A different type of plot to anything I'd ever come across before. I could feel the anticipation of the big night.

This book actually reminded me straight away of a night my own secondary school (high school) did when I was 13. The difference was that there were no chains involved and no focus on environmental issues. But the concept was similar: a night of fun and spending time with friends (for us it was 7PM to 7AM). It was called A Night to Remember and it really was!

Anyway, getting back to the review of this book. The characters are quickly but clearly introduced and we get a clear idea of who's who and their individual personalities and motivations for the night and in life. The scene was set within the first few chapters and the pacing was good for the theme and subject matter of the book.

I liked how there was such a mix of nationalities at the school too.

A very interesting novel about friendship between genders, gender relations and the ups and downs facing teens on a night they are all together in a place where they are more used to spending their days.

Thanks to Adi Alsaid and Inkyard Press for an eyeopening multicultural fun novel which includes serious current affairs that I think will make an impact on everyone, whether young or older adults.

Thanks also to them for my ARC in exchange for an honest and voluntary review.

4 stars

I just wasn't able to get into this book. I DNFed it at 20%. This book just wasn't for me. I did want to like it because of the synopsis of the story.

We Didn’t Ask for This by Adi Alsaid. Central International School’s lock in is the most anticipated event every year. For most, it’s the chance to make a dream come true or try something they wouldn’t have done otherwise. This year Marisa, and a couple other students, use the lock in as a time to stage an eco protest, lock themselves to the only exit doors, and vow to keep everyone inside the school with them until their list of 30 demands are met. Marisa wants to save the oceans she loves so much and if it means ruining the most important night everyone looks forward to being a part of so be it.
****
The good. I loved Marisa’s determination and dedication to her cause. She was a passionate character and she wanted to be heard and so she figured out the best way to do it. (Side note, while admirable in fiction please do not actually do something like this in real life, the response to you doing it may be a lot more intense than what Marisa went through.) The different characters and their differing reactions to Marisa’s cause were interesting, and covered a varied look into how people look at people like Marisa and their causes. Some of them were very much on her side, some of them not so much on her side but recognizing the importance of what she was saying, some of them not caring one way or another, some in ignorance, etc.
The bad. The story had this overwhelming feeling of ridiculousness to it. And while the story seemed to constantly be feeding into that feeling despite the seriousness it was handling Marisa’s feelings and demands it just felt weird after awhile. The lock in itself and just everything tied to it is kinda out there, and the “this person and this person locked eyes and realized they were in love and had always been in love and how could they have forgotten” type writing just felt a little overdone sometimes.
Overall, the story was a fairly interesting and fun read but mostly I found it dragging at times and really hard to get into and stick with before I ended up putting it down to do other things only to rinse and repeat multiple times before I finally finished it.

I couldn’t get through this book and the constantly shifting POVs. It was hard to suspend my disbelief and connect with the narrator, the world that was built, etc. That said, I think a lot of the teens I work with will connect with various aspects of this book, so I plan to share it with them when it comes out.

Teens have lots of ideas about how to save the world, some realistic, some not. This wasn't. No way would these kids have been unable to open a window or get out of the school (fire regulations). Once you get past that (if you get past that and some of the other issues), there are some interesting characters. I'm not the audience for this YA novel but I'm not sure I'd want a younger reader on that spectrum to pick this up. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

The night of the annual CIS lock-in devolves into chaos when a group of students chain themselves to all the doors in the building, preventing students from entering OR leaving. Their leader, Marisa, presents a list of demands to school officials in hopes of making sweeping changes in hopes of saving the coral reefs. What unfolds over lock-in night and through the next several days will change several of the students lives forever.

I really enjoyed the "Breakfast Club" feel that the author created at different points in the story, but for the most part, I didn't love this book. Maybe it's because I'm a teacher, but the handling of this whole situation by the school and board really frustrated me. When Marisa's leg is broken, there is no way that the nurse or any school officials would ever let her sit there. I also felt that the antagonist was a little too much of a flat character, there was a really potentially beautiful moment in which a transformation could have happened, but instead the character threw himself against a glass window until it broke...just to be a horrible garbage person.

DNF 18% - I thought this book opened pretty strong—I liked the way the perspective fluidly shifted between the students. However, we were introduced to about a dozen students and now I can’t remember half of them or what they want. Also, I don’t care. Despite the number of students, I don’t care about any of them.

I had a difficult time getting into this book. It is not a genre I normally read but wanted to try something new. I thought there was too much going on in the book.

I’m shocked by the negative response to this novel. Many people are saying it sensationalizes climate change and trivializes the work of Gen Z to fight for proper legislature and environmental protections, but I think the book is a topical commentary on the nature of these protests and does no harm to the cause.

Alsaid shifts perspective fluidly from one character to another, which I loved. Subtle connections between each moment in the story allowed me to travel around the school and understand the events from multiple points of view. This way, I got to know the whole cast, and how Marisa’s actions catalyzed their own stories.

This novel is as much about the environment as it is about the bond the lock-in forges between the kids. Alsaid emphasizes the transience of the school, but I liked that the chemistry was still there. Part of the Breakfast-Club-like charm of this story is its main four-some, who have little in common, yet find a way to connect.

Part of the fun of my reading experience came from the fact that this story was, very obviously, a story. It had serious tones and reflected on real world issues, but for the most part the novel was light and funny. The theoretical lock-in had humor itself because of how unrealistic the activities were. Cooking competitions? Sanctioned food fights? Spray-painting? A decathlon? It was great to get out of my own head and live in a world where students could run around and have fun for a weekend, even if that weekend was interrupted in the manner shown here. We Didn’t Ask for This is for anyone who also needs to imagine another life, one with this type of unrelenting fun.

I would recommend this novel to any environmentalist, as well as those looking for a bit of escapism. 4/5 stars!

Thank you to Netgalley and Inkyard Press for the ARC.

The description of this book had me so excited to read. The idea of a school lock-in turning into a political protest had so much merit. However, It was difficult to get into. The ever-changing points of views made it difficult to follow along. There were also numerous plot points that were unbelievable. It works well to encourage people to go out and take action for what they believe in. However, the way Marisa goes about this is in the book is unbelievable.

However, I did enjoy the characters in this book. They were developed really well. Each character had their own set of talents and issues and they interacted well with one another. Each character had their own unique voice.

The Quick Cut: The much anticipated annual school lock-in goes awry when a small group of students hold everyone hostage in a form of eco-protest. 
A Real Review:     Thank you to Inkyard Press for providing the ARC in exchange for an honest review.   

 Everyone has something they believe in, but some would put everything on the line for what they put their faith in. Where do you stand on the spectrum? Would you put everything on the line for the beliefs you hold dear? This is the case for a girl named Marisa. 
 The Central International School’s annual lock-in is the stuff of legends. Its the event where unexpected friendships are formed, passions developed, and long held secrets told. This year, however, all the fun comes to a halt when a girl named Marisa chains herself to the entrance of the school and locks herself in place (along with enough friends to do the same and cover each exit). The only way they will unchain themselves and let everybody go free is if their list of eco demands are met - all thiry of them. Will the sudden party turned hostage situation end well? Or will it turn into carnage instead? 
 The description for this book is an intriguing one and it absolutely pulled me in. The problem is in the details that come within its pages. Between the litany of characters introduced (and tracked) along with the main storyline, there are so many trouble areas that disturb me in different ways. 
 First off, Marisa and her "eco protest" is far more than what is described. This group of teenagers feel such a passion for the planet that they hold a group of their classmates hostage and refuse to let them out - even when they have no access to proper resources like food. And this protest doesn't last a day... it lasts a week! Anyone who holds people against their will and uses it as a method to force change (which be honest, its what happened) is a terrorist. This girl put the lives of her classmates on the line along with her own to make environmental change occur. While I can applaud the passion, this isn't the way to initiate change and with the way this story plays out, I genuinely fear that anyone of the YA age group will NOT get the right message. This book in its own way seems to applaud and approve of the methods this girl uses... and it could inspire others to get the wrong message and do this in their own way (worst case scenario). 
 Second, the writing style here is not conducive to a powerful and impact-filled story. This story is told in the third person, which just felt kind of creepy in a way. It would have made for a more persuading story if the chapters were told from specific character's perspectives. I did enjoy the way that the time was tracked throughout the chapters though. 
 A story that means to say something profound and misses the mark. 
My rating: 1 out of 5

Central International Schools annual lock-in was an event people looked forward to, and a place, where memories were made.

One hoped to prove he was the party master.
One hoped to spread his love of improv.
One hoped to prove that a female athlete was just as talented as a male athlete.
One hoped to find connection.
While, one hoped to save the reefs, and it seemed, her hopes would come at the cost of all the others.

There were things I really liked about this story, and things I didn't like so much, though overall, I have a favorable opinion.

What worked for me:

Believe it or not, I liked the third person POV narration. There was something about the narrator, that caught my attention and kept it. The story also unfolded at a good pace, frequently flipping between different locations and different characters.

This book had a very large cast, and they weren't simply bystanders, but rather fully developed characters. They were very diverse, and each came with their own set of talents and issues. Alsaid made me feel their loneliness, grief, family pressure, and sting of parental disappointment. I found myself interested in getting to know them better, and was invested in them finding some sort of peace with their situations.

One of my favorite things, was the wonderful friendship born between these characters, who hailed from different social circles as they bound together to protect "the protester". Though, she sort of torpedoed their plans for the evening, the students still believed in Marisa's cause and her conviction. They rose up to support her, both figuratively and literally. It warmed my heart to see them put aside their wants and needs to come to the aid of Marisa.

The not so much for me:

I do admire those with passion for a cause, and Marisa had that in spades. However, the glorification of her approach was off putting for me. I do appreciate, that Alsaid acknowledged her protest walked a fine line between peaceful protest and a hostage situation, it still was difficult for me to condone her behavior.

Overall: Though I appreciated the focus on activism and the environment, I found myself much more interested in the friendship aspect of the story, and wanted more of that.

ARC provided by NetGalley


I have some feelings about this book, overall the concept was fascinating but it really just didn’t come together very well. As the story progressed it just got more and more unrealistic. I mean come on, an entire week!? That must have broken so many laws but still nothing was done?
Second off, I did not like Marisa. Her cause was just and I understand her motivations but how she acted on it I found was incredibly selfish. She could have potentially gotten everyone killed if an emergency arouse. The fact she would go as far go endanger hundreds of children’s lives just to prove her point just crossed the line. If she wanted to chain herself to a building, that would’ve been better then locking herself to the door and locking everyone inside for over a week!
This novel had the right idea, but it really wasn’t portrayed right.

*3.5 stars*

This is a novel about activism, standing up for what you believe in, and making very big stands. A high school filled with rich kids (often with important parents) is celebrating its yearly lock-in. While everyone anticipates games, movies, and a secret (yet epic) party, they aren't expecting a group of students to chain themselves to the exits and swallow the keys.

What does Marisa and her group want? A long list of demands to locally aid the environment. They have brought supplies and medicine, and intend to stay put until the demands are met. The only issue is, a school full of students and teachers intending to have a night of fun, must also stay.

When is activism terrorism? What is going too far, and how far should you go for your beliefs? This is a thought-provoking novel delving into the minds of many of the characters, including Marisa. While it was a gripping scenario, I was often thrown by the implausibility of what was happening. The way the school was built, the severity of injuries, the way people reacted to the situation (particularly parents and police) - these were all factors that pulled me out of the narrative and made me question how any of this could possibly happen. I also wanted a deeper discussion of Marisa grappling with her cause versus the physical safety of her classmates. Honestly, I didn't think she could possibly physically plan for all contingencies - especially not without someone else (like a teacher) noticing.

I am all for activism, but I need a slightly more plausible story, with slightly more plausible consequences.

I have read all of adi alsaids books to this point and I still enjoyed this one. he writes such great coming of age stories.

Thank you to NetGalley and Inkyard Press for the ARC.

I really really wanted to like this book. A school that participates in an annual lock in but this year, the Lock - in turns into something else. However, for me it didn't work. I felt like there were too many point of views going on to the point where I was getting confused and some of the plot was completely unbelievable.

There were some things that did work for me. Each of these young characters were given a great voice where they did have some meaningful and impactful things to say. I just think it was lost in the overwhelming amount of characters and voices.

The book preview made this book seem like something I would love and could recommend to my students. However, I had really difficult time enjoying this book. First of all, the premise while plausible is not realistic. The way the school is described and the setting could not happen. I had a difficult time relating to the characters, I could not find the depth in them that I wanted a story like this to have.

While I think this book was written from a point of wanting to push activism, instead it seems like something else. This book is a quick read however, it left me wanting something different.

The publisher generously provided me with a copy of the book upon request on NetGalley. The rating, ideas and opinions shared are my own.

This is probably the most unique read coming out this year by a longshot! I went into it expecting craziness, but didn't expect just how crazy and amazing this read would be.

The narrative style took me off guard in the beginning, but it worked its way into my heart after a while. There are no less than 15 characters who get a chance at narrating. Marisa and her Protectors control of most of the narration, but Adi Alsaid flows each narration so smoothly into the next. A passing glance, a move forward, a fleeting thought brings the end of one character's narration into the next, picking up with no time lost between them. It allows the reader to experience everything as it is happening from the eyes of who is seeing it. Rightfully so, Alsaid doesn't let any character's actions seem correct at the beginning. Everyone has made mistakes and everyone has a fault, but the narrative's tone changes as the characters' minds change, bringing the reader so deep into the cause that they could be one of Marisa's Protectors at all.

The novel had potential to seem preachy, but I don't feel it ever crossed those lines. It handled the subject well, addressing real and authentic changes people could make. Never once did Marisa's demands not seem possible. Each was an item of change that stubborn people would hesitate on, but everyone else is going "Why haven't we done that yet?"

I was granted the ARC and I could tell some small pieces were missing, but I know they will be moving, powerful, and fully complete the novel to something that very well might stand the test of time. The plot twists that occur hit hard and the final 30% of the novel had me literally sitting on the edge of my seat anticipating how everything would be resolved and if people just might actually die.

I'm craving an epilogue, but the ending does what the rest of the book is meant to do: make the reader think.

I highly recommend this read and hope that everyone else becomes as entranced as I am and as entranced as Maya Klutzheisen and Michael Obonte are for Marisa (and maybe Peejay).

Book: We Didn’t Ask For This
Author: Adi Alsaid
Rating: 1 Out of 5 Stars

I would like to thank the publisher, Inkyard Press, for sending me an ARC.

So, I really did want to like this one, but I just couldn’t get into it. The summary sounds really amazing and has so much promise, but the story I got just wasn’t one that I was expecting. I was honestly so disappointed about how this story was carried out and in the direction it went. There was so much infro dumping and overwriting that just took away from the story. The paragraphs were lengthy and filled with so much information. We were told so much rather than shown. It was the writing that was the first major turn off for me. I think we could have had a much better story had the writing been cleaned up a bit.

The next thing that I didn’t like at all was the playout of the events. Okay, none of this will ever happen in a real school and it seems like the author kind of downplayed the events. This is not activism at all; it’s terrorism. Okay, let me put that out there. This is not how we act. I get the concept of it and fighting for what you believe in, but you do not hold people captive. Not only that, but the way the author wrote it just isn’t believable. There is no way that the school would open so quickly after something like this. Not only that, but come on, someone would have called the cops and this would have played out a lot differently. Just because someone is standing up for their beliefs does not make it okay. You have to understand that. Terrorism is never an okay solution to your problems.

The characters seemed like they were supposed to be complex, but they ended up being a train wreck as well. They were flat, unrealistic, and really unlikable. I honestly had a really had time keeping them all straight and that is not good. There’s just no other way to put it.

Anyway, I was very disappointed. This is an author that have been wanting to try and have another one of his books, but, now, I’m just not so sure if I want to read another book by him.

This book comes out on April 7, 2020.

We Didn't Ask for This started off relatively promising. There's a large cast of characters that are introduced in small bits and pieces, which had me itching to learn more about them and their motivations. Told in a third person omniscient POV that I found a bit refreshing once I got used it, We Didn't Ask for This' narrator was also funny! I found myself chuckling out loud at some of more well-placed jokes:

"Someone else grabbed the megaphone and begged Ms. Duli to "bcc" everyone or at least for the other parents to not hit reply all, which, of course, many would."

That said, I spent a lot of We Didn't Ask for This questioning who this book was written for. The jokes I mentioned I found funny? I found funny as an adult with that lived experience. As a teen, I could see myself having just rolled my eyes. But the message behind We Didn't Ask for This, that the youth of today have inherited problems they can't solve alone, was one I couldn't see young adults or adults truly warming to because of how it was handled. I found it a bit insulting that Marisa's demands were so local (like changing the fertilizer the school uses). While she commented often on how she knows these are small fish in comparison to the larger issues, at least it's something. But it felt like a waste of her potential for her to be so narrow in her scope given the influence of the adults in the lives of her and her peers. And if youth with as much power and resources as this school of privileged children - the children of diplomats and ambassadors - can only enact such small change, what hope is there for youth from lesser privileged areas? And as an adult, I felt a sense of indignation toward the parents. They were treated like - and acted as - mere pawns without individual thought. One student told her Dad his company wasn't allowed to use a certain chemical anymore, and he cleared his calendar to ensure he was able to give her what she was asking for. It just felt...obtusely flippant.

I also really struggled visualizing the school's layout and how the students were specifically chained to the doors. They were able to change their clothing, sit on stools and stretch, for example. But over and over the narrator mentions how tight the chains are, how sore the protestors ribs are from having the chains dig into them. At one point past the halfway mark, it's noted that they are standing. But once the doors are inevitably opened, a protestor comments on how hard it is to walk, as she is unused to being on her feet. These little discrepancies kept pulling me out of the reading experience, while I tried to reconcile the descriptions with the images I had in my head.

But mostly, I found myself being asked to suspend my disbelief too much. The premise of We Didn't Ask for This revolves around 5 teens who have locked the doors to their high school in protest of (ultimately) climate change, which is impacting the coral reefs. Again, as an adult, I had a hard time believing that any administration, community or even local government would allow this type of protest - where hundreds of students are being held inside a school against their will - for over a week. We were asked to believe that because no harm was coming to anyone, no one felt a sense of urgency to find another way into the building (like, having the teachers learn how to remove the doors completely from their inside hinges, or busting through the windows the students used to have their delivered food passed through). As an international school for the wealthy, I also had a hard time believing a school with a rooftop garden and indoor tennis courts, would only have 5 exits.

There are other things that nagged at me as I was reading - why did Peejay have so much power over all of his peers? Why were the students so complacent about being stuck inside the school for a week? Why would anyone think classes should continue while this was happening? So despite being a quick read, I can't say I would recommend We Didn't Ask for This.