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Personality Disorder
When Saffron and Blake set out to find her missing father they are plunged into a scenario of treachery and violence. Set in the future when all conflict between nations is banned but Civil war is allowed, this first novella by New Zealand author Megan Florence is an emotional portrayal of an alternative world.
Megan Florence is the winner of the Rangitawa Publishing Young Adult Award 2016.
Megan Florence is the winner of the Rangitawa Publishing Young Adult Award 2016.
136 pages, Paperback
Published June 22, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
September 18, 2016
This book feels more like a first draft than a complete and published book. The writing style is uncomplicated, perhaps better suited for a middle-grade audience rather than the young adult one it is aimed at. The plot is... rather weird, and, whilst some of the concepts are interesting, the execution needs work. The plot felt quite random, almost as though parts of it came from a computer game (the bottomless pit with the stepping stones, for example). And the fact that despite millions of people disappearing, no-one had managed to locate this large castle in the middle of a relatively open area, weirded me out. Of course, some of that was explained later. Kind of.
The characters feel rather lacking in personality, which makes sense, I guess, given that their Personalities are their companion spirits, living outside their bodies. It is heavy on exposition, especially in the first few pages, and rather light on sensorial imagery and emotion (too much "tell", very little "show"). I could not feel myself caring much for the characters, their plight, and what kept me going was a curiosity on whether there would be some big reveal, whether the whole "external personalities" concept would suddenly prove to serve a purpose.
When the twist came, yes, I was surprised, and felt I had received some pay-off for reading through 100-or-so pages of mediocrity, but then it was too rushed! There was time to savour in the way in which the tale had turned or the unexpectedness of the ending*.
I spent half the book wondering why neither of the characters seemed to realise that Sebastian had no Personality. I still find it very hard to believe that Blake wouldn't have noticed, Saffron was, of course, blinded by her crush, but surely Blake's jealousy would have led him into ultimate suspicion? In a world where everyone is followed by a glowing spirit, the first thing I would say to anyone without one was "Where's your Personality?" to which Sebastian could have replied, "He's shy." Or some-such.
The version I read also required considerable editing. I am hoping it is an early release/advance copy (although it does not indicate so anywhere on it).
* Not entirely unexpected, of course, I knew
The characters feel rather lacking in personality, which makes sense, I guess, given that their Personalities are their companion spirits, living outside their bodies. It is heavy on exposition, especially in the first few pages, and rather light on sensorial imagery and emotion (too much "tell", very little "show"). I could not feel myself caring much for the characters, their plight, and what kept me going was a curiosity on whether there would be some big reveal, whether the whole "external personalities" concept would suddenly prove to serve a purpose.
When the twist came, yes, I was surprised, and felt I had received some pay-off for reading through 100-or-so pages of mediocrity, but then it was too rushed! There was time to savour in the way in which the tale had turned or the unexpectedness of the ending*.
I spent half the book wondering why neither of the characters seemed to realise that Sebastian had no Personality. I still find it very hard to believe that Blake wouldn't have noticed, Saffron was, of course, blinded by her crush, but surely Blake's jealousy would have led him into ultimate suspicion? In a world where everyone is followed by a glowing spirit, the first thing I would say to anyone without one was "Where's your Personality?" to which Sebastian could have replied, "He's shy." Or some-such.
The version I read also required considerable editing. I am hoping it is an early release/advance copy (although it does not indicate so anywhere on it).
* Not entirely unexpected, of course, I knew
July 8, 2016
Absolutely amazing book . From start to finish this book will have you on the edge of your seat, waiting to see what happens next and how they will overcome the obstacles set before them.
This is without a doubt one of the best books I have read in a very long time.
This is without a doubt one of the best books I have read in a very long time.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews