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my high school librarian recommended this to me when i was 16 and here i am finally reading it 10 years later she was so right. the beginning was a little hard to get into and the writing style is definitely unique but after the first 100 pages i was devouring it and i needed to know what happened.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Animal death
emotional
mysterious
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Animal death, Drug abuse, Racism, Grief
Minor: Suicidal thoughts, Dementia, Alcohol
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I actually loved the book, it was a page turner and initially I gave it 4 stars but fuck the author for killing innocent dogs to add trauma to the story which is why I reduce a star
Content Warnings
Minor: Animal death
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Racism, Classism
Minor: Animal death
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Eh? I do love me a twist like the one in this book, but the writing was so purple and metaphor-heavy that I got incredibly confused a lot of the time about what was actually real and what wasn't (ironically). I didn't find any of the characters particularily lovable or likable even, which made it difficult for me to care when tragedy struck the island. It's a shame, because I can see where "kids revolting against the rich adults fighting for the inheritance" has the potential for an interesting and emotional plot. However, the narration conveys so little of the love between the friends that I questioned myself why they were even hanging out half time when they seemed so indifferent towards each other.
All in all, kinda cool premise, very haunting, and a kind of twist I really appreciate for re-read purposes, but as I closed the book I just went "welp" and started thinking of what I should read next. Maybe it'll grow on me but for now? Meh
All in all, kinda cool premise, very haunting, and a kind of twist I really appreciate for re-read purposes, but as I closed the book I just went "welp" and started thinking of what I should read next. Maybe it'll grow on me but for now? Meh
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Animal death
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Ugly crying at the ending but OMG what a good book!!! I knew that going in but... There are no Scrabble words to describe how much I enjoyed this book, how much it made me feel and how mind-blowing the plot is. When you think you got it, no you didn't. A MA ZING, can't wait to review it on my podcast (De Tapa a Tapa)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Child death
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This book had me quite bored throughout the first half to 3/4. The only times I began to enjoy it was when it began to get into Cadence's accident and when everyone began lying about what happened before her accident. I knew that there was a plot twist because I had seen many people previously talk about this book, but I predicted that Gat, Mirren, and Johnny were all dead the entire time because something did not feel right with their characters. I did not predict that the four of them set the fire and I found the end of the book devastating for Cadence, having to live with the fact that the people she cared for the most died and she continued living.
I did not enjoy the writing style of this book. There were times where I felt that it was trying to be poetic and it just did not work for me. I understand why people enjoy this book, but I do not think that it was for me. I may have enjoyed it if I had first read it in middle/high school, but it didn't do much for me other than the ending.
I also do understand the messages throughout the book, especially the idea of wealth vs. family. I can appreciate the feelings that Cadence, Gat, Mirren, and Johnny had towards their family, and definitely understand their motives, but I wish that the first half of the book was as interesting as the final parts. These four characters definitely grew on me as the novel continued, but I'm not sure that they were super memorable in regards to characters I will think about many times now that I am finished reading the book.
Again, I understand why many people enjoy this book, it just wasn't for me. Will be giving the show a try too!
I did not enjoy the writing style of this book. There were times where I felt that it was trying to be poetic and it just did not work for me. I understand why people enjoy this book, but I do not think that it was for me. I may have enjoyed it if I had first read it in middle/high school, but it didn't do much for me other than the ending.
I also do understand the messages throughout the book, especially the idea of wealth vs. family. I can appreciate the feelings that Cadence, Gat, Mirren, and Johnny had towards their family, and definitely understand their motives, but I wish that the first half of the book was as interesting as the final parts. These four characters definitely grew on me as the novel continued, but I'm not sure that they were super memorable in regards to characters I will think about many times now that I am finished reading the book.
Again, I understand why many people enjoy this book, it just wasn't for me. Will be giving the show a try too!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Chronic illness, Death, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Alcoholism, Cursing, Drug use, Death of parent, Alcohol
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Death, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death of parent