You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
4.12 AVERAGE
4.12 AVERAGE
RTC. Just know this broke me & I’m a stone cold bitch as a lot of people tell me. This is definitely being added to my favourites. I’ll write a more in depth review once my heart stops hurting.
All I can say is WHAT. THE. FUCK.
I am still bawling writing this. The book I had read before this was History Is All You Left Me and I thought that was sad, but this, this was like a sucker punch to the gut. I've been left reeling and heart broken. I almost feel like something has been stolen from me.
It's not fair.
And that's why I loved this so much.
I am still bawling writing this. The book I had read before this was History Is All You Left Me and I thought that was sad, but this, this was like a sucker punch to the gut. I've been left reeling and heart broken. I almost feel like something has been stolen from me.
It's not fair.
And that's why I loved this so much.
The best word for this book is dark. Dark subject matter, dark character, dark ending. There were moments of levity that kept it from being depressing, and the message is important for EVERYONE.
I'm going to be brief on this one.
The story and writing weren't that bad. They weren't what made me DNF this. I actually was really enjoying it. This is going to make me sound like a sheltered Christian, and I can promise you I'm not sheltered, but I am a Christian.
I stopped reading this book because I don't think this is a good thing for me, as a christian, to read. The cussing wasn't awful, but there was an f-bomb every few pages.
The cussing, plus the innuendos, and the sex weren't things I wanted in my head. So I DNF-ed this book.
I'm not saying you can't enjoy this book. If you enjoy this book and content like this, I'm not judging you. But personally, I prefer to keep my mind and heart clear of this sort of thing.
The story and writing weren't that bad. They weren't what made me DNF this. I actually was really enjoying it. This is going to make me sound like a sheltered Christian, and I can promise you I'm not sheltered, but I am a Christian.
I stopped reading this book because I don't think this is a good thing for me, as a christian, to read. The cussing wasn't awful, but there was an f-bomb every few pages.
The cussing, plus the innuendos, and the sex weren't things I wanted in my head. So I DNF-ed this book.
I'm not saying you can't enjoy this book. If you enjoy this book and content like this, I'm not judging you. But personally, I prefer to keep my mind and heart clear of this sort of thing.
Dark, but so good. Written almost coldly.
Rape, rape culture, swearing, sexual innuendos, sexual references, casual sex, underage drinking, sexual assault, violence, death,
Spoiler
Rape, rape culture, swearing, sexual innuendos, sexual references, casual sex, underage drinking, sexual assault, violence, death,
"But boys will be boys, our favorite phrase that excuses so many things, while the only thing we have for the opposite gender is women, said with disdain and punctuated with an eye roll."
This book pulls no punches & is refreshing in the utter lack of bullshit. Every character was fantastic! The ending though T_______________T
My only criticism is that the relationship between Jack and Alex progressed too quickly to be realistic given Alex's emotional baggage (more like emotional oil tanker with 500 anvils and an elephant on top). Everything else though? So so so so so so so so so so soooooooo fantastic
This book pulls no punches & is refreshing in the utter lack of bullshit. Every character was fantastic! The ending though T_______________T
My only criticism is that the relationship between Jack and Alex progressed too quickly to be realistic given Alex's emotional baggage (more like emotional oil tanker with 500 anvils and an elephant on top). Everything else though? So so so so so so so so so so soooooooo fantastic
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I am really very torn on how to rate this book. Let's start with the positives. This was written by an expert writer. The craft alone is worth the read. The way McGinnis was able to create such distinct narrative voices for all three perspectives was compelling. As a character, I absolutely loved Alex. What a deep, thoughtful badass.
As an adult reading this book, I enjoyed it. It was over the top gritty at certain points, so sure, I can handle that. But this book says it's written for grades 9 and up. I can tell you that in my district, I wouldn't shelf this in a classroom library AT ALL. Of course, teachers know their students best, but this book is difficult to read. It examines incredibly heavy material and doesn't shy away from exposing the dark parts. I think this kind of writing is important, but the end of the book does absolutely nothing to leave young readers feeling like there is any hope whatsoever. The ending is dismal at best and not the portrait of trauma I'd want to hand to young readers.
TL;DR: I enjoyed it as an adult, but wouldn't hand it to a high schooler.
As an adult reading this book, I enjoyed it. It was over the top gritty at certain points, so sure, I can handle that. But this book says it's written for grades 9 and up. I can tell you that in my district, I wouldn't shelf this in a classroom library AT ALL. Of course, teachers know their students best, but this book is difficult to read. It examines incredibly heavy material and doesn't shy away from exposing the dark parts. I think this kind of writing is important, but the end of the book does absolutely nothing to leave young readers feeling like there is any hope whatsoever. The ending is dismal at best and not the portrait of trauma I'd want to hand to young readers.
TL;DR: I enjoyed it as an adult, but wouldn't hand it to a high schooler.
I am so emotional right now. 😭
This book is added to my list of Favorite Books Ever.
This story packs a punch... and then punches you ten more times. Extremely emotional and EXTREMELY important. This is a book that will stay on your mind for years.
This book is added to my list of Favorite Books Ever.
This story packs a punch... and then punches you ten more times. Extremely emotional and EXTREMELY important. This is a book that will stay on your mind for years.
This book blew me away!! It was grittier and darker than I thought it would be, but also with much more depth than I would have guessed. All of the characters are flawed and realistic, and I loved watching them develop over the course of the novel.
It's just so beautifully written and it doesn't sugarcoat issues of rape, violence, torture, and animal cruelty. It's definitely hard to read at times, and I had to fight the urge to skip particularly gruesome passages. But it's not gore-for-gore's-sake; it's vivid and real and true to the human experience. Highly recommended.
It's just so beautifully written and it doesn't sugarcoat issues of rape, violence, torture, and animal cruelty. It's definitely hard to read at times, and I had to fight the urge to skip particularly gruesome passages. But it's not gore-for-gore's-sake; it's vivid and real and true to the human experience. Highly recommended.