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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
Cute little YA book with not much of a plot, but could relate with the struggles of the main character
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
John Green’s Turtles All the Way Down is a thoughtful and intimate novel that dives deep into the struggles of living with mental illness while also weaving in friendship, family, and the uncertainty of growing up. What stands out most is the honest and sometimes unsettling way the book portrays anxiety and obsessive thought patterns. The main character, Aza, feels both incredibly specific in her experiences and yet widely relatable to anyone who has ever wrestled with intrusive worries or felt trapped by their own mind.
The strength of the novel lies in its voice—raw, sometimes uncomfortable, but deeply authentic. The friendship between Aza and Daisy adds warmth and humor, balancing the heaviness of the narrative. At the same time, the mystery surrounding the missing billionaire gives the story momentum, though at times it feels more like a backdrop than a driving force.
This is not a fast-paced novel, and some readers may find the constant focus on Aza’s inner world repetitive, but that’s also part of its power—it mirrors the looping, inescapable cycle of anxiety itself. Green captures that with a sensitivity that is rare in young adult literature.
While it may not be perfect—the resolution of the mystery feels less satisfying than the emotional arc—the book succeeds in leaving a lasting impression. It reminds readers that healing is not linear, and that love and connection do not erase struggles but can make them bearable.
Overall, Turtles All the Way Down earns 4 stars for its brave, unflinching portrayal of mental health, its tender relationships, and its ability to make readers sit with discomfort while still finding beauty in the story.
The strength of the novel lies in its voice—raw, sometimes uncomfortable, but deeply authentic. The friendship between Aza and Daisy adds warmth and humor, balancing the heaviness of the narrative. At the same time, the mystery surrounding the missing billionaire gives the story momentum, though at times it feels more like a backdrop than a driving force.
This is not a fast-paced novel, and some readers may find the constant focus on Aza’s inner world repetitive, but that’s also part of its power—it mirrors the looping, inescapable cycle of anxiety itself. Green captures that with a sensitivity that is rare in young adult literature.
While it may not be perfect—the resolution of the mystery feels less satisfying than the emotional arc—the book succeeds in leaving a lasting impression. It reminds readers that healing is not linear, and that love and connection do not erase struggles but can make them bearable.
Overall, Turtles All the Way Down earns 4 stars for its brave, unflinching portrayal of mental health, its tender relationships, and its ability to make readers sit with discomfort while still finding beauty in the story.
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
I didnt think this was going to be 5 stars but I loved the development, the writing, & the truth of it all. It was beautiful.
medium-paced
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Reading this was almost like entering the mind of 14 year old me, relatable but incredibly frustrating
Aza’s inner monologue was highly repetitive but in this case, I believe that is a really good showcase of the reality of OCD, especially how trying to reason with it makes it worse. Who really annoyed me was the therapist. Absolutely not helpful at all, but maybe that was the point
Aza’s inner monologue was highly repetitive but in this case, I believe that is a really good showcase of the reality of OCD, especially how trying to reason with it makes it worse. Who really annoyed me was the therapist. Absolutely not helpful at all, but maybe that was the point
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Car accident, Injury/Injury detail
Nach anderen Büchern wie Eine wie Alaska bin ich etwas enttäuscht..Vielleicht bin ich auch einfach älter geworden, denn für mich war das Buch unglaublich jugendlich und schon fast kindlich, wobei die Zwangsstörung von Asa toll beschrieben wurde. Alles in allem würde ich eher zu einem anderen Buch von John Green greifen.
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Turtles All the Way Down was okay as a whole story. It has a lot of really good moments. But the story is kind of sold as a mystery than a solid character piece, his character work is great in Aza showing how she deals with anxiety disorder while being a teenager dealing with love and loss, but the mystery is just a plot set up, then goes away and comes back in the end, to a whimper.
The plot is a girl Aza who's dealing with anxiety disorder and her friend Daisy that has her own issues, find out about a missing billionaire. Aza befriended the son, Davis during camp and have since fallen out a couple of years ago. The police offer a 100,000 dollar reward because the dad is expected of insider trading. Daisy convinces to try to start up her friendship with Davis so they can find the whereabouts of the dad, to get the money, but she kind of falls for Davis.
The plot is actually more about Aza and her relationships with Davis, Daisy and her Mom. Those are the stronger moments and the portrayal of a character with anxiety disorder, is very strong. I someone who has dealt with anxiety disorder, I do wish this character were available to me to identify with.
Other great moments are Daisy and her Star Wars fanfiction of a relationship between Rey and Chewbacca and Davis explaining the stars.
I would give this book a 3.4 stars if I could, the mystery is just such a let down and I felt the mom character would've been an adult and not let Aza make such a big decision at the end, it works out eventually. I would definitely recommend it for people dealing with anxiety disorder, to have a voice.
The plot is a girl Aza who's dealing with anxiety disorder and her friend Daisy that has her own issues, find out about a missing billionaire. Aza befriended the son, Davis during camp and have since fallen out a couple of years ago. The police offer a 100,000 dollar reward because the dad is expected of insider trading. Daisy convinces to try to start up her friendship with Davis so they can find the whereabouts of the dad, to get the money, but she kind of falls for Davis.
The plot is actually more about Aza and her relationships with Davis, Daisy and her Mom. Those are the stronger moments and the portrayal of a character with anxiety disorder, is very strong. I someone who has dealt with anxiety disorder, I do wish this character were available to me to identify with.
Other great moments are Daisy and her Star Wars fanfiction of a relationship between Rey and Chewbacca and Davis explaining the stars.
I would give this book a 3.4 stars if I could, the mystery is just such a let down and I felt the mom character would've been an adult and not let Aza make such a big decision at the end, it works out eventually. I would definitely recommend it for people dealing with anxiety disorder, to have a voice.
emotional
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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Death of parent