Monday, July 7, 2014

All Our Yesterdays by Cristin Terrill Review

All Our Yesterdays (All Our Yesterdays #1)




What would you change?

Imprisoned in the heart of a secret military base, Em has nothing except the voice of the boy in the cell next door and the list of instructions she finds taped inside the drain.

Only Em can complete the final instruction. She’s tried everything to prevent the creation of a time machine that will tear the world apart. She holds the proof: a list she has never seen before, written in her own hand. Each failed attempt in the past has led her to the same terrible present—imprisoned and tortured by a sadistic man called the doctor while war rages outside.


Marina has loved her best friend, James, since they were children. A gorgeous, introverted science prodigy from one of America’s most famous families, James finally seems to be seeing Marina in a new way, too. But on one disastrous night, James’s life crumbles, and with it, Marina’s hopes for their future. Marina will protect James, no matter what. Even if it means opening her eyes to a truth so terrible that she may not survive it... at least, not as the girl she once was. Em and Marina are in a race against time that only one of them can win.
 
I struggled to finish this one and I’m not happy about that. The reviews were amazing so maybe that’s why I went in with high expectations. I should have known better. I thought that the premise of All Our Yesterdays was original. I might be wrong here, but I just don’t read too many time traveling books so I wouldn’t know if it was original or not. The beginning had me hooked. I wanted to know how, who, when and where! I was so excited. Em in the cell was a great beginning. I really liked her at that point of the book. She seemed like a really strong character. Oh, and the bad guys! I wanted to know more and more about them too. The doctor! Who is he? Why is he doing these bad things to Em? But in the end the answers to these questions were either disappointing or a little too late.

If there’s one thing I hate is a pathetic main character. It sounds harsh, I know. But I don’t know how else to put it. The book actually has two main characters. Em and Marina (I won’t go into details because of spoilers). I liked Marina the least. I understand she is a teenager, but I couldn’t make myself like her. The way she would be all over James was kind of sad. The girl didn’t take a hint! Em in the other hand went from “she looks like she could kick some butt!” to “she’s gonna get her butt kicked!” The only thing in the book she had to do was to travel in time and complete a mission to save the future and she couldn’t do it. After the second time, she failed to do what she needed to do I knew that I had lost faith in her and the book.

There’s some redeeming thing about the book like Finn, who was an incredibly real and sweet character. And the ending was unexpected. But, sadly I couldn’t look past the things that I didn’t enjoy.


6 comments:

  1. Oh so sorry to hear you didn't enjoy it Bethzaida! I loved how the time travel and mystery were handled here, and Marina was like that intentionally I guess. At least she ended up growing in the end. Lovely honest review!

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  2. Oh geez. I tried to read this months ago, and I ended up setting it aside. I just wasn't in the mood for it, and when dollface failed to accomplish her "task" the first time, I decided to maybe try it again later. And like I said, that was MONTHS ago. Still, I figured I'd pick it up again eventually . . . now . . . probably not. A one-time lack of resolve is forgivable, especially considering the circumstances, but TWICE (and maybe not EVER) . . . that's just blah. Blah and WEAK. Sorry this was such a disappointment, but I'm glad to be able to definitively mark it off my list, so THANKS ;)

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  3. I loved this but I know that feeling of being excited about a book and then being seriously let down. I am so sorry you struggled with this one so much. I hope your next read is better.

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  4. Bummer! I hate feeling like I read a completely different book when compared to other reviewers. Their 5 stars = my 2. Fingers crossed that your next read will knock your socks off! :)

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  5. That is too bad to hear that it was such a big let down! Personally I have this book and I had started it and didn't get past the cell scene. Not because it wasn't interesting but i wasn't in the mood I guess. I'll have to try it again someday but for now its not on my priority list.

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  6. The first reviews of this were really good but it sounds like it got more mixed reviews after that. I did enjoy it quite a bit but I remember not liking Marina all that much either. I did like the change in her character though it showed the author knew how to write distinct voices which I like. And yes, Finn!!! <3 Too bad this didn't live up to your expectations - that happens to me so much on highly rated books!!

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