I loved it but you may hate it...
345295
I personally loved the book due to great writing, interesting characters and Hill's ability to make you understand exactly the motivation of the character she is focusing on.  However, what I both liked and didn't like about the book -- Hill pretty much throws out all the rules about which characters survive.  Nor does she tie up everything into a neat bow at the end -- a lot like real life actually.  But she does resolve the major crime so we are not left hanging.

Also, while this is a Simon Serrailler mystery, other characters take bigger roles than he does for a good part of the book.

I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who likes well written mysteries.  If you must have everything tied in a neat bow at the end of the story and you don't like surprise endings, don't read it.
347944
I liked it, because it was beautifully crafted.  I found myself frustrated with the some of the content, though.  I got that they were drug addicts, but I did not need as much detail as I was presented.
1409551
I would've given it five stars. It had a number of compelling, fascinating moments and it swept me along quite nicely from beginning to end, but there are just some things that jarred and kept it from being a book I would rave about. Namely, I understood that Gil was meant to be very angry and he did have things to be bitter about, but sometimes his reactions to things were too extreme and the enemies were built up to be horrifying but when they actually appeared they seemed to fall flat. I couldn't help being disappointed.
Don't get me wrong, I really did enjoy the book. I just couldn't love it.
2167146
Since so many people have done it better than me, I will refrain from re-hashing the basic plot, and stick to my impressions.

 Ugly Stick for me starts out wonderfully, fleshing out April's life, the other main characters, and their surroundings in a way that gives you all the info you needed without getting needlessly nitty-gritty. The curse, while originally seeming a little cliched, became unique in how it was passed on and later resolved.

The negative for me has got to be that April's voice slowly throughout the novel become less distinct, and a bit more like generic teenaged whingings. Also, since I personally abhor Twitter, what for many reviewers was a cute use of it in-book and admittedly well-done, became a bit obnoxious to me.

The ending was handled well, and felt more like the beginning of the book than the middle, and I love how the curse was handled.

All-in-all though I have to say I very much enjoyed this book, and really look forward to seeing more from the author!
3724029
I think its very interesting how different readers are expressing such different opinions about their experience of reading this book, ranging from enthusiasm to complete dismissal. Some like the writing but don't like the story, while others like the story but don't like the writing. Some don't like either, and others love both. It really does all come down to taste and expectations, I suppose. One persons profound is another persons boring.

My own subjective verdict, for what its worth, is that I loved it. It carried me and its stayed with me. I cant say exactly why, and I think that it might spoil it if I tried.
535338
I truly don't understand how people can praise BookTubers for talking about books but as soon as one of them actually writes one, people hate it for no reason?! I personally had a lot of fun reading Zenith. I think the writing was very easy to become immersed in and the world was very imaginative! It reminds me a lot of a mix between the Six of Crows duology and The Lunar Chronicles (two series I absolutely love!) while being unique enough to stand on it's own. While I didn't hate this book, I also didn't love it. There were some pieces awkward dialogues and some plot points that I really didn't understand the significance of.
I remember the authors mentioning how they wanted all of their characters to have depth and there to not be any defined good/bad guys. I think in some aspects they were successful, like Andy, while others fell kind of flat for me, like Dex. I really could not connect to any of his chapters and I personally didn't feel like any of his emotional statements were genuine.
I really loved how we had such a badass group of female characters! Strong friendships, like between the entire crew of the Marauders, is not something we get often in YA fiction but I think it was such a strong addition to this novel!
The ending of the story was really entertaining and sets of the conclusion to the duology up really nicely! Although this wasn't my favorite book I've ever read, I think the second book as a lot of potential and I am definitely looking forward to reading it!
2264503
I loved it

I usually hate books but I loved this one
You should me p writhing these kinds of books
1242470
Okay, this has so many elements I don't like to read about (zombies, werewolves, etc.) that I expected to hate it, but...I actually loved it!  I'm giving it 4 1/2 Stars, and I'd have given it a straight 5 Stars except for three things.  The graphic sex scene that I felt was more graphic than needed, the ending kind of left things up in the air (it did have a passable ending but it still kind of left things unfinished), and from the looks of things it appears to be a never-ending series.  I don't mind a three or four book series if it's well written but when the numbers just go on and on it has to be a VERY good story for me to keep buying.

However, I did love Addie, the main character.  I loved her snarky attitude, which many authors have trouble writing without making the person irritating, and even the Fire Lord grew on me.  Thus, in spite of the three problems mentioned above and the subject matter I don't normally mess with, I do plan to read at least one more of the series. I'm  hoping Addie will continue to be the main focus.  Who knows, I may actually end up reading the entire series if the rest are as good as the first.
3404138
I have mixed feelings about this book. While it's incredibly entertaining, and Sanderson is a great writer - there are so many reasons to dislike the book.

Pros:
The tests, and the back and forth struggle between hrathen and sarene for the soul of the city is very entertaining.
The creativity of elantris, the shaod, and the beginning ten chapters really captured my attention, and was incredibly intriguing. There were so many interesting idea's presented in those chapters, about eternal pain, learning the rules of the new world, etc.
Twists and turns throughout the story
The cliffhanger endings of nearly every chapter keeps you entertained and guessing what's going to happen next.
A well thought out approach to how the antagonist can employ many tactics to get what they want, rather than just using violence.

Cons:
The magic was never really useful, and played no major role in the struggle or in the overcoming of the bad guy. While it was still creative, it was ultimately void of purpose in the end.
We don't see the antagonists magic, or abilities until the very end. And only then do we really get any understanding of how their magic came about. It really felt like it was thrown together at the last second.
I hate when stories use the threat of death to heighten the stakes, only to be relieved of that threat at the last possible second. For it to happen once bothers me, for it to happen over and over again shows a lack of creativity, and a desperate attempt to make the story entertaining. It's just a little TOO unbelievable.
The ending.

It's an entertaining book - the majority of time is spent in the tests, allies and enemies part of the journey. But he does a good job at making that phase very entertaining. Although, having stayed in that phase for too long the story by the end feels like it never really took off.
The characters never carried any emotion, so it was hard to feel emotion for them when the stakes were on the line.

If you're looking to fall in love with a world, and looking for creativity - THIS is your book.
If you're looking to fall in love with the characters and their adventure - This probably isn't the book you're looking for.
4398068
Ummmm, I think I have mixed feelings about this book, and it seems I am one of the few people who neither worship it nor hate it. I really enjoyed the originality of the setting, the bizarre characters and Ignatius Reilly, what a riot! His dialogue is absolutely sharp and hilarious, we have to give credit to the author for this. And Ms. Trixie, ooohhhh!!! My favourite character of the novel, no doubt! But somehow the story lacks a plot, and Ignatius's ramblings become derivative far too early into the book. I'm sure I appreciated the humour and sarcasm in the story, but a better developed plot would have given it five stars.
2587790
It's a love/hate thing. I loved it because it was so well done in all categories. All WWII films will be judged by this series. I hated it because I don't see how any future WWII films will be able to compare. I am completely overwhelmed by the whole series.
2998470
This was great in some ways and dumb in others. I loved the premise and it read real well. Some characters that I started to like died. Others I didn't lived. So go figure.  Loved the book, though
1020831
I loved it, couldn't put it down.  Loved, and I times were angry at the characters.
2820464
I can't say I liked it because it was SO grim. But it is gorgeously written and some of the images really stick with you. But I suffered through some of the later books.
3791280
(i promise this gets to why the book is worth it)
Well it is likely the only movie of its kind, i went in wanting to hate it, was unsure, indifferent,But loved the chemistry between the two main Shaw and David.
Watched a couple more times, loved it for being indirect, character and plot driven.
Sequel scott has been verbally told needs to be made.... He says it will be more like alien...half listening to us, plan to lash out more..
Disappointing as i liked the chemistry wanted to see this indirect character and plot driven sequel...

Verbally lash out or this book will be the last smart movie that's visually beautiful in the series.
My only complaint is I wish they would release another book nothing but pics of the chars, interesting set not concepts, with little info sections.
I love that this book does have lovely Shots Of The Cast, But i Fear It Will Be A Onevof Its Kind Thing, Buy It Before scitts advanced George lucas Disease Goes Terminal....

I Will Hope This will Be Reprinted Forvthose Who Cannot Afford The 40$.
I Bought At Full Price 2 And The Friend I Got it For Also Loved It, Same Complaint, More Actual Cast And Set Pictures, Vs Cgi Concepts For Sets And Ships (thevone Amazing Pic Of The Ship is Better Than what Feels Like Filler)
Noomi in nothing would be a personal preference, itbis an art book, But while full of filler, I feel this book is the one of its kind.
Scott seems set on destroying his own legacy.

Worth it for the possibility it is a one of a kind film, for the visually beautiful pieces in it.
1643054
I'm going to write this review short, mostly because I really liked this book, but I had a few things I didn't like at all.

First of all, I have to say that I love and absolutely adore C. C Hunter's way of writing. I love how she mix humor, action and romance and how well she does it. It's just amazing!

NEGATIVE parts:

- I didn't connect with Kylie at all. I felt she was too bossy and so rude at time that it made me irritated at her. Like when someone would ask her a question and she would be all "I have to work. Can we talk about it later?" and then she would just turn away from the person and do whatever she had been doing... bad Kylie.

- Kylie whined ALL THE TIME! I get that Kylie is supposed to be this very sweet girl that everybody loves(almost) and feel they could talk to, but I didn't get it at all. Somehow, Kylie always end up discussing her OWN problems with herself when she's supposed to comfort her friends. Always! For example when she talks to her friends and give them advises, she'll either think or say something like "but how could I give advise when I have sooo much trouble with ... "whoever it is. You get what I mean?

- One thing I really didn't like is how ... sweet some moments where. Almost too sweet and clich , you know? Some scenes and what people did or said made me want to skip a few lines because it was ridiculously cute, and I did. I can't handle the "overly sweet" thing, especially when they're not 13 year-olds. But that's just me.

- And one last thing; I absolutely hated how Kylie never got any useful information. Someone would tell us something about something, and then a while later they would be like "Well, nothing is black and white. It could mean many things" and they'd be over with it. I HATED it. and not in a good way. I almost put down the book because of how irritating it was for me to read and not get any information about how things works.

There was some POSITIVE parts, though! Loads of them!

- The boys. Ooh, the boys! *sight*. Personally, I don't like Derek at all. First I thought he was really sweet, but no matter what reason you have, you don't turn away and dump a girl you really like. You TALK to her. No matter the reason.
Lucas is so hot it blows my mind. But in this book though, I didn't feel the connection I did before. I felt like he wanted Kylie to be someone she's not at first, but I did enjoy reading about them.

- The action. Oh, I loved the action. I can't really say anything about it, you just have to buy it and read it yourself!

- I love Kylie's friends. ADORE them. Even though Della and Miranda did irritate me a few times, I still want to meet them!

- The humor. Oh, the humor and sarcasm in this book! LOVED it.

Okay, I guess the review ended up pretty long *blushes*, but I really just had one big problem with this book(and the first book), and it was that I didn't connect with Kylie's bossiness, whining, the way she handled herself and her insecurity. Personally I like someone with a little spunk, and not someone who does something and then don't know what she did afterwards and just shrug it of or run to her friends to complain.

Okay, I'm done. *waves*
4721754
I liked it more than I disliked it, but I wish 3.5 stars were one of the choices. One reviewer wrote: "I see that most other reviewers liked the book, they appreciated both the humor and the story. So it probably comes down to taste." YES, it mos def comes down to taste.

Preface to the book points out that it is written from the narrator's point of view, which is reiterated at the end - I didn't really understand metamessage, as this is not such an unusual style for fiction. Additionally, this would be immediately obvious to a reader even without the preface, so I guess that struck me a off-putting and slightly hmmmmmm

Nonetheless I laughed out loud when I got to the line "I hate my job." The book has some funny moments and the main character grows to be likable. I agree with some of the other reviewers though, that the early part of the book is peppered with quite a few overwrought metaphors - this may strike you awesome (!) It's truly a matter of taste.  Personally I liked the latter half of the book better when then story took off and the language toned down.

Who would like this book? It read a little like a video game. If you like multi-media, if you like graphic novels, it's a modern romp through a wacky adventure. Read it like candy. Harmless and enjoyable come to mind as adjectives - if made into a movie, I hope it is animated.

Thanks Rory!