first book!). Chloe's voice is very similar to Robert's, except that she replaces strange economics references with her own made up hybrid words. When disaster strikes and she finds herself without medication for an extended period of time, she responds much the same way that Robert did in book #1 when he upped his dosage of medication. I felt like it was just a little too similar, and therefore didn't enjoy it as much. But if more time had passed between reading the first and second books, I really think I would have appreciated the unique Aspie voice more and Robert's story wouldn't have been right at the forefront of my mind. It was hard not to compare the two books - and I found this one to feel a bit repetitive - similar, but a bit more depressing and not as much fun. Still a good read, though!
While I didn't love this book quite as much as the first one, I still think that it's a great read and that anyone touched by Asperger's (which is pretty much everyone, in some way or another) should definitely check it out! I give this one 3/5 stars.
***Disclosure: This book was provided to me by the author in exchange for an honest review. No other compensation was given. All opinions are my own***
July 30, 2014
Review
Genre: NA,review copy,just freaking awesome,favourites
Kevin Berry's first novel in this series, Stim, was one of my favourite reads of last year; it is a book which challenges society's stereotypes of people diagnosed with ASD in an honest and touching way.
Knowing Chloe and her difficulties from Stim I wondered how Kevin Berry would translate this in Kaleidoscope. Chloe's diagnoses are less straight-forward than Robert's 'Autism Spectrum Disorder' label (although this too encompasses so many variables). She falls into what she refers to as her own "alphabet" of identities,
"Over the years, the whitecoats have labelled me with diagnosis after diagnosis, each more exotic than those preceding it, including ODD (Oppositional Defiant Disorder), ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), which I think is just ridiculous because I can concentrate on most things for as much as several minutes at a time, GAD (Generalised Anxiety Disorder), dyscalculia and various others that I don'y even remember or never properly understood. I suppose it was just a matter of time before they called me bipolar and drugged the wilder side of me out of me."
Chloe's story can be emotionally draining. During her periods of mania the pace is frenetic, but Kevin Berry asks us to be understanding and not to judge his heroine; without her medication she isolates herself from her support system, retreating into her own world which she feels she has control over.
The Christchurch earthquakes of 2011 play an important role in Chloe's story and enforce her need for routine and order. The chaos they create in Chloe's life; losing her home, belongings, her cat, a loved one; are all catalysts for the drastic change we see in her. The earthquakes are an extreme example, but allow Kevin Berry to show how necessary routine is to individuals with certain conditions.
The narrative in Kaleidoscope alternates between Chloe's journal entries in which we witness her very frank point of view about her everyday struggles, and an omniscient narrator who relays Chloe's interactions with other people. Despite her various labels and her periods of difficulty Chloe emerges as an intelligent young woman who is trying to establish a healthy relationship with her illness.
The title of Kevin Berry's story has so much meaning; the world is made up of people, who like colours, are uniques, some brighter than other, but together we make up something of beauty. The word also has significance for Chloe,
"The way I see things is like through a kaleidoscope - disjointed and broken, ever-changing, yet somehow beautiful in a structured way."
This is another amazing and sensitive novel from Kevin Berry, whose own experiences are reflected in his writing.
Genre: NA,review copy,just freaking awesome,favourites
Kevin Berry's first novel in this series, Stim, was one of my favourite reads of last year; it is a book which challenges society's stereotypes of people diagnosed with ASD in an honest and touching way.
Knowing Chloe and her difficulties from Stim I wondered how Kevin Berry would translate this in Kaleidoscope. Chloe's diagnoses are less straight-forward than Robert's 'Autism Spectrum Disorder' label (although this too encompasses so many variables). She falls into what she refers to as her own "alphabet" of identities,
"Over the years, the whitecoats have labelled me with diagnosis after diagnosis, each more exotic than those preceding it, including ODD (Oppositional Defiant Disorder), ADD (Attention Deficit Disorder), which I think is just ridiculous because I can concentrate on most things for as much as several minutes at a time, GAD (Generalised Anxiety Disorder), dyscalculia and various others that I don'y even remember or never properly understood. I suppose it was just a matter of time before they called me bipolar and drugged the wilder side of me out of me."
Chloe's story can be emotionally draining. During her periods of mania the pace is frenetic, but Kevin Berry asks us to be understanding and not to judge his heroine; without her medication she isolates herself from her support system, retreating into her own world which she feels she has control over.
The Christchurch earthquakes of 2011 play an important role in Chloe's story and enforce her need for routine and order. The chaos they create in Chloe's life; losing her home, belongings, her cat, a loved one; are all catalysts for the drastic change we see in her. The earthquakes are an extreme example, but allow Kevin Berry to show how necessary routine is to individuals with certain conditions.
The narrative in Kaleidoscope alternates between Chloe's journal entries in which we witness her very frank point of view about her everyday struggles, and an omniscient narrator who relays Chloe's interactions with other people. Despite her various labels and her periods of difficulty Chloe emerges as an intelligent young woman who is trying to establish a healthy relationship with her illness.
The title of Kevin Berry's story has so much meaning; the world is made up of people, who like colours, are uniques, some brighter than other, but together we make up something of beauty. The word also has significance for Chloe,
"The way I see things is like through a kaleidoscope - disjointed and broken, ever-changing, yet somehow beautiful in a structured way."
This is another amazing and sensitive novel from Kevin Berry, whose own experiences are reflected in his writing.
August 1, 2014
I recently read Stim, which is the story of Robert and found Kaleidoscope, the story of Chloe a much smoother and faster read. Her story focused on her Asperger’s and bi polar and how she dealt with the aftermath of a major earthquake. For her normal routine she must have things organized and structured in her own fashion or it will throw her off balance. When her house was destroyed and she found herself with only the clothes on her back, it sent her into a tail spin that was not easy to recover from.
With the medicine that she was taking for her mental issues, she felt balanced, yet dead. Her intense emotions and creativity was gone, but her ability to function as society expected was good. When her medicine was trapped in the destroyed house, her change of routine and the loss of a friend she finds that life it too difficult to manage and slips back into her dark place waiting for the manic to approach.
Along with the issues I have already mentioned, Chloe has to deal with her father ignoring her during a month long visit and her mother being in the hospital. She comes back to Robert after the visit and finds that she is going to be living in a new house because they were forced to move during her month long vacation. We get to see how detailed she is about some things and when Robert wants to unpack her books, she has some anxiety over it because it needs to be done her way.
What I love about Chloe and Robert’s relationship is the acceptance and patience they have with each other. During Chloe’s “breakdowns” I was amazed at how calm Robert was in his matter of fact responses and how she accepted it and used that as a reminder to get control over her anxiety. They were a great fit in the first book and proved to be even more perfect in this one.
Of course there were more funny moments like when they decided to try and make out in a tree only to land in the river and when she tried speed therapy. Her responses were laugh out loud funny. I think the author did a great job in giving us a glimpse in the lives of people with Asperger’s and doing it in not only an entertaining way but a realistic view point that most of us would never understand. I would highly recommend Stim and Kaleidoscope to readers who enjoy watching the abnormal make their own way in society that wasn’t made for them.
*Copy provided for review*
Reviewed by Tbird for Crystal's Many Reviewers
With the medicine that she was taking for her mental issues, she felt balanced, yet dead. Her intense emotions and creativity was gone, but her ability to function as society expected was good. When her medicine was trapped in the destroyed house, her change of routine and the loss of a friend she finds that life it too difficult to manage and slips back into her dark place waiting for the manic to approach.
Along with the issues I have already mentioned, Chloe has to deal with her father ignoring her during a month long visit and her mother being in the hospital. She comes back to Robert after the visit and finds that she is going to be living in a new house because they were forced to move during her month long vacation. We get to see how detailed she is about some things and when Robert wants to unpack her books, she has some anxiety over it because it needs to be done her way.
What I love about Chloe and Robert’s relationship is the acceptance and patience they have with each other. During Chloe’s “breakdowns” I was amazed at how calm Robert was in his matter of fact responses and how she accepted it and used that as a reminder to get control over her anxiety. They were a great fit in the first book and proved to be even more perfect in this one.
Of course there were more funny moments like when they decided to try and make out in a tree only to land in the river and when she tried speed therapy. Her responses were laugh out loud funny. I think the author did a great job in giving us a glimpse in the lives of people with Asperger’s and doing it in not only an entertaining way but a realistic view point that most of us would never understand. I would highly recommend Stim and Kaleidoscope to readers who enjoy watching the abnormal make their own way in society that wasn’t made for them.
*Copy provided for review*
Reviewed by Tbird for Crystal's Many Reviewers
July 30, 2014
My stars: 4.5
You can read Kaleidoscope, perhaps unread Stim, but I recommend reading Stim much as it is one of those books that surprise you so much that your reading is so light, divine and you know Chloe from another perspective and in fact from the first book I loved his character.
Kaleidoscope by Kevin Berry is the perspective and story of Chloe, after what happened in the book of STIM, an earthquake that shook Christchurch, New Zealand, in September 2010.
This story is narrated by Chloe, a bipolar Aspie (person with Asperger’s syndrome), clarified that already had an idea of it by the prospect of Robert in Stim,
first instance but delve into the thoughts of Chloe since the beginning of this book was a delight.
The desire and doubt as would be the lone voice of Chloe, but the author showed that Chole also had much to say and taking the thread of the earthquake event shows the struggles and successes that will impose on the lives of Chloe and around . Is more intense than the story of Robert, Chloe has a respective fixed because of their condition but to get a sudden change the whole structure of the system life changes and having to handle it is difficult and sometimes drives and sometimes from a funny perspective because of the timing.
What I like about this book is the fact handle the disease a serious point, but in a light so that the author can understand, and added with romantic and funny moments that flow naturally. Chloe is more explosive, more energetic and less peaceful than Robert, but at one point they share much in common. And it is those couples who love are.
With this book reaffirmed that Chloe is my favorite character, is so real and natural, and although it has so strong adversity is one of those characters who come to stay among your favorites. You could see that it is simple and light but this book with great content and a story worth reading. Shows much love that the author has his characters when writing, not put aside the fact of giving voice.
I had fun, I would put it, I laughed and I suffered really Chloe, and is something one appreciates when a book goes well with your hands.
You can read Kaleidoscope, perhaps unread Stim, but I recommend reading Stim much as it is one of those books that surprise you so much that your reading is so light, divine and you know Chloe from another perspective and in fact from the first book I loved his character.
Kaleidoscope by Kevin Berry is the perspective and story of Chloe, after what happened in the book of STIM, an earthquake that shook Christchurch, New Zealand, in September 2010.
This story is narrated by Chloe, a bipolar Aspie (person with Asperger’s syndrome), clarified that already had an idea of it by the prospect of Robert in Stim,
first instance but delve into the thoughts of Chloe since the beginning of this book was a delight.
The desire and doubt as would be the lone voice of Chloe, but the author showed that Chole also had much to say and taking the thread of the earthquake event shows the struggles and successes that will impose on the lives of Chloe and around . Is more intense than the story of Robert, Chloe has a respective fixed because of their condition but to get a sudden change the whole structure of the system life changes and having to handle it is difficult and sometimes drives and sometimes from a funny perspective because of the timing.
What I like about this book is the fact handle the disease a serious point, but in a light so that the author can understand, and added with romantic and funny moments that flow naturally. Chloe is more explosive, more energetic and less peaceful than Robert, but at one point they share much in common. And it is those couples who love are.
With this book reaffirmed that Chloe is my favorite character, is so real and natural, and although it has so strong adversity is one of those characters who come to stay among your favorites. You could see that it is simple and light but this book with great content and a story worth reading. Shows much love that the author has his characters when writing, not put aside the fact of giving voice.
I had fun, I would put it, I laughed and I suffered really Chloe, and is something one appreciates when a book goes well with your hands.
August 1, 2014
Chloe is an Aspie like Robert, however, she suffers from a number of other conditions as well, most notably bipolar disorder. Chloe experiences the world "through a filter like a kaleidoscope; everything's there, but all jumbled up." She has difficulty making decisions, so she wears a set color for each day of the week and always orders the same take-out in order to avoid making decisions.
Chloe has been on medication for her bipolar disorder for seven and a half months, but she wants to quit and become herself again. But things are never easy for her. She comes home from visiting her father in Australia, only to find that her cousin Stef has moved them all to a new house. Not one to deal with change, Chloe doesn't react too well. On top of that, another massive earthquake strikes Christchurch. As a result, their new house is destroyed, there's no power or water, her cousin Marinda is missing, her cat Sex is also missing, and she becomes obsessed with earthquake statistics. And now she's also off her meds. How will Chloe get back on track?
Kaleidoscope is the sequel to Stim, this time told from the point-of-view of Robert's flatmate Chloe. Each book can be read as a stand-alone, but together they paint a fuller picture of the relationship between these two characters. It's interesting to read from Chloe's point of view this time, as we get an insight into her insecurities and quirks. She seems very "together" in Stim, but Kevin is probably an unreliable narrator because of his Asperger's Syndrome. I loved Chloe's neologisms (newly coined words, e.g., passenjerk, tripidation, idiosyncrazies, cuteability), and her passion for books and her violin. Through it all, the New Zealand earthquake is ever-present and is a whole character in itself. Chloe's attempt at writing a best-seller is a great touch.
A delightful and insightful read.
I received this book in return for an honest review.
Chloe has been on medication for her bipolar disorder for seven and a half months, but she wants to quit and become herself again. But things are never easy for her. She comes home from visiting her father in Australia, only to find that her cousin Stef has moved them all to a new house. Not one to deal with change, Chloe doesn't react too well. On top of that, another massive earthquake strikes Christchurch. As a result, their new house is destroyed, there's no power or water, her cousin Marinda is missing, her cat Sex is also missing, and she becomes obsessed with earthquake statistics. And now she's also off her meds. How will Chloe get back on track?
Kaleidoscope is the sequel to Stim, this time told from the point-of-view of Robert's flatmate Chloe. Each book can be read as a stand-alone, but together they paint a fuller picture of the relationship between these two characters. It's interesting to read from Chloe's point of view this time, as we get an insight into her insecurities and quirks. She seems very "together" in Stim, but Kevin is probably an unreliable narrator because of his Asperger's Syndrome. I loved Chloe's neologisms (newly coined words, e.g., passenjerk, tripidation, idiosyncrazies, cuteability), and her passion for books and her violin. Through it all, the New Zealand earthquake is ever-present and is a whole character in itself. Chloe's attempt at writing a best-seller is a great touch.
A delightful and insightful read.
I received this book in return for an honest review.
August 2, 2014
Devoured is not even the correct word for what I did to Stim (the first book in the series) and Kaleidoscope. I absolutely adored these books and characters. Diversity is such a diverse thing. That sounds redundant, but hear me out. Too often, we get caught up on race and sexual orientation as the source of our diversity. (At least, I know I do.) And we often forget that diversity encompasses so much more than that. As someone who faces down depression and anxiety every day, it's really refreshing to see books from the point of view of someone who isn't what society deems normal. I don't have autism, but I could easily relate to the character of Robert.
But I don't want this review to seem too heavy. Kaleidoscope was filled to the brim with humor, both intentional and unintentional alike. I mean, there's a missing kitten named Sex. Yes, Sex. The references to the cat had me laughing out loud at some inappropriate times while reading.
Chloe was a character that I wanted to know more about from the very beginning of Stim. This made Kaleidoscope an enjoyable read since it's from her point of view. The thought process of Chloe is so authentic and unfiltered. I am so pleased that Kevin Berry gives an unabashed glimpse into the mind of Chloe.
I really loved this book. Authors like Kevin Berry are what make supporting Indie authors so easy. He has raw talent that shines through each of his works. I cannot recommend Stim and Kaleidoscope enough. Both books are hilarious and touching, and you'll be thinking of Robert and Chloe long after you finish them.
**I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review with no compensation.
But I don't want this review to seem too heavy. Kaleidoscope was filled to the brim with humor, both intentional and unintentional alike. I mean, there's a missing kitten named Sex. Yes, Sex. The references to the cat had me laughing out loud at some inappropriate times while reading.
Chloe was a character that I wanted to know more about from the very beginning of Stim. This made Kaleidoscope an enjoyable read since it's from her point of view. The thought process of Chloe is so authentic and unfiltered. I am so pleased that Kevin Berry gives an unabashed glimpse into the mind of Chloe.
I really loved this book. Authors like Kevin Berry are what make supporting Indie authors so easy. He has raw talent that shines through each of his works. I cannot recommend Stim and Kaleidoscope enough. Both books are hilarious and touching, and you'll be thinking of Robert and Chloe long after you finish them.
**I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review with no compensation.
July 18, 2014
When I saw this book , there were several things I loved about 1) being the cover - as someone who has dyed my hair bright colours - I loved this and yes, I have been blue and black like Chloe on the cover , 2) the fact that the story is set in New Zealand and focuses on one of our later Natural Disasters - the Christchurch Earthquake in February 2011 ( the major one) and 3) the novel includes the main characters as having Aspergers's syndrome and various other disorders. Growing up, I have been exposed to Aspergers's syndrome as my brother has Autism and I have been part of Parent 2 Parent which works with families with children with disabilities. So as I was reading about Chloe and some of her Aspie quirks it did make me wonder whether we all have a little bit of it somewhere and I felt that I could relate to Chloe on a personal level. In Kaleidoscope , the earthquake has just struck and Chloe's cousin is missing, their house has been reduced to a mess and her medications and everything that she holds close to her is lost under the rubble. On top of that as an Aspie, routine is important for Chloe and now with the earthquake it has brought upon Saradoodledom - Chaos . Will Chloe be able to cope with the earthquake and the aftermath ? This book is not only a fictional version of the Earthquake itself and the hundreds of aftershocks but also written in diary format and follows Chloe's life as she tries to navigate through the mess that this has caused her life as without her routine, safety and meds - who is Chloe really ?
If you are wanting a book that speaks to you directly and shows you how the other side lives , then this book is worth the read.
If you are wanting a book that speaks to you directly and shows you how the other side lives , then this book is worth the read.
August 1, 2014
4.5
The story picks up a few months after the events in Stim ended. Both Robert and Chloe are still adjusting from the events of the earthquake that changed their daily life on a flip of a dime.
The events that Chloe endures within this story are barely manageable for even a person who isn't autistic. She pulls through like a champion. But like all champions, she has some low points. Although we do have to remember what is a low for someone whose autistic, can be kind of extreme.
The flow of this book is very similar to Stim. This, is a good thing. Not often I'd say that, but I feel it makes you understand Chloe more. I wanted to be with her and try to understand her, because as we read about her current dealings, we also learn more about her family dynamic, or should I say, lack thereof. She's one who needs more friends who understand her.
Normally, when the main character of a book is down and such, the secondary character comes and tries to help. Well, in this case, that doesn't happen. And in a normal situation one would get mad at a character while reading this book. But with Robert, you can't expect the "norms", all because of how his brain works. Simple things as sarcasm and saying "penny for your thoughts" are over is head. It's just the quirk of the autistic mind. He tries hard, truly. It's just he doesn't pick up on such things.
Overall, I love this book. It was hard to see Chloe hit that low, but at the same time, we got to see how she thinks things through and in the end, she finds her place in this world.
The story picks up a few months after the events in Stim ended. Both Robert and Chloe are still adjusting from the events of the earthquake that changed their daily life on a flip of a dime.
The events that Chloe endures within this story are barely manageable for even a person who isn't autistic. She pulls through like a champion. But like all champions, she has some low points. Although we do have to remember what is a low for someone whose autistic, can be kind of extreme.
The flow of this book is very similar to Stim. This, is a good thing. Not often I'd say that, but I feel it makes you understand Chloe more. I wanted to be with her and try to understand her, because as we read about her current dealings, we also learn more about her family dynamic, or should I say, lack thereof. She's one who needs more friends who understand her.
Normally, when the main character of a book is down and such, the secondary character comes and tries to help. Well, in this case, that doesn't happen. And in a normal situation one would get mad at a character while reading this book. But with Robert, you can't expect the "norms", all because of how his brain works. Simple things as sarcasm and saying "penny for your thoughts" are over is head. It's just the quirk of the autistic mind. He tries hard, truly. It's just he doesn't pick up on such things.
Overall, I love this book. It was hard to see Chloe hit that low, but at the same time, we got to see how she thinks things through and in the end, she finds her place in this world.
January 4, 2014
After reading Kevin Berry’s Stim, I couldn’t wait for the second book in his insightful and entertaining Aspie series, and his second title Kaleidoscope doesn’t disappoint. Set in the chaos and uncertainty of post-quake Christchurch, Kaleidoscope is a secret look into the diary of Robert’s girlfriend and flatmate, 20-year old psychology student Chloe Wilson. Chloe is so likeable: zany—crazy even—with her splash of blue hair, talent for music and a penchant for witty neologisms. But having Asperger’s Syndrome and also Bipolar Disorder, means Chloe craves order. She struggles to make everyday decisions which normal-spectrum people take for granted. If only she had a script for life which would eliminate uncertainty. So, when she’s forced to cope with a new house, no transport, a lack of power and water, along with the disappearance of her kitten, and the fact that her cousin is listed as missing, and all without her meds, Chloe’s life is thrown into disarray, with results that are both disastrous and droll. A remarkable story told with sensitivity, Kaleidoscope describes the despair that follows a tragedy. But, ultimately, Berry’s message is one of hope, since out of chaos, anything is possible. Lee Murray, author of Misplaced.
February 5, 2014
The enjoyable follow-up to Stim, Berry's first Aspie romance novel, and this one certainly proves a worthy sequel. This time we see into the head of Chloe - fellow Aspie, but also possessing of a whole plethora of other diagnoses. Coupled together with the most devastating earthquake the city has ever seen, and a forced break from her medication, madcap craziness must ensure. Chloe's narrative is not dissimilar to Robert's, with her frank honesty and candid narration. This tale will certainly help those of the NS to better understand their Asperbergers peers.
A quick, page-turning read, with a witty narrator who just seems real. Another gem from Kevin Berry.
My only complaint was the lack of Sex. Surely there was something further they could have/should have done to find their missing kitty? Aside from Robert returning to the house every day in the hope of finding her: did they not think of visiting to their flat at Matipo, where perhaps she might have returned to after the earthquakes scared her? Or checking the SPCA? Or even putting up fliers? I mean, I understand that Chloe was somewhat dealing with her own issues at the time, and from her PoV the cat may have been only a flutter at the edge of her mind - but Robert could have been doing something. I fully expected her to turn up again at the end.
A quick, page-turning read, with a witty narrator who just seems real. Another gem from Kevin Berry.
My only complaint was the lack of Sex. Surely there was something further they could have/should have done to find their missing kitty? Aside from Robert returning to the house every day in the hope of finding her: did they not think of visiting to their flat at Matipo, where perhaps she might have returned to after the earthquakes scared her? Or checking the SPCA? Or even putting up fliers? I mean, I understand that Chloe was somewhat dealing with her own issues at the time, and from her PoV the cat may have been only a flutter at the edge of her mind - but Robert could have been doing something. I fully expected her to turn up again at the end.
July 31, 2014
I received a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Kaleidoscope picks up shortly following the events of Stim, though there’s nothing you’ll be missing other than a really good book if you read this as a stand-alone or out of order.
“Bipolar Disorder is awesome. I hate it.”
Chloe has Asperger's Syndrome, Bipolar Disorder and probably a few other ‘rome’s and disorders in addition to a numerical dyslexia. She also doesn’t tolerate change well, like many on the spectrum, and unfortunately there’s a whole lot of change coming her way.
I found this book to be pretty dark. Poor Chloe just can’t seem to catch a break as change after change after situation after incident just piled up on top and snowballs from there. And without her medication, having lost it in the earthquake. Well let’s just say, it’s a recipe for disaster.
“It’s a freaking port-a-loo, not a Tardis. It doesn’t go anywhere, and it’s definitely no bigger on the inside”
A bit of humor in the whirlwind of chaos that was going on can make all the difference though, that’s what kept things more at a level of a viral video clip show and not local news footage of a tragedy.
To sum it up, a darkly humorous story. That while it didn’t have quite the impact for me as Stim did and I’m not really crazy about the ending but it was still a really good read that I would gladly recommend.
Kaleidoscope picks up shortly following the events of Stim, though there’s nothing you’ll be missing other than a really good book if you read this as a stand-alone or out of order.
“Bipolar Disorder is awesome. I hate it.”
Chloe has Asperger's Syndrome, Bipolar Disorder and probably a few other ‘rome’s and disorders in addition to a numerical dyslexia. She also doesn’t tolerate change well, like many on the spectrum, and unfortunately there’s a whole lot of change coming her way.
I found this book to be pretty dark. Poor Chloe just can’t seem to catch a break as change after change after situation after incident just piled up on top and snowballs from there. And without her medication, having lost it in the earthquake. Well let’s just say, it’s a recipe for disaster.
“It’s a freaking port-a-loo, not a Tardis. It doesn’t go anywhere, and it’s definitely no bigger on the inside”
A bit of humor in the whirlwind of chaos that was going on can make all the difference though, that’s what kept things more at a level of a viral video clip show and not local news footage of a tragedy.
To sum it up, a darkly humorous story. That while it didn’t have quite the impact for me as Stim did and I’m not really crazy about the ending but it was still a really good read that I would gladly recommend.
August 1, 2014
This is a great follow up to stim. Stim had the humour and fun but still serious. This book took a different direction. It was still fun but had more of a serious tone. Here we are taken into the mind of Chloe with Robert playing the supporting cast and we get to see what happens when one gets into a stressful situation and is off her medication. She goes manic and her actions have some serious consequences. One being Robert.
Robert is supportive to a point. That point is her betrayal. He didn’t realize she is in a manic episode when it occurs but he needs time to deal with it and come to terms. In the meantime, Chloe comes to terms with the rest of her life. Her decisions about her future, her openness with others and even her anger at Robert.
When her and Robert finally talks he tells her how he feels and they do come together again but this time with the understanding that they will take care of each other and no matter what stay together.
The book is wonderfully written and takes a serious topic and teaches us about it in a entertaining way so that you learn and your attention is kept. Her relationship with Robert is highlighted but only as a background it is more about her and dealing with her illness and its consequences of the actions she takes while in a manic episode. The book is entertaining and a fantastic read you won’t put down.
Robert is supportive to a point. That point is her betrayal. He didn’t realize she is in a manic episode when it occurs but he needs time to deal with it and come to terms. In the meantime, Chloe comes to terms with the rest of her life. Her decisions about her future, her openness with others and even her anger at Robert.
When her and Robert finally talks he tells her how he feels and they do come together again but this time with the understanding that they will take care of each other and no matter what stay together.
The book is wonderfully written and takes a serious topic and teaches us about it in a entertaining way so that you learn and your attention is kept. Her relationship with Robert is highlighted but only as a background it is more about her and dealing with her illness and its consequences of the actions she takes while in a manic episode. The book is entertaining and a fantastic read you won’t put down.
July 20, 2014
"I didn't like change, but it is much easier to get use to when it is drawn out slowly like some kind of organized chaos, instead of happening all at once, unpredictable and confronting."
Chloe has aspergers, bipolar as well as many other things. After a earthquake caused her home to crash down, Chloe found it hard to find the control that helped her remain calm. Now she lost the pills to the damage and is on a high that can cause her life to go from bad to worse.
"The way I see things is like though a kaleidoscope-disjointed and broken, ever changing, yet somehow beautiful in a structured way."
Wow, I really loved this book. It was humorous and very fun to read. I loved how this book can really show others how it would feel to be an aspie as well as having Bipolar. So in a way its both entertaining and educating for those who don't know much about asperger syndrom and bipolar. Watching how things played out for Chloe was like watching an accident in slow motion if that makes any sense. I loved her character she was interesting and very smart. I feel like this is the type of book that everyone should read, I found myself loving this book and think you readers will too. 5 of 5 stars!
Chloe has aspergers, bipolar as well as many other things. After a earthquake caused her home to crash down, Chloe found it hard to find the control that helped her remain calm. Now she lost the pills to the damage and is on a high that can cause her life to go from bad to worse.
"The way I see things is like though a kaleidoscope-disjointed and broken, ever changing, yet somehow beautiful in a structured way."
Wow, I really loved this book. It was humorous and very fun to read. I loved how this book can really show others how it would feel to be an aspie as well as having Bipolar. So in a way its both entertaining and educating for those who don't know much about asperger syndrom and bipolar. Watching how things played out for Chloe was like watching an accident in slow motion if that makes any sense. I loved her character she was interesting and very smart. I feel like this is the type of book that everyone should read, I found myself loving this book and think you readers will too. 5 of 5 stars!
August 18, 2014
I was excited to pick up Kaleidoscope by Kevin Berry after reading Stim, the first in the series, which I thoroughly enjoyed. In fact, I made myself slow down when reading Kaleidoscope because I knew there aren’t any other books in the series yet. I do hope there will be more soon!
Both Chloe and her boyfriend Robert are college students living with Aspergers – they are Aspies. Not only do they have college and a relationship to balance while dealing with being Aspies, but a series of life-threatening earthquakes are making a mess of things too. Living in a world where they crave structure and order, they really have none of that.
This time around, we get Chloe’s perspective and she’s every bit as fun as she was in the first book. She gets herself into as much trouble as Robert did in Stim, but this time putting her relationship with him in jeopardy because of rash decisions she made while unable to take her medications.
I don’t want to give anything away, but I highly recommend picking this one up. It’s a serious, but yet fun read.
You don’t need to read Stim first since they both stand alone, but they go together so definitely do read both.
Both Chloe and her boyfriend Robert are college students living with Aspergers – they are Aspies. Not only do they have college and a relationship to balance while dealing with being Aspies, but a series of life-threatening earthquakes are making a mess of things too. Living in a world where they crave structure and order, they really have none of that.
This time around, we get Chloe’s perspective and she’s every bit as fun as she was in the first book. She gets herself into as much trouble as Robert did in Stim, but this time putting her relationship with him in jeopardy because of rash decisions she made while unable to take her medications.
I don’t want to give anything away, but I highly recommend picking this one up. It’s a serious, but yet fun read.
You don’t need to read Stim first since they both stand alone, but they go together so definitely do read both.
January 15, 2014
This is the perfect sequel to Kevin Berry’s Stim. Chloe has Asperger’s Syndrome, Bipolar Disorder, and other vague disorders that different doctors have added to her record at various times. She gets along in her own quirky way until a major earthquake hits Christchurch. The home Chloe shares with her Aspie boyfriend, Robert, and her cousin Stef is structurally unstable and they cannot get back into it. Chloe’s entire world turns topsy-turvy. She is so unnerved and overcome by the disaster and that never quits that she doesn’t remember that her meds are lost in the old house. This results in a sequence of delightful mishaps.
The story is well-written and superbly edited. The characters endear themselves to the reader. Chloe’s intelligence is far more important than her various diagnoses. Her strength of character shines through the pages. I heartily recommend this book. It delivers a dose of understanding sweetened by a fast-paced enchanting story.
The story is well-written and superbly edited. The characters endear themselves to the reader. Chloe’s intelligence is far more important than her various diagnoses. Her strength of character shines through the pages. I heartily recommend this book. It delivers a dose of understanding sweetened by a fast-paced enchanting story.
July 31, 2014
I loved the first book, Stim, so I couldn't wait to read Kaleidoscope. It follows on from Stim and while it can be read as a standalone, reading Stim will give you the background of Chloe's relationship with Robert. It is set after the Christchurch earthquake and focuses on Chloe, a psychology student with blue streaked hair. Chloe has Asperger's Syndrome and is Bipolar. Chloe craves order, she has a set of clothes that she wears for each day of the week, and so the aftermath of the earthquake turns her life upside down. She struggles with the fear of another quake, the loss of her kitten, the lack of power and water and losing her home and possessions. She also loses her meds, which causes some manic episodes. Chloe is a likable character and I love how she makes up her own hybrid words for things. This story is told with sensitivity and humour. As someone who has never experienced an earthquake this made me think of how much I take for granted!
May 14, 2015
I read this one in record time because I'd just finished Stim and had to know what happened next. I was impressed by the writer's skill and fearlessness. Skill because he wrote 1st person for Robert in Stim, then for Chloe in this one, a female character, and nailed BOTH and they had very separate/different identities. Fearlessness because he broke some rules of writing to truly show the character's personality and behaviors, like repeating things and run-on sentences just because she would have. Just really lent to the character having all three dimensions. Also want to say that both books were incredibly insightful and made me think of the Aspie person I know personally in a completely different way...I had it all wrong and just in the last few days, I've caused them less social anxiety because I was able to have more patience and understand them better. Bravo, Mr. Berry, bravo!
August 11, 2014
I love the believability of a young woman who is dealing with all that life of a young student offers (guy problems, family issues, and a couple of run-ins with the cops) all while living with ASD and bipolar disorder.
Not quite as distinct as Stim, but still an insightful and funny read from one of the best NA authors out there.
Not quite as distinct as Stim, but still an insightful and funny read from one of the best NA authors out there.
January 8, 2014
Review coming soon.
September 30, 2016
Excellent story!
This story drew me in so much that I finished it in one day. I loved the main character especially. As an autistic woman myself, I highly recommend this book.
This story drew me in so much that I finished it in one day. I loved the main character especially. As an autistic woman myself, I highly recommend this book.
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