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faithwalan's review
3.5
damn. had the same feeling as the outsiders and it made me feel nostalgic a bit. very good. very quick and i was interested the whole time. heart wrenching for sure. very conflicted.
Nothing can wear you out like caring for people.
You can't say, 'This is just a stage' when it’s important to people what they're feeling. Maybe he'll outgrow it someday but right now it's important
The difference is,” I said evenly, “that was then and this is now.”
avonleagal's review
5.0
“Nothing can wear you out like caring for people.“
This was a strange book, different then what I normally read.
Drugs. Betrayal. Friendship. Love. Death.
All of these were deeply explored.
I will worn you. This doesn’t have a happy ending. At ALL. but I really do like it
This was a strange book, different then what I normally read.
Drugs. Betrayal. Friendship. Love. Death.
All of these were deeply explored.
I will worn you. This doesn’t have a happy ending. At ALL. but I really do like it
lewreviews's review against another edition
3.0
(Definitely leaning more to a 3.5/5, but also definitely not as good as The Outsiders, its semi-prequel.)
Hinton tells a more mature story here; rather than being concerned with growing up, the book comes to terms with the startling realisation that you wish you could be young again. Youthfulness is innocence, a view of the world that is not tainted with evils and cruelty - it is preferable to being an adult. And what Hinton does so well here is show the consequences of our inevitable ageing. A coming of age novel founded in its regret of maturation, the angle it takes is curious and devastating, as we are all reminded of the glory days: our childhoods.
I wasn't nearly as attached to the characters with this one though, as I feel I was stuck in the world of The Outsiders and found it difficult to adjust. This was tough as to truly get the most out of this novel you need to relate to and appreciate the relationship between Mark and Bryon. Unfortunately, I couldn't do this... somewhat ruining my experience and the ending in general.
But with further reflection having finished reading, what I can appreciate is how the story would have affected others. I can see this in the reviews of the book and what not, but truly the story is beautifully devastating. The build of the plotline comes to a shocking end, and with full investment, it would definitely bring some to tears (maybe even me... haha just joking... unless??).
This is more than a YA novel. I've been deeply impressed with the quality of Hinton's work and have thoroughly enjoyed her riveting stories and incredibly layered characters. At such a young age, I still can't believe that she had such a deep insight into the human psyche and what stirs us inside. The unsettling revelations of a childhood gone amiss run rampant through both books, and both hit home hard with strong emotion. Good stuff.
Hinton tells a more mature story here; rather than being concerned with growing up, the book comes to terms with the startling realisation that you wish you could be young again. Youthfulness is innocence, a view of the world that is not tainted with evils and cruelty - it is preferable to being an adult. And what Hinton does so well here is show the consequences of our inevitable ageing. A coming of age novel founded in its regret of maturation, the angle it takes is curious and devastating, as we are all reminded of the glory days: our childhoods.
I wasn't nearly as attached to the characters with this one though, as I feel I was stuck in the world of The Outsiders and found it difficult to adjust. This was tough as to truly get the most out of this novel you need to relate to and appreciate the relationship between Mark and Bryon. Unfortunately, I couldn't do this... somewhat ruining my experience and the ending in general.
But with further reflection having finished reading, what I can appreciate is how the story would have affected others. I can see this in the reviews of the book and what not, but truly the story is beautifully devastating. The build of the plotline comes to a shocking end, and with full investment, it would definitely bring some to tears (maybe even me... haha just joking... unless??).
This is more than a YA novel. I've been deeply impressed with the quality of Hinton's work and have thoroughly enjoyed her riveting stories and incredibly layered characters. At such a young age, I still can't believe that she had such a deep insight into the human psyche and what stirs us inside. The unsettling revelations of a childhood gone amiss run rampant through both books, and both hit home hard with strong emotion. Good stuff.
miadvelasco's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
liequill's review
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
was gonna be 4.5 but then the ending and the authors note changed it all
vivienne123's review against another edition
dark
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
jfourbees03's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
tbr_withmaya's review
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
I remember loving The Outsiders and I liked that this was in the same universe. It was the self destructive tendencies for me. It was the reality of watching two friends grow apart due to factors outside of their control. It was watching a good thing end. It was beautiful.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use and Murder
Minor: War
cstaude's review
3.0
Read this sequel to The Outsiders in order to be able to discuss it with a student. Wish I could say I love Hinton’s style and the brutal worlds she immerses her characters in, but I don’t. This is a dark book with danger lurking in every dark alley and decision the characters make. Thought-provoking? Yes. Enjoyable- no- almost TOO realistic.