An Absolutely Remarkable Thing is Pretty Remarkable

Oh my goodness, this is some of the best first person perspective I have ever read. I tend to not like first person because it is almost too bland and not personal enough in most instances I have read, but Green absolutely nailed it. It is so different from anything I have ever read and that makes it super fun and playful and perfect for the story.

I usually think a lot about pace when reading a book but that did not happen this time. The pace is not slow and not insanely fast and I really like that about the book. It isn't one that you expect constant cliffhangers at the end of chapters and I really like the way it is perfectly fast and slow at the same time. That being said, there were moments all I wanted was to continue reading and not be interrupted because it got really interesting and page turner-y.

Such a fun story with the perfect amount of fantasy, sci-fi, mystery, and just full on fun. It was a very well crafted story with so many layers. I was really scared that it would be too sci-fi adventure for me but it definitely wasn't. I cannot wait to read the sequel.

The characters were perfectly imperfect and I loved that. Something that happens a lot with first person POV is the characters being so bland that they aren't really anything but this POV makes April, who narrates, a very multi layered character. All the characters have good and bad and it was perfect for this story.

I love stories that have a lot of themes and everyone will take something different out of it and the messages aren't too "in your face". I especially liked the commentary on human curiosity and the consequences that come with it. This especially hit me since I read it in a world with a pandemic that was arguably caused by human curiosity. All messages very effective.

This is definitely one of my favorite sci-fi books. I am feeling a feeling of wanting more from it that may be satisfied with the second.

Edit: I just finished reading the second book and I really didn't enjoy it. I don't take back the 4 stars I gave this one because I truly really enjoyed it, but this left me with a "wanting more feeling" that wasn't in the least satisfied with the second book. If you loved this book and agree with my review, consider not reading the second one and be happy with this ending because it is much better than the sequel.