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The Holo #1
Consider (1). Das Portal
As if Alexandra Lucas’ anxiety disorder isn’t enough, mysterious holograms suddenly appear from the sky, heralding the end of the world. They bring an ultimatum: heed the warning and step through a portal-like vertex to safety, or stay and be destroyed by a comet they say is on a collision course with earth. How’s that for senior year stress?
The holograms, claiming to be humans from the future, bring the promise of safety. But without the ability to verify their story, Alex is forced to consider what is best for her friends, her family, and herself.
To stay or to go. A decision must be made.
With the deadline of the holograms’ prophecy fast approaching, Alex feels as though she is living on a ticking time bomb, until she discovers it is much, much worse.
Finalist of the 2017 Philip K. Dick Award for science fiction
Winner of the 2016 PEN New England Children's Book Discovery Award
The holograms, claiming to be humans from the future, bring the promise of safety. But without the ability to verify their story, Alex is forced to consider what is best for her friends, her family, and herself.
To stay or to go. A decision must be made.
With the deadline of the holograms’ prophecy fast approaching, Alex feels as though she is living on a ticking time bomb, until she discovers it is much, much worse.
Finalist of the 2017 Philip K. Dick Award for science fiction
Winner of the 2016 PEN New England Children's Book Discovery Award
Hardcover
First published April 19, 2016
51 people are currently reading
4015 people want to read
About the author
Kristy Acevedo
5 books297 followersKristy Acevedo loves to write stories that make people think and give people hope. She is a public high school English teacher, gardener, and Star Trek fan. When she was a child, her “big sister” from the Big Brothers Big Sisters Program fostered her love of books by bringing her to the public library every Wednesday for seven years.
She earned her master’s degree in English and Secondary Education and has been teaching teens for over twenty years. Her debut novel won the PEN New England Susan P. Bloom Children’s Book Discovery Award, was a finalist for the Philip K. Dick award for distinguished science fiction, and was touted as one of Barnes & Noble Teen’s Top 13 Anticipated YA sci-fi books. She is also the accidental founder of the Monthly Twitter Writing Challenge. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband, two daughters, and two cats.
She earned her master’s degree in English and Secondary Education and has been teaching teens for over twenty years. Her debut novel won the PEN New England Susan P. Bloom Children’s Book Discovery Award, was a finalist for the Philip K. Dick award for distinguished science fiction, and was touted as one of Barnes & Noble Teen’s Top 13 Anticipated YA sci-fi books. She is also the accidental founder of the Monthly Twitter Writing Challenge. She lives in Massachusetts with her husband, two daughters, and two cats.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 205 reviews
March 15, 2023
1.5 Stars
This is a tricky review to write. This book was pretty dull right until the very last chapter. Now I have no choice but to read book two despite knowing that the same issues with boring characters and writing style will likely continue to plague the second installment. Yet I must know! As a side note however, in my opinion this was an incredibly accurate portrayal of anxiety. At some points I had to pause the book and marvel at the similarities in thought patterns between the main character and people in my life that are afflicted with severe anxiety. Just okay for me. I have begrudgingly secured book 2!
This is a tricky review to write. This book was pretty dull right until the very last chapter. Now I have no choice but to read book two despite knowing that the same issues with boring characters and writing style will likely continue to plague the second installment. Yet I must know! As a side note however, in my opinion this was an incredibly accurate portrayal of anxiety. At some points I had to pause the book and marvel at the similarities in thought patterns between the main character and people in my life that are afflicted with severe anxiety. Just okay for me. I have begrudgingly secured book 2!
April 20, 2017
Greatest book EVER.
I may be biased.
I hope you enjoy it :)
--Kristy Acevedo (the author)
Update:
Woohoo! School Library Journal gave CONSIDER a starred review!
"VERDICT Order multiple copies of this must-have"
http://www.slj.com/2016/06/reviews/bo...
CONSIDER is one of Barnes & Noble Teen 13 Top Anticipated YA sci-fi of 2016! http://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/te...
I may be biased.
I hope you enjoy it :)
--Kristy Acevedo (the author)
Update:
Woohoo! School Library Journal gave CONSIDER a starred review!
"VERDICT Order multiple copies of this must-have"
http://www.slj.com/2016/06/reviews/bo...
CONSIDER is one of Barnes & Noble Teen 13 Top Anticipated YA sci-fi of 2016! http://www.barnesandnoble.com/blog/te...
Read
March 23, 2018DNF 52%
February 21, 2017
The world is stunned when portals and holograms appear, claiming the earth is going to be destroyed by a comet. Told there is no hope but to step through into an alternate future, who will choose the unknown over the prophesied? As society starts to close down, the answer is suddenly not so clear anymore.
One of the Phillip K Dick award nominees for 2017, this is definitely a YA book, with a protagonist as concerned with her friends and romance as she is with the end of the world. But still, it was smart and there were plenty of big ideas and sciency scenarios to cement its place with the big kids. And the ending really did surprise me, even though it fit well with the motivations of the main character, setup, and plot.
My one complaint was the heavy handed way we were shown the main character's anxiety. By the 15th mention and Ativan popped, I got it. But then she meets with one good psychiatrist and it suddenly disappeared. 1) Those pills are linked to Alzheimer's, stop making them seem like a miracle and 2) someone with that level of severe anxiety is not going to have such an extreme turn around in the space of a couple of weeks.
Still, a solid contender and a cerebral notch above typical YA fare. I'm happy to see the range in this year's nominees.
One of the Phillip K Dick award nominees for 2017, this is definitely a YA book, with a protagonist as concerned with her friends and romance as she is with the end of the world. But still, it was smart and there were plenty of big ideas and sciency scenarios to cement its place with the big kids. And the ending really did surprise me, even though it fit well with the motivations of the main character, setup, and plot.
My one complaint was the heavy handed way we were shown the main character's anxiety. By the 15th mention and Ativan popped, I got it. But then she meets with one good psychiatrist and it suddenly disappeared. 1) Those pills are linked to Alzheimer's, stop making them seem like a miracle and 2) someone with that level of severe anxiety is not going to have such an extreme turn around in the space of a couple of weeks.
Still, a solid contender and a cerebral notch above typical YA fare. I'm happy to see the range in this year's nominees.
April 16, 2018
I actually wanted to know more about this alien holograms & more of this. not actually focus on teenage anxiety girl.
March 4, 2016
Actual Rating: 4.5*
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
With the synopsis -- and the holograms -- telling everyone to make a choice, I spent the whole novel weighing my options. Which made it a really fun and engaging read for me. I put myself into Alex's shoes and thought "What would I do in this situation?" At the end, when it was do or die, I had made the decision to stay. When you read the book, you should try this and see which decision is the right one. To stay or to go.
Let's start with our MC, Alex. I really liked her. She felt so real and made so many brave and great decisions throughout the novel. I liked being inside her mind and seeing her anxiety disorder up close and personal -- although I would warn anyone who suffers from anxiety to be cautious because some of her attacks are described so well that I found myself starting to have panic attacks of my own. So just a head's up on that one. But the descriptions and the portrayal was so accurate and that was so important to me. It was one of the main reasons I wanted to pick this one up, tbh. And it did not disappoint on that front.
I think what I liked most about this one is that while it is a Science Fiction novel, it is almost a pre-Science Fiction novel: (almost) all the events in this novel take place before the actual main event (which is the ending). So it was interesting to see the sort of pack mentality that cropped up in the people of the world as it came closer to the deadline. I think this was it's strongest point though. I think one of the biggest problems in YA Science Fiction is that we don't get to see characters think about the decisions they make -- they just make them and live with the consequences. In this one, we get to see Alex weigh her options before (and after) making her decision and having to live with the consequences every time she made a decision. And I think as time went on, I felt more and more connected to Alex. It was almost as though I adopted her personality and thinking as my own (I even started chipping at my nail polish! Why! I just painted them today!).
Acevedo really brings her characters to life in this one. I liked the side characters as well. They all had their own stories, arcs, and decisions to make. And while Alex's decisions impacted their lives, it didn't stop them from doing what they thought was best for themselves. I liked that as each character made a decision, it made Alex reevaluate what she believed in. But I also really liked that she stood firm in her beliefs no matter what others said to her. I do think some of them were a tad bit self-destructive, but we all make decisions like that sometimes.
My only tiny little complaint was that Alex started going for counselling and it was helping but then that plotline kinda got dropped. I know that Alex says her counsellor probably jumped ship but it seems like it had some potential to go some place and then was sort of forgotten. And I think I liked this arc so much because it was positive about therapy! Therapy isn't always a nightmare and while some people don't get help from it, lots of people do! And I just kinda wish it had been expanded on a bit more -- or at least acknowledged a bit more.
Overall, I highly highly highly recommend this one. It has a great MC who is strong even though she has a mental disorder! And it has holograms! And people being idiots but being called out for it! And it shows you legit what would happen if we had time to make a decision about staying or leaving. And this can transfer into any aspect of your life, really. If you have a choice to make, you have to consider your options. And THAT ENDING. OMG. It was something I really should have seen coming, but I was blindsided by it and LOVED IT ALL AT THE SAME TIME. I'm so glad I don't have to wait too long for the next book to come out, but until then: Pick up CONSIDER on April 19th, friends!
Books and Ladders | Queen of the Bookshelves | Books Are My Fandom | Twitter | Instagram | Bloglovin'
Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
With the synopsis -- and the holograms -- telling everyone to make a choice, I spent the whole novel weighing my options. Which made it a really fun and engaging read for me. I put myself into Alex's shoes and thought "What would I do in this situation?" At the end, when it was do or die, I had made the decision to stay. When you read the book, you should try this and see which decision is the right one. To stay or to go.
Let's start with our MC, Alex. I really liked her. She felt so real and made so many brave and great decisions throughout the novel. I liked being inside her mind and seeing her anxiety disorder up close and personal -- although I would warn anyone who suffers from anxiety to be cautious because some of her attacks are described so well that I found myself starting to have panic attacks of my own. So just a head's up on that one. But the descriptions and the portrayal was so accurate and that was so important to me. It was one of the main reasons I wanted to pick this one up, tbh. And it did not disappoint on that front.
I think what I liked most about this one is that while it is a Science Fiction novel, it is almost a pre-Science Fiction novel: (almost) all the events in this novel take place before the actual main event (which is the ending). So it was interesting to see the sort of pack mentality that cropped up in the people of the world as it came closer to the deadline. I think this was it's strongest point though. I think one of the biggest problems in YA Science Fiction is that we don't get to see characters think about the decisions they make -- they just make them and live with the consequences. In this one, we get to see Alex weigh her options before (and after) making her decision and having to live with the consequences every time she made a decision. And I think as time went on, I felt more and more connected to Alex. It was almost as though I adopted her personality and thinking as my own (I even started chipping at my nail polish! Why! I just painted them today!).
Acevedo really brings her characters to life in this one. I liked the side characters as well. They all had their own stories, arcs, and decisions to make. And while Alex's decisions impacted their lives, it didn't stop them from doing what they thought was best for themselves. I liked that as each character made a decision, it made Alex reevaluate what she believed in. But I also really liked that she stood firm in her beliefs no matter what others said to her. I do think some of them were a tad bit self-destructive, but we all make decisions like that sometimes.
My only tiny little complaint was that Alex started going for counselling and it was helping but then that plotline kinda got dropped. I know that Alex says her counsellor probably jumped ship but it seems like it had some potential to go some place and then was sort of forgotten. And I think I liked this arc so much because it was positive about therapy! Therapy isn't always a nightmare and while some people don't get help from it, lots of people do! And I just kinda wish it had been expanded on a bit more -- or at least acknowledged a bit more.
Overall, I highly highly highly recommend this one. It has a great MC who is strong even though she has a mental disorder! And it has holograms! And people being idiots but being called out for it! And it shows you legit what would happen if we had time to make a decision about staying or leaving. And this can transfer into any aspect of your life, really. If you have a choice to make, you have to consider your options. And THAT ENDING. OMG. It was something I really should have seen coming, but I was blindsided by it and LOVED IT ALL AT THE SAME TIME. I'm so glad I don't have to wait too long for the next book to come out, but until then: Pick up CONSIDER on April 19th, friends!
Books and Ladders | Queen of the Bookshelves | Books Are My Fandom | Twitter | Instagram | Bloglovin'
May 31, 2016
Kristy Acevedo’s debut novel for young adults is a taut sci-fi thriller featuring a unique concept and a complex protagonist. Consider (Book 1 of The Holo Series) is garnering much attention and has already won the 2015 PEN New England Susan P. Bloom Children’s Book Discovery Award and has been named to Barnes and Nobles’ “13 Most Anticipated Science Fiction YAs of 2016.”
Measured pacing, captivating relationships and unexpected plot turns make Consider an exciting debut. And the breathtaking conclusion will leave you yearning for the second book, Contribute to be published ASAP. (Lucky for you, it is slated to be published in January 2017)
Measured pacing, captivating relationships and unexpected plot turns make Consider an exciting debut. And the breathtaking conclusion will leave you yearning for the second book, Contribute to be published ASAP. (Lucky for you, it is slated to be published in January 2017)
April 15, 2017
I loved this book so much!
The main character, Alexandra, suffers from anxiety. (Something I relate to a little too well. Trying to make it as an author makes my anxiety worse, but in an ironic twist, writing and getting lost in a character's head makes it better. How's that for tricky?! But I digress. Back to the book).
Alexandra's anxiety is exacerbated when giant holograms appear in the sky proclaiming that a comet will obliterate Earth in just a few months. Oops! Bye bye everyone. Of course, the world is frantic to destroy the comet before it reaches Earth. But the holos offer an alternative. Humans are welcome to step through the vertexes to save themselves.
Humanity pauses. Should they abandon Earth to save themselves? Or should they attempt to save the planet?
Everyone has a different opinion. Alexandra, her boyfriend, and her family all disagree on what should be done, as does the rest of the world population. Resources diminish, banks close, people quit their jobs. After all, what's the point of anything when the whole world will be blown to smithereens in a few short months?
I loved the romantic relationship between Alexandra and Dominick. But the best aspect of the book was the sci-fi. Disaster has a way of bringing out the best--or the worst--in people. Some become animals, while others show just how HUMAN they really are. I loved how the author weaved that throughout the story. She kept me guessing till the final page. I NEVER saw that ending coming.
July can't come fast enough so I can get my hands on the final book.
The main character, Alexandra, suffers from anxiety. (Something I relate to a little too well. Trying to make it as an author makes my anxiety worse, but in an ironic twist, writing and getting lost in a character's head makes it better. How's that for tricky?! But I digress. Back to the book).
Alexandra's anxiety is exacerbated when giant holograms appear in the sky proclaiming that a comet will obliterate Earth in just a few months. Oops! Bye bye everyone. Of course, the world is frantic to destroy the comet before it reaches Earth. But the holos offer an alternative. Humans are welcome to step through the vertexes to save themselves.
Humanity pauses. Should they abandon Earth to save themselves? Or should they attempt to save the planet?
Everyone has a different opinion. Alexandra, her boyfriend, and her family all disagree on what should be done, as does the rest of the world population. Resources diminish, banks close, people quit their jobs. After all, what's the point of anything when the whole world will be blown to smithereens in a few short months?
I loved the romantic relationship between Alexandra and Dominick. But the best aspect of the book was the sci-fi. Disaster has a way of bringing out the best--or the worst--in people. Some become animals, while others show just how HUMAN they really are. I loved how the author weaved that throughout the story. She kept me guessing till the final page. I NEVER saw that ending coming.
July can't come fast enough so I can get my hands on the final book.
August 13, 2016
This book surprised me and I am not easily surprised. I was expecting another sci-fi/insta-love YA novel and I found a very well written book about pulling oneself together and making tough decisions.
The ending took me aback ; I could have predicted it but I was too worried about the characters to even think about it.
It is a science-fiction novel but that's not the most important part of the plot.It is in fact the most realistic sci-fi book I've read lately because the author focuses on human behaviour much more than on fiction and action.
Kristy Acevedo has done a briliant job and this is her debut novel, I just can't wait for the next one.I would strongly recommend this novel to YA fans , sci-fi fans and the kind of people who always wonder what if....
www.theleisurediaries.blogspot.com
The ending took me aback ; I could have predicted it but I was too worried about the characters to even think about it.
It is a science-fiction novel but that's not the most important part of the plot.It is in fact the most realistic sci-fi book I've read lately because the author focuses on human behaviour much more than on fiction and action.
Kristy Acevedo has done a briliant job and this is her debut novel, I just can't wait for the next one.I would strongly recommend this novel to YA fans , sci-fi fans and the kind of people who always wonder what if....
www.theleisurediaries.blogspot.com
July 13, 2018
3,5 Sterne :)
January 18, 2016
I was able to read an e-ARC as Kristy is one of my JFP buddies.
I'm not sure what to say about CONSIDER, in the sense of where to begin, where to end, the thoughts in the middle--I suppose that's appropriate for a book that will have a sequel. As well, as a disclaimer, I'm not big on SFF, so this comes from the perspective of a writer/reader who takes things very literally. So, in typical me-fashion, I'll stick with the standouts.
The descriptions of anxiety attacks, in particular, though out of context crude, bathroom emergencies, were extremely well-done, and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed reading them. Perhaps this was because it was something many people would be able to empathize with. By far, these descriptions were what made the book for me. A few times, I'd lose my breath because of the fear.
Alex's relationship with Dominick was really lovely, as is her friendship with Rita. I was particularly fond of Rita.
The description of a military family who suffers the dysfunction that accompanies PTSD is palpable and something that probably many people will be able to identify with.
While I did predict the ending, that's something that usually happens with me. It was clever, tying into the themes of the novel, and I'm sure a lot of people will have a, "OMG" moment.
As I'm not a particularly huge SFF fan, I was unable to follow most of the references. I suspect people who enjoy the genre really will be delighted by the winks and nods.
Congrats on your debut, Kristy. Happy to be publishing buddies with you.
I'm not sure what to say about CONSIDER, in the sense of where to begin, where to end, the thoughts in the middle--I suppose that's appropriate for a book that will have a sequel. As well, as a disclaimer, I'm not big on SFF, so this comes from the perspective of a writer/reader who takes things very literally. So, in typical me-fashion, I'll stick with the standouts.
The descriptions of anxiety attacks, in particular, though out of context crude, bathroom emergencies, were extremely well-done, and I was surprised at how much I enjoyed reading them. Perhaps this was because it was something many people would be able to empathize with. By far, these descriptions were what made the book for me. A few times, I'd lose my breath because of the fear.
Alex's relationship with Dominick was really lovely, as is her friendship with Rita. I was particularly fond of Rita.
The description of a military family who suffers the dysfunction that accompanies PTSD is palpable and something that probably many people will be able to identify with.
While I did predict the ending, that's something that usually happens with me. It was clever, tying into the themes of the novel, and I'm sure a lot of people will have a, "OMG" moment.
As I'm not a particularly huge SFF fan, I was unable to follow most of the references. I suspect people who enjoy the genre really will be delighted by the winks and nods.
Congrats on your debut, Kristy. Happy to be publishing buddies with you.
July 3, 2017
I really liked the ending. Probably even enough for me to want to read the sequel. I liked the idea of the story too. And I liked the choice of a main character with anxiety disorder. Yet, I didn't like her all that much, possibly because it's a first person narrative. Also I felt the story dragged more than I would have expected. Still, the sequel might be awesome. I'll definitely be keeping an open mind, if I get to read it.
November 1, 2015
End of the world + female protagonist with an anxiety disorder? Does it get any better? This is an amazing story about what loyalty, trust, and family means. I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys sci-fi, people who don't enjoy sci-fi, and people who don't even like reading! This is the book.
April 26, 2016
Omg!!! The first two pages had me hooked! I would read a few pages at a time and then today I read about half the book and holy rollercoaster with the twists and turns. And that ending...lets just say I'm having major withdrawals. Kristy Acevedo has such a strong voice, I felt Alex's anxiety. And it was so cool reading about places that I've been too living in the same area where the story took place. You need to read this book!!!
April 29, 2016
I received a copy of this book for review, and since I haven’t been accepting books for review for over than two years, I was ready to dismiss the review request as I’ve done countless others.After looking at the cover and reading the synopsis, though, I decided to give this book a chance. I must admit, I was sceptical about this book. It sounded like a unique and interesting concept (to leave the world through a vertex and survive, or die in the fiery blaze of a stray comet), but I was wary that it was going to be similar to countless other post-apocalyptic YA novels where the MC follows her love-interest blindly to the ends of the earth without any thought about her loved ones or anyone else. Well, surprise, surprise! This novel is unique, has depth, gives you food for thought, was well planned, and none of the usual I expected.
I have so many good things to say about Consider, it’s hard to choose where to begin. For starters, I really liked the MC. Her biggest flaw is her anxiety and though that might sound like your usual flawed MC, this one is a little different. She has a boyfriend, Dominique, (and again this is starting to sound like your typical YA formula, but bear with me) whom she’s been dating for some time. I enjoyed the low-key romance they had. Their relationship felt comfortable and familiar,and the focus was more on how they flowed together as a couple. These are two mature teenagers with families whom they care about and decisions they have to make that don’t just revolve around their own survival or their relationship. I’m usually not a fan of romance in books, but I was completely on-board with this one.
The second thing I really got into in this story, were the family dynamics of Alex’s home life. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but for some reason I really liked her father. He is a typical military maniac, but there are layers to him, and I absolutely adored how Alex stuck with him and how he sort of became her priority. His animosity towards Dominique and life in general also made me laugh sometimes (not that I think PTSD is a laughing matter). Her family is just so flawed; what, with her mother trying not to fall apart while trying to keep her family from falling apart; her father with his PTSD, and her brother with whom she has a love/hate relationship. All of these things made her family and their circumstances so plausible and relatable. I also appreciated how the appearance of the vertexes and the decision they had to make regarding staying or leaving not only affected the MC, but also how it impacted on her entire family, and how the author shows us how each of them felt differently about the vertexes.
Mostly I enjoyed this book because it gives a realistic perspective on how the world might fall apart should it ever be placed before an uncertain choice. Every chapter explores a new scenario which would impact one way or the other on such a decision. How would the imminent end of our world affect the economy, different religions, and social behavior? How would governments react? I loved the systematic approach the author used as the world slowly descended into pandemonium.
Overall, this is a terrific, intelligently-written book that was hard to put down. I’m predicting that it will win many awards. I’m looking forward to reading the second instalment in this series, and hopefully there will also be a movie version in the near future.
I have so many good things to say about Consider, it’s hard to choose where to begin. For starters, I really liked the MC. Her biggest flaw is her anxiety and though that might sound like your usual flawed MC, this one is a little different. She has a boyfriend, Dominique, (and again this is starting to sound like your typical YA formula, but bear with me) whom she’s been dating for some time. I enjoyed the low-key romance they had. Their relationship felt comfortable and familiar,and the focus was more on how they flowed together as a couple. These are two mature teenagers with families whom they care about and decisions they have to make that don’t just revolve around their own survival or their relationship. I’m usually not a fan of romance in books, but I was completely on-board with this one.
The second thing I really got into in this story, were the family dynamics of Alex’s home life. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but for some reason I really liked her father. He is a typical military maniac, but there are layers to him, and I absolutely adored how Alex stuck with him and how he sort of became her priority. His animosity towards Dominique and life in general also made me laugh sometimes (not that I think PTSD is a laughing matter). Her family is just so flawed; what, with her mother trying not to fall apart while trying to keep her family from falling apart; her father with his PTSD, and her brother with whom she has a love/hate relationship. All of these things made her family and their circumstances so plausible and relatable. I also appreciated how the appearance of the vertexes and the decision they had to make regarding staying or leaving not only affected the MC, but also how it impacted on her entire family, and how the author shows us how each of them felt differently about the vertexes.
Mostly I enjoyed this book because it gives a realistic perspective on how the world might fall apart should it ever be placed before an uncertain choice. Every chapter explores a new scenario which would impact one way or the other on such a decision. How would the imminent end of our world affect the economy, different religions, and social behavior? How would governments react? I loved the systematic approach the author used as the world slowly descended into pandemonium.
Overall, this is a terrific, intelligently-written book that was hard to put down. I’m predicting that it will win many awards. I’m looking forward to reading the second instalment in this series, and hopefully there will also be a movie version in the near future.
January 23, 2016
I received an Advanced Reader Copy of this book in return for an honest review, which I am happy to provide because I loved this book! Loved it as in devoured it in one sitting, because I had to know how it all turned out.
For 17 year old Alex, life is full of choices. And every decision she makes - about her boyfriend Nicholas, her parents, where she's going to go to school after graduation - only serves to heighten her already out-of-control anxiety. And then the unthinkable happens: vertexes (or portals) appear all over the planet, inviting people to leave before a comet hits the earth and wipes out humanity, giving them several months to consider their choice. What to do?
Well what would YOU do? I asked myself that throughout the book. Acevedo takes us on a wild, yet authentically human ride in this book. We care about the characters: their struggles, their fears, their hopes. This is the first in a series, and you are going to be glad that Acevedo has decided to do more of these books. And if they are even half as good as this one, you're going to want to buy them, too! Well done!
November 15, 2015
SO good!! I'm a sucker for a good apocalyptic novel, and CONSIDER definitely delivered. I appreciated getting a perspective into anxiety disorder—Alex is a great protagonist to represent this because though she goes through a lot mentally and emotionally, she's also strong at the same time, even though she doesn't recognize it. The relationships are so believable and compelling and addicting. And the end BLEW MY MIND. I'm SO excited for the second book!!!
April 20, 2017
Easily one of my favorite reads of 2016. Exactly the kind of book I love, and beautifully executed to boot. Loved, loved, loved this book.
August 11, 2016
WTF. You do not end a book like that, it's just rude
Full review in Swedish here
Full review in Swedish here
June 27, 2019
This book has some plot, but is quite predictable. There is only one major plot twist and it is in the last chapter, I don't want to read 25 chapters before the action starts in the 26th and final chapter. The characters don't develop and there is definitely immoral content in the book. I wouldn't recommend this book for anyone, and if you do choose to read this, I would recommend that you proceed with caution and a guarded heart.
September 5, 2017
Wow... That was amazing!
While this book is kinda marketed as a sci-fi, to me it felt more like a contemporary with some sci-fi in the background.
Alexandra is a senior in high school, struggling with heavy anxiety and frequent panic attacks - and just to make things a little more complicated, the world might be ending.
No but really, this book tells the story of a young girl with mental health issues having to deal with the possibility of Earth's imminent destruction, and I am here for it!
As far as I know, this is the first in a duology, and the sequel will deal with more of the typical "teenager trying to be a hero" stuff, but I am super intrigued by the whole situation, and I am in love with the characters!
While this book is kinda marketed as a sci-fi, to me it felt more like a contemporary with some sci-fi in the background.
Alexandra is a senior in high school, struggling with heavy anxiety and frequent panic attacks - and just to make things a little more complicated, the world might be ending.
No but really, this book tells the story of a young girl with mental health issues having to deal with the possibility of Earth's imminent destruction, and I am here for it!
As far as I know, this is the first in a duology, and the sequel will deal with more of the typical "teenager trying to be a hero" stuff, but I am super intrigued by the whole situation, and I am in love with the characters!
February 19, 2016
Is the world really about to end? Should we try to escape to another world? Can we trust that the other world will be a good place for us?
CONSIDER asks a lot of intense questions, and I couldn't wait to find out how the characters answer them. After holograms announce that a comet is about to collide with earth, portals to another world open across the globe, and everyone must decide whether to evacuate. Every part of this premise is explored: whether governments should control access to the portals, whether prisoners should be allowed to exit Earth before serving their sentences, whether people should be required to pay debts before leaving, whether religions should embrace this salvation or reject it, whether world leaders have an obligation to stay behind and maintain order... and on and on. I really appreciate how every angle was explored. This book definitely kept my brain firing!
And then there are the personal ramifications to this disaster scenario. Our main character Alex must consider what her own choice will be. Does she owe it to her family to stick with them and stay behind if they don't want to leave? Should she consider the decisions her friends are making? Will she have to say goodbye to her boyfriend? Does she think the new world operates in a way that meshes with her own philosophies? Can she even trust that the earth is about to undergo an apocalypse? It's such an agonizing decision and I found myself going back and forth the whole time I was reading.
And... the ending. Wow. I may have shouted some things when I read the ending. Fair warning to you. :) :) I'm really looking forward to the sequel!
CONSIDER asks a lot of intense questions, and I couldn't wait to find out how the characters answer them. After holograms announce that a comet is about to collide with earth, portals to another world open across the globe, and everyone must decide whether to evacuate. Every part of this premise is explored: whether governments should control access to the portals, whether prisoners should be allowed to exit Earth before serving their sentences, whether people should be required to pay debts before leaving, whether religions should embrace this salvation or reject it, whether world leaders have an obligation to stay behind and maintain order... and on and on. I really appreciate how every angle was explored. This book definitely kept my brain firing!
And then there are the personal ramifications to this disaster scenario. Our main character Alex must consider what her own choice will be. Does she owe it to her family to stick with them and stay behind if they don't want to leave? Should she consider the decisions her friends are making? Will she have to say goodbye to her boyfriend? Does she think the new world operates in a way that meshes with her own philosophies? Can she even trust that the earth is about to undergo an apocalypse? It's such an agonizing decision and I found myself going back and forth the whole time I was reading.
And... the ending. Wow. I may have shouted some things when I read the ending. Fair warning to you. :) :) I'm really looking forward to the sequel!
June 28, 2016
The unique and suspenseful SF premise kept me reading, but where Consider really shines is in character development. As someone prone to anxiety, I found narrator Alex's inner struggles spot on, including her musing that the end of the world (as we know it) may be less stressful for her than for some people, because at last what's going on in the real world is more disastrous than the what-if scenarios that constantly play out in her head. The relationships, family and friendships and romantic, are realistic, and the complications that keep Alex from making a quick and easy decision are believable and at times nail-biting. A cliffhanger ending is a bit frustrating, but we have been promised sequels!
November 10, 2016
Dang—that ending! Stunningly done.
This book is really interesting in that it's kind of dystopian, kind of sci-fi, both mostly just this girl's life. How she reacts to these impending, potentially cataclysmic events and also how she reacts to her better-than-her-at-everything brother, her best friend, her boyfriend, her upcoming graduation and start of college. And also her anxiety. I've never experienced anxiety in my own life, but Acevedo's portrayal of it was beautiful, I thought.
And isn't it kind of cool to see a teenager with a mental illness as the protagonist in this crazy, unique, kind-of-dystopian world? I for sure thought it was.
And did I mention that ending????
I'm so excited to read CONTRIBUTE.
This book is really interesting in that it's kind of dystopian, kind of sci-fi, both mostly just this girl's life. How she reacts to these impending, potentially cataclysmic events and also how she reacts to her better-than-her-at-everything brother, her best friend, her boyfriend, her upcoming graduation and start of college. And also her anxiety. I've never experienced anxiety in my own life, but Acevedo's portrayal of it was beautiful, I thought.
And isn't it kind of cool to see a teenager with a mental illness as the protagonist in this crazy, unique, kind-of-dystopian world? I for sure thought it was.
And did I mention that ending????
I'm so excited to read CONTRIBUTE.
January 31, 2016
Lucky me -- I got to read an advance copy of this book. You'll have to wait until it's published!
Science fiction, fantasy or any other surreal stories are most successful when they are most human. And that's the key here. Alex, the protagonist and narrator has deep-felt anxiety issues and complex relationships with her family, friends, and boyfriend. The reality of her situation guides us seamlessly into a fantastic story. Step by step, we explore a drastically changed world, where we all must consider an invitation to escape the Earth's doom, and join a parallel world. I won't say more about the plot -- I'll leave that to the book itself.
Happy reading!
Science fiction, fantasy or any other surreal stories are most successful when they are most human. And that's the key here. Alex, the protagonist and narrator has deep-felt anxiety issues and complex relationships with her family, friends, and boyfriend. The reality of her situation guides us seamlessly into a fantastic story. Step by step, we explore a drastically changed world, where we all must consider an invitation to escape the Earth's doom, and join a parallel world. I won't say more about the plot -- I'll leave that to the book itself.
Happy reading!
May 9, 2016
This book is what happens when a great premise meets flawless execution. I can't go into details without getting spoilerish--can't help myself, this story is just too good. I will say that the MC is sympathetic and believable without resorting to any of the usual YA tropes--Mom and Dad are very much alive and central to the unfolding story. The dilemma is provocative and its unfolding is absolutely riveting. There's humor, horror, hope and frustration all masterfully evoked and propelled by the author's great use of language, pacing, and characterization. I could not put this down. And I cannot wait for the next installment.
April 1, 2016
So many feels.
Okay, so I burned through this book in a day because I couldn't put it down. The dilemma of Stay or Go is really well played out here and I felt physically tense at many points. The main character, Alex, grows and starts to come to grip with some big physical and emotional challenges here.
One reason for a star deduction is the whole "good thing my boyfriend is good at math but I'm good at words" thing near the beginning. Over all, though, I'm already psyched for book two. I'll definitely be tracking this series.
Okay, so I burned through this book in a day because I couldn't put it down. The dilemma of Stay or Go is really well played out here and I felt physically tense at many points. The main character, Alex, grows and starts to come to grip with some big physical and emotional challenges here.
One reason for a star deduction is the whole "good thing my boyfriend is good at math but I'm good at words" thing near the beginning. Over all, though, I'm already psyched for book two. I'll definitely be tracking this series.
March 20, 2016
Alexandra (Alex) is a 17-year-old whose future plans are completely overridden when 500 alien vertices appear all over the world.
These vertices are accompanied by holograms that foretell doom for the Earth in six months time. Purportedly there is a large comet on a collision course with the Earth and the only pathway to safety is to escape to another planet through a vertex. How will Alex and her family and friends deal with this situation? This was an exciting read and I was so happy to see that a sequel is coming. Yay!!
These vertices are accompanied by holograms that foretell doom for the Earth in six months time. Purportedly there is a large comet on a collision course with the Earth and the only pathway to safety is to escape to another planet through a vertex. How will Alex and her family and friends deal with this situation? This was an exciting read and I was so happy to see that a sequel is coming. Yay!!
January 13, 2016
First person isn't usually my favorite, but CONSIDER's 1st chapter had me in an instant. A protagonist with an anxiety disorder? With a sci-fi twist on the Apocolypse?
Yes PLEASE~
Yes PLEASE~
October 31, 2017
The start of Senior year: as Alexandra Lucas prepares for college, tries to choose a path for herself, is attempting to keep contact with her best friend Rita, and boyfriend, Dominick-- dealing with personal family issues and rapid decisions is already a burden that stimulates her anxiety. Yet then having an ordinary ride on a train with Dominick, it halts due to a strange occurrence of a sci-fi like hologram called a Vertex. This futuristic method of transportation claims that a comet will come to hit Earth in 6 months, and there is no other possible way to survive other than for the human race to enter a new world through the Vertex, and there is no way back to Earth. Is what the hologram claims is true? With only 4,393 hours-- can Alex make the right decision-- what's right for herself and her loved ones?
Overall, this novel was one of a kind. Unlike many other novels I've read, this one keeps my interest from one page to the next-- which is definitely the help of much dialogue. It also has a strong theme to it, as Kristy Acevedo displays these messages clearly throughout the story. The only grudge I have is that it does contain some uncomfortable content-- and unfortunately is necessary to read because it does come into play with the theme of the novel. Though I would definitely recommend this for sci-fi & suspense fans!
I think it was disappointing that the fact that Alex's personal thoughts were made way too dramatic. Don't get me wrong, this novel being written in first person can be really beneficial and can be something readers can relate to. But often times, Alex's thoughts seemed a bit of an exaggeration of most people-- even those with anxiety. These parts come in whenever she is trigged by anxiety-- which is triggered by stress. But then she is worrying about every little thing, such as a scene where she thinks there's going to be a terrorist who's going to attack during a regular class meeting. Then she feels like Dominick would hate her if she died because it would remind him of his father. Scenarios like this I see a lot of, and I realize that during this situation or people with anxiety would still worry more than others; but I don't think it's common for somebody to hate their dead girlfriend or an person with anxiety to worry about an apocalypse every single second. Even with the holograms, people still have the time to focus on unextreme topics.
There was some offensive content, such as the use of descriptive words for an intercourse between 2 individuals-- and the fact that a few scenes like this occur multiple times. Also there was cussing, which included f*#! two or three times, and the use of dam% repeatedly. I know this novel was made for the adolescent age group, but I myself do not cuss nor like hearing it, so that was somewhat personally offensive.
It was very appreciating that Kristy displayed the theme clearly throughout the book, and I feel that writing it in first person was deficiently creative. It's such a simple-- yet powerful message, and the title reveals it all! What would you do-- if you were faced with a moral dilemma, with an world apocalypse expected? How would you, and the world react? How does this change your life decisions-- who would you believe? How do you know for sure the crisis is real? All these come into one thing: considering everything and all that is valuable to you. Making one big life decision. What I find amazing about this novel is that I thought it would be all about living in another hologram. Not at all! It's about the suspense that takes place during these 4,393 hours remaining, what national leaders do, what religious people do, what takes place during this time of uncertainty and panic. Kristy is trying to demonstrate how the planet would respond to a crisis like this-- in which anything is possible in the future, so this comes to be just as valuable as an experience on another planet! Another part I admire is the fact that it was written in first person as told by Alex. She has a very unique perspective on the holograms and the world as a whole, and it helps to see what her as an individual is doing during these times. It also shows how relationships work, such as how family and love is affected by this occurrence. This describes how she reacts to their decisions and eventually, in the end-- forms her own.
I thought this excerpt from the novel was captivating, and descriptive of how some people don't take circumstances seriously enough. (This scene was too large, so I gave some backup information so the excerpt would make sense): So Alex was hanging out with a boy named Dan, who she calls "Dan the Drunk Dude." They're not really friends, but Dan keeps trying to convince her to go into the vertex because he claims it's not real. He attempts to "tease" and pretend to throw her in, until police officers guarding arrest him. But then he decides to prove it...
Dan snorts. "Be careful? Ooh, the vertex will get you. You're all insane. It's nothing but a glorified lava lamp. Harmless."
He sticks his foot into the vertex to demonstrate. The swirling mass envelops it, and Dan's face cohorts in confusion. He loses his balance. With hands in cuffs, he can't stop to himself from falling forward. The closest five officers grab hold of his body. A massive tug-of-war begins between Dan, the officers, and the vertex-- muscle verses technology. The hologram doesn't flinch.
Then in a blink, the vertex win. Dan's T-shirt rips, and a few of the officers stumble back. Dan's body is sucked into the vertex, pulling two officers with him.
Gone.
Swallowed.
Poof.
Just like that.
Overall, this novel was one of a kind. Unlike many other novels I've read, this one keeps my interest from one page to the next-- which is definitely the help of much dialogue. It also has a strong theme to it, as Kristy Acevedo displays these messages clearly throughout the story. The only grudge I have is that it does contain some uncomfortable content-- and unfortunately is necessary to read because it does come into play with the theme of the novel. Though I would definitely recommend this for sci-fi & suspense fans!
I think it was disappointing that the fact that Alex's personal thoughts were made way too dramatic. Don't get me wrong, this novel being written in first person can be really beneficial and can be something readers can relate to. But often times, Alex's thoughts seemed a bit of an exaggeration of most people-- even those with anxiety. These parts come in whenever she is trigged by anxiety-- which is triggered by stress. But then she is worrying about every little thing, such as a scene where she thinks there's going to be a terrorist who's going to attack during a regular class meeting. Then she feels like Dominick would hate her if she died because it would remind him of his father. Scenarios like this I see a lot of, and I realize that during this situation or people with anxiety would still worry more than others; but I don't think it's common for somebody to hate their dead girlfriend or an person with anxiety to worry about an apocalypse every single second. Even with the holograms, people still have the time to focus on unextreme topics.
There was some offensive content, such as the use of descriptive words for an intercourse between 2 individuals-- and the fact that a few scenes like this occur multiple times. Also there was cussing, which included f*#! two or three times, and the use of dam% repeatedly. I know this novel was made for the adolescent age group, but I myself do not cuss nor like hearing it, so that was somewhat personally offensive.
It was very appreciating that Kristy displayed the theme clearly throughout the book, and I feel that writing it in first person was deficiently creative. It's such a simple-- yet powerful message, and the title reveals it all! What would you do-- if you were faced with a moral dilemma, with an world apocalypse expected? How would you, and the world react? How does this change your life decisions-- who would you believe? How do you know for sure the crisis is real? All these come into one thing: considering everything and all that is valuable to you. Making one big life decision. What I find amazing about this novel is that I thought it would be all about living in another hologram. Not at all! It's about the suspense that takes place during these 4,393 hours remaining, what national leaders do, what religious people do, what takes place during this time of uncertainty and panic. Kristy is trying to demonstrate how the planet would respond to a crisis like this-- in which anything is possible in the future, so this comes to be just as valuable as an experience on another planet! Another part I admire is the fact that it was written in first person as told by Alex. She has a very unique perspective on the holograms and the world as a whole, and it helps to see what her as an individual is doing during these times. It also shows how relationships work, such as how family and love is affected by this occurrence. This describes how she reacts to their decisions and eventually, in the end-- forms her own.
I thought this excerpt from the novel was captivating, and descriptive of how some people don't take circumstances seriously enough. (This scene was too large, so I gave some backup information so the excerpt would make sense): So Alex was hanging out with a boy named Dan, who she calls "Dan the Drunk Dude." They're not really friends, but Dan keeps trying to convince her to go into the vertex because he claims it's not real. He attempts to "tease" and pretend to throw her in, until police officers guarding arrest him. But then he decides to prove it...
Dan snorts. "Be careful? Ooh, the vertex will get you. You're all insane. It's nothing but a glorified lava lamp. Harmless."
He sticks his foot into the vertex to demonstrate. The swirling mass envelops it, and Dan's face cohorts in confusion. He loses his balance. With hands in cuffs, he can't stop to himself from falling forward. The closest five officers grab hold of his body. A massive tug-of-war begins between Dan, the officers, and the vertex-- muscle verses technology. The hologram doesn't flinch.
Then in a blink, the vertex win. Dan's T-shirt rips, and a few of the officers stumble back. Dan's body is sucked into the vertex, pulling two officers with him.
Gone.
Swallowed.
Poof.
Just like that.
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