Oona Out of Order
Ratings93
Average rating3.8
Kind of gave me 13 going on 30 vibes. It's a cute idea about time travel and age, though I wasn't as engaged as I went in hoping I would be (especially since I love 13 going on 30 so much).
Took a while to get to what seemed like the actual plot of the book, but then it got interesting. Unfortunately, it ended not too long after that, just as it was growing on me. The logic of the time travel was particularly hard to grasp, so I gave up trying to understand it and let go of my hope that we'd get an explanation for why Oona was subjected to it. Once I did that, it was entertaining.
I spent this entire book railing against Oona's every decision, but each time I reminded myself she was literally just acting her age. Each jump could be years or decades in the past or future, but what a unique experience to learn about Oona's life while Oona is learning about it too. What a ride! My only regrets are: I wish the book were longer, and I wish there was a sequel about Madeline's life as she dealt with Oona's timey-wimey condition.
As the title suggests, Oona is living her life out of order. Every New Year's Eve she jumps to a different year of her life. She might be 21 internally but 54 externally or vice versa. To me it reads like a sweet coming of age story, but with the added fun of time travel. Like many time travel books, you really can't think too hard about the specifics of it all, or you'll get a headache. Just allow the magic to happen. I laughed, I cried, definitely a worthy read.
Really interesting premise - but after awhile I found Oona to be a bit humorless and whiny. The character hits her stride - finally - in the last chapter.
More like 3-1/2 but gave it the 4 because no half stars (duh!) and neat concept.
Very engaging, easy to binge this one. While I can see how it ‘said what it needed to say' I could have also taken this one to be longer. I waited for the chapter with Dale becoming more ‘real' after he had been idealized for so long, and there was only snippet. I think I hoped for more evolution of Oona as well. It was there, but kind of subtle, a fairly partner-heavy focus of her life that seemed to maintain most of the book. The premise is interesting and I think the exploration could have gone a bit further. Definitely enjoyed it overall.
I like a good twist on time travel, and this book is definitely that. Oona jumps through the years of her life, and the book never delves too deeply into the questions of how or why it happens. The story raises many questions: can she change her fate, or is any attempt to do so doomed? Are there multiple stories of her life? How did this start - how could there have already been an Oona who lived the previous year when she does her first jump? Is everything predestined? Do we have free will? In the end, it's left to the readers to find our own answers to these questions, and enjoy the story as we go along. Lots of good music gets a nod, too.
It's New Year's Eve, and Oona is about to turn nineteen, but something goes awry, and Oona finds herself to be suddenly forty-one and far into the future. She soon learns that this happens to her every year on her birthday. She is living her life out of order.
I was afraid this book was going to be just another gimmick, but instead I was delighted to find that it was both a bit of a mystery, almost like putting together a jigsaw puzzle, as well as a gentle commentary on life.
The first big thing I noticed when I started reading this book was that it gave me serious Midnight Library (Matt Haig) vibes. I definitely liked this book better than Midnight Library though.
This book makes you wonder how much control you really have over your own life. Oona tried doing things in the “past” that would positively affect her “future,” and things turned out the same way anyway. I've often wondered how one decision can change my life, and it was interesting to see it unfold almost right away.
I've been trying to get my friend to read this book pretty much since I picked it up. A few of the texts I sent her about this book were “
I read this book with my sister. I liked this book. Shelly did not. It made sense to me, it didn't to Shelly.
3.5 Rounded to 3
I was seriously torn with this one as far as how to rate it. It starts off so strong and I was invested in the story, the situation, and the characters. I LOVE books where time travel is the main premise.
As I kept reading, I laughed, I hurt, I felt bad for Oona and was riding the crazy train right along with her. I do love the underlying message I felt throughout. It's ok to make mistakes..feel them, live them...OWN them. Take the good with the bad and make the best out of rough situations but most importantly...LIVE
BUT ... the way this one ends and how it just drops off where it did left me extremely frustrated. There is so much buildup around Oona's “affliction” that I actually expected more and I felt let down which just ruined it ... for me.
For those that have this on their list I would say go read it! It may hit you in the right spot and you may love it to pieces. That's what's great about our reading community and why books are just so special. What doesn't work for one will undoubtedly work for another.
Interesting story with such an unusual premise. Fell in love with great characters right away.
As usual, I am super irritated that this has a completely different title for the UK and USA markets. Why do publishers still do this? I just want one title so I can easily find it and chat to my friends all over the world about it. I don't care whether it's called “Oona out of Order” or “The Rearranged Life of Oona Lockhart” - I just want it to be CONSISTENT.
On the up side, it sounds lovely and I'll read it either way!
Loved this book. It got recommended to me because I loved The Midnight Library and it did not disappoint! Oona could be a bit grating sometimes and make some really horrible decisions for seemingly no reason at all, but it wasn't enough for me to not fully enjoy every chapter. It's a fun premise and not like anything I've read before. It's quick and fun but there's some depth and the underlying message to live presently is one I need to hear often.
Wow! As a time travel junkie, this just hit the spot! Listened to this in just one day. I couldn't even concentrate on anything else except the book! Has so much sympathy for Oona. It's one of those books that you want to keep knowing what will happen next. Hopefully, there will be a sequel to this, really want to know where the next leap will take Oona. Awesome read!
I'm a sucker for time-travel novels, but only when they're done right like this one was. The story line was perfectly executed. I was so sad when it was over! I wanted more of the years to be revealed in this book, because I was falling in love with these characters. Margarita Montimore has a new fan in me.
Great story!!
I am starting to realize I am sucker for time travel stories, I literally lose myself in these storylines. No exceptions here, very immersive story.
2.5 stars rounded up because Kenzie tugged at my heartstrings.
Hard one to rate because my expectations for this book were very different. The cartoon cover made me think this novel would just be...a lot more fun. It wasn't. This was...kind of dark. And sad. And very fatalistic.
I also agree with review that say they just were not a fan of Oona, I really wasn't either which made this book all the more frustrating. I think I keep trying to find a book to fill the “Maybe in Another Life” genre I LOVED and maybe my expectations were just too high.