"A page-turning narrative with a cast of fully realized characters and realistic dialogue. The skillful use of flashbacks and social media content fully engages readers. Despite the seriousness of the story, humor and moments of pathos will elicit empathy and connection. This thoroughly satisfying novel of love, loss, and reconciliation is not to be missed." — Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“This charming, wry novel packed with witty, crackling banter is propulsively readable. There are some big questions about choice, consequences, loyalty, and love in this novel, and Reynolds beautifully complements those heavy concerns with the sweet, funny, and genuine voice of his protagonist. — Booklist (starred review)
"Will have readers dying with laughter as Reynolds miraculously finds a way to couple tragedy and comedy. Highly recommended for anyone who is searching for light at the end of the tunnel." — School Library Journal (starred review)
"Weaves themes of friendship and tragic loss into a sensitive tale of two teens who have lost their way in the midst of grief and misunderstanding. The author also deftly uses humor throughout this fast-paced, engagingly written book, providing levity in a story dealing with heavy issues such as death, reconciliation, and learning how and when to let go." — Horn Book Magazine
Praise for Opposite of Always : Opposite of Always is as beautiful as it is funny, warm, and captivating. One of the best love stories I’ve ever read. Jack King is the hero we’ve been waiting for.” — Angie Thomas, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Hate U Give
“Read this one, reread it, and then hug it to your chest. Reynolds’ debut is wise, heartfelt, and wildly, infinitely charming.” — Becky Albertalli, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda and Leah on the Offbeat
"Reynolds weaves themes of friendship and tragic loss into a sensitive tale... deftly uses humor throughout this fast-paced, engagingly written book." — Horn Book Magazine
“A love story about friendship with a “choose your own adventure” twist... Any teen who’s ever wanted a do-over will enjoy reading this story.” — School Library Journal (starred review)
“Romeo and Juliet meets Groundhog Day and Love Story in this wonderfully romantic story of teenage love and second chances.… Reynolds creates a pair of unforgettable protagonists who are doomed to love, lose, and work to find one another again and again.” — Kirkus Reviews
“Reynolds spins a poignant, dizzying tale of love and loss in this page-turning time-travel fantasy.” — Horn Book
“[Reynolds] creates an enormously likable character who is doing the best he can and then some ...the book’s blend of humor and heartbreak wins out.” — Publishers Weekly
“Jack’s narration is as funny as it is poignant as he moves from romantic to frantic and back again... [a] sentimental but not saccharine fantasy.” — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
"Compelling story with a largely African-American cast... aimed squarely at an audience that appreciates melodrama and is unashamed to soak some tissues." — Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
This charming, wry novel packed with witty, crackling banter is propulsively readable. There are some big questions about choice, consequences, loyalty, and love in this novel, and Reynolds beautifully complements those heavy concerns with the sweet, funny, and genuine voice of his protagonist.
Booklist (starred review)
Praise for Opposite of Always : Opposite of Always is as beautiful as it is funny, warm, and captivating. One of the best love stories I’ve ever read. Jack King is the hero we’ve been waiting for.”
"Weaves themes of friendship and tragic loss into a sensitive tale of two teens who have lost their way in the midst of grief and misunderstanding. The author also deftly uses humor throughout this fast-paced, engagingly written book, providing levity in a story dealing with heavy issues such as death, reconciliation, and learning how and when to let go."
“Read this one, reread it, and then hug it to your chest. Reynolds’ debut is wise, heartfelt, and wildly, infinitely charming.”
“Reynolds spins a poignant, dizzying tale of love and loss in this page-turning time-travel fantasy.”
Jack’s narration is as funny as it is poignant as he moves from romantic to frantic and back again... [a] sentimental but not saccharine fantasy.
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
Jack’s narration is as funny as it is poignant as he moves from romantic to frantic and back again... [a] sentimental but not saccharine fantasy.
Bulletin of the Center for Children's Books
“Jack’s narration is as funny as it is poignant as he moves from romantic to frantic and back again... [a] sentimental but not saccharine fantasy.”
Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books
This charming, wry novel packed with witty, crackling banter is propulsively readable. There are some big questions about choice, consequences, loyalty, and love in this novel, and Reynolds beautifully complements those heavy concerns with the sweet, funny, and genuine voice of his protagonist.
Booklist (starred review)
★ 10/01/2020
Gr 9 Up— Jamal has a secret and it is a matter of life and death. Recently orphaned and living with his sister, Jamal is still grappling with his grief and the loss of a great friendship with his comedic partner in crime, Quincy. Jamal and Q were best friends until a tragic event tore them apart. During a chance encounter on the beach, their past misunderstandings and miscommunications resurface. Then, Jamal dies and has a chance to be brought back to life, and Quincy realizes that he has a second chance to reclaim their friendship and right old wrongs. He has to decide whether to keep holding on to the past, skipping school, and blaming others, or to forgive and enjoy life to the fullest. Although this book is about death, Jauncy (Quincy and Jamal) will have readers dying with laughter as Reynolds miraculously finds a way to couple tragedy and comedy. Q is brown-skinned with a Spanish surname and Jamal's race isn't explicitly stated. VERDICT Highly recommended for anyone who is searching for light at the end of the tunnel.—Cicely Lewis, Meadowcreek H.S., Norcross, GA
Narrators A.J. Beckles and Preston Butler III portray Jamal and Q, two best friends in this sci-fi coming-of-age story. After a series of tragic events upends both the teens’ lives, their friendship seems fated to dissolve entirely—until Q dies and is miraculously (albeit temporarily) reanimated by a shadowy medical benefactor. Incredibly, this whole scenario is merely a backdrop for the question of whether Jamal and Q can set aside their grief and reconnect before the clock runs down. Beckles employs a palette of emotions—from bitterness to wonder—in his performance of Jamal. Butler’s performance of Q, with his blend of wisdom and cheesiness, bookends this touching story of friendship, grief, and redemption. Add this to your list! G.P. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
SEPTEMBER 2020 - AudioFile
Narrators A.J. Beckles and Preston Butler III portray Jamal and Q, two best friends in this sci-fi coming-of-age story. After a series of tragic events upends both the teens’ lives, their friendship seems fated to dissolve entirely—until Q dies and is miraculously (albeit temporarily) reanimated by a shadowy medical benefactor. Incredibly, this whole scenario is merely a backdrop for the question of whether Jamal and Q can set aside their grief and reconnect before the clock runs down. Beckles employs a palette of emotions—from bitterness to wonder—in his performance of Jamal. Butler’s performance of Q, with his blend of wisdom and cheesiness, bookends this touching story of friendship, grief, and redemption. Add this to your list! G.P. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine
SEPTEMBER 2020 - AudioFile
★ 2020-07-08
Seventeen-year-old Jamal Anderson has not had a meaningful conversation with his former best friend, Quincy Barrantes, in almost two years. They were almost inseparable: always at each other’s homes, even developing a comedy show on social media together. But two years ago, Jamal lost his parents, and he blames Quincy for the accident. His grief over their deaths permeates every relationship as well as his ability to focus in school. Despite his sister’s efforts and the love of his girlfriend, Autumn, he is drifting until the night Quincy dies trying to save someone’s life. When a mysterious man offers Quincy’s mother a chance to bring him back through experimental technology, it seems far-fetched. But Mrs. Barrantes and Jamal now have the opportunity for a few more weeks with Quincy. Like everything else in Jamal’s life, this circumstance offers more questions than answers and forces him to confront why he allowed the breach in their relationship to continue. This is a page-turning narrative with a cast of fully realized characters and realistic dialogue. The skillful use of flashbacks and social media content fully engages readers. Despite the seriousness of the story, humor and moments of pathos will elicit empathy and connection. Jamal and Autumn are cued as Black and Quincy as Latinx.
This thoroughly satisfying novel of love, loss, and reconciliation is not to be missed. (Fiction. 14-18)
