Reviews

The writing of this book was brilliant. I loved how witty it was. It seemed so light hearted at first and then got really deep. I enjoyed it from start to finish.

shannonreadstheworld's review against another edition

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emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

vtlism's review

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dark emotional funny lighthearted mysterious reflective 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

4.0

Except for the maddeningly simplistic and somewhat poorly done preachy mental health and therapy section, which lumbered around like a hungry bear destroying all the fun I had been having with this book, I really enjoyed this book which was both fun and moving, grim and zany. I really hate a book as larger message vehicle, and that was so obvious and clumsy. The book was a joy until then, but it left me angry that I got duped into reading apparently a PSA about mental health. It really took me out of the narrative. I guess if she saves lives with that, the bullshit is worth it? With literally three decades of therapy under my belt as well as a counseling degree, I could've passed. I'd pay to have a version of the book without the therapy fantasy montage, because the rest was charming and fun.

abbbymyles's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark funny hopeful mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

bexcapades's review against another edition

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emotional medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

starrysea98's review

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5.0

God I don’t even know where to begin. I love this book so much and it made me cry like a baby about three quarters through. I love the idea of Esther’s grandfather meeting Death and if there really is Death incarnate, that he is genuinely a decent guy. There isn’t much explicit icky romance between Jonah and Esther which I am forever thankful for. However, I do wish that Hepzibah was expanded on because she literally feels like window dressing.

jayraams's review

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4.0

Tigger Warning, this book talks about mental health and suicide. As well as domestic violence.

A Semi-Definitive List of Worst Nightmares is the sorry of Esther Solar and her families curse. All of Esther's family are suffering because Esther's Grandfather punched Death in the face. Esther's makes it her mission to find death and ask him to lift the cures but she is runny out of time as her brother slowly is pulled into the dark and her parents disintegrate. Esther and her friends start to go through her list and every weekend they tick a fear of the list in the hope Death will come. Can Esther face her fear in time to save the ones she loves?

This book will make you smile and cry and might also make you feel uncomfortable. The only thing I would change is the scene where Esther describes her brother's suicide attempt, I found it triggering and I believe there were too many details. The message of the book is mental health is important and that you should always seek help and it gives good advice on how to do this. However from what I understand it's not recommended to give so many details because it could cause people to try the method described. This is the only thing I would change.

I liked how the book uses Magic Realism to effectively tell us the sad details of Esther's life without over welling the reader. It also is so colourful Shakespeare lobsters and beautiful colours and lights. That is juxtaposed against the real problems the main characters have.

It's a 4 out of 5 stars for me, though it would be 4.5 if I could give half stars, I would take half a star off for it triggering me. It is an excellent book and has good advice that doesn't slow or bog down the story but I think it needed to do better at not being triggering.

This book is for older teenagers and anyone who wants to over come their fears. Its ending is perfect and will make everyone happy. Add it to your list of books to read.

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