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3.14 AVERAGE
3.14 AVERAGE
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
N/A
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A very sad and tragic novel. The use of fairy tales was not as good as We Were Liars but they were ok. Another unreliable narrator who cannot remember what happened. Recommended for High Schoolers who want realistic tragedy.
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Rape
Moderate: Suicide
*1.5 stars
I have so much to say about this book, yet I have no idea where to start. Let me first say that I picked this book up on a whim. I had no idea whether or not I would actually like it but the title and cover were cool. As I'm writing this review I currently have 37 pages left but most of my points have been gathered. I will also add that just because I disliked this book, that doesn't mean you will too. If you find this to be interesting, pick it up and give it a try.
The first thing I want to talk about is the changes of POV or the two separate points in time from two different POVs. Normally, this would be fine with me and is actually something I enjoy, but the way this author wrote it made the story mildly confusing up until the very last bit. It's mostly because of the way that Micah's POVs are written. I understand that it was done that way for the sake of the story, but it would have been nice to get answers a little sooner.
On top of that, I really didn't find that much interest in the storyline or characters and often found myself rather bored and wanting to DNF this story. From the very beginning, I found Janie to be a little melodramatic, which I guess some could say is normal for girls her age, but I in no way find this relatable at all and actually quite extra. I would say that her reactions after what happened between her and Ander were somewhat normal, but she was quite rude to Micah which I found to be a bit unnecessary. As someone who relates to Micah, it hurt to see her do this to him.
Next, I don't really understand the need to hide everything. It may be because I've never been in Janie situation, but I've never really cared about what people thought, I was friends with whoever and if people didn't like it, so be it. I may have missed a reason, but either way, it's quite dumb in my opinion to hide a friendship that you love so much only because of your popularity.
On that same note, why did Micah and Janie have such crap friends aside from one another? Dewey is so rude to Micah if he has the slightest disagreement with his statement. In Janie's case, Piper left and never really seemed to care, and well, if you've read, you know what Ander did to screw her over. That's another thing I don't like, and going back to what I said before if they would stay true to themselves and not allow popularity or lack thereof to get in the way, none of this would have ever happened.
I know that I make it seem like I hated the entire story, although I didn't. I see why Janie felt unheard, I know why she went ballistic there towards the end. I see why Micah felt so awkward and out of place. I understand only some of this story and that's where my issue stems from. This book screams unnecessary teenage angst and drama and I'm not for that type of story. I feel like this is a good story in theory but that it could have been carried out a little better.
Happy reading friends! I encourage you to pick up the book if it sounds good to you.
Han :)
I have so much to say about this book, yet I have no idea where to start. Let me first say that I picked this book up on a whim. I had no idea whether or not I would actually like it but the title and cover were cool. As I'm writing this review I currently have 37 pages left but most of my points have been gathered. I will also add that just because I disliked this book, that doesn't mean you will too. If you find this to be interesting, pick it up and give it a try.
The first thing I want to talk about is the changes of POV or the two separate points in time from two different POVs. Normally, this would be fine with me and is actually something I enjoy, but the way this author wrote it made the story mildly confusing up until the very last bit. It's mostly because of the way that Micah's POVs are written. I understand that it was done that way for the sake of the story, but it would have been nice to get answers a little sooner.
On top of that, I really didn't find that much interest in the storyline or characters and often found myself rather bored and wanting to DNF this story. From the very beginning, I found Janie to be a little melodramatic, which I guess some could say is normal for girls her age, but I in no way find this relatable at all and actually quite extra. I would say that her reactions after what happened between her and Ander were somewhat normal, but she was quite rude to Micah which I found to be a bit unnecessary. As someone who relates to Micah, it hurt to see her do this to him.
Next, I don't really understand the need to hide everything. It may be because I've never been in Janie situation, but I've never really cared about what people thought, I was friends with whoever and if people didn't like it, so be it. I may have missed a reason, but either way, it's quite dumb in my opinion to hide a friendship that you love so much only because of your popularity.
On that same note, why did Micah and Janie have such crap friends aside from one another? Dewey is so rude to Micah if he has the slightest disagreement with his statement. In Janie's case, Piper left and never really seemed to care, and well, if you've read, you know what Ander did to screw her over. That's another thing I don't like, and going back to what I said before if they would stay true to themselves and not allow popularity or lack thereof to get in the way, none of this would have ever happened.
I know that I make it seem like I hated the entire story, although I didn't. I see why Janie felt unheard, I know why she went ballistic there towards the end. I see why Micah felt so awkward and out of place. I understand only some of this story and that's where my issue stems from. This book screams unnecessary teenage angst and drama and I'm not for that type of story. I feel like this is a good story in theory but that it could have been carried out a little better.
Happy reading friends! I encourage you to pick up the book if it sounds good to you.
Han :)
I don't know if I would call this a tragedy but Janie and Micah were both complicated and sweet filled with angst and dreams. They don't want to grow up and yet are excited to be adults who do shitty adult behavior. They rely on no one but themselves and prefer messy missions to be being honest with themselves who thought everyone was some degree of asshole even themselves. They were compelling but not very nice like drinking vodka in the rain or partying fireside. You might enjoy watching them but think twice before joining in. Good of Dewey for sticking it out though.
DO NOT READ THE BLURB ON THE BACK! IT WILL SPOIL THE STORY LINE!
I have mixed feelings about this book. First because the story line of this book is predictable, it's like a bunch of other books that I've already read had a baby. But the writing was so good that I breezed through this book and really enjoyed it.
I have mixed feelings about this book. First because the story line of this book is predictable, it's like a bunch of other books that I've already read had a baby. But the writing was so good that I breezed through this book and really enjoyed it.
I really really enjoyed this book. I am also in absolute awe of Amy Zhang.
Her prose is really really beautiful, and I cried when I finished reading it.
However, I feel like the blurb advertising this book could have been a lot better.
There is a lot of teenage alcoholism in this book, and there us
Her prose is really really beautiful, and I cried when I finished reading it.
However, I feel like the blurb advertising this book could have been a lot better.
There is a lot of teenage alcoholism in this book, and there us
Zhang’s sophomore novel is an emotional read about two teenagers who exist on opposite ends of the social spectrum, yet are secret best friends, yet have this weird codependent friendship. Read my review here
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
I like reading young-adults. So my opinion about the book probably biased. However, I like the pictorial of the main character, she reminds me a bit of Alaska Young, in the part where both are quite self-destructive. But I think the message being delivered is different from Alaska Young. I think Janie has the tendency to react in the most extreme way possible. She was crying for help all along but was trapped in the bubble called social life which she needed to maintain. The message was clear through the ending, though.