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megatsunami's review against another edition
4.0
This book was beautiful. I LOVED this retelling of Orpheus and Eurydice, loved how it integrated the characters' Puerto Rican and Dominican cultures and a critique of colonialism and racism, really liked that we didn't know for the first part of the book whether Eury is seeing a literal spirit or whether she's hallucinating, and I liked that the two narrative voices were so well differentiated (even if Eury's voice - both internal and external - got a little emo sometimes, which is probably the main reason I didn't give it 5 stars). Great pacing and the plot tied together really well. Good integration of mental health concepts into the story.
library_ann's review
2.0
I am frequently frustrated by books that are riffs on classical myths, because when I have that knowledge, then I am always looking for the references, and trying to think ahead to how the myth will (or won't) play out. It makes me impatient to get to the goods, and the part that is build-up, or character exploration, or scene-setting just annoys me.
I will say that a teen who has an assignment to write about symbolism would have a fertile field with this book.
I appreciated the twist at the end where it was up to Eury to rescue herself
I will say that a teen who has an assignment to write about symbolism would have a fertile field with this book.
I appreciated the twist at the end where it was up to Eury to rescue herself
mcconnellabigail's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.75
shorereader's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
reflective
medium-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
4.0
kdailyreads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Colonisation, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death, Emotional abuse, Violence, Stalking, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Sexual assault, Alcohol, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
thomasr417's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-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? Yes
5.0
kriswillowrvse's review against another edition
1.0
although i was a little bored throughout this book, i think i could have loved it if i had the ending really killed it. i was very disappointed by the ending tbh. i completely why the author chose the ending she did but it really destroyed the story for me
chyreads29's review against another edition
4.0
CW: mentions of suicide
I can't remember the last time I was this enthralled by a book, but this had my attention from beginning to end. Eury and Pheus are such complex characters that you cannot help but love and root for. This story was altogether beautiful and heartbreaking. The way Rivera has morphed a Greek myth into a modern retelling centering TWO Afro-LatinX leads who navigate cultural identity and mental wellness is nothing short of genius. The construction of trauma and suicide as demons and monsters was so grounding and it forced me to feel every bit of what Eury and Pheus felt. I listened to this as an audiobook, but I ordered a physical copy because this is a book I just have to HAVE. I just know it will be one of the stories I constantly come back to.
I can't remember the last time I was this enthralled by a book, but this had my attention from beginning to end. Eury and Pheus are such complex characters that you cannot help but love and root for. This story was altogether beautiful and heartbreaking. The way Rivera has morphed a Greek myth into a modern retelling centering TWO Afro-LatinX leads who navigate cultural identity and mental wellness is nothing short of genius. The construction of trauma and suicide as demons and monsters was so grounding and it forced me to feel every bit of what Eury and Pheus felt. I listened to this as an audiobook, but I ordered a physical copy because this is a book I just have to HAVE. I just know it will be one of the stories I constantly come back to.