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marianachindris's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
arispence17's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
I really wanted to like this story but it felt very young adult and I struggle to see the point of the story. Truthfully, I enjoyed bits and even laughed out loud at times, but mostly found myself bored and waiting for it to be over with. 2.5/5
snoozical's review against another edition
4.0
Always good to see bits and pieces of myself and my kids (and our particular brains) in a book. I like how this one highlighted the challenging parts and some of the cool things about the character’s neurodivergence. I thought overall the author did a good job at expressing the struggle with self acceptance vs healthy growth vs self flagellation (not to mention navigating ever present flagellation by others
sarareuschel's review against another edition
4.0
Time travel and self-discovery proved to be a good recipe for a fun read. Main character Cassandra has some interesting quirks and is nuerodivergent. As the reader, you can assume why (and it's later confirmed). When she finds she has the ability to go back in time, she attempts to undo her breakup, her job loss, and being kicked out of her apartment. During the process, she undoes so much more than what she thought was important. There were some parts that felt a little repetitive, but they didn't last long. I appreciated the opportunity to see and experience the world through her eyes and feelings and sensations and colors!
bhauser's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
nbabb's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
iamreadingshh's review against another edition
3.0
A lot going on in this book. Maybe too much, I ended up skimming at times.
mollyg1bbs's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
The Cassandra Complex follows Cassie as she travels through time to try and mend her relationships, build romantic connections, and attempt to make more sense of the world around her. It is written in a feel-good, bubblegum style that is super digestible and designed to leave you with fleeting satisfaction. It is tied up with the bow of Cassie realising her friends, family are the true things that make her life worth living. I enjoyed the exploration of Cassie's neurodivergence and it added context to her choices regarding time-travel- a desire to be seen as normal and to fit in. Ultimately what I loved about this book was the cast of side characters. As Cassie changes her behaviour as she time-travels. you get to see how each character responds. These responses were well-considered and helped form the side characters into loveable, valuable additions to the novel. I particularly liked the portrayal of female friendships in the story as they did not feel like the typical quirky best friend with no depth.
Ultimately the ending of this book betrays the entire message and theme. In this cheesy style of writing, often the message of the book is much more 'show and tell' than subtly transformative. This book is no different, Cassandra has these epiphanies and explains them to the reader in great detail. We are told repeatedly through her lessons in time travel that Cassie shouldn't be ashamed of who she is, she should live life fully and as herself, and take time to see the best in her friendships. Then the ending completely abandons this for the purpose of ending the book with a bang! It simply does not suit this book and honestly makes the whole thing fall flat.
Also, it does this cheesy thing of breaking the forth wall by Cassandra acknowledging that this is a book? I don't why I hated that so much, but please leave that trope in middle-grade fiction.
Ultimately the ending of this book betrays the entire message and theme. In this cheesy style of writing, often the message of the book is much more 'show and tell' than subtly transformative. This book is no different, Cassandra has these epiphanies and explains them to the reader in great detail. We are told repeatedly through her lessons in time travel that Cassie shouldn't be ashamed of who she is, she should live life fully and as herself, and take time to see the best in her friendships. Then the ending completely abandons this for the purpose of ending the book with a bang! It simply does not suit this book and honestly makes the whole thing fall flat.
Also, it does this cheesy thing of breaking the forth wall by Cassandra acknowledging that this is a book? I don't why I hated that so much, but please leave that trope in middle-grade fiction.