Customer Reviews

3 NBs of Julian Drew

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This is a one-sitting book. Once you pick it up you can't put it down until you're done, and even then you want to keep going. As you break through Julian's secret code, you also break through the secret barriers even he can't seem to get around. Deem gives just enough clues to keep you guessing, and Julian lets you see just enough of his soul to keep you caring.

This book seriously defies the mind. When I picked up this book + read the 1st page I knew that it was going 2 B like no book that I have ever read. I had some knowledge of pager code before hand so it was not as difficult for me as it would B for someone who hadn't. I was intrigued w/ 16 y.o Julian who's life + everything in it couldn't be described as anything but [the underworld]. This book kept me turning page after page determined to find if he gets away 4rm his abusive parents or ever meets this "U" th@ he obsesses himself over.
This book is a puzzle and unraveling it is only half the fun. I recommend this book 2 everyone. I thought it was a great story + if u take the time 2 sit down + read it, I'm sure you will think the same thing 2.

I read part of this book and then had to go to work before finishing it. That was the longest shift I've ever had to work. Talk about hard to put down... it's gripping, compelling, and most of all, disturbing. But it sticks to you, somehow.

This book was, in a word, fabulous! I was a bit confused in the beginning with all the "codes", but after a while I found it enhanced the story's authenticity and made me feel as if Julian was a real, breathing person (and maybe somewhere he is). This story of a teenage boy in search of his past and identity had me itching to read more after I had put it down for only a minute. There is, literally, never a dull moment! Mixed in with the exceptional dialect of this troubled 15-year old are wonderful pieces of "poetry" that express Julian's inner most intelligence and feelings: his work for Mrs. Pope, the concerned English teacher; as well as his thoughts on "U" (you), "43" (he), "543" (she), and "S" (Susan). Despite being misunderstood by family and himself, he somehow finds peace through the writings in his "NB". I picked up this book not knowing what to expect, but was indeed pleasantly surprised. This is a book you cannot afford to put down!

I read this book 2 years ago, and still I can not forget how good it was and how much it helped me understand there are other people out there going through the same things as I do and worse. I am now 14 years old, and couldn't image going through what Julian went through in this book, AFTER the death of my mother.

Although the book was kinda confusing in the beginning, I caught on. Deciphering each and every messaged coated with numbers and codes until I cracked each and everyone one of them and recorgnized them once I spotted them.

Author James M. Deem is without doubt the most amazing author I've ever read books from. Since this book, I look and look for his books and read them and never I repeat NEVER has he let me down. I think that everyone who reads his material should cherish it, and hold on to his thoughts [ they are amazing ] just as I have done, because he's simply...the best. <3 James!

-Ashley

Julian is an abused child. His mother is dead, his demented stepmother starves him and locks him in his room and makes him do all the chores in the house, and his father lets her. The story is told in diary form of Julian's three notebooks, or "Nbs" as he calls them. The notebooks are written in code so that if his father and stepmother should discover them, they would have difficulty reading. The reader also has difficulty at first, as it takes some detective work to decipher the code.

The thing I liked most about the book is Julian's strength of spirit. With the support of his English teacher and a classmate, he is able to get a job, run away, and make a new life for himself. When I looked at James Deem's website, it says the story is based on the author's own experiences. And you can tell. It's really good, though the code can be a bit annoying.

This is a great quick read. Echoing other reviewers, set aside several hours so you can finish this book quickly. Finally, a young adult novel with some depth. Characters who are not plastic, contrived, stereotyped. Julian comes across as genuine. A must read!

This book was the best book i've read in a long time. I would recommend it to anyone and everyone. It deserves more that 5 stars! Its hard to understand at first since its in code but once you pick it up you will not be able to put it down! If you have to choose one thing to read have it be this book!

I rate this book a ten star! Too high for a 5 star scale. The code in this book was exiting to figure out and it helped you unravel the story of Julian with him. I read this book in one day and loved it! One of my all-time favorite books! If you don't read this book, you are going to miss out on a wonderful experience!

This is a great book!It is written in secret code and is very hard to understand.But it is still an excellent book with a good plot!