Everything Everything
Author: Nicola Yoon
Series: None
Genre: Young Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Release Date: September 1, 2015
Publisher: Delacorte
Summary:
Basically, I’m allergic to the world. I don’t leave my house, have not left my house in seventeen years. The only people I ever see are my mom and my nurse, Carla.
But then one day, a moving truck arrives next door. I look out my window, and I see him. He’s tall, lean and wearing all black — black T-shirt, black jeans, black sneakers, and a black knit cap that covers his hair completely. He catches me looking and stares at me. I stare right back. His name is Olly.
Maybe we can’t predict the future, but we can predict some things. For example, I am certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It’s almost certainly going to be a disaster.
First Sentence: I’ve read many more books than you.
I received a copy of the book from BEA in exchange for a honest review. All opinions are my own and I was not compensated for this review.
My Review:
At first, I wasn’t interested in Everything Everything at all because of one main reason: Everything Everything is a packaged book and packaged books and I just don’t click. However, after one of my friends managed to obtain an early copy, all I heard from him was nothing but him raving for the book and how I must get a copy for myself so I can see how good it is. Since I was extremely curious – will Everything Everything be the packaged book that I will finally fall in love with? – I snagged myself a copy at BEA and dove in with high hopes and slightly high expectations. Add the editor’s letter at the front of the book and I was determined to love this book, but, as you know it, that didn’t happen.
I think of Olly, decontamination-cold and waiting for me. He’s the opposite of all these things. He’s not safe. He’s not familiar. He’s in constant motion.
He’s the biggest risk I’ve ever taken. (ARC 69)
I was looking forward to reading the romance in Everything Everything. The way the synopsis of the book worded it – “For example, I am certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It’s almost certainly going to be a disaster” – completely captivated my attention even though it was practically screaming LOOK, this book contains insta-love! It turns out my prediction was correct; Everything Everything indeed contained insta-love. I thought I wouldn’t mind since I was well prepared for it and the beginning interactions between Maddy and Olly was oh so cute, but as their relationship grew deeper, I just felt myself growing more bored by it all. I wasn’t sold on Maddy and Olly being together at all, besides the fact that their names matched one another with the double letters and how they both end with a “y.”
Another aspect that attracted me into reading Everything Everything was the fact that the main character suffers from SCID, a disease I’ve never heard nor read anything about yet. Going into Everything Everything, I was very interested in knowing more about the disease, how common it is, and all other aspects about it. To my massive disappointment, no information besides the very, very basic is given about SCID and after reading Everything Everything, I feel more confused than ever: In Everything Everything, it was hinted and implied that Maddy has tasted and eaten bacon before. My question is, people with SCID can eat bacon (bacon is one of the fatty foods to avoid if you have a condition)? What can people with SCID can and can’t eat? Everything Everything doesn’t explore that – or anything else related to SCID – at all and don’t even get me started on the one and only plot twist. Just, ugh.
“Is it always like that?” I ask, breathless.
“No,” he says. “It’s never like that.” I hear the wonder in his voice.
And just like that, everything chances. (ARC 130)
There were also parts of Everything Everything that I just can’t believe in as they don’t happen like that in real life. I can’t say anything more as they are spoilers, but I can say this: Everything Everything forgets that certain technology exist nowadays, creating a gaping plot hole.
The one, okay, two things I did like in Everything Everything was Olly and the illustrations, charts, lists, etc. Olly is extremely cute and creative: his and Maddy’s first/second interaction was beyond adorable and I just can’t help but swoon a bit every time their interaction pops up into my mind. The illustrations, charts, lists, etc. was the fun part about reading Everything Everything and made reading it faster.
Overall, Everything Everything is sadly not the book for me and I honestly don’t get the hype surrounding this book. While other people are giving this one four stars and five stars, I’ll be all alone in my tiny corner baaaa-ing away.
well i’m kinda sad this one didn’t worked for you Kelly….i haven’t read the book yet…but like you it was pretty much hyped so i had certain expectations too…so i’m still giving this one a chance. thanks for this review :)
Oh I am so sorry this one didn’t work for you! I have heard great things. Oh well, guess this one just wasn’t the packaged pone for you. :) Great review.
I’m sorry you didn’t like this one! I have to admit, it’s the first negative review I’ve even seen for it, but you make some really great points!
Kelly recently posted…ARC August Update #2
I’m glad I read your review on this. I’ve seen a lot of people raving over this book, but insta-love is something I really can’t get into :\
This book actually worked for me. In kind of a reverse of your situation I had no idea this book was packaged until I finished it. Compared to the other packaged books I read this one was much better. I do agree that the romance was pretty meh.
Aww, I’m so sorry you didn’t like this one. I personally loved it, but I’m pretty good at ignoring unrealistic things…I just enjoyed the story.
And I did sort-of see the plot twist coming…but still, I found the book rather enjoyable.
And Maddy and Olly were just so cute in the beginning, weren’t they :)
Cassie recently posted…Dear Book, I know nothing about you, but I need you
What a let down! I’m so sorry you didn’t enjoy this quite as much as the hype would lead you to believe. Hopefully the next book you read is much, much better!
But.. but.. aw. I’m so sorry that you found this book to be pretty awful Kelly :( That is no fun at all. Sigh. I had heard one great thing about it, so I was curious, lol. But now I don’t think it is a book for me either. Though it looks gorgeous :) Thank you for sharing your awesome thoughts about it sweet girl. <3 I'm sorry it was disappointing :\
Carina Olsen recently posted…Review: City of Thirst by Carrie Ryan and John Parke Davis
Sorry you didn’t like this one! Like you, the line “For example, I am certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It’s almost certainly going to be a disaster” captivated my attention as well. I haven’t read this yet but I’m looking forward to seeing what I end up thinking about the romance in the story. I can understand your issue about how it kind of forgets the technology nowadays and that it creates plot holes. That was one of my problems as well when I read Emmy & Oliver.
Aww this was a good review although I had hoped that it would be a good book! Maybe I might like it, we might have different taste, but I’m usually pretty fussy so I doubt I’ll like it anymore than you do :3 Great review though!
Ella Fleming-Christie recently posted…I created my first tag video for Booktube!: Character Habits Tag! – FeathersandFaith
I got really excited for this book when I started seeing reviews for it because they have all been so overwhelmingly positive. I’m a little sad now that I’ve seen a negative review for it though. Packaged books don’t really bother me. The blogging community seems to look down on them, but I don’t really understand why.
Aww sorry you didn’t enjoy this! I’m planning on reading it soon and I hope I like it because I really want to love it because it just sounds so good. Great review! :)
Kyra @ Blog of a Bookaholic recently posted…Bout of Books 14: Wrap-Up (I forgot to post this and it finished a week ago. I’m a terrible person.)
Awww I wanted to read this so bad but now after reading your review I’m not sure I am. I still think the cover is super pretty lol
Emily Edwards recently posted…August 2015 Wrap-Up
I loved this one! So sorry to hear you didn’t enjoy it! I tend to dislike books that everyone is hyping, so I know how you feel!