Author: Leah Thomas
Series: Because You'll Never Meet Me (#2)
Publisher: Bloomsbury Children
Publication Date: February 7th, 2017
Source: NetGalley
Buy the Book: Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Book Depository
Ollie and Moritz might never meet, but their friendship knows no bounds. Their letters carry on as Ollie embarks on his first road trip away from the woods--no easy feat for a boy allergic to electricity--and Moritz decides which new school would best suit an eyeless boy who prefers to be alone. Along the way they meet other teens like them, other products of strange science who lead seemingly normal lives in ways Ollie and Moritz never imagined possible: A boy who jokes about his atypical skeleton; an aspiring actress who hides a strange deformity; a track star whose abnormal heart propels her to victory. Suddenly the future feels wide open for two former hermits. But even as Ollie and Moritz dare to enjoy life, they can't escape their past, which threatens to destroy any progress they've made. Can these boys ever find their place in a world that might never understand them?
What I thought
I read Because You'll Never Meet me back when it came out and I loved it (first novel written in letters I've ever enjoyed, let me tell you) so when I heart there was a sequel I had a mighty need for it. You don't end a book like that and not expect readers to go cray cray. So, lo and behold Nowhere Near You. I read it and I loved it (not as much as I loved Because I'll Never Meet You, mind you, but love is still love) and now you're going to hear why.
Characters
Well, for one Ollie is still as funny and fantabulous* as always, if anything he is a little bit more sad. However, his enthusiasm for the world is such a lovely thing to see. He was amazed by anything and everything. Things we take for granted, like the Internet or just anything electric really. For other our Moritz (I always pronounce his name like MORRITS in my head**) underwent character development for the ages. He was my favorite aspect of the story this time around.
*Not a word. I don't care.
**shoutout to any Spanish speaking readers who understand that reference
Plot
Now, let's talk about the plot itself. It's wacky and sci-fi and it somehow works. You do have to undergo suspension of disbilief, but hey, the world is a wacky place so who is to say things like this don't happen, right? I enjoyed the secondary characters. I feel (I'm not sure because what is research) that there probably will be more books in the series. Which is okay, I mean, I'm always up to reading about weird kids living in the real world doing everyday things and wrestling with their demons. Because this book is basically about that.
Writing
I also enjoyed the writing. It's quirky and serious and funny and oftentimes whimsical, but still grounded. Did that even make sense to anyone but me? I, too, am a walking paradox. So, yeah you should go read these books and come talk to me about them.
I LOVED the first book! It's one of my all-time favorites! Which makes it hard to believe that I just found out about this sequel...
ReplyDeleteI'm definitely going to read this one, too! Can't wait to read more about Ollie and Moritz!
I loved it so much, too! You didn't know? Well, I'm glad you found out and are now going to remedy the situation.
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