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Capsule
Two students from Brookwood High School mysteriously go missing on the same night.
The first is Peter Moon, a heartless pescatarian who bashes students from Brookwood on his blog, turning everyone against him. The second is the adored Kat Pike, an audacious girl desperate to boost her adrenaline. Three days pass. No leads.
Indifferent to the disappearances, sixteen-year-old Jackie Mendoza remains immersed in her virtual world of video games and online friends.
When a menacing app by the name of Capsule downloads itself onto Jackie's phone, she enters a game interlaced with reality. A game threatening to erase Peter and Kat forever. Only Jackie can save them now—but Capsule is the most ruthless game she's ever played.
Mel Torrefranca delivers a heart-wrenching thriller about unlikely friendships, bittersweet memories, and a never-ending search for answers best left forgotten.
The first is Peter Moon, a heartless pescatarian who bashes students from Brookwood on his blog, turning everyone against him. The second is the adored Kat Pike, an audacious girl desperate to boost her adrenaline. Three days pass. No leads.
Indifferent to the disappearances, sixteen-year-old Jackie Mendoza remains immersed in her virtual world of video games and online friends.
When a menacing app by the name of Capsule downloads itself onto Jackie's phone, she enters a game interlaced with reality. A game threatening to erase Peter and Kat forever. Only Jackie can save them now—but Capsule is the most ruthless game she's ever played.
Mel Torrefranca delivers a heart-wrenching thriller about unlikely friendships, bittersweet memories, and a never-ending search for answers best left forgotten.
255 pages, Kindle Edition
First published July 10, 2021
31 people are currently reading
1425 people want to read
About the author
Mel Torrefranca
6 books477 followersMel Torrefranca is an award-winning author from the San Francisco Bay Area, now residing in the jungly mountains of Northern Thailand. Her books feature morally gray characters, bold endings, and a pinch of awkward humor. Mel discovered her passion for writing at the age of seven and published her debut novel Leaving Wishville before graduating from high school. She also drinks way too many lattes.
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July 10, 2021UPDATE: Capsule is here! You can snag yourself an eBook, paperback, or hardcover from your favorite online retailer.
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
iBooks
Kobo
Check out my YouTube release video where I share a fast-paced rundown of Capsule's backstory from start to finish. Thank you to everyone who has supported this release by leaving reviews or spreading the word on social media. I am so grateful for such an amazing launch—I couldn't have done this without you.
____
I can't believe Capsule is coming July 10, 2021 🖤
I've been working on this novel for over a year now and I'm so excited to share it with you. If you're a fan of creepy, action-packed stories with plot twists and dark humor, why not give it a shot?
Please add Capsule to your Want To Read list. Let's START THE COUNTDOWN for July 10th!
CONTENT WARNINGS: profanity | eating disorder | crime | drowning | car accident
Amazon
Barnes & Noble
iBooks
Kobo
Check out my YouTube release video where I share a fast-paced rundown of Capsule's backstory from start to finish. Thank you to everyone who has supported this release by leaving reviews or spreading the word on social media. I am so grateful for such an amazing launch—I couldn't have done this without you.
____
I can't believe Capsule is coming July 10, 2021 🖤
I've been working on this novel for over a year now and I'm so excited to share it with you. If you're a fan of creepy, action-packed stories with plot twists and dark humor, why not give it a shot?
Please add Capsule to your Want To Read list. Let's START THE COUNTDOWN for July 10th!
CONTENT WARNINGS: profanity | eating disorder | crime | drowning | car accident
September 6, 2022
Just think, what would have happened if you were struck in a game in the real life, like a magic and no one else can know about it, and the goal of the game is to save the lives of two kids, I.e your classmates. OMG!!! Right, this is all so crazy. Just thinking about it made me feel so crazy, just imagine reading it, what heights of craziness did I enjoy 😍🥳🤩
This story is filled with action, emotions, grief, sibling-bonding, thrill, and a tad bit of romance. The book is all about a game, and to save lives of two kids, but that is not it, it explores the past, behaviour of people, emotions they face, the grief they encounter, the amount of energy they put to understand life. In our present day life, with the technology advancing to the next level, and with the Internet, our lives are revolving inside a capsule of fake environment, fake friends, and fake security, we are all living our lives in a bubble, thinking we are connecting and getting close to people but the truth is we are distancing ourselves from the real world, the bliss of being in between the nature, the bliss of interacting with people face to face, playing games on a PC, rather than in the sun, living our lives in social media, rather than in our surroundings. We feel we are connected to people but the truth is some of us don’t even know the person sitting beside us in classes or in our work.
“I guess that the past has power over us, but it doesn’t change who we are”
The book teaches us the essence of friendship, essence of the effect the past has on us, the essence of nature around us, essence of calm we require outside the Internet bubble, essence of living the life in real, and all this in the form of thrill and action packed book. This book is truly a must read for everyone.
Now coming to my rating : out of 5 stars
Cover : beautiful and attractive ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Title : perfect and apt ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot : intriguing and wonderful ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Character development : impeccable ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Writing style : perfect and the words delivered the emotions and descriptions perfectly and imaginable ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Originality : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overall : this is no doubt a 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star book for me, and I would give more stars if possible. Wonderful book with a wonderful story, wonderful theme and a wonderful moral, only deserves a wonderful rating 😅😅😅.
This story is filled with action, emotions, grief, sibling-bonding, thrill, and a tad bit of romance. The book is all about a game, and to save lives of two kids, but that is not it, it explores the past, behaviour of people, emotions they face, the grief they encounter, the amount of energy they put to understand life. In our present day life, with the technology advancing to the next level, and with the Internet, our lives are revolving inside a capsule of fake environment, fake friends, and fake security, we are all living our lives in a bubble, thinking we are connecting and getting close to people but the truth is we are distancing ourselves from the real world, the bliss of being in between the nature, the bliss of interacting with people face to face, playing games on a PC, rather than in the sun, living our lives in social media, rather than in our surroundings. We feel we are connected to people but the truth is some of us don’t even know the person sitting beside us in classes or in our work.
“I guess that the past has power over us, but it doesn’t change who we are”
The book teaches us the essence of friendship, essence of the effect the past has on us, the essence of nature around us, essence of calm we require outside the Internet bubble, essence of living the life in real, and all this in the form of thrill and action packed book. This book is truly a must read for everyone.
Now coming to my rating : out of 5 stars
Cover : beautiful and attractive ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Title : perfect and apt ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Plot : intriguing and wonderful ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Character development : impeccable ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Writing style : perfect and the words delivered the emotions and descriptions perfectly and imaginable ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Originality : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Overall : this is no doubt a 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ star book for me, and I would give more stars if possible. Wonderful book with a wonderful story, wonderful theme and a wonderful moral, only deserves a wonderful rating 😅😅😅.
July 16, 2021
Thank you NetGalley and Lost Island Press for the eARC for review!
____
2 kids on opposite ends of the social ladder go missing, and the rumours fly - Peter killed Kat. They ran away together. They were abducted. But when a mysterious app shows up on Jackie's phone with instructions to "save" the missing teens and erase the day, Jackie, Kat, and Peter must work together to win the game.
This book was surprisingly gripping. I'll admit, it took me a bit to get into (mostly because I was busy, not because the beginning was slow), but once I did, it took me on quite the journey.
The characters were the highlight for sure. What you see is definitely not what you get with Peter, Kat, and Jackie. The unlikely friendship that forms was lovely, and each of their personal struggles was complex and deeply-rooted. I also loved Jay, Jackie's brother, and the role he ends up playing in the novel. Something about estranged sibling relationships always gets me right in the gut.
Capsule is definitely a cool concept. I loved the idea of this fully immersive, magical, nonsensical game that only our main characters know about. I'm still deciding how I feel about the mystery surrounding it, but the more I ruminate, the more I think the novel ended perfectly. Not everything needs a perfect explanation or some sort of sci-fi plausibility. The fact that not every question is answered works really well for the structure of the book.
The writing was great (though I didn't feel necessarily that each character has a very distinct voice, given all their chapters were written in 3rd person). The memories were riveting, the underlying mystery of Kat's sister was an unexpected treat (though, yes, I saw the big reveal coming) and it was generally a very exciting book. Fun, even, despite the serious content.
A solid sci-fi read for anyone interested in something a little different!
____
2 kids on opposite ends of the social ladder go missing, and the rumours fly - Peter killed Kat. They ran away together. They were abducted. But when a mysterious app shows up on Jackie's phone with instructions to "save" the missing teens and erase the day, Jackie, Kat, and Peter must work together to win the game.
This book was surprisingly gripping. I'll admit, it took me a bit to get into (mostly because I was busy, not because the beginning was slow), but once I did, it took me on quite the journey.
The characters were the highlight for sure. What you see is definitely not what you get with Peter, Kat, and Jackie. The unlikely friendship that forms was lovely, and each of their personal struggles was complex and deeply-rooted. I also loved Jay, Jackie's brother, and the role he ends up playing in the novel. Something about estranged sibling relationships always gets me right in the gut.
Capsule is definitely a cool concept. I loved the idea of this fully immersive, magical, nonsensical game that only our main characters know about. I'm still deciding how I feel about the mystery surrounding it, but the more I ruminate, the more I think the novel ended perfectly. Not everything needs a perfect explanation or some sort of sci-fi plausibility. The fact that not every question is answered works really well for the structure of the book.
The writing was great (though I didn't feel necessarily that each character has a very distinct voice, given all their chapters were written in 3rd person). The memories were riveting, the underlying mystery of Kat's sister was an unexpected treat (though, yes, I saw the big reveal coming) and it was generally a very exciting book. Fun, even, despite the serious content.
A solid sci-fi read for anyone interested in something a little different!
June 24, 2021
Mel had my curiosity on YouTube. She had my attention in Leaving Wishville. Now she has my full support.
Two students from Jackie's high school mysteriously go missing on a Friday night. When a mysterious app appears on her phone, mentioning the disappearances of her fellow students, she is confused at first and just wants to delete it but the app refuses to go away. When she finally does open the app, a game starts she couldn’t even begin to fathom. She gets flung back into the past with a mission. Now it’s up to Jackie and the two about to go missing students to finish the game and stop them from disappearing while the clock is mercilessly ticking away.
What a rollercoaster ride. In terms of plot I’d consider this a step up from Leaving Wishville. Once again we’re treated with an enigmatic unraveling mystery but the stakes are higher. Not only that, but there are so many plot twists along the way to keep you guessing that the book as a whole feels like a puzzle. And as soon as you’re starting to see what the puzzle is going to look like, you’re handed some new pieces and they change everything.
The plot however is just the icing on the cake. The real draw is once again Mel’s characters. From the main characters to the side characters, Mel has a way of bringing such an amazing variety of characters to life. The characters are the heart of the story and will keep readers begging for more while the plot is the glue that keeps everything together.
Much like Leaving Wishville, friendship once again plays a huge part in this story and Mel manages to tackle this familiar theme in a new and creative way. If Leaving Wishville was about pushing people away, Capsule is more about looking past first impressions. Leaving Wishville made you realize the importance of the friendships you already have, while Capsule makes you realize you shouldn’t be afraid to open yourself up and make new friends.
Considering I managed to read this book in a single day, I’d say this is a very easy recommendation.
Two students from Jackie's high school mysteriously go missing on a Friday night. When a mysterious app appears on her phone, mentioning the disappearances of her fellow students, she is confused at first and just wants to delete it but the app refuses to go away. When she finally does open the app, a game starts she couldn’t even begin to fathom. She gets flung back into the past with a mission. Now it’s up to Jackie and the two about to go missing students to finish the game and stop them from disappearing while the clock is mercilessly ticking away.
What a rollercoaster ride. In terms of plot I’d consider this a step up from Leaving Wishville. Once again we’re treated with an enigmatic unraveling mystery but the stakes are higher. Not only that, but there are so many plot twists along the way to keep you guessing that the book as a whole feels like a puzzle. And as soon as you’re starting to see what the puzzle is going to look like, you’re handed some new pieces and they change everything.
The plot however is just the icing on the cake. The real draw is once again Mel’s characters. From the main characters to the side characters, Mel has a way of bringing such an amazing variety of characters to life. The characters are the heart of the story and will keep readers begging for more while the plot is the glue that keeps everything together.
Much like Leaving Wishville, friendship once again plays a huge part in this story and Mel manages to tackle this familiar theme in a new and creative way. If Leaving Wishville was about pushing people away, Capsule is more about looking past first impressions. Leaving Wishville made you realize the importance of the friendships you already have, while Capsule makes you realize you shouldn’t be afraid to open yourself up and make new friends.
Considering I managed to read this book in a single day, I’d say this is a very easy recommendation.
May 1, 2021
Mel captures this concept fluently and brings you along on a heart-pounding adventure of three unlikely teens brought together in the craziest and most fascinating way!
The relationship between the main characters developed well, and the plot was nicely paced, perfect for anyone with a short attention span (such as my self. 😉)
My only disclaimer is that it has a bit of language here and there, so I recommend it for older teen readers.
The whole idea is so stinkin creative and Mel executed it perfectly. I could definitely see this as a motion picture some day!
Great job with this, Mel! I cannot wait to read your next projects!
The relationship between the main characters developed well, and the plot was nicely paced, perfect for anyone with a short attention span (such as my self. 😉)
My only disclaimer is that it has a bit of language here and there, so I recommend it for older teen readers.
The whole idea is so stinkin creative and Mel executed it perfectly. I could definitely see this as a motion picture some day!
Great job with this, Mel! I cannot wait to read your next projects!
March 30, 2022
This book was a WILD. RIDE.
Capsule hooked me from the very beginning. It had been a while since I read a book I literally couldn’t put down (trying to read while making a snack isn’t easy). It’s not often you see characters this deeply flawed; it was beautiful and moving and real. The friendships built in this book and the gripping twists and turns it made drew me in and didn’t let me go.
Do I need a sequel? Yes. Yes I do. But did I still smile at the end? Also yes. :)
Quick word on content: there is some swearing in this book.
Capsule hooked me from the very beginning. It had been a while since I read a book I literally couldn’t put down (trying to read while making a snack isn’t easy). It’s not often you see characters this deeply flawed; it was beautiful and moving and real. The friendships built in this book and the gripping twists and turns it made drew me in and didn’t let me go.
Do I need a sequel? Yes. Yes I do. But did I still smile at the end? Also yes. :)
Quick word on content: there is some swearing in this book.
June 5, 2021
Capsule made my thriller-loving heart happy. I read it in the span of about three hours, and I enjoyed every minute of it.
Some of my favorite aspects included . . .
THE CHARACTERS. Although most of them could generally be considered "unlikeable," I absolutely loved reading about Jackie, Peter, and Kat, along with all the rest of the side characters. I felt they were very realistic and (in the case of Jackie and Peter) highly relatable. (Also, they all need hugs. The poor kids <3 <3 <3)
I also loved that, unlike a lot of thrillers that focus on fight scenes and general plot, the characters very much drove the plot in a way that felt organic and interesting.
Which, speaking of . . .
THE PLOT. Capsule has some of the most interesting, unexpected plot twists I've ever read about. The big ones at the end (those of you who've read it, you all know which ones I'm talking about) left me STUNNED and heartbroken at the same time. My mind is still blown.
But amazing plot twists aside, Capsule felt very well-paced. I could easily follow what was happening (well, as easily as one can when not all the information is given to you ;) ), and I was quite literally glued to my laptop screen, trying to read faster to find out what would happen.
One of my favorite parts of the story as a whole was CAPSULE, the app. I loved the mystery behind it and the *ahem* ending that came about because of it. It added a cool sci-fi aspect to the story that I absolutely adored.
But I think the parts I adored the most were THE THEMES. I could rave about these all day, but I won't say anything too specific about them here because of spoilers. ;) For now, I'll just say that the themes were powerful, presented in wonderful ways, and unforgettable. <3 <3 <3
(And one last thing I loved about this book were the pop culture references. Off the top of my head, I remember Big Hero 6 and a whole lot of Discord, both of which made my geeky, Internet heart happy. :D)
Overall, I would definitely recommend Capsule! I'm planning on pre-ordering/buying a physical copy as soon as I can, because this is one book I need on my shelf. If you like thrillers with a dark writing style and amazing characters with very real flaws, consider picking this book up! (And in the meantime, watch out for any apps mysteriously downloading on your phone . . .)
Some of my favorite aspects included . . .
THE CHARACTERS. Although most of them could generally be considered "unlikeable," I absolutely loved reading about Jackie, Peter, and Kat, along with all the rest of the side characters. I felt they were very realistic and (in the case of Jackie and Peter) highly relatable. (Also, they all need hugs. The poor kids <3 <3 <3)
I also loved that, unlike a lot of thrillers that focus on fight scenes and general plot, the characters very much drove the plot in a way that felt organic and interesting.
Which, speaking of . . .
THE PLOT. Capsule has some of the most interesting, unexpected plot twists I've ever read about. The big ones at the end (those of you who've read it, you all know which ones I'm talking about) left me STUNNED and heartbroken at the same time. My mind is still blown.
But amazing plot twists aside, Capsule felt very well-paced. I could easily follow what was happening (well, as easily as one can when not all the information is given to you ;) ), and I was quite literally glued to my laptop screen, trying to read faster to find out what would happen.
One of my favorite parts of the story as a whole was CAPSULE, the app. I loved the mystery behind it and the *ahem* ending that came about because of it. It added a cool sci-fi aspect to the story that I absolutely adored.
But I think the parts I adored the most were THE THEMES. I could rave about these all day, but I won't say anything too specific about them here because of spoilers. ;) For now, I'll just say that the themes were powerful, presented in wonderful ways, and unforgettable. <3 <3 <3
(And one last thing I loved about this book were the pop culture references. Off the top of my head, I remember Big Hero 6 and a whole lot of Discord, both of which made my geeky, Internet heart happy. :D)
Overall, I would definitely recommend Capsule! I'm planning on pre-ordering/buying a physical copy as soon as I can, because this is one book I need on my shelf. If you like thrillers with a dark writing style and amazing characters with very real flaws, consider picking this book up! (And in the meantime, watch out for any apps mysteriously downloading on your phone . . .)
August 5, 2021
Modern technology-driven YA thrillers? Not usually my thing. Yet, coming from the girl who usually reads middle-grade fantasy: Capsule is incredible.
Quick-paced but never rushed. High physical stakes, but always character-driven. Plot twists that hit you out of nowhere. Realistic characters with genuine emotions. Scenery that leaps off the page. Capsule is as addictive as the video games it weaves throughout the story.
Yet Capsule is so much more than just an adventure (as all the best stories are). Yep, this high-action, videogame thriller packs a powerful message about grief and what it means to live life well.
“Because good habits, for the wrong reasons, still do nothing but tear people apart.” - Capsule
It’s also always incredibly cool to see a writer’s voice and style evolve and improve. I loved Leaving Wishville, but Capsule is on another level. (Pun intended.)
I have no critiques. I would recommend this book to any teen or adult in my life trying to get out of a reading slump.
Content warning: Occasional use of mild to moderate swearwords. Used tastefully to add realism.
Quick-paced but never rushed. High physical stakes, but always character-driven. Plot twists that hit you out of nowhere. Realistic characters with genuine emotions. Scenery that leaps off the page. Capsule is as addictive as the video games it weaves throughout the story.
Yet Capsule is so much more than just an adventure (as all the best stories are). Yep, this high-action, videogame thriller packs a powerful message about grief and what it means to live life well.
“Because good habits, for the wrong reasons, still do nothing but tear people apart.” - Capsule
It’s also always incredibly cool to see a writer’s voice and style evolve and improve. I loved Leaving Wishville, but Capsule is on another level. (Pun intended.)
I have no critiques. I would recommend this book to any teen or adult in my life trying to get out of a reading slump.
Content warning: Occasional use of mild to moderate swearwords. Used tastefully to add realism.
April 24, 2024
5/5⭐️ This thing is so well crafted! Everything is very unexpected and just- Crazy. Crazy chaos.
An app downloads itself onto Jackies phone.
“PLAYER, WELCOME TO CAPSULE,” it reads.
Right above Jackie sees Peter Moon and Kathabelle Pike , two students who mysteriously vanished a few days prior.
“THE SUBJECTS ABOVE ARE IN DANGER. COMPLETE THE LEVELS IN TIME TO WIN THE GAME. READY FOR A CHALLENGE?”
Jackie, the gamer who uses “dude”, “bro” and “guys”. (Same, dude)
Kat, the trendy girl who… is rather insane. I mean, who doesn’t steal steal spoons from their work to fill the emptiness inside you?
and Peter. He is mean, he is rude and—if you get to know him—rather funny. He also writes blog posts about people from his school… and they’re not exactly the kindest.
Kat and Peter were pretty unlikable (in the beginning). But god, were they interesting! I looked forward to Jackie’s chapters, because she’s the one the book follows. But reading Kat being a manipulative b*tch and Peter being his mean cold self… it was extremely entertaining. Especially the way they struggled with themselves.
This book isn’t exactly about the game they have to complete. Well, that’s part of it. It’s really about friendship. God, that sounds cheesy. At the end of the book we learn that you can become friends with anyone, the most hated boy, and the most popular girl. It’s the character development for me.
I’m trying to wrack my brain for something I didn’t like about this book. They were either not important or there weren’t any, because I’ve got nothing.
originality: 5/5
writing: 4/5
plot and pace: 5/5
relationships: 5/5
characters: 1000/5
I also want to personally thank Mel for the awful Wattpad and Fortnite mentions…
(Oh btw, thx NetGalley, Mel Torrefranca and the publishers for giving me a free arc. (Even if I ended up buying the paperback anyways…))
An app downloads itself onto Jackies phone.
“PLAYER, WELCOME TO CAPSULE,” it reads.
Right above Jackie sees Peter Moon and Kathabelle Pike , two students who mysteriously vanished a few days prior.
“THE SUBJECTS ABOVE ARE IN DANGER. COMPLETE THE LEVELS IN TIME TO WIN THE GAME. READY FOR A CHALLENGE?”
Jackie, the gamer who uses “dude”, “bro” and “guys”. (Same, dude)
Kat, the trendy girl who… is rather insane. I mean, who doesn’t steal steal spoons from their work to fill the emptiness inside you?
and Peter. He is mean, he is rude and—if you get to know him—rather funny. He also writes blog posts about people from his school… and they’re not exactly the kindest.
Kat and Peter were pretty unlikable (in the beginning). But god, were they interesting! I looked forward to Jackie’s chapters, because she’s the one the book follows. But reading Kat being a manipulative b*tch and Peter being his mean cold self… it was extremely entertaining. Especially the way they struggled with themselves.
This book isn’t exactly about the game they have to complete. Well, that’s part of it. It’s really about friendship. God, that sounds cheesy. At the end of the book we learn that you can become friends with anyone, the most hated boy, and the most popular girl. It’s the character development for me.
I’m trying to wrack my brain for something I didn’t like about this book. They were either not important or there weren’t any, because I’ve got nothing.
originality: 5/5
writing: 4/5
plot and pace: 5/5
relationships: 5/5
characters: 1000/5
I also want to personally thank Mel for the awful Wattpad and Fortnite mentions…
(Oh btw, thx NetGalley, Mel Torrefranca and the publishers for giving me a free arc. (Even if I ended up buying the paperback anyways…))
June 1, 2021
First off — the trailer for this book is amazing. If you haven’t watched it, go to YouTube and check it out! I think it will make you want to read it all by itself.
As for my personal thoughts, the character dynamics are the most interesting part about this book. Mel wove in poetry, memories, and blog posts from Moral Moon. Each one of these added to the story, making it that much richer.
Peter Moon is my favorite part of this story. He’s the person you’d hate in real life, because you don’t know/understand him and you think he’s a jerk, but this story takes you on a journey with him, Jackie, and Kat. You get to sympathize with his struggles, understand how he came to be the way he is, and watch him as he grows and becomes a better person.
I think his struggle of wanting to be perfect and never being able to achieve it is so relatable and that’s why he’s my favorite. (Although I don’t have a blog called Moral Moon where I criticize people, which is definitely good. 😂)
There is some language, so be aware of that if it’s something you don’t want to read. But there isn’t a ton, either.
I thought there were several times when the characters solved things too easily. The conflict was really in the characters’ past and them learning to deal with that. Mel nailed their character arcs, but yes, I think the external conflict needed a little more work so there were more consequences for what happened.
But overall, I loved reading this story! Mel, you are killing it and I’m so proud of you! 💜
As for my personal thoughts, the character dynamics are the most interesting part about this book. Mel wove in poetry, memories, and blog posts from Moral Moon. Each one of these added to the story, making it that much richer.
Peter Moon is my favorite part of this story. He’s the person you’d hate in real life, because you don’t know/understand him and you think he’s a jerk, but this story takes you on a journey with him, Jackie, and Kat. You get to sympathize with his struggles, understand how he came to be the way he is, and watch him as he grows and becomes a better person.
I think his struggle of wanting to be perfect and never being able to achieve it is so relatable and that’s why he’s my favorite. (Although I don’t have a blog called Moral Moon where I criticize people, which is definitely good. 😂)
There is some language, so be aware of that if it’s something you don’t want to read. But there isn’t a ton, either.
I thought there were several times when the characters solved things too easily. The conflict was really in the characters’ past and them learning to deal with that. Mel nailed their character arcs, but yes, I think the external conflict needed a little more work so there were more consequences for what happened.
But overall, I loved reading this story! Mel, you are killing it and I’m so proud of you! 💜
June 8, 2021
This book is brilliant.
From the first page, it grabbed my interest and swept me away on a thrilling adventure. At first, I read the book simply for the ride - rather out of pure enjoyment of the suspense and action rather than the themes or characters.
But as I started to delve deeper into the pages, the interwoven themes started standing out to me. And goodness, there were so many.
Friendship, how we view others and life, technology, sacrifice, grief, mental illness - it's all in CAPSULE.
The characters were amazing - and while I didn't like most of them in the beginning, they all held so much depth that made them all relatable as the story progressed.
I think my favorite part of this novel is just how Torrefranca wove all those thought-provoking themes into an action-packed, suspenseful thriller novel.
The biggest thing I didn't like was the profanity. It just didn't seem necessary to me. There was quite a bit of it, too, and while that much usually would make me stop reading, I was too invested in the story and characters to do so.
Content warnings: Profanity (b**ch, s**t, d**n, a*s), a kiss, blood, eating disorder
Overall, this book managed to be both suspenseful and thought-provoking, with a touch of mystery. I'd recommend it to pretty much any YA reader who doesn't mind profanity. I would definitely be interested in reading Torrefranca's other works! :)
*Disclaimer: I received a free ARC copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*
From the first page, it grabbed my interest and swept me away on a thrilling adventure. At first, I read the book simply for the ride - rather out of pure enjoyment of the suspense and action rather than the themes or characters.
But as I started to delve deeper into the pages, the interwoven themes started standing out to me. And goodness, there were so many.
Friendship, how we view others and life, technology, sacrifice, grief, mental illness - it's all in CAPSULE.
The characters were amazing - and while I didn't like most of them in the beginning, they all held so much depth that made them all relatable as the story progressed.
I think my favorite part of this novel is just how Torrefranca wove all those thought-provoking themes into an action-packed, suspenseful thriller novel.
The biggest thing I didn't like was the profanity. It just didn't seem necessary to me. There was quite a bit of it, too, and while that much usually would make me stop reading, I was too invested in the story and characters to do so.
Content warnings: Profanity (b**ch, s**t, d**n, a*s), a kiss, blood, eating disorder
Overall, this book managed to be both suspenseful and thought-provoking, with a touch of mystery. I'd recommend it to pretty much any YA reader who doesn't mind profanity. I would definitely be interested in reading Torrefranca's other works! :)
*Disclaimer: I received a free ARC copy from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*
July 28, 2024
CAPSULE by Mel Torrefranca, is by far one of the best books that I've ever read. The main theme of the book is friendship; the role friends play in one's life. But besides that, the book deals with themes of loss, grief and moving on. The book is a real page turner, keeping the reader at the edge of their seat the whole time. The characters are well developed and their dynamic with each other is exceptionally written. The plot is extremely creative and engaging. Overall, I recommend this book to anyone looking for a fast-paced novel that evokes the perfect balance of heart-wrenching emotions.
******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
I received a beta copy as well as an ARC copy of this novel and decided o write reviews based on both, because why not?
After the beta copy: CAPSULE by MEL
TORREFRANCA. Where do I begin?! I read the entire novel in a day, bumping stuff off my schedule and compromising on sleep, an honor *PUBLISHED* books seldom receive. By a chapter and a half, I was done making notes. Miss Torrefranca managed to surprise me quite a bit because books with blurbs such as Capsule’s tend to have a very stereotypical plot and absolutely no character development, but Capsule is just the opposite! At no point could I have predicted what was going to happen next and the character development, what can I say?! After I was done, I could only think of the characters and their internal conflict. I felt like I knew them through and through, like I was them. Once I was done reading Capsule, it was ingrained in my mind. I was reluctant to begin reading anything else!
Torrefranca’s writing is poetic and beautiful. After I was done, I was constantly repeating lines in my head. You wouldn’t need to re-read sentences or paragraphs several times to understand, so you can easily read it while your eyes are drooping but at the same time, you wouldn’t feel like you are being treated like a five-year-old. While reading the book you wouldn’t have to constantly google words but by the end, you will be lying to say your vocabulary and phrases have not increased unless you have learned the dictionary, in which case no book can do that).
This book will always hold a special place in my heart and I will always remember it. I would highly recommend reading this book at some point in your life.
Review after the ARC copy: I was fortunate enough to be a beta reader and recieve and ARC copy of this novel and it was....!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ngl, when I started reading the ARC, I was despirited No, I was disappointed. I had throughly enjoyed beta reading it and I was not a fan of the one or two chapters, I preferred (and still do) the beta version of it better. But nevertheless, I pushed myself through and boy oh boy I don't regret it for a single second! I can see why Miss Torrefranca was 'embarrassed' of the beta version. The edited version was soooooo good! The author had further developed the characters and gave them more depth to their already detailed personality and general internal conflict. Scenes were modified for the better and the ending was more compelling than it had been in the beta version! I love the updates that occurred to the 'menencing app Capsule' that downloaded itself on Jackie's phone and the little increase in the number of side characters.
This will definitely count in my top 5 reads of 2021 (and I'm currently reading like a mad woman)
******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
I received a beta copy as well as an ARC copy of this novel and decided o write reviews based on both, because why not?
After the beta copy: CAPSULE by MEL
TORREFRANCA. Where do I begin?! I read the entire novel in a day, bumping stuff off my schedule and compromising on sleep, an honor *PUBLISHED* books seldom receive. By a chapter and a half, I was done making notes. Miss Torrefranca managed to surprise me quite a bit because books with blurbs such as Capsule’s tend to have a very stereotypical plot and absolutely no character development, but Capsule is just the opposite! At no point could I have predicted what was going to happen next and the character development, what can I say?! After I was done, I could only think of the characters and their internal conflict. I felt like I knew them through and through, like I was them. Once I was done reading Capsule, it was ingrained in my mind. I was reluctant to begin reading anything else!
Torrefranca’s writing is poetic and beautiful. After I was done, I was constantly repeating lines in my head. You wouldn’t need to re-read sentences or paragraphs several times to understand, so you can easily read it while your eyes are drooping but at the same time, you wouldn’t feel like you are being treated like a five-year-old. While reading the book you wouldn’t have to constantly google words but by the end, you will be lying to say your vocabulary and phrases have not increased unless you have learned the dictionary, in which case no book can do that).
This book will always hold a special place in my heart and I will always remember it. I would highly recommend reading this book at some point in your life.
Review after the ARC copy: I was fortunate enough to be a beta reader and recieve and ARC copy of this novel and it was....!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ngl, when I started reading the ARC, I was despirited No, I was disappointed. I had throughly enjoyed beta reading it and I was not a fan of the one or two chapters, I preferred (and still do) the beta version of it better. But nevertheless, I pushed myself through and boy oh boy I don't regret it for a single second! I can see why Miss Torrefranca was 'embarrassed' of the beta version. The edited version was soooooo good! The author had further developed the characters and gave them more depth to their already detailed personality and general internal conflict. Scenes were modified for the better and the ending was more compelling than it had been in the beta version! I love the updates that occurred to the 'menencing app Capsule' that downloaded itself on Jackie's phone and the little increase in the number of side characters.
This will definitely count in my top 5 reads of 2021 (and I'm currently reading like a mad woman)
May 17, 2021
I received an eARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review
wow! where do I even begin!! first, I want to say that this book was SO GOOD 😩😩
honestly I’m really not exaggerating here but the writing, characters, & plot rival some ny times bestselling YA thrillers.
(this is kind of a weird comparison— since there is technically no murder in Capsule ) but frankly, this felt like reading books such as one of us is lying, a good girls guide to murder and similar YA books but with SUCH a creative sci-fi twist and incredibly well crafted plot and characters
so let’s talk characters
Mel Torrefranca crafted reallyy intricate and believable characters. They were flawed & made a ton of mistakes haha but we could genuinely see their motivations and why they do what they do
JACKIE:
sooo I REALLY liked Jackie’s character. I feel like a lot of us can relate to her (even me when I’ve literally never played video games😃) I could really sympathize with her and understand her and just ahh she’s so well written —- I especially liked how Mel built Jackie’s relationship with her brother (solid sibling relationship right there)
KAT:
okay so kat’s character was just SO interesting, it’s probably one of the first times I’ve read a character quite like her. she’s our favorite popular, fashionable, kleptomaniac and I love her (really kat tho stop shoplifting lol) on a more serious note, the fact that Mel showed the more “ugly” sides of grief with kat was so refreshing, we saw the guilt kat felt at her inability to “properly “ grief and the ways she was unable to deeply feel anything
PETER:
oh gosh, where do I even begin, I just wanted to reach into the book and hug peter because I felt SO much sympathy towards him (he does some terrible things I can’t argue but I just felt really sorry for him) of course I do NOT like the way he exposes people and the way he’s sometimes just straight up mean but ok I’m just gonna stop so I don’t accidentally spoil anything 😭
these were the 3 major characters although all the other characters were just as great
now let’s talk plot
okay so this was one of the most creative plots I’ve read in quite some time. it has mystery, intrigue, suspense,some sci-if elements and so much more!!
( I’m not going to go into details so that this review remains spoiler free)
now Mel Torrefranca also deals with themes of the internet & social media which I found to be extremely relevant to today’s society, all the social commentaries Mel hinted at were so thought provoking and really made me stop and think
also I had to add this in here sorry, but the one thing I slightly didn’t like (this is probably only me because I’m really curious when it comes to books haha) but I would’ve really loved to see how the Capsule actually actually came to be like who was behind it all, you know?
anyways I really really enjoyed reading this// again thank you so so much Mel Torrefranca for giving me this wonderful opportunity to be an ARC reader for Capsule and for blessing us with this incredible book. (which comes out July 10th, don’t forget to preorder if you’re interested!!)
wow! where do I even begin!! first, I want to say that this book was SO GOOD 😩😩
honestly I’m really not exaggerating here but the writing, characters, & plot rival some ny times bestselling YA thrillers.
(this is kind of a weird comparison— since there is technically no murder in Capsule ) but frankly, this felt like reading books such as one of us is lying, a good girls guide to murder and similar YA books but with SUCH a creative sci-fi twist and incredibly well crafted plot and characters
so let’s talk characters
Mel Torrefranca crafted reallyy intricate and believable characters. They were flawed & made a ton of mistakes haha but we could genuinely see their motivations and why they do what they do
JACKIE:
sooo I REALLY liked Jackie’s character. I feel like a lot of us can relate to her (even me when I’ve literally never played video games😃) I could really sympathize with her and understand her and just ahh she’s so well written —- I especially liked how Mel built Jackie’s relationship with her brother (solid sibling relationship right there)
KAT:
okay so kat’s character was just SO interesting, it’s probably one of the first times I’ve read a character quite like her. she’s our favorite popular, fashionable, kleptomaniac and I love her (really kat tho stop shoplifting lol) on a more serious note, the fact that Mel showed the more “ugly” sides of grief with kat was so refreshing, we saw the guilt kat felt at her inability to “properly “ grief and the ways she was unable to deeply feel anything
PETER:
oh gosh, where do I even begin, I just wanted to reach into the book and hug peter because I felt SO much sympathy towards him (he does some terrible things I can’t argue but I just felt really sorry for him) of course I do NOT like the way he exposes people and the way he’s sometimes just straight up mean but ok I’m just gonna stop so I don’t accidentally spoil anything 😭
these were the 3 major characters although all the other characters were just as great
now let’s talk plot
okay so this was one of the most creative plots I’ve read in quite some time. it has mystery, intrigue, suspense,some sci-if elements and so much more!!
( I’m not going to go into details so that this review remains spoiler free)
now Mel Torrefranca also deals with themes of the internet & social media which I found to be extremely relevant to today’s society, all the social commentaries Mel hinted at were so thought provoking and really made me stop and think
also I had to add this in here sorry, but the one thing I slightly didn’t like (this is probably only me because I’m really curious when it comes to books haha) but I would’ve really loved to see how the Capsule actually actually came to be like who was behind it all, you know?
anyways I really really enjoyed reading this// again thank you so so much Mel Torrefranca for giving me this wonderful opportunity to be an ARC reader for Capsule and for blessing us with this incredible book. (which comes out July 10th, don’t forget to preorder if you’re interested!!)
August 1, 2021
Okay. So CAPSULE was one wild ride of a read! I finished it in one day (along with a lot of other people, it seems...) and that's perfect, because the entire book actually takes place over only one day! (Except for something at the end...)
Now, this book is not anything like what I normally read. This is a YA sci-fi/contemporary thriller video game thing; I'm into epic fantasy, like the works of Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson. There's a big difference there, but I found that I actually REALLY ENJOYED this book.
So, we have the whole concept. I really liked that the book was set over just one day; I think it really advances the tension and makes you turn the pages faster. (Night of Knives, by Ian C. Esslemont, is another book taking place over one day (actually, only one night!) and I enjoyed that as well.) The chapters were also relatively short—another gripping factor.
Capsule's origins were a bit mysterious... However...
I think this book really needs a sequel. It DESERVES a sequel. It can stand alone, of course, but it would tie up the few loose strands left (such as where Capsule came from), and it would just be so wonderful to read more about Jackie, Peter, and Kat.
As I was reading the final pages (95%), I was already composing my review. I was going to rate the book four stars. But, as I read the last scene, it was upped to five for me. That last part...it was one of the best moments in the book.
All in all, I would rate CAPSULE five out of five stars (*****), or 9 out of 10 stars (**********). It was a very fast-paced read, and one I would certainly recommend.
P.S. The only downside is that there is some profanity. S**t is used three times, along with b*tch once or twice, but it didn't really downgrade the experience. I think it's worth reading still. (Plus, the author gives a clear indication of the cursing and other content on the Goodreads page, unlike a lot of authors!)
CONTENT RATINGS:
Sexual: One kiss. That's all.
Profanity: Detailed above.
Violence: A girl points a gun at a grown man, but does not fire. A boy smashes car windows with rocks and cuts his hands. A girl falls from a tree and injures her arm.
Now, this book is not anything like what I normally read. This is a YA sci-fi/contemporary thriller video game thing; I'm into epic fantasy, like the works of Robert Jordan and Brandon Sanderson. There's a big difference there, but I found that I actually REALLY ENJOYED this book.
So, we have the whole concept. I really liked that the book was set over just one day; I think it really advances the tension and makes you turn the pages faster. (Night of Knives, by Ian C. Esslemont, is another book taking place over one day (actually, only one night!) and I enjoyed that as well.) The chapters were also relatively short—another gripping factor.
Capsule's origins were a bit mysterious... However...
I think this book really needs a sequel. It DESERVES a sequel. It can stand alone, of course, but it would tie up the few loose strands left (such as where Capsule came from), and it would just be so wonderful to read more about Jackie, Peter, and Kat.
As I was reading the final pages (95%), I was already composing my review. I was going to rate the book four stars. But, as I read the last scene, it was upped to five for me. That last part...it was one of the best moments in the book.
All in all, I would rate CAPSULE five out of five stars (*****), or 9 out of 10 stars (**********). It was a very fast-paced read, and one I would certainly recommend.
P.S. The only downside is that there is some profanity. S**t is used three times, along with b*tch once or twice, but it didn't really downgrade the experience. I think it's worth reading still. (Plus, the author gives a clear indication of the cursing and other content on the Goodreads page, unlike a lot of authors!)
CONTENT RATINGS:
Sexual: One kiss. That's all.
Profanity: Detailed above.
Violence: A girl points a gun at a grown man, but does not fire. A boy smashes car windows with rocks and cuts his hands. A girl falls from a tree and injures her arm.
July 4, 2021
3.5/5 stars.
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a free eARC for this!
Capsule is a brilliant thrilling novel that is hard to put down. The novel follows Jackie who finds a mysterious app on her phone following the disappearances of two of her classmates, and suddenly finds herself back in time before their disappearance working against the clock to stop whatever fate that awaits them. It's got a fast-paced plot and interesting protagonists - they're not entirely likeable, but they're not supposed to be. Peter, Jackie, and Kat are all outsiders that find themselves stuck together to solve this mystery and follow the rules of Capsule to finish the game. Some of their interactions irked me as it seemed repetitive with their fights and really doubling down on the issues that they had, but overall I enjoyed reading their character growth even if it did feel more show than tell.
Overall a really good thriller novel that will keep you on your toes.
content warnings:
Thank you to Netgalley for providing me with a free eARC for this!
Capsule is a brilliant thrilling novel that is hard to put down. The novel follows Jackie who finds a mysterious app on her phone following the disappearances of two of her classmates, and suddenly finds herself back in time before their disappearance working against the clock to stop whatever fate that awaits them. It's got a fast-paced plot and interesting protagonists - they're not entirely likeable, but they're not supposed to be. Peter, Jackie, and Kat are all outsiders that find themselves stuck together to solve this mystery and follow the rules of Capsule to finish the game. Some of their interactions irked me as it seemed repetitive with their fights and really doubling down on the issues that they had, but overall I enjoyed reading their character growth even if it did feel more show than tell.
Overall a really good thriller novel that will keep you on your toes.
content warnings:
August 15, 2021
I got an arc in exchange for a review from Netgalley!
Find this and more reviews on my blog!
If I had to describe Capsule in one sentence, it'd be "Ya mystery meets (light) sci-fi meets high school drama". This book really doesn't fit into one genre which makes it only more interesting!
When the most hated boy and the most popular girl at Brookwood High go missing on the same day, the whole school is in turmoil. But only outsider and gamer girl Jackie will be able to find out what happened to them when a mysterious app shows up on her phone that makes Jackie the main player in a game meant to uncover the truth.
Capsule is a well written, interesting book and I always wanted to know what would happen next. It's a rather quick read and doesn't get boring once! The mystery Jackie uncovers is well constructed and holds more than a few surprises.
The main characters, Jackie, Kat, and Peter, are well developed with their own personalities. There are some clichés surrounding them that can be found in many high school characters, but all in all they are well rounded. I especially liked how different they are. Ultimately, this is also a story about friendships and I really liked the message to not judge people on first impressions because you never know their whole story.
So why only 3 stars? Unfortunately, the whole aspect with the mysterious app that starts the adventure for Jackie is never explained. I was waiting for some big reveal in the end but that never happened. The whole aspect that made me become interested in the book in the first place - a mysterious app playing with people's lives - ultimately was just a plot device used to develop the characters and I'm quite disappointed with that.
I still overall liked the book because it was well written and I also really liked the mystery and the character development, but I have to take a star away because the ending didn't satisfy me at all. I would recommend it if you're looking for a ya/high school mystery but don't expect much sci-fi stuff.
Find this and more reviews on my blog!
If I had to describe Capsule in one sentence, it'd be "Ya mystery meets (light) sci-fi meets high school drama". This book really doesn't fit into one genre which makes it only more interesting!
When the most hated boy and the most popular girl at Brookwood High go missing on the same day, the whole school is in turmoil. But only outsider and gamer girl Jackie will be able to find out what happened to them when a mysterious app shows up on her phone that makes Jackie the main player in a game meant to uncover the truth.
Capsule is a well written, interesting book and I always wanted to know what would happen next. It's a rather quick read and doesn't get boring once! The mystery Jackie uncovers is well constructed and holds more than a few surprises.
The main characters, Jackie, Kat, and Peter, are well developed with their own personalities. There are some clichés surrounding them that can be found in many high school characters, but all in all they are well rounded. I especially liked how different they are. Ultimately, this is also a story about friendships and I really liked the message to not judge people on first impressions because you never know their whole story.
So why only 3 stars? Unfortunately, the whole aspect with the mysterious app that starts the adventure for Jackie is never explained. I was waiting for some big reveal in the end but that never happened. The whole aspect that made me become interested in the book in the first place - a mysterious app playing with people's lives - ultimately was just a plot device used to develop the characters and I'm quite disappointed with that.
I still overall liked the book because it was well written and I also really liked the mystery and the character development, but I have to take a star away because the ending didn't satisfy me at all. I would recommend it if you're looking for a ya/high school mystery but don't expect much sci-fi stuff.
May 21, 2021
Capsule is one of the best thrillers that you will read. A mix of adventure, striking comedy, and sadness the book takes the YA Thriller Genre to a new level.
At the beginning of Capsule, I was not so sure how I would like the novel. It began like many of the other YA thrillers and I found myself bothered by Jackie who was like the stereotypical teenage character who buries herself in video games and hates everyone. However, as I continued to read I began to get wrapped up in the story.
The plot of the story (contains spoilers) is about Jackie, a gamer nerd, who witnesses the disappearance of two people in her class who she never got to know Kat and Peter. Both who have reputations at the school. One thing that Mel did an incredible job at is forming the slow friendship between the characters.
As I went throughout the book I found myself laughing, crying, and feeling the pain of the characters. All of the scenes were so vivid but not to the point where I found myself getting bored with the amount of details.
However, the part that differentiates this novel from all of the YA novels I have read (and I have read a lot of them) is the ending. The way that Mel took one character who was not considered to be a main player and had them to save the day was both a pleasant surprise and a happy shock.
Overall, it was my first ARC experience and I must say that this book is worth reading and re-reading and then passing it on to another few people who will enjoy it as well! I cannot wait to see what types of novels this author comes out with next. But this one is definitely deserving of a best-seller award.
At the beginning of Capsule, I was not so sure how I would like the novel. It began like many of the other YA thrillers and I found myself bothered by Jackie who was like the stereotypical teenage character who buries herself in video games and hates everyone. However, as I continued to read I began to get wrapped up in the story.
The plot of the story (contains spoilers) is about Jackie, a gamer nerd, who witnesses the disappearance of two people in her class who she never got to know Kat and Peter. Both who have reputations at the school. One thing that Mel did an incredible job at is forming the slow friendship between the characters.
As I went throughout the book I found myself laughing, crying, and feeling the pain of the characters. All of the scenes were so vivid but not to the point where I found myself getting bored with the amount of details.
However, the part that differentiates this novel from all of the YA novels I have read (and I have read a lot of them) is the ending. The way that Mel took one character who was not considered to be a main player and had them to save the day was both a pleasant surprise and a happy shock.
Overall, it was my first ARC experience and I must say that this book is worth reading and re-reading and then passing it on to another few people who will enjoy it as well! I cannot wait to see what types of novels this author comes out with next. But this one is definitely deserving of a best-seller award.
June 19, 2021
I received an ARC copy in exchange for an honest review.
Where to begin? Capsule was definitely unique. Brilliant. And totally different from the idea I formed in my mind before reading it. Somehow I was expecting some kind of YA-Thriller-Contemporary with some Sci-fi mix in here, but the outcome totally blew my mind.
Took me a while to get into it, must be honest on that. The first chapters were confusing and couldn’t relate to the main character, Jackie. But thankfully, I decided to continue, and I’m glad I did.
The story absorbed me completely. The mystery behind Capsule and why it chose to appear in Jackie’s phone. The amazing friendship bond that began forming between the characters: slow, with its ups and downs. That bittersweet and open ending that left me wanting for more. The secrets and revelations that I didn’t see it coming and left me stunned (and actually making me gasp, and scaring my cat🙊).
What I loved the most (as I always do) is the character development. I enjoyed exploring Jackie, Peter and Kat. I can’t say I have a favourite, but for me, all three and even a secondary character felt realistic and were highly relatable. Loved their journeys❤️
This is definitely one of my favourite readings for 2021.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.
More than well deserved.
Would I read it again? Without hesitation.
Am I going to recommend it? Hell yeah!😊
Where to begin? Capsule was definitely unique. Brilliant. And totally different from the idea I formed in my mind before reading it. Somehow I was expecting some kind of YA-Thriller-Contemporary with some Sci-fi mix in here, but the outcome totally blew my mind.
Took me a while to get into it, must be honest on that. The first chapters were confusing and couldn’t relate to the main character, Jackie. But thankfully, I decided to continue, and I’m glad I did.
The story absorbed me completely. The mystery behind Capsule and why it chose to appear in Jackie’s phone. The amazing friendship bond that began forming between the characters: slow, with its ups and downs. That bittersweet and open ending that left me wanting for more. The secrets and revelations that I didn’t see it coming and left me stunned (and actually making me gasp, and scaring my cat🙊).
What I loved the most (as I always do) is the character development. I enjoyed exploring Jackie, Peter and Kat. I can’t say I have a favourite, but for me, all three and even a secondary character felt realistic and were highly relatable. Loved their journeys❤️
This is definitely one of my favourite readings for 2021.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.
More than well deserved.
Would I read it again? Without hesitation.
Am I going to recommend it? Hell yeah!😊
June 23, 2021
I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Capsule definitely gave me some Ready Player One vibes. In it, you will meet Jackie, Peter, and Kat. One day at school, Jackie and the rest of her classmates found out that Peter and Kat are now missing. Then she randomly found an app, named Capsule, on her phone. She didn't remember downloading it so she went to delete it. Later on that day, it's back and she doesn't know why. Whenever she shows her phone to people they don't even see it.
The app is constantly on her mind. Especially after the first message she receives which involves playing a game to save Peter and Kat. At this point, I'm very intrigued because now I'm getting Jumanji vibes now. Entering into a game to save people or the world. It didn't matter to me really because I was just really excited to dive into this adventure.
What I got was a lot of emotions throughout this book. Each level had it's own version of sadness.. which is kind of weird to say. It dives into Peter's and Kat's lives and each little puzzle piece shows how they are all somewhat connected. Oh man, so many emotions and feelings while reading this.
In the end, I'm still not over this. Especially before the last chapter came my way because damn - it was so good! I'm so glad that I got to meet these three and watch them grow. Plus seeing how things in their life changed how they are today and how their classmates see them. It was very eye opening and all I can say is that I dream that these three are happier in their lives.
Capsule definitely gave me some Ready Player One vibes. In it, you will meet Jackie, Peter, and Kat. One day at school, Jackie and the rest of her classmates found out that Peter and Kat are now missing. Then she randomly found an app, named Capsule, on her phone. She didn't remember downloading it so she went to delete it. Later on that day, it's back and she doesn't know why. Whenever she shows her phone to people they don't even see it.
The app is constantly on her mind. Especially after the first message she receives which involves playing a game to save Peter and Kat. At this point, I'm very intrigued because now I'm getting Jumanji vibes now. Entering into a game to save people or the world. It didn't matter to me really because I was just really excited to dive into this adventure.
What I got was a lot of emotions throughout this book. Each level had it's own version of sadness.. which is kind of weird to say. It dives into Peter's and Kat's lives and each little puzzle piece shows how they are all somewhat connected. Oh man, so many emotions and feelings while reading this.
In the end, I'm still not over this. Especially before the last chapter came my way because damn - it was so good! I'm so glad that I got to meet these three and watch them grow. Plus seeing how things in their life changed how they are today and how their classmates see them. It was very eye opening and all I can say is that I dream that these three are happier in their lives.
May 17, 2021
My first time ARC reading. (Very wonderful experience!)
Firstly, let's talk about the general concept, or just the idea, very unique, perfect I think most of us are bored of reading books with repeated Clichés)
Yes, the book is dangerous in many ways, you might forget to have lunch or something, you literally can't put it down!!
I personally love the writing style, I love how Torrefranca had no sky as a limit to her creativity, I myself am an author and sometimes think, how did she think of that!
**spoiler alert***(well, you can read on, I won't give away much!)
In the beginning, when she described one of the teacher's classes as a prison, it was literally the point I decided I was reading on. I mean the students dressing in orange on the day they have the lesson is insane!
Jakie on the other hand has my entire heart :3
**end of spoiler alert**
Overall I highly recommend it, it's suitable for ages 13+ but very interesting, and a good book to rest your eyes off electronics.
You can preorder, and believe me, you can read as many reviews as you like, but trust me, no review is going to describe how well written the book is, so I suggest you get a copy ASAP.
Good luck reading, (be careful, there might be some emotional roller coasters)Mel Torrefranca
Firstly, let's talk about the general concept, or just the idea, very unique, perfect I think most of us are bored of reading books with repeated Clichés)
Yes, the book is dangerous in many ways, you might forget to have lunch or something, you literally can't put it down!!
I personally love the writing style, I love how Torrefranca had no sky as a limit to her creativity, I myself am an author and sometimes think, how did she think of that!
**spoiler alert***(well, you can read on, I won't give away much!)
In the beginning, when she described one of the teacher's classes as a prison, it was literally the point I decided I was reading on. I mean the students dressing in orange on the day they have the lesson is insane!
Jakie on the other hand has my entire heart :3
**end of spoiler alert**
Overall I highly recommend it, it's suitable for ages 13+ but very interesting, and a good book to rest your eyes off electronics.
You can preorder, and believe me, you can read as many reviews as you like, but trust me, no review is going to describe how well written the book is, so I suggest you get a copy ASAP.
Good luck reading, (be careful, there might be some emotional roller coasters)Mel Torrefranca
May 20, 2021
I'm so grateful that I got to ARC read Capsule! Thanks Mel! <3
Also, mad props to her for writing this book (it's not easy)!
Okay, this book reads really quickly. It's kinda fast-paced and definitely a ~ page-turner ~. By following this mysterious game Capsule, you grow alongside the characters and really learn more about them. I loved getting to go on these impulsive adventures with Kat, Peter, and Jackie, despite the fact that they're trying to complete the game. It was really fun. Though, I most certainly did end up getting emotionally attached. :,)
Also, I loved the character development and story progression!! Everything tied together nicely, but I feel like there were a few plot holes, not super big ones, of course.
I still really enjoyed reading it, especially right now when I'm missing going on fun trips and hanging with friends. Also...
I thought it was a great book and really liked some of the aspects it touched on!
Also, mad props to her for writing this book (it's not easy)!
Okay, this book reads really quickly. It's kinda fast-paced and definitely a ~ page-turner ~. By following this mysterious game Capsule, you grow alongside the characters and really learn more about them. I loved getting to go on these impulsive adventures with Kat, Peter, and Jackie, despite the fact that they're trying to complete the game. It was really fun. Though, I most certainly did end up getting emotionally attached. :,)
Also, I loved the character development and story progression!! Everything tied together nicely, but I feel like there were a few plot holes, not super big ones, of course.
I still really enjoyed reading it, especially right now when I'm missing going on fun trips and hanging with friends. Also...
I thought it was a great book and really liked some of the aspects it touched on!
July 3, 2021
R E V I E W ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
✨ Wow, what a great way to start July, this was exactly what I needed. A fast paced read that was easy to latch onto right from the start.
✨ The concept of this book is really intriguing and was executed very well. I started out extremely confused about what Capsule (the game) was and what it’s objective was. But as Jackie, and her classmates Kat and Peter, navigated the levels of the game the pieces started to fall into place. This was an adventure the entire time and I loved the surprise twists at every turn.
✨ Jackie, Peter, and Kat have never spoken prior to this game but are forced together under the circumstances and end up forging unexpected bonds. Each of them have some deep-rooted issue that ends up being exposed.
✨ First, I have to say that these felt like real teenagers with actual teenage problems. Very refreshing to read about healing the invisible wounds we carry around, especially the ones we aren’t aware of. The underlying themes of online versus reality were woven in quite well and saw a pretty triumphant reveal at the end.
✨ Overall Capsule was a great read and I’d definitely recommend for anyone who enjoys a good YA book.
✨ Thank you to @lostislandpress for this eARC in exchange for an honest review. Capsule releases July 10, you can preorder now!
✨ Wow, what a great way to start July, this was exactly what I needed. A fast paced read that was easy to latch onto right from the start.
✨ The concept of this book is really intriguing and was executed very well. I started out extremely confused about what Capsule (the game) was and what it’s objective was. But as Jackie, and her classmates Kat and Peter, navigated the levels of the game the pieces started to fall into place. This was an adventure the entire time and I loved the surprise twists at every turn.
✨ Jackie, Peter, and Kat have never spoken prior to this game but are forced together under the circumstances and end up forging unexpected bonds. Each of them have some deep-rooted issue that ends up being exposed.
✨ First, I have to say that these felt like real teenagers with actual teenage problems. Very refreshing to read about healing the invisible wounds we carry around, especially the ones we aren’t aware of. The underlying themes of online versus reality were woven in quite well and saw a pretty triumphant reveal at the end.
✨ Overall Capsule was a great read and I’d definitely recommend for anyone who enjoys a good YA book.
✨ Thank you to @lostislandpress for this eARC in exchange for an honest review. Capsule releases July 10, you can preorder now!
June 9, 2021
5/5
See, I have to stop reading books like this, cause now I have to wonder - why write when I can just tell everyone to read this? I just can't possibly imagine, how did a human sit down and complete a project like this? How in the world did Mel Torrefranca get the most indecisive reader under God's great sun to be absolutely sure of this book? It's sweet, it's quick, it's luxurious, and every moment is a moment you want to be reading. Nothing is ever overexplained and yet everything is absolutely solid - I'm left guessing in the best way possible. The characters, no matter how small a part they have in the plot, are not only excellent but also incredibly familiar. The story is both thrilling and safe, honestly, I have no words to describe it except, masterpiece.
Either it's magic or it's madness; either way, I can't wait for more.
See, I have to stop reading books like this, cause now I have to wonder - why write when I can just tell everyone to read this? I just can't possibly imagine, how did a human sit down and complete a project like this? How in the world did Mel Torrefranca get the most indecisive reader under God's great sun to be absolutely sure of this book? It's sweet, it's quick, it's luxurious, and every moment is a moment you want to be reading. Nothing is ever overexplained and yet everything is absolutely solid - I'm left guessing in the best way possible. The characters, no matter how small a part they have in the plot, are not only excellent but also incredibly familiar. The story is both thrilling and safe, honestly, I have no words to describe it except, masterpiece.
Either it's magic or it's madness; either way, I can't wait for more.
June 29, 2021
Black mirror meets thirteen reasons why in this book! Oh wow I was on the edge of my seat for most of this read! I had no idea what was going to happen or how it would end. Really great twists and storytelling! It’s a cool concept and has great themes about enjoying life, putting yourself out there and stepping back from social media.
I did find the writing/plot a little clunky at times and didn’t feel like the main character Jackie had as much depth as the other two characters.
And *spoilery* I also would have liked the ending to be a closed ending, to know where the game came from. But thats really just a preference. I understand the story needs an open ending like it did. It does give a beautiful conclusion and I liked it! I just wanna know the “why” lol
I did find the writing/plot a little clunky at times and didn’t feel like the main character Jackie had as much depth as the other two characters.
And *spoilery* I also would have liked the ending to be a closed ending, to know where the game came from. But thats really just a preference. I understand the story needs an open ending like it did. It does give a beautiful conclusion and I liked it! I just wanna know the “why” lol
July 12, 2021
This book is amazing!! I haven't read a good contemporary thriller in a long while but now I'm kinda back in the mood :)
Full review to come!
Full review to come!
May 13, 2025
Wat een tof verhaal was dit! Na de eerste introductie in het boek, was ik direct om, en wilde ik nog maar één ding doen: doorlezen! De mysterieuze verdwijningen en een al minstens net zo mysterieuze app die daarentegen juist plots verschijnt, het prikkelde mijn leeszin “aan”. Alsof ikzelf ook door de app gestuurd werd tijdens elke stap die ik zette.. pfoe!
We volgen hoofdpersonage Jackie, een meisje dat het liefst op zichzelf is en heel veel bezig is met gamen, alleen, maar ook samen met haar gamemaatje met wie ze geregeld praat. Wanneer ze plots een nieuwe app op haar telefoon ziet staan, waarvan ze heel zeker weet dat ze het er niet zelf op heeft gezet, gaat ze op onderzoek uit, zeker als ze twee namen van scholieren ziet staan… zonder resultaat. Toch weet haar nieuwsgierigheid het te winnen van haar wantrouwen, en drukt ze op de app. Vanaf dan staat ze er alleen voor, en is zij dus de enige die deze uitdaging uit kan spelen, anders zou het niet goed aflopen met haar schoolgenoten. Maar wie zijn zij eigenlijk? Ze zitten dan wel bij elkaar op school, maar van een hechte communicatie is echter geen sprake, en ze gaan door verhalen die de ronde gaan nooit met elkaar om. En welke rol speelt Jackie in dit geheel? Een kat-en-muisspel tussen Peter Moon, Kat Pike en Jackie is begonnen. Drie personen die elkaar nagenoeg niet kennen, maar elkaar wel moeten helpen om verder te komen. Zijn ze te vertrouwen? Kunnen ze zichzelf vertrouwen? En nog belangrijker: hoe ver is de app bereid te gaan met de opdrachten en uitkomsten hiervan?
Stapje voor stapje kom je tijdens het lezen dichterbij de kern van de algehele opdracht van de app. Je puzzelt mee met de scholieren wie elk eigen sterke punten hebben, maar ook zwakkere, en elkaar daarbij dienen te helpen om verder te komen in het spel. Het verhaal gaat niet alleen over hoe je in elkaar steekt als persoon, wat je sterke en minder sterke punten zijn, maar vooral ook over het gebruik van social media en hoe we ons daarmee steeds meer kunnen verliezen. Niet alleen door het maken van perfecte posts bijvoorbeeld, maar juist ook door de onzekerheden die daarmee worden opgebouwd en hoe je daarmee omgaat. Dit kan namelijk heel goed het echte leven in 'breken', waardoor er soms een heel dunne scheiding tussen echt en ‘net niet echt, puur om de schijn op te houden’ kan vormen, en dingen heel anders uitgelegd kunnen worden dan ze in werkelijkheid zijn… waardoor we soms de werkelijkheid deels uit het oog verliezen, en daarmee ook de omgeving en mensen om ons heen niet meer goed zien, terwijl we elkaar op bepaalde momenten juist zo hard nodig hebben.
Echt, ik ben heel enthousiast over dit boek. Het is een verhaal met een lichte Pretty Little Liars, gemixt met Gossip Girl vibe, zonder alle drama om de drama, maar de sfeer voelde voor mij hetzelfde. De diepere laag die met elke stap, elk level in de app, iets zichtbaarder wordt kruipt in je hoofd en je wilt gewoon weten wat het uiteindelijke doel is dat ze moeten vinden. Het einde had ik zo niet verwacht, en ik sloeg dan ook met een glimlach de laatste bladzijde om. Wat een verhaal. Een aanrader voor lezers die mee willen puzzelen tijdens het verhaal, personages beter wil leren kennen, maar ook zelf aan het nadenken wil worden gezet over hoe jezelf in het leven staat.
We volgen hoofdpersonage Jackie, een meisje dat het liefst op zichzelf is en heel veel bezig is met gamen, alleen, maar ook samen met haar gamemaatje met wie ze geregeld praat. Wanneer ze plots een nieuwe app op haar telefoon ziet staan, waarvan ze heel zeker weet dat ze het er niet zelf op heeft gezet, gaat ze op onderzoek uit, zeker als ze twee namen van scholieren ziet staan… zonder resultaat. Toch weet haar nieuwsgierigheid het te winnen van haar wantrouwen, en drukt ze op de app. Vanaf dan staat ze er alleen voor, en is zij dus de enige die deze uitdaging uit kan spelen, anders zou het niet goed aflopen met haar schoolgenoten. Maar wie zijn zij eigenlijk? Ze zitten dan wel bij elkaar op school, maar van een hechte communicatie is echter geen sprake, en ze gaan door verhalen die de ronde gaan nooit met elkaar om. En welke rol speelt Jackie in dit geheel? Een kat-en-muisspel tussen Peter Moon, Kat Pike en Jackie is begonnen. Drie personen die elkaar nagenoeg niet kennen, maar elkaar wel moeten helpen om verder te komen. Zijn ze te vertrouwen? Kunnen ze zichzelf vertrouwen? En nog belangrijker: hoe ver is de app bereid te gaan met de opdrachten en uitkomsten hiervan?
Stapje voor stapje kom je tijdens het lezen dichterbij de kern van de algehele opdracht van de app. Je puzzelt mee met de scholieren wie elk eigen sterke punten hebben, maar ook zwakkere, en elkaar daarbij dienen te helpen om verder te komen in het spel. Het verhaal gaat niet alleen over hoe je in elkaar steekt als persoon, wat je sterke en minder sterke punten zijn, maar vooral ook over het gebruik van social media en hoe we ons daarmee steeds meer kunnen verliezen. Niet alleen door het maken van perfecte posts bijvoorbeeld, maar juist ook door de onzekerheden die daarmee worden opgebouwd en hoe je daarmee omgaat. Dit kan namelijk heel goed het echte leven in 'breken', waardoor er soms een heel dunne scheiding tussen echt en ‘net niet echt, puur om de schijn op te houden’ kan vormen, en dingen heel anders uitgelegd kunnen worden dan ze in werkelijkheid zijn… waardoor we soms de werkelijkheid deels uit het oog verliezen, en daarmee ook de omgeving en mensen om ons heen niet meer goed zien, terwijl we elkaar op bepaalde momenten juist zo hard nodig hebben.
Echt, ik ben heel enthousiast over dit boek. Het is een verhaal met een lichte Pretty Little Liars, gemixt met Gossip Girl vibe, zonder alle drama om de drama, maar de sfeer voelde voor mij hetzelfde. De diepere laag die met elke stap, elk level in de app, iets zichtbaarder wordt kruipt in je hoofd en je wilt gewoon weten wat het uiteindelijke doel is dat ze moeten vinden. Het einde had ik zo niet verwacht, en ik sloeg dan ook met een glimlach de laatste bladzijde om. Wat een verhaal. Een aanrader voor lezers die mee willen puzzelen tijdens het verhaal, personages beter wil leren kennen, maar ook zelf aan het nadenken wil worden gezet over hoe jezelf in het leven staat.
October 5, 2025
I went into this book expecting a fun thriller against the clock style set in a video game, but what I found inside these pages is so much more then that. While being those things it’s also about friendship, TRUE friendship, self reflection, social media’s influence on one’s life, and so much more both little and big that I can’t and won’t mention here because they’re so much better being discovered on your own. It’s thrilling, chaotic, heartbreaking yet healing…in short it’s nothing I thought it would be yet everything I wanted and needed at the same time.
Jackie, Peter, and Kat aren’t the most likable of characters but this author writes them in such a way that while I didn’t love them at the start I sympathized with them and related to their insecurities and hidden fears, growing to love them as the story progressed and being both sad and happy to leave them on the final page knowing they were going to keep growing and be okay.
The plot with its blend of contemporary, sci-fi time travel, trapped in a video game, and thriller thrills and chills is amazingly done and woven together so seamlessly I’m honestly jealous, lol. I didn’t ever want to put it down it was so gripping and I’m in trouble if all of her other books are like this because I’m never gonna get anything done once I start reading one!
This is a true gem more people need to read because it is amazing! Now I’m going to go read more of Mel’s books and keep Capsule close to my heart until I get the chance to read it all over again.
‼️Content‼️
Language: my god (1); suck; hell; what the hell; dammit; bitch; gosh; what the; jeez; bullsh*t (1); smartass; sh*t (8); holy sh*t (2); damn; screwed; holy crap; sh*tty (1); half-assed; lame-ass
Violence: a man drowns while saving a girl (not shown); a car chase; injuries and blood (not detailed); a character falls out of a tree; a car crash which results in one crashing into a tree (not detailed); a man points a gun at teens (nothing happens); a character points a gun at a man (nothing happens); a man grabs a character and holds a gun to their head (nothing happens)
Sexual: a kiss (not detailed)
Drugs/Alcohol: a character takes a lot of supplement pills
Other: teens go missing; past deaths of loved ones characters still grieve over; teens shoplift and steal a car; teens trespass into a car lot and break several car windows; a video game traps characters and gives them “cheats” to get out of situations
Jackie, Peter, and Kat aren’t the most likable of characters but this author writes them in such a way that while I didn’t love them at the start I sympathized with them and related to their insecurities and hidden fears, growing to love them as the story progressed and being both sad and happy to leave them on the final page knowing they were going to keep growing and be okay.
The plot with its blend of contemporary, sci-fi time travel, trapped in a video game, and thriller thrills and chills is amazingly done and woven together so seamlessly I’m honestly jealous, lol. I didn’t ever want to put it down it was so gripping and I’m in trouble if all of her other books are like this because I’m never gonna get anything done once I start reading one!
This is a true gem more people need to read because it is amazing! Now I’m going to go read more of Mel’s books and keep Capsule close to my heart until I get the chance to read it all over again.
‼️Content‼️
Language: my god (1); suck; hell; what the hell; dammit; bitch; gosh; what the; jeez; bullsh*t (1); smartass; sh*t (8); holy sh*t (2); damn; screwed; holy crap; sh*tty (1); half-assed; lame-ass
Violence: a man drowns while saving a girl (not shown); a car chase; injuries and blood (not detailed); a character falls out of a tree; a car crash which results in one crashing into a tree (not detailed); a man points a gun at teens (nothing happens); a character points a gun at a man (nothing happens); a man grabs a character and holds a gun to their head (nothing happens)
Sexual: a kiss (not detailed)
Drugs/Alcohol: a character takes a lot of supplement pills
Other: teens go missing; past deaths of loved ones characters still grieve over; teens shoplift and steal a car; teens trespass into a car lot and break several car windows; a video game traps characters and gives them “cheats” to get out of situations
July 29, 2021
Thanks to NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.
I picked this book up based on the description (and partially the cover). First of all. This isn’t a thriller. Despite the ticking clock, it’s a mystery. And it’s a soft mystery at that. It’s more three teens stumbling upon old memories that weave together to tell a bigger picture. If I had to actually categorize it, I’d call it contemporary with mystery aspects. Not a thriller.
Part of this book I would give five stars to. Most of the book fell into 1 and 2 star categories.
I absolutely loved how all of the memories wove together to tell the bigger part of the story. That was done well and I found that part of the mystery to be the most intriguing. But to counter that I hated the entire concept of the Capsule game. It was never explained in enough detail for me to understand what was going on. All of the characters just assumed they knew how it worked and made decisions based off a guess.
I liked how each of the characters had to overcome their individual problems and work together. But I hated how they were all portrayed. Especially Peter. I never felt like his actions and his personality meshed. Kat was a bit better. Jackie mostly annoyed me.
There were things I absolutely hated. I’m beyond tired of the ‘not like other girls’ trope. Jackie screams this in the first few chapters. She’s a gamer girl who doesn’t care about what she looks like but then is concerned about her appearance a few chapters later. She also judges girls who wear makeup and paint their nails. She was tiring throughout the book. She makes snap judgements about everyone then got mad when people did the same thing to her. At one point she realizes she’s been a hypocrite and then goes right back to judging people based on little to no substance.
There are about a million and one coincidences that drive the story forward and it made the whole thing feel a bit too over the top. Jackie is panicking because they’re doing something illegal and a cop shows up. They drive to a different city and they just happen to run into a bunch of people who ‘help’ them along the way.
When they told Jay about the game he more or less shrugged and jumped in to help. I’m sorry. If my sister tried to explain any of these weird things to me I’d be worried about her mental health. Or that someone was playing a mean practical joke on me.
The writing was either done well (and felt forced) or was full of weird metaphors that didn’t work at all.
Here are some examples of the metaphors and odd sentences. If you enjoy them you’ll probably like the rest of them I didn’t include.
‘...a grin smacking her face…’
‘The glass of water on his desk quivered in his presence.’
‘Jackie hadn’t noticed the goosebumps on her own arms until they disappeared.
‘Jackie’s eyes doubled in an instant.’
‘The gray sky illuminated the sacred asphalt in a spotlight.’ (I think this is just a typo - sacred vs. scarred - but I literally have no idea.
‘Kat exhaled, but her breath in the air was nothing but a visual effect. A convincing post-production edit made to fool viewers into believing something fake was reality. It was nothing but a breathy lie.’
‘Jay coughed their wandering minds back into reality.’
There are more. But I want to save room for other items of discussion.
There were some continuity errors.
At some point a girl has her hair in a bun, but a few paragraphs she runs her fingers through her hair.
Jay’s Honda magically turns into a Toyota about halfway through the book.
Peter and Kat reference Peter’s blog, then a few chapters later Peter is ‘surprised’ Kat reads his blog.
There were some serious issues with the POV. It’s in third person and mostly from Jackie’s POV. But there are times something almost omniscient slips in and the non-POV characters answer or ask questions that the POV character had been thinking about. It was jarring. I can’t find any specific examples (I guess I forgot to write them down).
The other thing that bothered me about the POV was where and when things were described. Jackie walks into her room and ‘notices’ her desk. It’s weird. I don’t walk into my room and ‘notice’ my dresser unless I’m specifically getting something from there.
The other thing that really bothered me about the POV was even when we were in Jackie’s POV her parents were still Mr. and Mrs. Mendoza. Every single parent was referred to by their last names, regardless of POV. It made me feel even more detached from the characters.
There were also strange decisions regarding descriptions. I didn’t need a full paragraph describing a single scene at the ice cream shop. What did the heater being on full blast have to do with anything else? ANd the weird cherry themed ice rink? There was also a long and overwrought description of a boy in Jackie’s class, who we don’t see again until the end of the story.
I had a weird personal issue with the idea of 3,000 students in high school living in a town situated an hour away from any other town. My husband and I talked about this at length and decided it really wasn’t reasonable (and he has a degree in city planning so he knows a few things about cities and populations). I actually interrupted him from work to ask him about this. That’s how much I was bothered by it.
And finally. My eARC happened to open on the last few lines of the copyright page. I normally never read the copyright page. And had my kindle not made this choice for me I never would have found the worst typo of all time.
The publisher is based out of Santa Jose, CA
If you have even a rudimentary knowledge of Spanish you know how wrong that looks and sounds. I tried googling it. Just to be sure. Santa Jose doesn’t exist. HOW DO YOU GET INFORMATION WRONG ON YOUR COPYRIGHT PAGE ABOUT A REAL PLACE? A place you probably live since this is essentially a self-published book (And I even checked the preview of the eBook you’d purchase through Amazon and this typo is still there).
Anyway. Two stars. Interesting concept. Misleading blurb. Okay writing with moments of head scratching confusion. Characters who are unlikeable but have their moments. And an ending that both creeped me out and confused me.
I picked this book up based on the description (and partially the cover). First of all. This isn’t a thriller. Despite the ticking clock, it’s a mystery. And it’s a soft mystery at that. It’s more three teens stumbling upon old memories that weave together to tell a bigger picture. If I had to actually categorize it, I’d call it contemporary with mystery aspects. Not a thriller.
Part of this book I would give five stars to. Most of the book fell into 1 and 2 star categories.
I absolutely loved how all of the memories wove together to tell the bigger part of the story. That was done well and I found that part of the mystery to be the most intriguing. But to counter that I hated the entire concept of the Capsule game. It was never explained in enough detail for me to understand what was going on. All of the characters just assumed they knew how it worked and made decisions based off a guess.
I liked how each of the characters had to overcome their individual problems and work together. But I hated how they were all portrayed. Especially Peter. I never felt like his actions and his personality meshed. Kat was a bit better. Jackie mostly annoyed me.
There were things I absolutely hated. I’m beyond tired of the ‘not like other girls’ trope. Jackie screams this in the first few chapters. She’s a gamer girl who doesn’t care about what she looks like but then is concerned about her appearance a few chapters later. She also judges girls who wear makeup and paint their nails. She was tiring throughout the book. She makes snap judgements about everyone then got mad when people did the same thing to her. At one point she realizes she’s been a hypocrite and then goes right back to judging people based on little to no substance.
There are about a million and one coincidences that drive the story forward and it made the whole thing feel a bit too over the top. Jackie is panicking because they’re doing something illegal and a cop shows up. They drive to a different city and they just happen to run into a bunch of people who ‘help’ them along the way.
When they told Jay about the game he more or less shrugged and jumped in to help. I’m sorry. If my sister tried to explain any of these weird things to me I’d be worried about her mental health. Or that someone was playing a mean practical joke on me.
The writing was either done well (and felt forced) or was full of weird metaphors that didn’t work at all.
Here are some examples of the metaphors and odd sentences. If you enjoy them you’ll probably like the rest of them I didn’t include.
‘...a grin smacking her face…’
‘The glass of water on his desk quivered in his presence.’
‘Jackie hadn’t noticed the goosebumps on her own arms until they disappeared.
‘Jackie’s eyes doubled in an instant.’
‘The gray sky illuminated the sacred asphalt in a spotlight.’ (I think this is just a typo - sacred vs. scarred - but I literally have no idea.
‘Kat exhaled, but her breath in the air was nothing but a visual effect. A convincing post-production edit made to fool viewers into believing something fake was reality. It was nothing but a breathy lie.’
‘Jay coughed their wandering minds back into reality.’
There are more. But I want to save room for other items of discussion.
There were some continuity errors.
At some point a girl has her hair in a bun, but a few paragraphs she runs her fingers through her hair.
Jay’s Honda magically turns into a Toyota about halfway through the book.
Peter and Kat reference Peter’s blog, then a few chapters later Peter is ‘surprised’ Kat reads his blog.
There were some serious issues with the POV. It’s in third person and mostly from Jackie’s POV. But there are times something almost omniscient slips in and the non-POV characters answer or ask questions that the POV character had been thinking about. It was jarring. I can’t find any specific examples (I guess I forgot to write them down).
The other thing that bothered me about the POV was where and when things were described. Jackie walks into her room and ‘notices’ her desk. It’s weird. I don’t walk into my room and ‘notice’ my dresser unless I’m specifically getting something from there.
The other thing that really bothered me about the POV was even when we were in Jackie’s POV her parents were still Mr. and Mrs. Mendoza. Every single parent was referred to by their last names, regardless of POV. It made me feel even more detached from the characters.
There were also strange decisions regarding descriptions. I didn’t need a full paragraph describing a single scene at the ice cream shop. What did the heater being on full blast have to do with anything else? ANd the weird cherry themed ice rink? There was also a long and overwrought description of a boy in Jackie’s class, who we don’t see again until the end of the story.
I had a weird personal issue with the idea of 3,000 students in high school living in a town situated an hour away from any other town. My husband and I talked about this at length and decided it really wasn’t reasonable (and he has a degree in city planning so he knows a few things about cities and populations). I actually interrupted him from work to ask him about this. That’s how much I was bothered by it.
And finally. My eARC happened to open on the last few lines of the copyright page. I normally never read the copyright page. And had my kindle not made this choice for me I never would have found the worst typo of all time.
The publisher is based out of Santa Jose, CA
If you have even a rudimentary knowledge of Spanish you know how wrong that looks and sounds. I tried googling it. Just to be sure. Santa Jose doesn’t exist. HOW DO YOU GET INFORMATION WRONG ON YOUR COPYRIGHT PAGE ABOUT A REAL PLACE? A place you probably live since this is essentially a self-published book (And I even checked the preview of the eBook you’d purchase through Amazon and this typo is still there).
Anyway. Two stars. Interesting concept. Misleading blurb. Okay writing with moments of head scratching confusion. Characters who are unlikeable but have their moments. And an ending that both creeped me out and confused me.
September 2, 2021
Capsule…a mystery that draws you in and keeps hold of you until the end. Through the characters of Jackie, Kat and Peter we get to explore how our past doesn’t define us, the notion of friendship and follow them on a crazy game quest.
Jackie is known for living in her head and obsessing over gaming. She’s renowned for shying away from opportunities to interact with others, so it comes as a shock when she gets caught up in the game Capsule.
Capsule is an app that appears on her phone one day. She can’t erase it, she doesn’t remember downloading it and nobody else can see it. The app appears on the day her Head announces the disappearance of two students, Kat and Peter. These two seem to have nothing in common and the rumours are flying. For reasons she’s unsure of, Jackie decides she wants answers.
What follows is a little confusing initially, but it’s a drama that I found myself keen to follow.
No spoilers here. Some of our questions about Capsule remain unanswered but it had a really positive message about looking beyond our expectations and opening yourself to the possibility of interaction.
Thanks to the author and NetGalley for granting me access to this prior to publication.
Jackie is known for living in her head and obsessing over gaming. She’s renowned for shying away from opportunities to interact with others, so it comes as a shock when she gets caught up in the game Capsule.
Capsule is an app that appears on her phone one day. She can’t erase it, she doesn’t remember downloading it and nobody else can see it. The app appears on the day her Head announces the disappearance of two students, Kat and Peter. These two seem to have nothing in common and the rumours are flying. For reasons she’s unsure of, Jackie decides she wants answers.
What follows is a little confusing initially, but it’s a drama that I found myself keen to follow.
No spoilers here. Some of our questions about Capsule remain unanswered but it had a really positive message about looking beyond our expectations and opening yourself to the possibility of interaction.
Thanks to the author and NetGalley for granting me access to this prior to publication.
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