Book Review: Everything, Everything

~ aentee @ read at midnight

Nicola Yoon, Everything Everything4-star

Title: Everything, Everything

Author: Nicola Yoon

Series? No.

Rating: 4/5

Goodreads

Book Depository

Disclaimer:  I received a digital copy of this book via Penguin Random House & Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

SPOILER ALERT: It only takes one heartfelt book to change your opinion on an entire genre.

everythingeverything

“You can’t predict the future. It turns out that you can’t predict the past either. Time moves in both directions – forward and backward – and what happens here and now changes them both.”

I usually dismiss YA Contemporary as a genre I won’t ever be interested in, previously writing it off as fiction which relied on angst rather than creative worldbuilding to carry the plot.  If I’m going to read fiction, I want wizards, faeries, shapeshifters, otherworldly settings, protagonists that will save the world… the whole shebang!  Then Everything, Everything came along and crumbled my preconceived notions about the genre, proving that there’s a real magic in everyday experiences, too. The book follows Madeline, a girl who’s allergic to everything.  Her only remaining family is her mother, who’s loving but overprotective. Consequentially, Madeline’s literally been locked inside her home for most of her life, the only people she interacts with are her mother, her nurse and her tutor.  Despite this, she remains content with her palindromic life until a boy (it’s always a boy!) and his family moves in next door.

Really there’s only one thing to wish for — a magical cure that will allow me to run free outside like a wild animal, but I never make that wish because it’s impossible. It’s like wishing that mermaid and dragons and unicorns were real. Instead I wish for something more likely than a cure. Something less likely to make us both sad. “World peace,” I say.

Nicola Yoon’s writing is fantastic, especially considering that this is her debut novel.  Her prose flowed in an effortless way, and her observations on the everyday joy that eludes Madeline are beautifully poignant.  The book is also charming in the way which it’s littered with pictures, Madeline’s book reviews and instant messages log. However, I thought the development of Olly and Madeline’s relationship was too quick, as in its initial stages all we had to go by were excerpts of these brief message logs.  However, reading this book made me quite cheerful so I was ready to forgive this relative lack of relationship development.

How am I supposed to go back to being The Girl Who reads?  Not that I begrudge my life in books.  All I know about the world I’ve learned from them. But a description of a tree is not a tree, a thousand paper kisses will never equal to the feel of Olly’s lips against mine.

I also appreciated the development of Madeline’s character and her growing curiosity about this world that healthy, normal people take for granted.  For someone who was always satisfied with her lot in life, seeing Olly and the world that she was missing: friends, school, Maui, first loves… all amounted to an existential crisis which felt authentic.  However, her solution to his dilemma is just so farfetched and unbelievable, my mouth was left agaped during the last third of the book. Everyone in the book just became so irresponsible, it made me wonder how any of these health professional kept their practising license? I work in the healthy industry, so the treatment of Madeline’s illness really bothered me.  All my knowledge of the immune system and pathology was going haywire trying to make any sense of the event that unfolded. However, it was all saved by a killer plot twist, which turned a previous light and fluffy read to a story about domestic abuse: both in physical and mental sense. The ending left me a bit conflicted about the book, hence 4 instead of 5 stars.

In two weeks my skin will have no memory of Olly’s hand on mine, but my brain will remember.  We can have immortality or the memory of touch, but we can’t have both.

The last third of the book here is really the clincher on whether you’ll enjoy it or not, so when you decide to pick this up, make sure to read ’til the very end!  I thought that despite its flaws, this is a book with a large heart, great prose, and at the end of it a worthwhile message about living your life to the fullest.  I would definitely recommend it to all those reluctant to try out contemporary fiction.

Published by aentee @ read at midnight

72 thoughts on “Book Review: Everything, Everything”

  2. YA contemporary this year has been going pretty well. I’ve read some of them, and they’re actually great. I am really excited to read this one. It’s had polarizing reviews from many people I know, so I am no longer sure who I can identify most with. Great review!

    Like

    Reply

    1. I’m gonna have to admit that the ending will either make or break the book for you. At one point I was pretty much screaming WHAT ARE YOU DOING? at the protagonist haha. It’s a really quick read though, took me 2 hours, so you should be able to easily decide for yourself 😀

      But yes contemporary YA looks fantastic this year, I need to read more 🙂 which did you enjoy?

      Like

      Reply

      1. All the Rage by Courtney Summers was great, and the Walls Around Us was amazing too, though this one has bits of magical realism. Those are the ones that come to my mind right now. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Ah yes both sounds wonderful especially The Walls Around Us! I’ll look into it, thanks Vane!

        Like

  3. Excellent review!! I can’t wait to get my hands on this when it releases next month :D. If you haven’t tried them yet, I recommend giving All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven, Finding Audrey by Sophie Kinsella, and Every Last Word by Tamara Ireland Stone a try 🙂

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I’ve read All The Bright Places and loved it! Will definitely look into Finding Audrey as I enjoyed Sophie Kinsella’s adult books! Thanks for the rec and I really hope you will love this book, too!

      Like

      Reply

      1. Yes!! All the Bright Places is one of my favourite reads for 2015!! I love Sophie Kinsell’s adult books so I was nervous but excited to read her first YA book, it’s another favourite :). Also, I’m in love with the Everything, Everything photo you made ❤

        Like

  4. I can’t wait until I can finally sit down and read my copy! Your review definitely pointed out a few aspects that other readers hadn’t mentioned such as the plot twist revealing some sort of abuse. That makes me even more intrigued to pick this up, so I shall be reading it soon. Great review Aentee!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I hope I didn’t spoil anything for you! I wrote this review way back when I was a newbie blogger so it’s not as strong as my more recent ones. Hopefully you’ll enjoy the book as much as I did!

      Like

      Reply

    1. Lmao don’t read this review if you can help it. I wrote it ages ago and it embarrasses me a little. Have fun with this book, though. Would love to hear what you think of the ending!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  6. This book sounds great! But I’m not sure if it’s really something I’d like to read. Mainly because I don’t like reading about abuse and such. Is it used heavily? Or is there any adult content? Thanks! It does sounds like a really good read!! 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Ah it’s not featured heavily at all. Most of the book is quite lighthearted. And there’s no explicit love scene! I do recommend it 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  7. This book is going to break me, I know it already just by your review Aentee. I love heartfelt contemporaries and there’s been so many incredible ones coming out this year that push the boundaries of what we see as “sick lit’. That ending sounds like it’s a real deciding point too, now I’m nervous. Awesome review hun, so glad you really enjoyed this one ❤

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. The ending of this book is a wee bit make or break as that plot twist is extreme, and Maddy makes some questionable decision. But I really loved the book’s tone and writing, so I really hope you’ll also enjoy it!

      Like

      Reply

  8. It’s always great when the protagonist loves reading. 😀 I am glad you got into YA Contemporary because some of it is really worth reading. Maybe now I will harass you into reading The Fault In Our Stars 😛 I definitely can’t wait to read this novel! 😀 Thanks for the awesome review!

    P.S. If you get sick of being in the health industry maybe try graphic designer because girl you can create some magic! ^-^

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. This protagonist is also an awesome book reviewer, I would totally read the heck out of her blog haha. The next contemporary on my list might just have to be a John Green, to ssee what all the fuss is about. I hope you’ll end up enjoying this one!!

      Haha, I’m trying to cash in on my graphics already – I’m thinking of selling blog headers and buttons XD *shameless*

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. Yay! 😀 Personally, I haven’t read any of his novels beside TFIOS. At first I loathed it because I found realistic fiction and particularly those have terminal illness to be quite boring. However, my best friend made me read it again after two years and I fell in love with it. Though it still hasn’t change my opinion on the rest of John Green’s novels though. I saw Paper Town the other day with my girlie and I didn’t like it apart from the fact that Mr. Green always delivered an excellent piece of message for life. After Paper Town I don’t know if I want to read it anymore.

        Sorry for the babbles but I love talking to you! 😀

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Eee don’t ever be sorry for your wall of text, I love talking to you, too ❤

        I am wary mainly because of the terminal illness plotline. I watch loads of K-drama and there's enough premature death by cancer there to last me a life time haha. But I will try and get around to TFIOS some day, it feels like compulsory reading for a book blogger haha.

        Liked by 1 person

      3. I seriously have been so busy due to exams in less than two months >..< *Afraid of living alone*

        When you write a review for John Green's novel, make sure to knock on my door so I can read it! ^-^

        Liked by 1 person

      4. Okay my PC has just automatically messed up my comment…What I was saying is I have been busy with exams and I just missed you so I dropped by to say hi 😛 And I’m considering taking up K-drama coz I’ll be moving out to uni and I’m afraid of being lonely. >.<

        Like

      5. You’ll make plenty of friends at university, bb, don’t you worry 🙂 I had a grand time!! If you veer to kdrama, I highly recommend Healer 😀

        Like

    1. Thanks Marie! The ending of Everything, Everything seems to be the deciding factor for a lot of people. But I hope you enjoy it just as much as I did 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  10. I actually don’t like YA contemp much too! I do respect it as a genre, and all the more for being able to craft a story WITHOUT magic and madness and murder, but I veer much more towards the spec fic side of the spectrum. And ooh, Everything, Everything reminds me of a legit illness where the patient’s immune system is very weak and they have to stay in a literal sterile plastic bubble for their entire life.

    But then Everything, Everything just doesn’t have that “YES GIVE IT TO ME” premise that I look for, even in contemporaries, so perhaps this one’s not for me. Great review anyways, Aentee!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Same here, I respect it as a genre as it seems to touch so many people and create a space where current issues can be discussed without wearing the guise of dystopia etc…. but I just like seeing my dragons and magic! I think the illness in Everything, Everything is based on a real disease, so you are absolutely right! I hope you do enjoy it if you get around to reading it.. just, that ending = your mileage may vary haha.

      Like

      Reply

  11. Wonderful review. A friend plans to lend this to me soon, and this intrigued me further! 😀 Lovely graphics AGAIN, Aentee! YOUR ART IS MAGIC.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I hope you do too, it seems to be a very polarising books for its end, but I think the writing and the characters are delightful! Have fun with it 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  13. I’m so happy you enjoyed this one, Aentee. I fell in love with it and that twist totally surprised me. I know a lot of people are upset with the twist, but it worked for me. This is one of those books that made me FEEL so much that I didn’t care that it had some flaws. And yes to everything you said about Yoon’s writing! It had such a beautiful flow to it.
    Lovely review, Aentee!

    Like

    Reply

    1. Eeee I am happy to see you approve of it, too! Since you seem very well versed on your contemporary reads, Nick! I think I could accept the twist more easily because what Maddy was able to get away with prior to it would not have made any sense! I can’t wait to read more of Nicola Yoon’s work, her writing is magic 🙂

      Like

      Reply

  14. I’m so happy you enjoyed this one! I’ve had the e-galley waiting for me for awhile now, but I just didn’t get to it before lending out my kindle. However, I already pre-ordered a copy and am very excited to read it soon! Glad this gave you a different perspective on the YA contemporary genre 🙂 Great review as always!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. You would lend out a KINDLE? You are a generous soul, Jeanette XD I would never part with my on pains of death haha 😉 But I hope you will enjoy this read! Everything, Everything made me want to experiment with more YA contemporary!

      Like

      Reply

  15. I’ve heard great things about this book. When it comes to contemporaries the ones that always stick with me are the ones that have strong character development and I think this may be one of those books. I’ll definitely be checking it out. Great review.

    Like

    Reply

    1. The characters and the writing are definitely the strong suit of this book, so if that’s what you are into, you will love this *fingers crossed for you, Lois*!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  16. I haven’t read a bad review on this one yet and I’m pretty excited to read Madeline’s perspective as a mixed child Also, Nicola Yoon seems like an awesome lady. I’m so glad you enjoyed this, Aentee! I can’t wait to pick it up now. The cover is quite beautiful too. 🙂

    Like

    Reply

    1. You only need to go on Goodreads to see a bad review hahaha, but the best thing is just to ignore what people say and read it for yourself 😀 Nicola Yoon is the sweetest and she has gorgeous writing, so I hope you’ll get to check this one out soon + enjoy it as much as I did! I also LOVE that cover 😀

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  17. Lovely illustrations as always! Nice review and quotes. Heard nothing but great things about this book! Madeline sounds seems like an interesting character. Looking forward to reading it when its released 🙂

    Like

    Reply

    1. Thanks Thuong! Madeline is a great character as she never angst despite her crappy situation, I like my heroines a little bit sunny 😀 I hope you’ll enjoy the book, can’t wait to hear what you think of it 🙂

      Like

      Reply

  18. I’m so undecided about this book, and I’m not sure why. I did just go put it on hold at the library after reading your review, so I’ll at least give it a try. 🙂

    Like

    Reply

    1. Yes, the library is the best place for those on-the-fence books, this is what I usually do with contemporary haha. you should start a book blog, Maraia! I think you’ll make an awesome blogger + those Netgalley perks 😉 I hope you will like this read, it’s quite lighthearted and fun (until that end…)

      Like

      Reply

      1. Haha, thank you, I appreciate it. I’m happy as a non-blogger now, though. I think if I started blogging, I wouldn’t have time to read and comment on other blogs, which is one of my favorite parts! 😀

        Like

  19. Excellent review! I was definitely left little wide-eyed with the sheer amount of ignoring professional medical advice that Olly/Maddie did. The slow build relationship and the romance were a joy to read though.

    Like

    Reply

    1. I know right! I was like WHAT ARE YOU DOING? YOU CAN DIE GIRL? WHY ARE YOU NOT DEAD YET? But the twist made sense of it in the end, I guess. Also, Maddy has the WORST nurse in the world, Y/Y? Both of them! I am glad you enjoyed this book, though.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  20. I’m sorry you don’t like YA Contemporary, but at the same time I’m glad that this one convinced you that maybe they’re not so bad! However, I totally understand why you love fantasy. AND OMG THAT TWIST – it still shocks me everytime I think about it.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I just love fantasy a lot more, so I don’t have room in my book diet for contemporary unless they seem excellent! I am having quite good luck with my recent contemporary reads, though *cheers* Also, that twist changed the book for me, still unsure about it, but the rest of the book is SUPERB.

      Like

      Reply

  21. I’m looking forward to reading this one. I can relate to loving some books despite character’s making frustrating decisions. Contemporary makes me smile (and I love finding new favourites) but my heart somehow gravitates back to SFF too.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I just like stories with grander scope, so I guess that’s why I prefer SFF. Most contemporary takes place either in someone’s house or at high school, so I find it a little bit difficult to get excited. But the good ones are SO DELIGHTFUL and makes me all warm and fuzzy, so I do need to read more!

      Like

      Reply

  22. This year is basically the year of contemporaries for me! I used to not like them that much for the very same reasons, but this year was just WOW. So many good contemporaries out! (Check out Emmy & Oliver, Things We Know by Heart, Under the Lights, All The Rage, Summer of Chasing Mermaids if you haven’t yet…) I’ve been seeing this book around but have been largely undecided. You do are enticing me of the ending, though… I like twists that make or break the book. Oftentimes, they make the book for me because twists that blow your minds away are (most likely) a good thing 😛 Plus, it’s a 2015 contemporary! With my luck, it’ll be a good one 😉

    Faye at The Social Potato

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. My luck with contemporary have also been inordinately good this year, so I think you’re right, Faye! I will definitely check out the titles you rec, esp The Summer of Chasing Mermaid because YAY for PoC protagonist and fairy tale retelling! thanks for the list 🙂

      Yes, this twist will either have you pleasantly shocked (which, yay!) or raging (which, also yay? because I love reading your snarky review XD *horrible person*) But I do hope you’ll love it just as much as your other contemporary reads this year!

      Like

      Reply

  23. I think you vocalized my initial reason for why I didn’t originally want to read this i.e. the genre. This past year I just haven’t wanted to pick up anything contemporary but I have this on my TBR list for Arc August. Thanks to your wonderful points in this review, I’m 100% positive that I’ll be reading this within the next week or so! By the way, I absolutely adore your blog – it’s beautiful!

    A.M. Bradley @ Hungover Fiction Lover

    Like

    Reply

    1. I hope you enjoy this one and it cures you of contemporary phobia, haha! Another one you could try is I’ll Never Meet You – I haven’t read it myself, but it’s a contemporary setting with distinct SF elements, so it could be a nice bridge between the genre 😀 Thanks for stopping by ❤

      Like

      Reply

  24. What a fabulous review, Aentee! I’ve always been a huge contemporary reader, so no problems on this side. 🙂 I’ve heard lots of conflicting things about the ending–a few people even ended up hating the book because of that alone. I’m really curious about it!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. Yes, I often stalk you for my monthly contemporary read inspiration – I should try to read the genre more than once a month, though, I’ve clearly been enjoying them lately haha. That ending will either wow you or make you spit, I hope you enjoy it!! ❤

      Like

      Reply

  25. I’ve heard nothing but praise for this book, and you just increased my curiosity even more! I actually love books that don’t get really, really good until the end – as long as the beginning is intriguing as well – and that plot twist sounds wonderful. I know what you mean about one book changing your opinion on an entire genre – I’ve always been a contemporary YA reader, but I didn’t think I liked magical realism until I read The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender.

    Anyway, I think I might have to give this book a shot – thanks for the review!

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. This book is great in the beginning. The ending will either make you think it’s awesome OR make you hate it… so I hope you enjoy the plot twist such as I did. The Strange and Beautiful Sorrows of Ava Lavender sounds amazing! I usually love the genre of magical realism, so I have that one on my TBR. Thanks for stopping by, Emily ❤

      Like

      Reply

  26. I finished this book today, only about 2 hours and a half ago, and might I say, regardless of how amateur you think your review might be, you’ve captured the essence of the book perfectly. I’m still undecided about the ending myself…I loved it (and I had suspected something fishy around the 70% mark) so it wasn’t a complete surprise to me. And yet, I want to believe that the message of the book was something deeper and infinitely more touching, which is why this book will forever remain a favorite ❤

    Great review, Aentee! Also, love the graphic. You're so friggin' talented!

    Like

    Reply

    1. Thanks Rhea, I was actually too embarrassed to reread this review since I wrote it almost two months ago, but I am glad you think it did the book justice! Also so happy to hear that you enjoyed it, I can’t want to read more of Nicola Yoon’s book in the future.

      EEE thanks for being so kind about my graphics ❤

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  28. I AM HOPELESS. I really was super angry at this book and didn’t enjoy it at all, not even when the reveal made some of the plot inconsistencies make sense. *sigh* I think I’m the minority though, because I see a lot of praise for it! 😀 I AM GLAD YOU HAD A GOOD TIME WITH IT THO. And zomg, your graphics just make me pat my computer screen. BEAUTIFULNESS.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I AM SORRY YOU HATED IT, CAIT. Though I can totally understand why, I nearly threw the book across the room at the 70% mark when Maddy and her nurse completely lost their marbles. But the ending was palatable enough to save the book for me.

      AND THANK YOU *BLUSHES MADLY*

      Like

      Reply

    1. Thank you!! I do recommend it, especially because it’s quite a short read 😀 Caveat for the ending though.

      Like

      Reply

  31. Great review, Aentee! I’ve been seeing this around for so long, honestly September 1st can’t come fast enough. I’m so glad you enjoyed this book despite its flaws enough to give it a four-star rating. XD And can I just say that I absolutely love your graphics (although I’m sure you heard it a lot of times already)! So jealous. 🙂

    Like

    Reply

Leave a comment