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maeverose's review against another edition
3.0
Conor’s grief presents in the form of anger, and leads to him having some very unhealthy and harmful coping mechanisms. While I completely understand that is how some people react to grief, and part of the point of the story was Conor having to learn to heal, I felt that the book focused almost solely on Conor’s feelings and I don’t feel like there was enough emphasis on him changing how he treated others. He kind of just got away with all the bad things he did to other people. Also, all the female characters in the book are framed as mean, or end up getting killed or dying. Lily being the only real exception. This annoyed me a bit.
Another mild thing that annoyed me, even though it was pointed out in the book, was how Conor’s parents wouldn’t be honest with him about what was happening. Yes Conor knew, but I think in a situation like that it’s much more helpful to be honest so your child can mentally prepare. Again, while the book did sort of acknowledge this it was still frustrating.
Another mild thing that annoyed me, even though it was pointed out in the book, was how Conor’s parents wouldn’t be honest with him about what was happening. Yes Conor knew, but I think in a situation like that it’s much more helpful to be honest so your child can mentally prepare. Again, while the book did sort of acknowledge this it was still frustrating.
I do think this book has important messages about how everybody is complicated and our emotions are complicated and that’s okay, but I can’t say I enjoyed the overall reading experience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Bullying, Death, Terminal illness, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Murder, Medical content, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Violence, and Vomit
Minor: Misogyny and Sexual content
A note on the cancer: Conor’s mother’s diagnosis is never named, but it definitely seems to be coded as cancer. A note on the schizophrenia: Conor doesn’t have schizophrenia in the book, the monster is just a magical realism representation of his grief, but there are definitely scenes where it could appear similar to a psychosis episodeiane_reads's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Violence, Death, Bullying, Medical content, Death of parent, Grief, Terminal illness, Cancer, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, and Hate crime
Moderate: Murder, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Blood, Child abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Self harm, Sexual content, Animal cruelty, Pandemic/Epidemic, and Child death
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