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stuckinafictionaluniverse's review against another edition
4.0
I have no idea what to say about this book. I really, really enjoyed it, yet can't pinpoint why. It was realistic, more than an 'issue book' and focused on both family and friends.
The writing wasn't breathtaking, nor were the characters that likable. Zarr creates stunning, complicated and unlikely relationships between them.
I will without a doubt read more Sara Zarr in the future, and am putting her other books on the top of my TBR-list.
More of a real review to come soon (possibly).
The writing wasn't breathtaking, nor were the characters that likable. Zarr creates stunning, complicated and unlikely relationships between them.
I will without a doubt read more Sara Zarr in the future, and am putting her other books on the top of my TBR-list.
More of a real review to come soon (possibly).
katykelly's review against another edition
5.0
Excellent young adult fiction. Intelligent, with well-written characters that you care about. Loved the dual narrator structure. Superb.
morgybritt's review against another edition
4.0
Honestly I usually don't read books about pregnant girls. But I really liked it, the characters were solid and the plot really good. I didn't like Mandy at first but she was alright towards the end, I would have liked her if she wasn't a liar, but I get where she's coming from. I always liked Jill, I'm happy with her choices I felt so connected with her. I didn't like the ending too much i felt it ended so soon and leaves you hanging a little. I'm happy with their choices however. I loved Ravi sooo much more than Dylan, he's not very supportive, Ravi always listened to her.
abaugher's review against another edition
5.0
two girls from two very different worlds are brought together because of one's mother, and the other one's baby. Kill is suffering the sudden loss of her beloved father when her mother springs the news on her that she's adopting a baby, without lawyers, social workers, etc. The young mother, Mandy, comes to stay with them a few weeks before her due date. She brings a lot of emotional baggage that she doesn't share, but she also brings a core of strength that has kept her afloat during all her hard times.
Over the weeks, Jill and Mandy get to know more about each other and themselves, bringing up questions they never thought of asking, and the answers turn out to be pretty amazing and life-changing.
Heart-wrenching and heart-warming by turns, this is a story of catharsis and the pain and relief of going through it, in any form.
Over the weeks, Jill and Mandy get to know more about each other and themselves, bringing up questions they never thought of asking, and the answers turn out to be pretty amazing and life-changing.
Heart-wrenching and heart-warming by turns, this is a story of catharsis and the pain and relief of going through it, in any form.
suedd's review against another edition
4.0
I really enjoyed both Jill's and Mandy's voices/perspectives. I could fully relate to Jill, as my father died when I was 15. Her anger, lack of self-control, purposely ruining relationships are all understandable. Add to this that her mother wants to adopt a baby...and under unconventional circumstances! Mandy's home life is (luckily) foreign to me, so I was very interested to learn about it and her coping methods.
I think many students will identify with parts of the story and appreciate all of it.
I think many students will identify with parts of the story and appreciate all of it.
mehsi's review against another edition
1.0
I am really glad I finished with the book. I didn't really like the characters (they mostly annoyed me) and the story was quite boring. I had hoped for more improvement as the story went on, but sadly, nope. :(
stephxsu's review against another edition
3.0
I’m kind of ashamed to admit that, when it comes to Sara Zarr’s novels, I appreciate them as good literary examples, but otherwise don’t often connect with them as much as I feel I should. HOW TO SAVE A LIFE is no exception. Once again, Sara Zarr elevates the writing of a common yet controversial topic to a literary level, but falls short of the emotional connection I need to consider books and authors my favorites.
HOW TO SAVE A LIFE’s strength lies not in a flowing plot, but rather in the inner thoughts of the characters. Thus, this book will work better for you if you like character-driven novels. Just to make it straight, I like strong and well-developed characters as much as anyone, but I admit to being disappointed when character-driven novels come at the expense of real plot. And this book has a lot of inner monologue, but not much plot. Jill and Mandy are fine main characters if you like ‘em passively angsty and full of inner monologue. But really, the plot—or the lack thereof—really drags. Jill goes to school and angst with her faux-friends, and Mandy stays at home and angsts. Fun times.
The truth of the matter is that I feel like HOW TO SAVE A LIFE attempts to do so much more than it actually ends up doing. There’s a POC love interest, an unusual family situation, teen pregnancy, abuse, the ending of a relationship…but I never felt the full power or emotions that each one of these deserves. In short, I felt like this book tackles YA clichés without much oomph behind it.
Some character-driven novels with little to no plot can make me climb on top of tables and blast-sing its praises (see: Melina Marchetta); HOW TO SAVE A LIFE, however, kind of just made me hum a little, under my breath. I recognize that my appreciation-but-not-love for this book is totally a personal thing, because the majority of people have loved and probably will love this book. Just putting another point of view out there, for any fishies who want to bite.
HOW TO SAVE A LIFE’s strength lies not in a flowing plot, but rather in the inner thoughts of the characters. Thus, this book will work better for you if you like character-driven novels. Just to make it straight, I like strong and well-developed characters as much as anyone, but I admit to being disappointed when character-driven novels come at the expense of real plot. And this book has a lot of inner monologue, but not much plot. Jill and Mandy are fine main characters if you like ‘em passively angsty and full of inner monologue. But really, the plot—or the lack thereof—really drags. Jill goes to school and angst with her faux-friends, and Mandy stays at home and angsts. Fun times.
The truth of the matter is that I feel like HOW TO SAVE A LIFE attempts to do so much more than it actually ends up doing. There’s a POC love interest, an unusual family situation, teen pregnancy, abuse, the ending of a relationship…but I never felt the full power or emotions that each one of these deserves. In short, I felt like this book tackles YA clichés without much oomph behind it.
Some character-driven novels with little to no plot can make me climb on top of tables and blast-sing its praises (see: Melina Marchetta); HOW TO SAVE A LIFE, however, kind of just made me hum a little, under my breath. I recognize that my appreciation-but-not-love for this book is totally a personal thing, because the majority of people have loved and probably will love this book. Just putting another point of view out there, for any fishies who want to bite.
mollywetta's review against another edition
3.0
This book is a favorite for many, but for very personal reasons, didn't work very well for me. Full review at wrapped up in books.
shirleymak's review against another edition
3.0
so this was okay. the girl's kind of annoying; both of them. buuuut yeah.