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jefferz's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-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
Edit 3/23/24: Bumped the ratings up a star. Having gotten back into reading regularly and reflecting on books completed last year, this one really stuck with me and is one I often remember. Based purely on it's ambition and its lasting impact, this should be up to a 4 / 4.5 at least. Also kind of want to rewrite this review as it doesn't highlight the nuanced and excellent character relationships that are not always pleasant to read about.
This one is difficult to rate as I found the first 2/3 of the book trying to get through and every character insufferable, though that's not a dig at the writing or plot which is well done. I found the tone to be overall off-putting in a first-person perspective from the eyes of a very emotionally volatile 14 yr old (granted that's on me reading this when I'm over twice the age of June and her sister) and every character to be insufferable. The one bright spot and redeeming factor that kept me going was Toby, the only character that's bearable to read about. Toby and his character arc is by far the best aspect of the entire book and one I empathized with a lot.
However once the book gets to the last 1/3 of the story, I got very invested partly thanks to June managing her feelings less ridiculously (we love character growth) and the book following through on its premise of finding out just who this unknown man that shows up at Finn's funeral is. The way this book handles concepts of love (both romantic and familial), loss, prejudice (particularly bigotry given it's setting in the 80's at the start HIV/AIDS epidemic) is well done, the delivery was just not to my taste. Most of the book I struggled through at a 1-star but the last 100 pages or so is a solid 4-4.5. However if you're interested in flawed (and petty) personalities and all the emotions of preteen discovery herself, your mileage may vary and go a lot farther than mine.
This one is difficult to rate as I found the first 2/3 of the book trying to get through and every character insufferable, though that's not a dig at the writing or plot which is well done. I found the tone to be overall off-putting in a first-person perspective from the eyes of a very emotionally volatile 14 yr old (granted that's on me reading this when I'm over twice the age of June and her sister) and every character to be insufferable. The one bright spot and redeeming factor that kept me going was Toby, the only character that's bearable to read about. Toby and his character arc is by far the best aspect of the entire book and one I empathized with a lot.
However once the book gets to the last 1/3 of the story, I got very invested partly thanks to June managing her feelings less ridiculously (we love character growth) and the book following through on its premise of finding out just who this unknown man that shows up at Finn's funeral is. The way this book handles concepts of love (both romantic and familial), loss, prejudice (particularly bigotry given it's setting in the 80's at the start HIV/AIDS epidemic) is well done, the delivery was just not to my taste. Most of the book I struggled through at a 1-star but the last 100 pages or so is a solid 4-4.5. However if you're interested in flawed (and petty) personalities and all the emotions of preteen discovery herself, your mileage may vary and go a lot farther than mine.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Terminal illness, and Grief
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Outing, and Pandemic/Epidemic
elisa26's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
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? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Terminal illness, Grief, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Alcoholism
Minor: Homophobia
relin's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
3.0
It was interesting enough to finish, but I don't think this book was for me. I struggled with some of the ways that the relationships and characters were shown especially.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Medical content, and Grief
Moderate: Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Confinement, Drug use, Fatphobia, Forced institutionalization, Abandonment, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Classism, and Deportation