Floating Boy and the Girl Who Couldn't Fly by Stephen Graham JonesMy rating: 3 of 5 stars
I actually give this book a 3.5 stars.
This is a story about a 14 year old girl named Mary. Who at a cousin's birthday party, watched with the rest of the guests as one boy climbed a tree and floated away.
What follows is confusion and ultimately chaos in the small town of Ipswich,Massachusetts. She finds herself going up against a mad scientist and a sudden outbreak that puts all the adults either in the hospital or a mob-like state as they panic with fear. While the youth face other, less sick type of reaction to the outbreak.
I was curious from the start as to what it was that made this floating boy float. Was it magic? What and where did this outbreak come from? I had no idea, but it was a mystery I wanted to solve. And as I read, the mystery grew and I liked it.
I enjoyed the funny little quips and references throughout the book. I laughed at her use of "muggles" to describe her unbearable aunts and uncles. Who doesn't love references to Harry Potter?! It gave it a real world feel. And gave Mary a fun, relatable personality. She was a typical funny teen in that way.
The Floating Boy, as he unfortunately was called throughout the book, was around the same age as Mary. And I was, naturally, curious about him. And once he reappeared after his first sighting, instantly felt attached to him and as the story went on, I wanted to just give him a big hug. He was so sweet and as I learned more about him, I just felt for him.
The overall plot was interesting and something I haven't read before. And I really didn't know how it would unfold, which I appreciate that it didn't feel predictable.
Now, the issues I had with this book was how Mary handled certain situations. I understand that she was only 14, but when her little brother started showing signs of "strange behavior", she didn't act upon it, like how I feel a normal kid would react. Like, call her parents... It just didn't seem like a natural reaction, even despite her issues with anxiety and the issues that came with that. There are a few other little examples, but I feel they would be to much of a spoiler to say here.
Also, I wasn't really satisfied with the ending. It felt a bit rushed and incomplete. I would change my mind on that if I knew there would be a book two. But as it stands, it just didn't feel..right, and it left me with questions, that again, I can't express here without spoiling.
Overall, I did enjoy reading this book and couldn't put it down. I read it pretty quickly in just a few hours.
It is a good read that I think a lot of people can enjoy.
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