baileyvk's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
lunaisreading's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The writing is not really my style but the plot still kept me compelled enough to read through the book. I think it would’ve benefitted from being a bit longer and diving deeper into the main conflict of the story, as I believe it was resolved way too quickly and then the book was suddenly over. It gave me the feeling that the issues at hand (which were quite serious) were just being downplayed. I also enjoyed the found family aspect of it but not really the couples/romance as they felt a bit forced at times.
Overall, a quick read with loveable characters, specially if you’re into YA and/or have never read anything remotely close to dark academia but would like to dip into the genre.
Overall, a quick read with loveable characters, specially if you’re into YA and/or have never read anything remotely close to dark academia but would like to dip into the genre.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying and Sexual assault
Moderate: Cancer, Adult/minor relationship, and Xenophobia
Minor: Self harm and Vomit
cecinamo's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I really wanted to like this book a lot, but something just didn’t really click with me. It’s definitely worth a re-red tho!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Violence, Mental illness, Misogyny, Hate crime, Cursing, Panic attacks/disorders, Outing, Slavery, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Homophobia, Racism, and Racial slurs
hannahsvessel's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- 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
4.5
I loved this book. It was such a good read, and so poignantly realistic, not only to the author’s high school experience, but to many others’. I highly recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Physical abuse
Moderate: Xenophobia, Homophobia, and Racism
evelynyle_88's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
4⭐️
This story is really heartwarming. I love the story. This is my first time reading Abdi Nazemian's book and I really love it.
The writing style is very suitable for me.
Gonna try Abdi's other book. I love having new author in my list. Thank you!🤍
This story is really heartwarming. I love the story. This is my first time reading Abdi Nazemian's book and I really love it.
The writing style is very suitable for me.
Gonna try Abdi's other book. I love having new author in my list. Thank you!🤍
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Sexual assault, and Homophobia
Moderate: Cancer, Racism, and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Sexual content
cvl_1103's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
Listened to the audiobook. 3.5 stars. Overall enjoyed the book. Don’t know that I liked some of the choices for the characters but I also liked how messy it was and felt it presented how complicated our roles in institutions can be. Liked the found family element of the book. TW for book: sexual abuse, hazing
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying
Moderate: Sexual assault
gwensadventure's review
4.0
Somehow, I didn't like this book, but I also feel so drawn in and connected to the story. The writing is excellent, the story is kind of slow with some dark themes and it just.....works. If you can just keep reading.
My initial thoughts: honestly, 'Im poor and go to the boarding school for rich kids and totally feel our of place' is a little overdone. (okay, a lot). And I thought about stopping a bunch of times, but I kept reading and I think it's worthwhile for you too! For this book to feel fresh and interesting, start with the authors note for some good context that will change how you read this story (or don't start there and know that you should keep going!) This is a novel, but it is sort of an autobiographical one--removing the details of real life but keeping the deeper truths.
This book really delves into abuse and mental health and found families in a persistent way. It's not a light fun story at all, but there are some bright moments of truth. Truly, I don't love the story, but did love the mix of writing tips and story--it was quite an interesting format I have not seen before with fiction and 'how to's' woven together in a way that fits. I want to go back through and write down all the tips, they are seriously good. Reading this books made me reflect on my own experience in school and inspires me to create something out of those realizations.
If you made it this far, wow. Here's what I'll end with, I didn't love this book the first time through. I also feel like reading it again, certain I would fall a little deeper in love with these character, their heartache and their friendships with each turn of the page.
My initial thoughts: honestly, 'Im poor and go to the boarding school for rich kids and totally feel our of place' is a little overdone. (okay, a lot). And I thought about stopping a bunch of times, but I kept reading and I think it's worthwhile for you too! For this book to feel fresh and interesting, start with the authors note for some good context that will change how you read this story (or don't start there and know that you should keep going!) This is a novel, but it is sort of an autobiographical one--removing the details of real life but keeping the deeper truths.
This book really delves into abuse and mental health and found families in a persistent way. It's not a light fun story at all, but there are some bright moments of truth. Truly, I don't love the story, but did love the mix of writing tips and story--it was quite an interesting format I have not seen before with fiction and 'how to's' woven together in a way that fits. I want to go back through and write down all the tips, they are seriously good. Reading this books made me reflect on my own experience in school and inspires me to create something out of those realizations.
If you made it this far, wow. Here's what I'll end with, I didn't love this book the first time through. I also feel like reading it again, certain I would fall a little deeper in love with these character, their heartache and their friendships with each turn of the page.
nerdygirlk's review
hopeful
inspiring
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
reading_ro's review
emotional
inspiring
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0