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molly_rose's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Death, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Sexual assault, Blood, War, Chronic illness, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Sexual violence, Cancer, Alcohol, and Rape
books_and_fairy_lights's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
relaxing
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
"What I want, what I've always truly wanted, is for someone to remember me."
Addie wants to live. She wants to live and to love and to be seen. To be remembered. Henry is afraid of time passing, of having no control over it. Decisions overwhelm him and so he stands still - but that also overwhelms him and life just feels too much.
I could relate to both, on different levels. I think something this book does really well is that it speaks to our hopes and fears, the very human experience of feeling the passing of time and wondering if one really makes enough or the right thing out of it, as you never know when you'll run out of minutes.
Although some of the story was quite predictable, it still unfolded quite nicely, and wrapped up in an ending that made sense. It was really nice to see the story unfold as it does, past mixed with present. I loved discovering New York (are any of those experiences real?). I loved to read about a girl who marvels at the beauty of the world, heart full of excitement as she experiences something new - as there is always new things to experience. If anything, I suppose this book tries to tell you that there is always something worth living for (and that no matter what it is, it is enough).
The writing was good, I want to say kind of common or at least it fit my expectation for a contemporary bestseller - good but not exceptional, predictably pleasing and sometimes a little too obviously so.
I'll get passed the streaks of toxicity sometimes romanticized (especially between Addie and Luc) because tbh what reader (at least of this kind of book), while disapproving of it, also doesn't sigh in pleasure at the idea of being wanted. Well, it's just a thought I guess.
I also did quite enjoy the half discrete representation of different queernesses, especially bisexuality (way too often overlooked for gays/lesbians) (one could argue it is in the end a relationship between a cis man and a cis woman, but both of them are effortlessly (or obviously?) presented as queer/fluid in their sexuality) - anyway, without trying to overanalyze it, it was quite pleasant to read and to see.
Overall a good read, once again a book that ended up in my hands in a time in my life that feels quite right for it. And definitely a good way to start the year.
Addie wants to live. She wants to live and to love and to be seen. To be remembered. Henry is afraid of time passing, of having no control over it. Decisions overwhelm him and so he stands still - but that also overwhelms him and life just feels too much.
I could relate to both, on different levels. I think something this book does really well is that it speaks to our hopes and fears, the very human experience of feeling the passing of time and wondering if one really makes enough or the right thing out of it, as you never know when you'll run out of minutes.
Although some of the story was quite predictable, it still unfolded quite nicely, and wrapped up in an ending that made sense. It was really nice to see the story unfold as it does, past mixed with present. I loved discovering New York (are any of those experiences real?). I loved to read about a girl who marvels at the beauty of the world, heart full of excitement as she experiences something new - as there is always new things to experience. If anything, I suppose this book tries to tell you that there is always something worth living for (and that no matter what it is, it is enough).
The writing was good, I want to say kind of common or at least it fit my expectation for a contemporary bestseller - good but not exceptional, predictably pleasing and sometimes a little too obviously so.
I'll get passed the streaks of toxicity sometimes romanticized (especially between Addie and Luc) because tbh what reader (at least of this kind of book), while disapproving of it, also doesn't sigh in pleasure at the idea of being wanted. Well, it's just a thought I guess.
I also did quite enjoy the half discrete representation of different queernesses, especially bisexuality (way too often overlooked for gays/lesbians) (one could argue it is in the end a relationship between a cis man and a cis woman, but both of them are effortlessly (or obviously?) presented as queer/fluid in their sexuality) - anyway, without trying to overanalyze it, it was quite pleasant to read and to see.
Overall a good read, once again a book that ended up in my hands in a time in my life that feels quite right for it. And definitely a good way to start the year.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual violence
Minor: Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Alcoholism, and Death
madscanread's review against another edition
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt and Toxic relationship
Minor: Misogyny, Alcohol, Sexism, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual violence
avie_j's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Torture, Toxic relationship, and Sexual content
Moderate: Misogyny and Gaslighting
Minor: Rape, Sexual violence, War, and Sexism
nila's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Violence and Suicide attempt
Minor: Sexual violence and War
maybelles's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Absolutely stunning, there's a reason this book took off and it's because V. E. Schwab wrote us a magical, twisting lyrical tale. I've nothing bad to say, if you like immortality and memory as themes you'll enjoy it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual violence
erinmcav's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Death and Sexual violence
sammiperks's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Minor: War, Sexual violence, Death, and Suicide attempt
kaayaak's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
I read this too soon after reading the ACOTAR series so I was way too in love with this toxic man
Honestly I found it really slow and I kinda predicted everything so it wasn’t my favorite
Tag yourself: I’m Estelle
Honestly I found it really slow and I kinda predicted everything so it wasn’t my favorite
Tag yourself: I’m Estelle
Content Warnings
Graphic: War, Suicide attempt, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Sexual violence and Toxic relationship
Minor: Death of parent
blewballoon's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
I struggled to finish this. I kept hoping it would get better, and I thought it might be when Henry joined the story, but the more time we spent with him the more I realized I wasn't interested in his character either. Addie isn't the kind of person I find myself rooting for or invested in, neither was Henry. Their choices felt arbitrary a lot of the time, like their dialogue. The chapters in the past never explored anything particularly interesting, just highlighted the overall misogyny of the past in ways that I didn't want to be immersed in. The past chapters stayed fairly far back in time without exploring more modern eras like the 50s-80s, which would have been interesting considering how much Addie lamented that women had no rights and women's rights changed a lot during that period. It feels like most of the book and plot take place in 2014. In general, the book is very repetitive. Overall things were just too sad yet uninteresting for me and it was a slog from start to finish. I am glad so many people liked it and I will try another V.E. Schwab at some point, but honestly I wish I hadn't wasted my time with this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Grief, Sexism, Drug use, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Emotional abuse, Sexual harassment, and Sexual violence
Moderate: War and Vomit