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sagenguyen's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
readitall199's review against another edition
5.0
An epic journey that begins with so much jargon, it felt a little like A Clockwork Orange. I’m the future, a boy named Spaz wants to find his non-biological sister because a messenger tells him she is sick and wants to see him.
He lives in a time after a huge earthquake left much of the world in ruins. In the center is a paradise called Eden where humans have been genetically engineered to be beautiful and called “proovs .”Outside this is the Urb which is separated into ghettos called “latches” and ruled by cut throat bosses. All the “normals” who live here must abide by whatever rules the boss deigns.
There is a glossary of terms in the back, which is a handy reference. I would say the beginning could be hard to get into for some readers, but the ideas are very provocative.
He lives in a time after a huge earthquake left much of the world in ruins. In the center is a paradise called Eden where humans have been genetically engineered to be beautiful and called “proovs .”Outside this is the Urb which is separated into ghettos called “latches” and ruled by cut throat bosses. All the “normals” who live here must abide by whatever rules the boss deigns.
There is a glossary of terms in the back, which is a handy reference. I would say the beginning could be hard to get into for some readers, but the ideas are very provocative.
pollyno9's review against another edition
2.0
Lots of made up words in this one, which is a bit irritating at the beginning. Ending was unpredictable but sort of pointless, unless there is a sequel.
betsygant's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars
Recommended for middle schoolers. During a speech and debate tournament, I once heard a young man give a dramatic interpretation from passages within this book. In many ways, while I was reading this, I wish the young man could have read me the whole story because this book lacks depth and energy that his interpretation brought to the table. For this review to receive more stars, I would have liked more character development and depth and in general better writing. However, it was a fast-paced story, and it may make for a good middle schooler introduction to utopian/dystopian literature.
Recommended for middle schoolers. During a speech and debate tournament, I once heard a young man give a dramatic interpretation from passages within this book. In many ways, while I was reading this, I wish the young man could have read me the whole story because this book lacks depth and energy that his interpretation brought to the table. For this review to receive more stars, I would have liked more character development and depth and in general better writing. However, it was a fast-paced story, and it may make for a good middle schooler introduction to utopian/dystopian literature.
angelbwell's review against another edition
5.0
I absolutely love this book. It is one of my favorites and I've read it over and over.
ninjasunknown's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
reflective
slow-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? No
3.0
jinya's review against another edition
3.0
I'm pretty sure this is another one I'd read before and then forgotten the name of. the travels down the pipe and through the latches felt very familiar.
jennanise's review against another edition
4.0
I love Freak the Mighty. I recommend it to adults, to students, to anyone with a pulse. The characters are complex and the plot moves (pace and feels.) I read Max the Mighty and was disappointed so I was uncertain how I'd feel about this Philbrick work especially since I don't love the sci-fi.
It was better than I thought. The motley crew of characters are interesting and I liked his invented words. I get what he's describing. I would possibly even be interested in a sequel about Lanaya and what happens to her in the future. In a good way, this made me think of the friendships in Maniac Magee and another Spinelli work, Eggs or Crash maybe?
It was better than I thought. The motley crew of characters are interesting and I liked his invented words. I get what he's describing. I would possibly even be interested in a sequel about Lanaya and what happens to her in the future. In a good way, this made me think of the friendships in Maniac Magee and another Spinelli work, Eggs or Crash maybe?
mikewomack's review against another edition
3.0
Twelve year old Mike loved this book. The actual premise and a much of the renaming is pretty brilliant and I had higher hopes when I began reading but Philbrick is writing to a much younger audience and doesn't develop the material in a satisfactory way for me today. This was a student recommendation and the second Philbrick novel from two different students in as many years, so there is clearly something about this writer that resonates with kids. That counts for a lot in my estimation.