Review: Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon

Review: Everything Everything by Nicola Yoon

Ok, I’m not going to lie. The only reason I read this book is that I saw a trailer for the movie when I went to see The Shack. The trailer was charming and I just had to find out the full story behind the movie.

The novel tells the story of Madeline and Olly but really it’s so much more than I expected. Madeline is an 18-year-old girl who has not been able to see the world. She was diagnosed with a rare disease that requires her to live separated from the rest of the world or risk dying. She meets Olly when his family moves in next door and the story begins.

The Good

I liked the character of Maddie. She is curious and charming, and I really enjoyed the way that the book was structured. There were different doodles, notes, and lists intertwined with her narration. This made it feel as though the reader is in Madeline's head and Maddy's head is a really enjoyable place to be. I finished this book in one day because I was so enthralled in the character's story. There were so many full and entertaining components to the story that it ended up being more about Maddie than her love story with Olly.

The Not So Good

Personally, I like books that have some resolution and I really want to know what happens to the characters. For example, Olly’s father. I certainly hope he does not end up back with his family without seeking help. I needed an epilogue.

The book mentions the risks Maddie faces after learning the truth about her illness but we never see what happens to her. I thought the doctor might be foreshadowing a later event but nothing happened. The book just ended.  I feel frustrated but ultimately, it is a testament to the talent of the writer for me to be so invested in the lives of the characters. 

The Verdict:

Overall I liked the story and the surprise ending that I didn’t see coming. It was a nice change of pace from the books I normally am drawn to. I usually am drawn to more paranormal adventures but this story was a great example of how young adult fiction can still be engaging without adding and extra creatures. This was very much a story about Maddie and the people she cares about.