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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
tifftastic87's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Synopsis
Conor's mom is sick, like really sick, and everyone knows it is the end, except for him. When his mom is admitted to the hospital, a strange thing happens with the yew tree in the backyard. It comes to Conor at night and tells him there will be an exchange of tales, three from the monster and one from Conor. That's when things start to spiral.
Overt Grief
Lately, I have really been about stories with grief. This one really hit the mark. I know this is a middle grade (maybe early YA) book, but damn the imagery - both the words and the art - really expressed how Conor was feeling. It was frustrating, reading this as an adult, and seeing none of the other adults be honest with him about what was happening. We constantly underestimate children's abilities to understand the world around them and expect that they don't feel emotions how we do, when they are usually feeling them much, much stronger.
Story Length
Honestly, I kind of wish this were a longer book. I would have like a little more detail in the monster's stories, a little more back story on some of the characters, and perhaps even a short epilogue. That's my major qualm, is the story felt rushed when it didn't need to be and I felt it should have given space to some of the themes that required a little bit more.
Content Warnings
Detailed descriptions of bullying, grief, loss of a parent, cancer, and medical situations.
Moderate descriptions of violence.
Conor's mom is sick, like really sick, and everyone knows it is the end, except for him. When his mom is admitted to the hospital, a strange thing happens with the yew tree in the backyard. It comes to Conor at night and tells him there will be an exchange of tales, three from the monster and one from Conor. That's when things start to spiral.
Overt Grief
Lately, I have really been about stories with grief. This one really hit the mark. I know this is a middle grade (maybe early YA) book, but damn the imagery - both the words and the art - really expressed how Conor was feeling. It was frustrating, reading this as an adult, and seeing none of the other adults be honest with him about what was happening. We constantly underestimate children's abilities to understand the world around them and expect that they don't feel emotions how we do, when they are usually feeling them much, much stronger.
Story Length
Honestly, I kind of wish this were a longer book. I would have like a little more detail in the monster's stories, a little more back story on some of the characters, and perhaps even a short epilogue. That's my major qualm, is the story felt rushed when it didn't need to be and I felt it should have given space to some of the themes that required a little bit more.
Content Warnings
Detailed descriptions of bullying, grief, loss of a parent, cancer, and medical situations.
Moderate descriptions of violence.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Cancer, Terminal illness, Bullying, and Death of parent
Moderate: Blood and Violence
Minor: Murder
antoniak's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book made me cry so much. It feels like a cathartic experience though. The plot of this book was unexpected and real and sad and healing.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, and Cancer
Minor: Murder
suprconman99'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
3.75
This one got to me emotionally, had me tearing up the last 30 pages or so. Maybe it affected me more now as a parent of small children than it would have if I’d read it in my own adolescence, not sure. The plot itself is fairly simple and straightforward, a coming to terms with loss and navigating grief type tale, although the addition of the monster and his parables adds an enjoyable, fantastical element.
Maybe because it’s been a while since I read YA, but the writing itself was almost TOO simplistic at times. Still, I can see why Ness has earned the plaudits he has for writing fiction that is so emotionally engaging and resonant in a way that’s digestible for a younger audience.
Maybe because it’s been a while since I read YA, but the writing itself was almost TOO simplistic at times. Still, I can see why Ness has earned the plaudits he has for writing fiction that is so emotionally engaging and resonant in a way that’s digestible for a younger audience.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Bullying
Minor: Murder
readingqueerly's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-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
5.0
First of all, ouch my heart. Secondly, this was really incredible. The storytelling mixed with the illustrations which had a particular style really brought this graphic novel to life completely.
The author did an amazing job at portraying all of these characters, especially Conor, and making you understand exactly what they are feeling, and why they act the way they do.
In addition, there are many lessons and messages to be taken from this book, but it never felt forced. It's merely presenting the idea that we shouldn't take things at face value or fill in gaps with the most obvious solution.
I absolutely loved this and I cannot believe it was on my shelf for this long.
The author did an amazing job at portraying all of these characters, especially Conor, and making you understand exactly what they are feeling, and why they act the way they do.
In addition, there are many lessons and messages to be taken from this book, but it never felt forced. It's merely presenting the idea that we shouldn't take things at face value or fill in gaps with the most obvious solution.
I absolutely loved this and I cannot believe it was on my shelf for this long.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Grief, Death of parent, Terminal illness, and Medical content
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Death, Murder, Religious bigotry, Vomit, and Child death
sophie_clare's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent
Moderate: Cancer and Bullying
Minor: Violence and Murder
eloiseisreading's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Bullying, Cancer, Grief, Medical content, Mental illness, and Terminal illness
Moderate: Vomit
Minor: Child death, Death, Murder, and Violence
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