2? 2.5?The first few parts of the book were loaded with tons of negative stereotypes about teenagers, particularly the "popular"ones. Honestly, it was just extremely hard for me to get through the first forty or so pages. A lot of the book felt like Looking for Alaska by John Green? I feel bad comparing the two books but that's just how I feel. HOWEVER, when Ezra met Cassidy, the book became a lot more interesting. The old "mysterious new girl" cliche was of course, heavily present, but I was still able to enjoy myself. I absolutely adored the book when Cassidy and Ezra were nothing more than friends, and when they hung out with the debate team and stuff. During this stretch of the book, it was a lot of fun to see all the witty banter between the lunch table group and the rekindled friendship between Toby and Ezra was really great. Cassidy and Ezra's relationship was when the book went downhill for me. It felt like they had absolutely no chemistry and I was incredibly bored. I even skipped some pages. Once the two got together, I found both of them incredibly unlikable. The only saving grace was Toby and the other minor characters who I feel were horribly underdeveloped. I'm still confused about some aspects of them. When did Phoebe and Luke break up? I had honestly forgotten they were even a couple until Phoebe slapped him. The conflict Luke had with Ezra was never dealt with at all, and I feel like Phoebe, Andrew and Sam deserved a lot better. I hated the fact that Ezra went right back to his old friends after Cassidy and him broke up. It just felt like all of his character development went right out the window. Plus, I was hoping his interest in organic chemistry would somehow develop further, maybe factor into a debate at a competition? Maybe I just wanted more development from the whole debate competition/team stuff, as most of it was really entertaining. I also hated the fact that Cooper died. It didn't feel like there was any value in it other than the opportunity for Cassidy and Ezra to have the big talk. Cassidy had her moments where I really liked her, but sometimes I cringed at how manic pixie dream girl she was, and how she had this "big" secret. I half expected her to start smoking. The book definitely had it's great parts. Toby was my favorite character and I loved his witty banter. I also really loved that by the end, Ezra had realized that it wasn't just Cassidy that changed him; it was Toby, himself and a bunch of other things. I enjoyed myself in the middle but the last half of the book and the beginning were sorely lacking. 2? 2.5?The first few parts of the book were loaded with tons of negative stereotypes about teenagers, particularly the "popular"ones. Honestly, it was just extremely hard for me to get through the first forty or so pages. A lot of the book felt like Looking for Alaska by John Green? I feel bad comparing the two books but that's just how I feel. HOWEVER, when Ezra met Cassidy, the book became a lot more interesting. The old "mysterious new girl" cliche was of course, heavily present, but I was still able to enjoy myself. I absolutely adored the book when Cassidy and Ezra were nothing more than friends, and when they hung out with the debate team and stuff. During this stretch of the book, it was a lot of fun to see all the witty banter between the lunch table group and the rekindled friendship between Toby and Ezra was really great. Cassidy and Ezra's relationship was when the book went downhill for me. It felt like they had absolutely no chemistry and I was incredibly bored. I even skipped some pages. Once the two got together, I found both of them incredibly unlikable. The only saving grace was Toby and the other minor characters who I feel were horribly underdeveloped. I'm still confused about some aspects of them. When did Phoebe and Luke break up? I had honestly forgotten they were even a couple until Phoebe slapped him. The conflict Luke had with Ezra was never dealt with at all, and I feel like Phoebe, Andrew and Sam deserved a lot better. I hated the fact that Ezra went right back to his old friends after Cassidy and him broke up. It just felt like all of his character development went right out the window. Plus, I was hoping his interest in organic chemistry would somehow develop further, maybe factor into a debate at a competition? Maybe I just wanted more development from the whole debate competition/team stuff, as most of it was really entertaining. I also hated the fact that Cooper died. It didn't feel like there was any value in it other than the opportunity for Cassidy and Ezra to have the big talk. Cassidy had her moments where I really liked her, but sometimes I cringed at how manic pixie dream girl she was, and how she had this "big" secret. I half expected her to start smoking. The book definitely had it's great parts. Toby was my favorite character and I loved his witty banter. I also really loved that by the end, Ezra had realized that it wasn't just Cassidy that changed him; it was Toby, himself and a bunch of other things. I enjoyed myself in the middle but the last half of the book and the beginning were sorely lacking.
What do You think about Ako Sa To Všetko Začalo (2014)?
I technically give it 4.5 stars...Picked up this guilty pleasure Tuesday morning and it kept me company during two days of showing the "A Christmas Carol" DVD in class. I really liked the characters, Ezra and Cassidy and Toby. I think I always like a story about someone who rejects the popular crowd and finds himself in a place that's just a little bit nerdy. I liked the idea that "everyone gets a tragedy," but we can all live through them. I loved the full circle connection between Cassidy and Ezra, and I liked the realistic way that their story played out---it could not have ended in a fairy tale way and still been satisfying.The characters are appealing and intelligent--John Green fans will likely enjoy them. There is a bit of adult-ness to the humor and situations from time to time.(I have my suspicions, however, that the author didn't actually go to a debate tournament....maybe hung out at the hotel, but not the tournament itself...)
—Mikayla3553
4.5 stars to be fair!It was hard to start reading again for my own pleasure since its been a while and so I feel this was a good choice to start..I loved the mentioning of Doctor Who and Sherlock Holmes!! And for your Harry Potter lovers I can imagine you'd be quite happy as well. It was a good read especially the ending, you get to see the characters maturing. In a way it reminded me of Looking for Alaska with the girl and the books and the quotes. I had to like it!
—liz
Would have given this a 2 but I like how it ended
—aussiegirl
