I had high hopes at the start of this book, having been drawn in by the spiky narration of Jazmin Little, one of the characters who relates this YA fantasy.
However I felt the story was a mix of elements of various other sci fi tales (perhaps a little like the best seller described in the course of the book) and that the way that developments were foreshadowed by cryptic utterances removed any feeling of suspense.
The style of the book left me feeling disconnected and I found it difficult to care about the characters, with the exception of Jazmin, though in time her tone became a little wearing, despite being interspersed with other voices.
For a book about searching for love I thought there was a failure to portray the different types of love with much conviction or depth. The creation of a weird and repressive atmosphere was much more successful.
The unusual format of the cover and the striking illustrations suggested this book was something special, but I found the rest of the contents disappointing.
However I felt the story was a mix of elements of various other sci fi tales (perhaps a little like the best seller described in the course of the book) and that the way that developments were foreshadowed by cryptic utterances removed any feeling of suspense.
The style of the book left me feeling disconnected and I found it difficult to care about the characters, with the exception of Jazmin, though in time her tone became a little wearing, despite being interspersed with other voices.
For a book about searching for love I thought there was a failure to portray the different types of love with much conviction or depth. The creation of a weird and repressive atmosphere was much more successful.
The unusual format of the cover and the striking illustrations suggested this book was something special, but I found the rest of the contents disappointing.