#kirstenmiller

[shakespeare-and-blue-roses]

Otherearth - Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller

They did virtual reality. They did alternate reality. Now it’s time for AUGMENTED REALITY BITCHES. The more I read of this series the deeper I get sucked in, just like Simon in Otherworld.

There were two things that stood out to me in book two of this trilogy, and the first, as you may have guessed is the “augmented reality” part. I was impressed with the ethical dilemmas laid out in Otherworld on the basis of creating another world and then letting it get out of control, but Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller really take it to another level with their sequel. Particularly since there’s now a Russian gangster in the mix, which is always fun, who is leveraging the technology to get what he wants. I’m hyped to see where it goes in the third book.

The second thing is the mental toll Simon is going through as he navigates through Otherworld. There are a lot of books out there with mentally strong protagonists who somehow manage to get through their stories with only mild symptoms of mental stress, like nightmares or hand tremors. Simon completely comes unhinged, to the point where he doesn’t know whether he’s in Otherworld or in his own reality. That makes absolute sense for an average kid who was thrown into this situation with little to no warning, and although I feel for him I’m glad that his trauma is being acknowledged.

Although I am loving the crazy shit going on here, I am a little worried the series is biting off more than it can chew. I’m also a little sick of hearing Simon whine about how much Busara whines. But I’m still incredibly excited for the release of Otherlife, fall 2019.

[serialreaderkalyan]

🌟 🌟 BOOK REVIEW🌟 🌟 💫 A huge thank you to NetGalley, William Morrow and Kirsten Miller for an Arc of The Change. A magical realism, fantasy or a women's fiction- leave it up to you to choose the genre- what Kirsten Miller delivers is an absorbing cracker of a book with 3 strong female characters at its core who are bound to question everything around you. “They live alongside us, she thought. Some work with us. Some fuck us. And some do both. And yet they seem to know absolutely nothing about us” The setting is an oceanfront town of Mattauk where Nessa James, with her secret gift, uncovers a string of murders of young girls belonging to less well-to-do backgrounds. She finds able accomplices in Harriett Osborne (I don’t think I will find a better character written this year) and Jo Levison, each undergoing metamorphosis of sorts after similar experiences in a male-dominated corporate world. “Hoodoo belongs to the people down here. But there are women all over the world who can do what you and I do. They’ve got different names for it in other countries, but we all share the gift.” While Jo channels her rage into her entrepreneurial role, Harriett uncovers the secret powers of nature while being amidst it and surrendering to its magic. What follows is 3 women who uncover the truth behind the murders and a major syndicate in the town and in the process, destroy the barriers set by the society in this come-of-age women empowerment thriller come drama. The thriller/mystery aspect though pretty great in its own right, it’s the voice of each of the ladies, especially Harriett which made this book stand out for me. I can’t believe I took this long to pick it up but once I started, this was a start-to-finish fun ride. Highly recommended. “The species wasn’t entirely corrupt, Harriett observed. Once in a while, one of them would surprise you. Such actions never redeemed them completely, of course, but it did make Harriett wonder if they really deserved to be wiped off the planet” #TheChange #Netgalley #bookstagram #booklover #magicalrealism #fantasybookstagram #booklover #fantasybooklover #arc #bookreview #williammorrowbooks #kirstenmiller #5starbook https://www.instagram.com/p/CfC4nGGrohl/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[geekiemind]

Day 2 of #harvestyourfears . Autumn Ombré 🍁❤🧡💛🍁 With it finally hitting September I'm pretty sure we can all agree the best time if the year is upon us. I love the autumn season, weather and everything in between #sweaterweather such an amazing time to spend reading and starting to get in the festive mood. #picoftheday #red #autumn #bookstagram #yellow #orange #september #booksofinstagram #bookstack #hashtagr #rainbowrowell #septemberchallenge #nickcutter #tommiller #kirstenmiller #adibkhorram #booksinpictures #nikkikelly #booksinpicturesengagement (at Denver, Colorado) https://www.instagram.com/p/CEo6QefgB1s/?igshid=vnpgcgzt2riu

[nocaptainreuben]

Day 7 of #UKYAHomeBook: books you'd give as gifts! I picked: - Otherworld because it was one of my favourite books of the year, and I've been hounding my friends to read it. - A Change Is Gonna Come because it's such an important anthology and everybody needs more diversity on their shelves. - Noughts and Crosses because it was one of the books that shaped me as a reader and one of my all time favourites. - What's A Girl Gotta Do? because I'm determined to spark a feminist revolution amongst the teen girls in my family, and - Wonder Woman: Warbringer because who wouldn't want Wonder Woman?! #books #bookstagram #instabook #challenge #YA #yabooks #yafiction #yaliterature #ireadya #changebook #bame #weneeddiversebooks #noughtsandcrosses #malorieblackman #hollybourne #spinsterclub #whatsagirlgottado #feminist #wonderwoman #wonderwomanwarbringer #DC #leighbardugo #visitotherworld #otherworld #jasonsegel #kirstenmiller

[reader44ever]

Here is my #TBR for the #winterbibib that starts tomorrow, 1/20, and runs through Friday, 1/26. 😄❤ . . . . I am hoping to read all six of these books (plus maybe more!) during this @biannualbibliothon, and they fit for all seven reading challenges! 🎉😄 . . . . 1. Read the group book: #Otherworld by #JasonSegel and #KirstenMiller 2. Read a Sequel: #BeneathTheSugarSky by @seananmcguire (book three in the #WaywardChildren series) 3. Read a Book You'd Never Heard of Before: Otherworld by Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller 4. Read a Book About Mental Illness: #EveryHeartADoorway by #SeananMcGuire 5. Read a Book Mentioned in Another Book: #TalesOfBeedleTheBard by @officialjkrowling (the Harry Potter series was alluded to in a book I read a week or two ago) 6. Read a Book Under 200 Pages: #DownAmongTheSticksAndBones by Seanan McGuire (187pp) 7. Read a Backlist Book (pub. before 2017): Mistral's Kiss by @official_lkhamilton (pub. 2006) . If I can finish all of these before this winter edition of the Biannual Bibliothon ends, I plan to read more books in the #MerryGentry series. So for the six books listed above, I plan to read Otherworld first, then the Wayward Children series, The Tales of Beedle the Bard, and Mistral's Kiss last. 😊❤ . . . . The second picture shares the seven #ReadingChallenges. 😊❤ . . . . The third picture is of my Max, who refused to look my way for the first picture. So I had to go in for a close-up. 😉😍❤ . . . . #DogsofInstagram #bookstagram #books #series

[cherylrainfield]

I finished #YAlit OTHERWORLD by Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller a few days ago and I'm still thinking about it and wish I could read the sequel now. I love books that suck me in and don't let me go, that make me deeply care about the characters and their fate, and that have an emotional pull, a fast pace, great suspense, and good twists. Otherworld had all that. I believed in the world! In Otherworld, Simon enters a virtual reality game to help save Kat, the girl he loves, who had an accident and was plunged into the game as experimental therapy. But when you're wearing the disc that he and Kat both are, you can get hurt or die if your character does in the game. And he discovers there are more people that need rescuing, so it is high-stakes. The book completely gripped me; all I wanted to do was read! I especially loved the reveals and twists, and that the girls were strong-girl characters even though they didn't have as much of a role as the boys did. The only thing I didn't like was the ending which felt a little abrupt to me and made it clear that there was a sequel coming. But that is a personal pet peeve; I like books that even though they are part of a series the story still feels complete on its own, even though more will happen. I cared so much about the characters and I can't wait to dive into the sequel! It was a satisfying read. If you like YA fantasy or sci-fi, check it out. Highly recommended. 5/5 stars. #bookstagram #bookrecs #bookrecommendations #kirstenmiller #jasonsegel #yabooks #yabookrecs https://www.instagram.com/p/BseQ8MPHOet/?utm_source=ig_tumblr_share&igshid=b2tlg14szzux

[bookpolarreviews]

I am back... I think & I hope you all had a lovely Christmas 🎄 It’s just been so hard keeping up with Christmas, reading, blogging and #bookstagram . I have just finished #otherworld by #jasonsegel #kirstenmiller 🌟🌟🌟🌟 . The company says Otherworld is amazing—like nothing you’ve ever seen before. They say it’s addictive—that you’ll want to stay forever. They promise Otherworld will make all your dreams come true. Simon thought Otherworld was a game. Turns out he knew nothing. Otherworld is the next phase of reality. It’s everything you’ve ever wanted. And it’s about to change humanity forever. Welcome to the Otherworld. No one could have seen it coming. . .. ... .. . #booknerd #books #lovebooks #booklove #bookcover #bookstagram #bookstagrammer #bookhaul #bookhoarder #bookpolarreview #bookbuy #newbooks #readingtime #justkeepreading #lovebooks #lovetoread #beautifulbooks #readingtime #beautifulcover #lovetoread #bookhoarder #bookish #bookpolar #bookreview #bookblogger #bookblog #bookreviewer #bookpolar #bookpolarreviews #currentread

[last-page-books-blog]

Day 28 monthly photo (#uncriticalnovember): #winteriscoming @critic_uncritical_bookworm #bookstagram #booksofinstagram #booksgram #book #read #monthlychallenge #bookchallenge #novemberbookchallenge #november28 #jasonsegel #kirstenmiller #otherworld #ya #ireadya #youngadultbooks #youngadultfiction #youngadultreads #adventcalendar #eraser #paperchase #yabook #snowflakes @visitotherworld

[wwjellybunny]

Día 3 Adam, el magos, villano en la saga de libros Eternos, pero que se robo mi corazón en el libro dos, es un fanart medio chafa #inktober #inktobermexico #inktober2017 #ink #Eternos #kirstenmiller #FanArt

[shakespeare-and-blue-roses]

Otherworld - Jason Segel and Kirsten Miller

I read Otherworld because despite the amount of times I’ve been disappointed by virtual reality stories, I keep looking for one that’s not, say, a blatantly obvious wish-fulfillment scenario. I’d say Otherworld was successful in that aspect, at least, and I was thrilled with a lot of the storytelling specifically because it wasn’t about main character Simon getting everything he wanted.

First things first. Simon himself is unremarkable in many respects, but I liked that about him. Sure, he’s a bit of a delinquent smart-ass and he’s got a giant nose. The Kishka, as he lovingly refers to it. Not the kind of kid anyone would pick to be their hero, but the thing is, Simon’s not out to be a hero. He’s just trying to take care of his people, and maybe humiliate some assholes while he’s at it. That’s already a huge step up from a kid who’s out to get the glory. It makes you root for the main character, which always makes the reading more enjoyable.

Next up, I was enthralled by Otherworld. I appreciated that while virtual reality is a major theme in this book, it does not take place entirely in Otherworld. Simon still moves through the “real” world. The nice thing about that is that the story still feels like it’s progressing and I can still appreciate the wonders of the game.

The real wonder here is the magic of technology. I loved the idea of having the power to create entire worlds through computers. That’s an entirely different and potent kind of magic than the kind most people think of, but it’s no less miraculous. After all, Simon’s encounters with the Children and their Elemental parents prove to him that Milo Yulkin, creator of Otherworld, has constructed an alternate reality, not just a virtual one. By giving the Elemental rulers of the various realms true artificial intelligence Milo built their entire world and then unleashed humanity on it, so no wonder they’re engaged in their own conflict. And now Simon has to navigate his way through it in order to save Kat and himself.

Oh yeah, and in addition to the alternate reality of Otherworld, we have the moral conflict of the Company intentionally beta testing their new disk technology on victims they themselves harmed, with the added risk that if the victim’s avatar dies in the game they die in real life. There’s a lot going on there, too, but I love the added responsibility. It gave everything in Otherworld a more sinister edge, because now Simon is not only fighting for Kat and freedom from the Company, but he’s also fighting for his life. It’s different than other virtual reality books I’ve read - after all, the point of virtual reality is that you can do whatever you want, consequence-free.

One thing I did notice about Otherworld was that Simon lucked out a lot. His real life friend Busara became the Clay Man in Otherworld, and turned out to be the daughter of the creator of disk technology. Kat’s stepfather is the one responsible for her “locked-in syndrome” and the project manager for the beta testing. There are a couple other things Simon gets a hold of that he probably shouldn’t have, indicating a Deus Ex Machina somewhere in the mix. At first I thought it was jarring, because I didn’t think he should be getting this lucky, but then it occured to me that Simon getting his hands on a bunch of restricted technology because he knows the right people is no less believable than, I don’t know, Odysseus showing up at the eleventh hour to slaughter all his wife’s suitors or Athena appearing to Telemachus in order to guide him to Menelaus, and yet we’re totally down with all that happening in The Odyssey. Having reached that conclusion, I really like the idea of a connection between Simon and the Greek heroes of old, especially as he goes on his quest-like journey through Otherworld.

I like books that make me ask questions. I like it when I have to think about what will happen if the hero fails. Especially when so much is at stake. After all, the disk technology could be cool, to know that your paralyzed loved one is spending their last days in comfort, exploring a fantastical land, even in a place where you could visit them. That would be an immense relief to some people, but on the other hand, the Company’s ends definitely don’t justify the means, especially since they’re really just out for profit. I look forward to seeing how the next book takes up these problems.

[tudoquemotiva]

Saiu resenha de "Nightmares!" lá no blog. A leitura desse livro foi algo bem gostoso e leve de se fazer e, quando acabou, eu só queria dar um abraço no Charlie e falar que tudo vai ficar bem! 📖 * link no perfil * * O livro vai contar a história de Charlie que está sofrendo, há meses, com pesadelos recorrentes. Charlie acredita que sua madrasta é uma das bruxas que aparecem em seus pesadelos e ele vai fazer de tudo para provar para o seu pai quem é realmente essa mulher com quem ele se casou. Acontece que, a mãe de Charlie faleceu e ele não consegue entender como o pai pode querer substituir a sua mãe e tenta fazer de tudo para impedir que essa mulher entre em sua vida. Já que ele não tem controle sobre o pai, ele vai tentar evitá-la à todo custo e isso pode acabar prejudicando ele mesmo e ao seu irmão mais novo. 😢 * #nightmares #jasonsegel #kirstenmiller #pesadelos #review #resenha #blogger #blog #booksph #booksy #bookslover #bookseries #booksarelife

[danicruzj-blog]

Atraemos a las personas que hemos amado antes! 💞📖🤓 #Rereading #TheEternalOnes #Eternos #Ouroboros #KirstenMiller #Books #SundayMorning

[lalon1988]

Momento de leer y terminar #Pesadillas #LaPociónDelSonámbulo escrito por #JasonSegel & #KirstenMiller @oceanomexico @grantravesia #NightmaresTheSleepwalkerTonic (en Teapa)

[yasarguelles]

Pero los seres humanos somos codiciosos por naturaleza. Y la naturaleza humana es demasiado poderosa para ser vencida. #eternos #deseos #theeternalones #kirstenmiller #megustaleer #bookstagram #amoleer #literatura #biblophile #ilovebooks #ilovereading #booklover #amantesdehistorias

[rose-tinted-marley]

INSTAGRAM: @arosebyanyothername uploaded a photo.

“All the most powerful emotions come from chaos -fear,anger,love- especially love. Love is chaos itself. Think about it! Love makes no sense. It shakes you up and spins you around. And then, eventually , it falls apart.”  #theeternalones #kirstenmiller

↳ 77 LIKES, 2 COMMENTS

[reader44ever]

#winterbibib Day 2 Update! @biannualbibliothon 😍❤ . . . . In the wee hours of this morning, I finished the final 100 pages of #Otherworld by #JasonSegel and #KirstenMiller and read 52 pages in #TheTalesOfBeedleTheBard by @officialjkrowling. 😃 . . . . Then after too-little sleep (dang it, Max!), I finished The Tales of Beedle the Bard (116pp total) and read #EveryHeartADoorway by @seananmcguire! 😄❤ . . . . Ratings: 2. Otherworld ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 3. The Tales of Beedle the Bard ⭐⭐⭐⭐ 4. Every Heart a Doorway ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ . Tally of Challenges Completed: ✔ 3. Book I Hadn't Heard of Before ✔ 1. Group book ✔ 5. A book that was mentioned elsewhere ✔ 4. A book about mental illness . Total pages read to date: 740 Books Completed: 4! 😄 . #DogsofInstagram #bookstagram #books #series #HarryPotter #WaywardChildren