Title: Bubble World
Author: Carol Snow
ISBN: 9780805095715
Publisher: Macmillan Children's
Released: July 30, 2013
Page #: 353
Source: eARC from NetGalley
Summary:
"Freesia’s life is perfect. She lives on the beautiful tropical island
of Agalinas, surrounded by idyllic weather, fancy dress shops, and
peacocks who sing her favorite song to wake her up in the morning. She
has so many outfits she could wear a different one every day for a year
and not run out.
Lately things on the island may have been a bit
flippy: sudden blackouts, students disappearing, even Freesia’s
reflection looking slightly . . . off. But in Freesia’s experience, it’s
better not to think about things like that too much.
Unfortunately for her, these signs are more than random blips in the universe. Freesia’s perfect bubble is about to pop."
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First Lines: (quote from the ARC - subject to change)
"The signs were all there, but Freesia chose to ignore them. She didn't question the power surges. The electrical blackouts. The sudden departures that bordered on disappearances."
Page 1
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Review:
I wasn't sure what to really expect from Bubble World. I mean, look at that cover. You can only imagine how silly a book this might be. But I found it much more intriguing than I thought I would.
Freesia lives the absolute perfect life. She has a wardrobe that never ends, friends that are amazing, and lives on an idyllic island. Things couldn't be better. She goes to classes - only because that means her parents will spend more money (Shells) for her to party. Things are easy. Things are great. But then strange things start happening. Weird blackouts. A day repeats itself. She hears some weird things from a guy who is clearly going insane. But... her life is perfect, so she isn't about to rock the boat.
I'm going to have a hard time reviewing this book without spoiling what happens about halfway through. But I'll sure try! If you're anything like me, you will hate just about everything there is about Freesia in the beginning of this book. She's self-centered, vapid, annoying... Everything you'd expect, I guess. She only starts to take shape as a real person once strange things start happening. She begins to question things that don't make sense in her world. And that has consequences she wasn't expecting.
So... while this book starts out as shallow and insane, it really pulls in some heavy-hitter issues. Education. Family. Obesity (don't question that till you've read the book). Relationships. It's deceptively in-depth. Again, trying not to spoil here. I was impressed at all of things things pulled in here. And in a way that makes you really root for Freesia to do the right thing in the end.
I think this is a thought provoking book that will surprise readers. I know it surprised me. I will probably recommend this to select readers - those who can appreciate a good ditzy, fun story. Because they will need that love to get through the first half of the story. But I think many will appreciate the issues it brings up. It's an easy and fun story, so it's definitely worth a little time once it comes out in July. Plus, you will 100% wish you lived on the island with Freesia and her friends.
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Other Blog Reviews:
In All Serious-ness
The Armchair Librarian
There aren't many reviews yet, but I'm sure there will be more before July. :) Let me know if you review this one so I can link you up.
