Scan barcode
teaskate's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Death of parent, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
sarahcothron's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Violence, Suicide, Bullying, Homophobia, Self harm, and Mental illness
Minor: Pregnancy and Domestic abuse
m_riaelle's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
First of all, I feel sorry for those who've read this without the new final chapter. Just thinking of myself finishing this book without it, I knew I would have given it one star out of spite. I never wanted (needed) a character to actually have a break from all the shits life is giving him.
Second, as always, I'm here for the sad and intense feelings that I get from Adam Silvera's books, and I'm heartbreakingly satisfied. The twists in his books never failed to shock me.
Third, why not five stars? I would never ever tolerate cheating. I would have let it slide if it was done once due to poor decisions, but it happened for so long and happened again when the characters saw the chance to do so. I know the author tied the loose ends, but I just can't let that go. It does happen in real life, and one of the most things I hated is that.
Fourth, another reason why I didn't give this five stars? It's because I found myself skimming the first few and some middle chapters, which means it didn't give any impact at all. Also, I'm considering what I would've given this without the new final chapter, and for a debut book, this is surprisingly good.
CW: Gun Violence, Drugs, Mention of Armed Robbery, Suicidal Ideation, Grief, Suicide, Death of Parent, Self-harm, Homophobic Slur, Toxic Relationships, Toxic Friendships, Hate Crime, Homophobia, Cheating, Assault, Blood, Depression, Hospitalisation, Physical Abuse, Profanity, Teenage Pregnancy, and Violence (search it up for more specifics or correct CW as mine is what I thought was triggering while I read it)
Second, as always, I'm here for the sad and intense feelings that I get from Adam Silvera's books, and I'm heartbreakingly satisfied. The twists in his books never failed to shock me.
Third, why not five stars? I would never ever tolerate cheating. I would have let it slide if it was done once due to poor decisions, but it happened for so long and happened again when the characters saw the chance to do so. I know the author tied the loose ends, but I just can't let that go. It does happen in real life, and one of the most things I hated is that.
Fourth, another reason why I didn't give this five stars? It's because I found myself skimming the first few and some middle chapters, which means it didn't give any impact at all. Also, I'm considering what I would've given this without the new final chapter, and for a debut book, this is surprisingly good.
CW: Gun Violence, Drugs, Mention of Armed Robbery, Suicidal Ideation, Grief, Suicide, Death of Parent, Self-harm, Homophobic Slur, Toxic Relationships, Toxic Friendships, Hate Crime, Homophobia, Cheating, Assault, Blood, Depression, Hospitalisation, Physical Abuse, Profanity, Teenage Pregnancy, and Violence (search it up for more specifics or correct CW as mine is what I thought was triggering while I read it)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Homophobia, Drug use, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Blood, Hate crime, Gun violence, Toxic friendship, Violence, Suicide, Self harm, Toxic relationship, and Physical abuse
parkmajor_books's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-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: Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
Moderate: Bullying
m33p_m0rp's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
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? It's complicated
4.5
I wasn’t totally into it at first but I couldn’t draw myself away from it and I’m so happy I didn’t this was so good and I totally recommend it
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Homophobia, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Drug use
cateemma's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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
3.0
Trigger warnings: suicide, suicidal thoughts, violent homophobia, abusive parents
THE NARRATIVE
Characters: 4/5
A nice mix of completely loveable and utterly detestable characters, all well-rounded. Aaron especially had a clear voice, though (and perhaps this was deliberate and I'm just dumb) sometimes his feelings were unclear or brushed over.
Plot: 4/5
An extra star for the plot twist I can't believe I didn't see coming, it was so perfect and shocking (usually I guess the ending/twist in books but for some reason I didn't in this one??). Overall, the plot was a bit messy and there was a lot to follow, but it kept me engaged and entertained throughout.
Writing: 4.5/5
Objectively, I can see that this book is written super well, but the writing style wasn't particularly to my taste - though that didn't stop me loving the book. This might be a weird thing to notice, but even though there was heaps of swearing, it never felt unnecessary? Like it just fit Aaron's character so well and added a lot to passages that wouldn't have been as impactful otherwise.
THE THEMES
Sexuality: 3.5/5
Honestly, the reason for the low rating is that one, I couldn't relate to Aaron's experiences, and two, there weren't really any lgbtqia+ characters who were happy with themselves and that just got to me a bit. Aaron's mum's support was beautiful, though, I loved that part of it.
I also found it weird how SpoilerAaron was so convinced Thomas was actually gay and in love with him and also there was low-key bi-erasure but that's fine.
Mental illness: 4/5
Once again, I just personally couldn't relate to Aaron's experiences the way I have been able to with other YA characters, so I don't think I can fairly judge the portrayal of mental illness in this one.
Friendship:
I just feel like Genevieve and Aaron would have been beautiful friends, okay? Those two and Thomas would have made an awesome trio if there weren't all the complications and history.
MY THOUGHTS
I don't really know how I feel about this book. I know I couldn't put it down while reading it, but I don't look back on it that fondly. I definitely want to read more of Adam Silvera's books though, I'll be borrowing or purchasing them asap.
THE NARRATIVE
Characters: 4/5
A nice mix of completely loveable and utterly detestable characters, all well-rounded. Aaron especially had a clear voice, though (and perhaps this was deliberate and I'm just dumb) sometimes his feelings were unclear or brushed over.
Plot: 4/5
An extra star for the plot twist I can't believe I didn't see coming, it was so perfect and shocking (usually I guess the ending/twist in books but for some reason I didn't in this one??). Overall, the plot was a bit messy and there was a lot to follow, but it kept me engaged and entertained throughout.
Writing: 4.5/5
Objectively, I can see that this book is written super well, but the writing style wasn't particularly to my taste - though that didn't stop me loving the book. This might be a weird thing to notice, but even though there was heaps of swearing, it never felt unnecessary? Like it just fit Aaron's character so well and added a lot to passages that wouldn't have been as impactful otherwise.
THE THEMES
Sexuality: 3.5/5
Honestly, the reason for the low rating is that one, I couldn't relate to Aaron's experiences, and two, there weren't really any lgbtqia+ characters who were happy with themselves and that just got to me a bit. Aaron's mum's support was beautiful, though, I loved that part of it.
I also found it weird how SpoilerAaron was so convinced Thomas was actually gay and in love with him and also there was low-key bi-erasure but that's fine.
Mental illness: 4/5
Once again, I just personally couldn't relate to Aaron's experiences the way I have been able to with other YA characters, so I don't think I can fairly judge the portrayal of mental illness in this one.
Friendship:
I just feel like Genevieve and Aaron would have been beautiful friends, okay? Those two and Thomas would have made an awesome trio if there weren't all the complications and history.
MY THOUGHTS
I don't really know how I feel about this book. I know I couldn't put it down while reading it, but I don't look back on it that fondly. I definitely want to read more of Adam Silvera's books though, I'll be borrowing or purchasing them asap.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Homophobia, and Hate crime
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Self harm, and Blood
sakuraisobsessedwithbooks's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Violence, Homophobia, Suicide, Toxic friendship, Outing, Mental illness, Grief, Death of parent, Child abuse, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Suicide attempt
readwithmo's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Bullying, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, Homophobia, Death of parent, and Self harm
davidbythebay's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
4.0
I anticipated more of a gay romance set in a harsher Outsiders scenario. With Pony Boy translated to the Bronx and a queer element to the story. What I got was more of a hard hitting emotional ride into what makes a person a person, the dangers of denying who you are, toxic masculinity, and depression. There are some moments that speak out to me now that I have completed and sat with the story. I felt a lot of those emotions on my coming out process and was glad to see the raw emotions here.
The original ending was fine and good. But did feel a little bleak. To take that journey and end that way was just unsatisfying. But the newly added epilogue brought that refreshing light to the end of a dark story. Even Romeo and Juliette end in some positivity with the two families realizing they can't sustain this hatred forever.
I do think I'd benefit from a second reading of this book as it hid some many more details and explorations than I gathered this first time around. Overall, a great novel.
The original ending was fine and good. But did feel a little bleak. To take that journey and end that way was just unsatisfying. But the newly added epilogue brought that refreshing light to the end of a dark story. Even Romeo and Juliette end in some positivity with the two families realizing they can't sustain this hatred forever.
I do think I'd benefit from a second reading of this book as it hid some many more details and explorations than I gathered this first time around. Overall, a great novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Homophobia
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
Minor: Death of parent
malegerones's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide