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mizzlroy's review against another edition
4.0
Would have been 5 stars but I am still trying to wrap my head around the last chapter. I didn’t want to put this book down and was hooked pretty much from page one, but everything I thought I knew was turned on its head in the end. Still not sure how I feel about it, but I will definitely be recommending this book—the discussions alone would make it worth reading!
itsmeboo's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
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? It's complicated
4.75
Almost a 5-star read, but the last 7 pages pissed me off so bad I had to take away .25 stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Vomit, Murder, Pregnancy, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
ahsatan82's review against another edition
4.0
Really, really good book! I was endeared to Mary, just as the author intended. Mary sure was smart...and strong (mentally). I listened to this book on audio and re-listened to the end because I thought I had missed something. Maybe it was just inferred and not really explained but it left me with a little void. The adults in the story, mostly angered me, but sadly I imagine that is the kind of treatment and/or disregard they would give to troubled youth. Even though they are positions to help, I'd think, they didn't seem to care to when someone actually wanted help. I loved Cora and the SAT teacher, just a couple of the adults that used their positions effectively. Winters grew on me too, maybe he got the nudge he needed. There were definitely some parts of the book that I didn't see coming, which added to the quality of the story. I would definitely read other work by this author in the future. And I love Bahni Turpin as a YA narrator, her voice fits perfectly.
readitandweep543's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
skynet666's review against another edition
3.0
Great narration, which made the story so much better. However, I'm joining the club that didn't like the ending. As another reviewer said, it just didn't flow or make sense with the point of the rest of the story.
readwkc's review
4.0
I understand now why most people's favorite Tiffany D Jackson books are either Allegedly or Monday's Not Coming. Coming from someone who has read both now, had I read Allegedly first it would have most likely been a 5 star. I did like the pacing and the end of this one ( I didn't see it coming but it made so much sense) but I just can't help but compare this one to how I felt reading MNC so I decided on a 4
shanajade's review against another edition
3.5
THAT ENDINNNNNNG!!! WTF?!?! Nooooooooooooooo!
I don't stick with Crime Fiction all that often, but dang, this was good. Kind of slower, but still interesting. I was so invested in her case and well being from early on. Gah.
Definitely worth checking out. I hate almost everyone in it lol
Fave quote:
"What does it mean when you love and hate someone at the same time?"
He laughs, "it means they family."
I don't stick with Crime Fiction all that often, but dang, this was good. Kind of slower, but still interesting. I was so invested in her case and well being from early on. Gah.
Definitely worth checking out. I hate almost everyone in it lol
Fave quote:
"What does it mean when you love and hate someone at the same time?"
He laughs, "it means they family."
carlys987's review against another edition
4.0
I still don't know how to feel about this one? I was riding SO HARD for Mary, then that last chapter? It low-key felt like it came out of nowhere? Maybe I'll reread one day to pick up on the breadcrumbs that Tiffany D. Jackson left because I KNOW they were in there. She's too good of a writer to have not left them.
mayrad's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This would have gotten 5 stars if it wasn't for that ending.
***SPOILERS***
It's not that I'm emotionally affected by the ending--because I'm not-- it's more that I feel the ending unravels all the work the novel did to send a message about the juvenile prison system, and the institutional racism and abuse that exists within it. The ending was carefully planned for the sole purpose of including a twist and manipulating the reader. It was unnecessary. Jackson's writing was excellent. The story was excellent. The message was excellent. It didn't need a twist ending to be excellent. I would still recommend this book as a worthwhile read regardless of the ending.
***SPOILERS***
It's not that I'm emotionally affected by the ending--because I'm not-- it's more that I feel the ending unravels all the work the novel did to send a message about the juvenile prison system, and the institutional racism and abuse that exists within it. The ending was carefully planned for the sole purpose of including a twist and manipulating the reader. It was unnecessary. Jackson's writing was excellent. The story was excellent. The message was excellent. It didn't need a twist ending to be excellent. I would still recommend this book as a worthwhile read regardless of the ending.