Scan barcode
a_cera_t0ps's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
A big thing about this book was the pacing. The ending is built up to for the entirety of this book, yet it is crammed in with no proper send off. The last 100 pages holds the primary narrative. It feels like the author got carried away with the in-between scenes that he lost focus of the primary plot. Brief character exploration scenes and years worth exposition goes from being subservient to the story to becoming 93% of the text.
I know that Neal Shusterman is a wonderful author, and I can even see his excellence in this book as well. There are scenes and ideas that hit so hard, that deserve to be published and read, but there was just too much book for one book here. As the 3rd novel in a series, it's odd to me that it felt like the season of a TV show right before it's taken off the air, especially considering that, even though this book is the official finale, there was a spin-off book.
The reason I say I'm conflicted is because I enjoyed this book. But I was also weary and disappointed. I've read worse books than this and not minded, but the reason this one is so hard is because I see how it was imperfect and yet simultaneously almost perfect.
I don't want anyone to get the wrong idea and think that thid book sucked, or that Neal Shusterman is a bad or iffy writer. I think, to a certain degree, the panic and overwhelming nature that is portrayed in the story makes it as good as it is. I'm really just. .. well, conflicted.
Minor: Genocide, Physical abuse, Police brutality, Gore, Religious bigotry, Fire/Fire injury, Violence, War, Xenophobia, Grief, Murder, Blood, Body horror, Death, and Gaslighting
hales_1243's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Murder, Torture, Grief, Homophobia, Blood, Gun violence, Religious bigotry, Violence, Fire/Fire injury, Transphobia, Genocide, Gore, Hate crime, Child death, Kidnapping, Body horror, Death, Physical abuse, and Racism
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Gaslighting, Cancer, Abandonment, Gun violence, and Vomit
Mention of plane crashes.cepbreed's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Ranking of the books: The Toll, Scythe, Thunderhead
Song:
- Glory and Gore - Lorde
Graphic: Suicide, Fire/Fire injury, Genocide, Murder, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Gun violence, Violence, Death, Death of parent, Gore, Grief, Hate crime, Mass/school shootings, and Religious bigotry
Moderate: Physical abuse, Medical content, Misogyny, Terminal illness, Confinement, and Torture
Minor: War and Sexual content
thejuliette's review against another edition
4.5
Moderate: Death, Gun violence, Kidnapping, Medical content, Murder, Physical abuse, and Violence
emilycollins0910's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Violence and Genocide
Moderate: Blood and Physical abuse