Publisher: Dutton Juvenile (April 9th, 2009)
Reading Level: Young Adult
Hardback: 199 pages
Source: Purchased
Series: If I Stay #1
Rating: 3 of 5 stars
In a single moment, everything changes. Seventeen year- old Mia has no memory of the accident; she can only recall riding along the snow-wet Oregon road with her family. Then, in a blink, she finds herself watching as her own damaged body is taken from the wreck...
Review: Yes, it's true. I just read this book a few weeks ago. I had super high expectations about this book because it has terrific reviews. I gotta say, I wasn't blown away by it. Maybe my expectations were too high? I dunno.
If I Stay introduces us to Mia. Mia is in a terrible car accident with her mother, father, and brother. One thing about this novel that grabbed me immediately was the strong bond Mia had with her family. Typically, in YA books, we may not get a great look at family relations. We only get a peak into the character's home-life and it may not be the best view. If I Stay paints a beautiful picture of a family. Mia's father and mother were loving and supportive. As Mia spends time in the hospital she remembers some of their times together.
The idea behind this novel, as well as much of Gayle Forman's writing, was terrific. She has a way of describing a setting that really helps the reader grasp what is going on around the characters.
I'm not a huge fan of flashbacks. Much of this book is series of flashbacks to Mia's memories of her parents and of Adam. Some people may enjoy this. It's just a personal preference but they make me feel really disconnected from what the "real" story is about. I don't mind learning about a character's past through their own thoughts, but this book just had too much of that.
The other downside for me was Mia herself. She just wasn't what as emotional as I would have thought she should have been. And she seemed a bit..boring. At the end I just kept thinking "Why does Adam even love her so much?" I couldn't get a good handle on her personality besides just knowing what she loves music.
Adam was the person who saved this book for me. He was interesting, caring, and passionate. Even though we really don't get to see him that much, he always managed to get my attention.
The main character and all the flashbacks were what really brought this book down for me but, as mentioned, those are just personal preferences. The plot, writing, and events that occur during the actual story were exceptional. I just wanted more from Mia.
Recommended: Contemporary fans or people who don't mind a story with a focus in the past and present.
I really enjoyed this book, probably because of Adam and how well written the family was. I don't really mind flashbacks either :p
ReplyDeleteI think you might like the sequel because Adam tells the story. If you do read it, I'm curious to see what you think.
Thanks for the review!
-P.E.
Funny you mention book 2. :) I actually JUST got done with the review for it and you're right. I liked it a lot more! My review is coming up on the 2nd but It really grabbed me a lot more. I think this book was a situation of "it's not you, it's me" haha :)
DeleteIt's the hype, I guess because we both read this so late we had extremely idealist, perfect and impossible to live up to expectations that cannot be fulfilled is why we didn't like it more. I was expecting to bawl through this book but in the end, there were a few times my eyes barely watered. I didn't mind the flashbacks much but like you said, Mia was... disconnected. I had no idea why Adam loved her. For Where She Went, it was a similar problem. Everyone said they liked it better but at parts I liked it less then If I Stay. I had problems with why Adam & Mia and their chemistry.
ReplyDeleteI hate hype -.- it also ruined Divergent to me. I never read a review on Divergent but EVERYONE talked about it and when I read it in December, I really enjoyed it but I was like 'why is everyone selling their kidneys for this book?' oh well. Can't wait to see your review on Where She Went:D
Racquel @ The Book Barbies♥
-thank you&come again.
Where She Went is a thousands time better (in my opinion). It's one of my favorites books!
ReplyDeleteOh Adam, where does one begin to describe Adam? My love for him knows no limits.
I liked If I Stay, but it wasn't until I read Where She Went That I fell in love with both books. And Adam Wilde is definitely one of my favorite fictional characters of all time.
ReplyDeleteI loved this book, but Where She Went was the best! Sorry you didn't love it as much!
ReplyDeleteI really loved this book, but I can understand why you didn't enjoy it as much. I haven't read book 2 yet, but I look forward to hearing your thoughts on it. Great review :)
ReplyDeleteHave to agree with you about the hype-that is why I picked this up and I was let down. It wasn't bad but it wasn't the amazingness I had been led to expect.
ReplyDelete