Wednesday, February 28, 2018

DNF&Y [2] - The Official Launch!

DNF&Y is used to explain why I gave up on certain books, and what about them just didn't work for me. What I didn't like about something, might be what you love, so it helps to share your thoughts even when they're negative! If you would like additional information, please click on the DNF&Y tab at the top. If you want to join, you can link up at the bottom!

Replica (Replica #1) by Lauren Oliver
Sarah Drew & Erin Spencer (Narrators)
Synopsis (via Goodreads):
Lyra

From a distance, the Haven Institute, tucked away on a private island off the coast of Florida, looks serene and even beautiful. But up close the locked doors, military guards, and biohazard suits tell a different story. In truth, it is a clandestine research facility where thousands of replicas, or human models, are born, raised, and observed.

But when a surprise attack is launched on Haven, two of its young experimental subjects—Lyra, or 24, and the boy known only as 72—manage to escape. As they make their way through a new and menacing environment, they meet a stranger named Gemma, who has embarked on a perilous quest of her own. And as Lyra tries to understand Haven’s purpose, she uncovers earth-shattering secrets that will change the lives of both girls.

Gemma

Gemma has been in and out of hospitals her whole life. A sickly child, she has grown into a lonely adolescent whose life is circumscribed by home, school, and her best friend, April.

But after she is nearly abducted by a stranger claiming to know her, Gemma starts to investigate her family’s past and discovers her father’s mysterious connection to the secretive Haven research facility. Hungry for answers, she travels to Florida, only to stumble upon two human models, or replicas, 24 and 72—and a completely new set of questions. As Gemma tries to unravel the mysteries of Haven, she learns terrible truths about herself and her family that will threaten to destroy everything she loves.

Two girls, two stories, one novel.

While the stories of Gemma and Lyra mirror each other, each contains revelations critically important to the other story. Their narratives can be read separately or in alternating chapters. 

DNF after the first hour of the audiobook.
*I'm going to quote part of the author's note because I really like what she says!
"The minor variations in the novel reflect the belief that there is no single objective experience of the world. No one sees or hears the same thing in exactly the same way, as anyone who has ever been in an argument with a loved one can attest. In that way we truly are inventors of our own experience. The truth, it turns out, looks a lot like making fiction."
I really enjoyed Lauren Oliver's Delirium; however, I haven't read any of her other books until now. I was looking forward to losing myself in another uniquely beautiful beautiful world, but I never made it outside of walls of Haven. Honestly, I didn't even make it to Gemma's part of the story.

I read reviews about the concept for this book, and I believe it's two books in one, but I still don't know how it works. I borrowed the audiobook from my library, so I didn't have to figure out the logistics of the pages and chapters. (If you've read this book and can explain it to me, please do!)

I didn't get very far into this one because it starts at a snail's pace. I felt bogged down by details that I didn't completely understand. I know with stories like this, you need a lot of background information, but I didn't care for how it was presented to me. I listened to it for about an hour, but never felt a connection with the characters. I'm not entirely sure I knew what was going on, and I image it would have been explained later, but it just wasn't for me.

If you would like to read a different perspective, try Kelly (Diva Booknerd)'s review on Goodreads!

This is the only DNF&Y for me this month (since the original post), and I can't wait to visit everyone that links up!


52 comments:

  1. Maybe this one would have worked better as a physical book? Because that would have sped up things somehow? I don't know (how would I - I've never listened to an audiobook LOL)...just a thought. Because it sounds like an interesting concept.

    Personally, I don't mind slow books, as long as they're able to build up an atmosphere...but of course, in the meantime, you have to get invested in the characters at least. Then again, when a book is overly descriptive, it tends to feel "heavy" to me, if you know what I mean.

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    1. I'm not sure if it would have sped things up, because I'm still not entirely sure how it's meant to be read! Maybe, though.

      You've never listened to an audiobook?? EVER? Not even in the car?

      Slow isn't my issue either! I love a lot of world building, but not when it seems to drag on and on. I also had a hard time following some of the information, which made it more difficult to read.

      Agreed! I was not invested in these characters, so I didn't really care what was happening. I loved the idea for the book! Interesting concept.

      Delete
    2. Since English is an acquired language for me, I have issues when it comes to understand people talking, especially without the chance to read lips. That's why I've never listened to an audiobook. If it's someone talking slow (like in an interview) and I can see their face, I can follow pretty well...or at least understand most of it. But for example, if it's a movie or something like that and people are talking fast, I get lost LOL.

      Delete
    3. What about audiobooks in your native language? I don't have any experience with that, but maybe? After reading your blog posts and comments, I never would have guessed that English wasn't your first language.

      Delete
    4. Thank you - I do my best ๐Ÿ˜‰. I've been studying English since I was 14 (I'm Italian), but that doesn't prevent me from doing the occasional mistake (sometimes even stupid ones when I'm not focused enough), even if I proof-read all my posts, comments, tweets etc.

      And...audiobooks just don't appeal to me LOL. All my respect to whoever likes them, and to those people who need them because they're visually impaired...but until I'll be able to choose, no audio for me ๐Ÿ˜‰.

      Delete
    5. I'm sorry I didn't reply to this sooner! I didn't realize you were in Blogger Jail again, lol.

      Hey, audiobooks are not for everyone! I used to hate them. I felt like it was impossible to stay immersed in a story when someone was talking at me, but now I love them.

      Delete
    6. Darn Blogger jail LOL. I'm innocent!!!

      Delete
  2. I wonder if it was the slow pace that was the killer - or the actual concept? Or both? I’ve actually never read anything from Lauren Oliver. Just snippets here and there that made me think her writing probably wasn’t for me.

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    1. I think it was the pace combined with how the information was revealed. I didn't understand the character's motivations, and I honestly don't think she had any. It was just weird.

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  3. The blurb sounds so unique and interesting. But I think it would be one of those books I would really have to check out more as I never read anything like "Their narratives can be read separately or in alternating chapters". I feel silly but I really am not understanding how that would work. It is hard to continue when at a slow pace of things do not really understand and not sure what is going on.

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    1. Don't feel silly! I still don't understand. Like I said, I listened to the audiobook, so I never had to read them separately or alternately. I would need a physical copy to maybe figure it out.

      Delete
    2. Alternately? Alternatively? Lol! I don't know which word works here.

      Delete
  4. Sometimes you have to be int he right mood for these kinds of books or else you can't wrap your brain around it.

    One DNF isn't too bad though!

    Karen @ For What It's Worth

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    1. I'm happy with just the one! It doesn't happen too often for me, but it does happen. I thought I was in the right mood/mindset for this, and I was ready for anything, but then I just felt blah about it all.

      Delete
  5. I haven’t even read Delirium yet. Sorry this one didn’t work for you.

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  6. Oh too much detail always slows things way down for me as well. I also don't like the sound of not connecting with the characters. Too bad. It is good that you only had one though!

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    1. I agree! I don't think it was just one thing about the book, I think it was a lot of little things that overlapped and kept me from really getting into the story.

      Delete
  7. I ~vaguely~ recall reading Delirium, though I really can't remember much about it. I also read Panic by this author, and also can't remember much. If those two were any indication, I probably won't end up liking this one, either. :/ So sorry this one wasn't for you. :(

    - Aimee @ Aimee, Always

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    1. Sometimes books were enjoyable, but not memorable. Great books are the stories you remember years after you read them! They're also the ones I want to read again and again.

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  8. Awesome feature. I'll have to make note of this the next time I DNF a book.

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    1. Yay! Remember to link up so I can check it out!

      Delete
  9. I haven't tried that one. I hardly ever DNF, I might have a bit of OCD about finishing a book once I start. lol

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    1. I used to be that way, but then I started to dislike reading. I would dread going back to a book, and that's not what I want for myself! I want to be so excited that I can't wait to pick up a book again. Personal preference, obviously, but it's worked out well for me! There are sooo many books out there, new stories waiting to be read, and I don't want to waste my time on something I'm not enjoying.

      Delete
  10. Aw, sorry this one didn't work out! I liked it but I'm a sucker for cloning and all that and even with a slow start I had to keep going. I can see why it wouldn't be for everyone though. I hear mixed things about Lauren Oliver- I like what I've read so far, mostly, but her well known Before I Fall I haven't read yet...

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    1. I'm glad you enjoyed it! Cloning isn't really my thing, so that might have had something to do with it. Aren't they making Before I Fall into a movie? Maybe? Have you read Delirium?

      Delete
    2. I haven't read Delirium! I've only read Panic by her and Replica/ Ringer. I do want to read more of her. And seems like I did her that about Before I Fall...

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    3. I think I have Replica around here somewhere... Panic sounds familiar, but I can't place it. ๐Ÿคท

      Read Delirium! It's twisty and awesome.

      Delete
  11. I heard about this one before and it sounded really interesting. I am sorry it did not work out for you. I rarely DNF books, I just hope the next chapter will capture me? But sometimes I do, when the writing is absolutely horrible and I cannot read another page.

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    1. Whatever works for you! It sounds like you have a more positive outlook. ;) I'll give a book a fighting chance, but I have my limits. I want to read something that I know I'm enjoying instead of wishing for it to get better. There are books that end with a bang that have a slow start, so I'm sure I'm missing out there! I would just rather enjoy the book from the beginning, you know?

      Delete
  12. I loved her Delirium series as well but for some reason, everything else I've tried from her (which isn't a lot) I haven't loved.

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    1. Hard same for me! I keep expecting her next book to wow me like Delirium, but nothing else has clicked.

      Delete
  13. YEEEEES! I need to bash mine out this weekend too Lindsi, have been without my laptop for so long and have only just got it back during the week. With the same issue mind you. Stupid Acer. I have a list as long as my arm this month for DNF books. I was starting to slump until I picked up the Chaos Walking series by Patrick Ness and totally hooked! I might start making my list tonight so I won't have as much work to do tomorrow. I love this idea! <3 <3 <3

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    1. You're still having issues with your laptop?? Geez! That's ridiculous. I'm glad it didn't blow up, and I hope it works better this time! Were you able to save all of your information, or did you lose everything?

      Nooo! Not a slump! I'm glad you were able to get out of it, though. I haven't read that series or anything by that author, but I'll look into it! It has to be great if it got you out of a slump.

      You can definitely join in on a DNF&Y post! If the link-up is closed, you can leave your URL in the comments! I'd love to check it out. This is something I'm going to be doing at the end of every month. (So I don't get overwhelmed, I create a draft and add to it as I go before posting everything at the end of the month. Then I'm not trying to do all my DNFs at once.)

      Delete
  14. What a great idea!! I usually just skip over my DNF's on my blog, but I definitely want to take part in this!

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    1. Yay! I'd love it if you did! I used to skip mine, too, but I feel like we should share our reasons so others can get a better idea of the book! My negatives might be your positives (if that makes sense, lol).

      Delete
  15. Bummer this didn't work out. I haven't read anything from her since Delirium.

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    1. I think I read Before I Fall, but now I can't remember. I also know I finished the Delirium series, but I can only really remember the first book. I want to re-read them soon.

      Delete
  16. I LOVED Delirium. I read this but didn't really like it. Thought it was too long and too slow. I didn't continue with the next book.

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    1. It was really rough in the beginning. I felt like I was being overwhelmed with information that I didn't really understand. When things didn't pick up I decided to just stop altogether.

      Delete
  17. This book has been sitting on my Kindle for ages and I just keep passing over it. I haven't tried her Delirium series either even though most people seem to enjoy that one.

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    1. I would recommend Delirium! It has a really interesting concept that I enjoyed. If you like clones and secret facilities, this might be for you. I just didn't like feeling as though the story wasn't going anywhere.

      Delete
  18. I really love the idea for Replica, I'd love to read the same story but from 2 diff characters, to see how much they differ because the author's note is so true, but the story itself has just never sounded like something that would interest me. Sorry it didn't work for you! That's too bad you didn't get to the other POV, I would've been curious lol.

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    1. I might have liked the other POV, but I didn't know where it was, lol. I think this book is structured differently, and I was listening to the audiobook. I was at the mercy of the narrator. ๐Ÿ˜‰

      Delete
  19. For some reason this book has never appealed to me. I have only read Oliver once and it was just an okay read. I wonder if this is one of those books that just don't work as well on audio.

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    1. Maybe? I thought about that, too. I'm wondering if the audiobook goes through one person's story and then the other, or if they start alternating somewhere in the middle. It's just that the story itself bugged me. I didn't connect with it or the characters.

      Delete
  20. Sounds like too much of a mind f-cough erm yeah, for me. :)

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    1. I had similar feelings, lol. It was a lot to wrap my head around, but it was presented in a weird (and very slow) way.

      Delete
  21. I really liked this book, and the duology overall. I know I had an attachment to the characters by the end of the book, but maybe the mystery of it all drove me in the beginning. I really loved the concept of this book. I may bandwagon with the other, who think this might have worked better in a physical format. When I was first starting to listen to audiobooks, I DNFed a lot. What I found was not every type of story worked for me in audio.

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    1. I might try this one again if I stumble across a physical copy. I'm so happy you liked it and that the concept worked for you! The mystery didn't intrigue me in the beginning, so maybe that's another reason I stopped. I just couldn't get into it.

      I love how different people are, and how we can all have different perspectives and opinions! Books are brilliant.

      Delete
  22. Hmm... I wonder if this one is better in print rather than audiobook? I already hated Delirium, but liked her other books Panic and Before I Fall, so maybe I will feel differently.

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    1. That seems to be the general consensus!

      What did you not like about Delirium? I remember enjoying that one and Before I Fall. I haven't read Panic yet!

      Delete

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“Stuff and nonsense. Nonsense and stuff and much of a muchness and nonsense all over again. We are all mad here, don't you know?”
― Marissa Meyer, Heartless