And I can't help but compare them, despite and because of their differences. This is going to be rather spoiler-y for Code Name Verity, which I don't feel too bad about, because it's from 2012. And it may be a tiny bit spoiler-y for This Is Where It Ends, which I also don't feel too bad about, because it's about a school shooting so yeah. You already know people are going to get shot.
But if you haven't read Code Name Verity, stop being a loser like I was 48 hours ago and go read it instead of this review.

I cried. I wept. I felt bereft.
It was awesome.
(Seriously, SUCH a good book. Why did I put it off for so long? When will I learn that Printz award winners are always worth reading? Even the ones I don't really like are well written.)

By this time next week I won't remember any of them. But it will take me a long time to forget "Verity" and Maddie.
Part of this is that the immediacy of Wein's narrative is enhanced by her use of first person and confessional tone, while Nijkamp uses third person and tends to tell more than show. Part of it is a matter of focus--Wein's is laser sharp while Nijkamp's is diffuse. But let me be clear--mostly it's that Wein is a fantastic writer with a compelling story. Nijcamp is an adequate writer with a hot topic.
Code Name Verity was suggested by a friend a while back and OMG - I still remember the pain I felt. Kiss Me, Hardy!!! (I weep...) I cried so hard reading this book.
ReplyDeleteRebecca @ The Portsmouth Review
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I googled "Kiss me, Hardy" as soon as I finished the book, as my Nelson/Hardy knowledge was sketchy at best. Yes, what a heartbreak!
DeleteOff to see about Verity
ReplyDeleteYay! I hope you enjoy it.
DeleteHow do you read 2 whole books in 1 day? Sorcery! I struggle to finish 2 a week.
ReplyDeleteAnyway, I totally agree with you about Verity. The death in that book is written amazingly well. I remember being shocked by it and just staring at the book for a minute.
I had This Is Where It Ends in my hands last time I went to Target. I ended up getting Gemina instead because I can’t buy every book ever, no matter how much I want to.
Aj @ Read All The Things!