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bernard_black's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Cursing, Medical content, Terminal illness, Grief, Cancer, Child death, and Domestic abuse
meeklovestoread'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? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I understand how many found this story emotional and a phenomenal piece on Dublin and the effects of gang culture and how classism plays a role. However, I felt like the issues this book was tackling were very surface-level. Joe didn't seem like a flushed-out enough character in my opinion and I don't we got enough insight into his grieving for his brother. Also, I was expecting more emotional interactions with the two brothers considering the blurb portrayed them to be very close.
I'd also like to point out that I'm not familiar with Dublin culture so many of the phrases used were very unfamiliar to me and I just didn't vibe with the way that this book was written. And the ending of this book felt very underwhelming and inconclusive
Graphic: Cancer, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Cursing, Violence, Gun violence, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Minor: Classism, Confinement, Forced institutionalization, and Domestic abuse
pkc's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Cancer, Terminal illness, Chronic illness, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Child death, Addiction, Alcoholism, Drug use, Grief, Medical content, Murder, Physical abuse, and Cursing
frankieclc's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Medical content, Grief, Child death, Terminal illness, and Cancer
Minor: Domestic abuse, Drug use, and Sexual harassment
roemfr's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Graphic: Blood, Cancer, Violence, Death, Cursing, Grief, Murder, Sexual harassment, Vomit, Child death, Chronic illness, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Medical trauma, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, and Toxic relationship
bookswithgeorgia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Terminal illness, Alcoholism, Grief, Gun violence, Domestic abuse, Child death, Cancer, and Drug use
travelseatsreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This heartbreakingly beautiful and tender story is told with alternating chapters from each of the boys perspectives. This was so affective as it allows the reader to see the varied themes (poverty, crime, domestic violence, cancer & grief) through each of the boys eyes.
The writing is tender yet captivating. Once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down and had to finish it in one sitting. Fiona beautifully portrays the unbreakable bond between Joe and Finn and just how besotted they are with each other.
I also really enjoyed the female characters within this book, each one appeared to be trying to cope with the hand they had been dealt and made often hard choices to try to better themselves and those around them.
This is a gorgeous story, brimming with equal amounts of love and sorrow that will stay with me for a long time to come.
Graphic: Cancer, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Grief, Gun violence, Murder, and Violence
skirteen's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Cancer, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Grief, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Vomit
Moderate: Blood, Drug abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gun violence, and Injury/Injury detail
sadhbhdunne's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Blood, Cancer, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Gun violence, Medical content, Physical abuse, and Vomit
isadorareads's review
5.0
Graphic: Cancer, Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Grief, and Terminal illness