Goodreads Summary
This innovative, heartfelt debut novel tells the story of a girl who’s literally allergic to the outside world. When a new family moves in next door, she begins a complicated romance that challenges everything she’s ever known. The narrative unfolds via vignettes, diary entries, texts, charts, lists, illustrations, and more.
My disease is as rare as it is famous. Basically, I’m allergic to the world. I don’t leave my house, have not left my house in seventeen years. The only people I ever see are my mom and my nurse, Carla.
But then one day, a moving truck arrives next door. I look out my window, and I see him. He’s tall, lean and wearing all black—black T-shirt, black jeans, black sneakers, and a black knit cap that covers his hair completely. He catches me looking and stares at me. I stare right back. His name is Olly.
Maybe we can’t predict the future, but we can predict some things. For example, I am certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It’s almost certainly going to be a disaster.
A new favorite FOR SURE. This book is about a girl, Madeline who has SCID which is a very rare disease and is literally allergic to everything. Ever since she was a kid she didn't leave her house, the air she inhales is filtered, the food she eats is carefully cooked and she doesn't have any human interactions or visitors of any sort (except for her nurse, Carla & her mother who is a doctor herself). She one day spots a guy moving in next door, Olly, who intrigued her from the very first second their eyes locked through her bedroom window.
I had a feeling that this will be a favorite, the writing was incredible and it hooked me from the very first page. The effortless way in which Nicola Yoon writes made the book extremely fast-paced, not to mention the way the book is written (including short chapters, diagrams and doodles by Maddy). It felt very personal and it read like a diary, although it really isn't, but I felt really connected to Maddy and saw whatever crossed her mind clearly in my own.
I fell in love with the characters. Maddy is a smart girl who despite her sickness, dealt well with every obstacle that stood in her way. She annoyed me a little towards the ending, but other than that, I really admired her personality and her bravery. She fell in love with Olly purely and unconditionally and it made me feel ALL THE FEELS. I also loved Olly, he is extremely hot and mysterious, he sincerely loved Maddy as well and it showed in multiple ways. I was dying every time something adorable happened.
Halfway through this book, I still didn't fully understand Maddy's sickness and I was very very satisfied by the ending of this book. I also felt like the love was somehow insta-lovey at the beginning, but it redeemed itself by the ending so that is probably why I initially gave this book 4.5 stars then upped it to 5 because I'm still thinking about it a day later.
I didn't expect the ending and I was fully surprised, I loved this aspect of the book (and every other one..) The diversity was insane, since Madeline is half Asian, half African American, there's also a gay character which is always a plus. IT DEFINITELY MADE IT TO MY FAVORITES OF THE YEAR SO FAR. GO READ IT NOW!!
Have you read this book? If not, are you excited?! Tell me in the comments down below, I'd love to know :)
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This innovative, heartfelt debut novel tells the story of a girl who’s literally allergic to the outside world. When a new family moves in next door, she begins a complicated romance that challenges everything she’s ever known. The narrative unfolds via vignettes, diary entries, texts, charts, lists, illustrations, and more.
My disease is as rare as it is famous. Basically, I’m allergic to the world. I don’t leave my house, have not left my house in seventeen years. The only people I ever see are my mom and my nurse, Carla.
But then one day, a moving truck arrives next door. I look out my window, and I see him. He’s tall, lean and wearing all black—black T-shirt, black jeans, black sneakers, and a black knit cap that covers his hair completely. He catches me looking and stares at me. I stare right back. His name is Olly.
Maybe we can’t predict the future, but we can predict some things. For example, I am certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It’s almost certainly going to be a disaster.
Expected publication: September 1st 2015 by Delacorte Books for Young Readers
I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
I had a feeling that this will be a favorite, the writing was incredible and it hooked me from the very first page. The effortless way in which Nicola Yoon writes made the book extremely fast-paced, not to mention the way the book is written (including short chapters, diagrams and doodles by Maddy). It felt very personal and it read like a diary, although it really isn't, but I felt really connected to Maddy and saw whatever crossed her mind clearly in my own.
I fell in love with the characters. Maddy is a smart girl who despite her sickness, dealt well with every obstacle that stood in her way. She annoyed me a little towards the ending, but other than that, I really admired her personality and her bravery. She fell in love with Olly purely and unconditionally and it made me feel ALL THE FEELS. I also loved Olly, he is extremely hot and mysterious, he sincerely loved Maddy as well and it showed in multiple ways. I was dying every time something adorable happened.
Halfway through this book, I still didn't fully understand Maddy's sickness and I was very very satisfied by the ending of this book. I also felt like the love was somehow insta-lovey at the beginning, but it redeemed itself by the ending so that is probably why I initially gave this book 4.5 stars then upped it to 5 because I'm still thinking about it a day later.
I didn't expect the ending and I was fully surprised, I loved this aspect of the book (and every other one..) The diversity was insane, since Madeline is half Asian, half African American, there's also a gay character which is always a plus. IT DEFINITELY MADE IT TO MY FAVORITES OF THE YEAR SO FAR. GO READ IT NOW!!
If you like what you see and want to be notified for future posts, follow me here
I just finished this one and absolutely loved it too! The diversity was a great aspect. Nicola's writing is spectacular. It's gorgeous and so thought-provoking. I love how she mixed in the IMs, sketches, charts, dictionary definitions, and Life is Short reviews into the mix! So so so adorable!! :) Great review <3
ReplyDeleteRachel @ A Perfection Called Books
YESSSS I loved every single thing about it, and you pretty much summed up my thoughts in a comment! I agreeeeee, Olly is bae.♥
DeleteThank you gorgeoussss :)
Great review, as usual, my dear! But ... YOU HAVE NO IDEA HOW BADLY I WANT TO READ THIS BEAUTY!!! ♥ More and more reviews are going up and I'm sitting here, impatiently waiting till it's release and UGHHH I CAN'T WAIT ANYMORE! I need this.
ReplyDeleteYour review only made me more excited! If you loved it this much I'm sure that I'll love it too! Like, I completely trust you with this and my expectations just went up a little more ... I hope you know what you did. :P
Yvonne @ A World Between Folded Pages
YOUR COMMENT PUT A SMILE ON MY FACE AHHHHH
DeleteThank youuu beautiful!! I really want you to read this so we can totally fangirl together, it's amazingggggg. It's coming sooooon. A week or so left, not long..
I'm soo humbled by what you just said, its my honor that you trust my reviews hahaha and oops.. I should've posted this when you have your copy in your hands.. & PS, I'm waiting too. I need to buy thisssss. Forever will re-read this!
Thanks for the comment lovely!♥
Ahh, I'm glad you liked this one! :D I had...a not so happy time with it. Gah. SOMEONE SENTENCE ME TO THE CORNER OF SHAME. hhehe. I was just too busy analysing it and didn't end up enjoying the reveal afterwards. It was a bit of a WOWZER though, right?!? I think Olly was adorable. :)
ReplyDeleteWHAT!!! TELL ME RIGHT NOW OR LINK ME TO A REVIEW! Why did you dislike thissss? I can't believe it hahaha
DeleteIT WAS!! I was like.. huh? I would NEVER have suspected it hahaha
And yes yes! One of my favourite book baes♥
Great review!
ReplyDeleteThough I didn't really enjoy it in the end, the characters and diversity was really great + agree, Olly was extremely hot. *winkwink*
Thank you!!
DeleteYesss and I loooved her writing as well & OLLYYY, I still can't get over him hahaha
Thanks for the visit♥
This is one of my favourite books I've read this year, it's amazing! Glad you enjoyed it too!
ReplyDeleteYes! I agree, it's amazingg! I loved the plot twist in the end as well♥ & thank youuuu :)
Delete