Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon | Review (Everything Ruined?)

My disease is as rare as it is famous. Basically, I’m allergic to the world. I don’t leave my house, have not left my house in seventeen years. The only people I ever see are my mom and my nurse, Carla.

But then one day, a moving truck arrives next door. I look out my window, and I see him. He’s tall, lean and wearing all black—black T-shirt, black jeans, black sneakers, and a black knit cap that covers his hair completely. He catches me looking and stares at me. I stare right back. His name is Olly.

Maybe we can’t predict the future, but we can predict some things. For example, I am certainly going to fall in love with Olly. It’s almost certainly going to be a disaster.

I’m part of a reading challenge on this app called Habitica where I have to read a book turning into a movie this year, so Everything, Everything kind of got picked because of that. (I know it’s problematic. The reading challenges are the only reasons why I chose to read the book.)

Anelise and I were also throwing out random books from our library for hours and this was the first that we both had a copy of or could borrow from the library, so here we are.

I was hoping to learn more from Everything, Everything than I actually did. Madeline Whittier, aka Maddy, is someone who has SCID – an immune disorder where those affected basically have to be isolated from everything. I learned virtually nothing but the bare bones definition of SCID for the duration of the book:

• You have to be isolated from the world
• Anything, ANYTHING can trigger a reaction
• It is basically a very miserable life

And everything is so WHITE. White walls, white rooms, white bookshelves – I like the occasional white but ALL white is associated with hospitals. I suppose hospital is the atmosphere Yoon is going for? Still, though. Hospitals do have a splash of color somewhere? At least I’m pretty sure they do, but I’m that one kid who rarely went to the hospital.

So if you want the really quick version: the romance is the plot. I’m usually not a fan of contemporary romance, but I’ve been on a contemporary streak lately after reading some amazing books lately in the genre. The romance between Mandy and Olly is adorable – seeing their limited interactions, IMs, emails, etc. and even when they saw each other outside of those. If you don’t mind a cute romance or have a curiosity to know more about SCID, then Everything, Everything might be up your alley. But I like learning things. This is why I’m still Ravenclaw and not Gryffindor, so Pottermore is wrong, I tell you. WRONG.

I thought the layout was interesting and different, making the book seem quicker. I also loved the illustrations – they complemented the story really well and felt like a nice addition.

Despite the cute romance, interesting layout, and amazing illustrations, I am still disappointed with the ending. It’s one of those endings that might depend on the reader’s preferences, but I thought it was a screwed up ending where some of the characters have HUGE issues. I know I have my own issues of life, but this one is a really messy issue and I’m surprised no one got even a tiny bit suspicious for what? 16, 17 years?

I know there are some out there who will turn around and say that Everything, Everything is a fantastic novel. It is! But the ending ruined everything, and I cannot add this to my collection of shove worthy books.

Sophia

Owner at Bookwyrming Thoughts

Sophia started blogging in February 2012 for the hell of it and is surprisingly still around. She has a GIF for nearly everything, probably listens to too much K-Pop and is generally in an existential crisis of sorts (she's trying her best). In 2020, she graduated with a Bachelor's in Communications and minor in Women's Studies. More of her bookish reviews and K-pop Roundups can be found at The Arts STL.