envov's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol, Death, Drug use, Addiction, Car accident, Toxic relationship, and Drug abuse
natashapass's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
maplebear79's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
brigidcath's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
would have been 5⭐️ If COVID wasn’t referenced
esssquared's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
chelleyrenee's review
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I love this book! Which is odd to say given the subject matter. This was a very creative way to explore the dangers of drugs and prescription drug addiction.
mianou_h494's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
slow-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
3.25
jellyfishlightning's review
dark
emotional
medium-paced
1.75
I loved Arc of a Scythe years ago so I figured I would try this. There were elements of this book that worked for me, but there are some parts that really didn’t. That being said, I was kind of skeptical going into this. The book definitely was as compelling as other Shusterman books for me, but I think I just prefer his science fiction.
kauri's review
3.0
I thought the concept of this book sounded interesting, but I founded it a little jarring at times. It certainly had great moments and I enjoyed the two leading (human) characters and their stories. But I couldn’t stop myself from asking questions about how this world works, who these characters are, and at times just what is going on? Some of the fanciful elements were lost on me, perhaps the chemical world didn’t feel developed enough, or I just wasn’t given a clear enough direction to fill in the unanswered blanks with my own ideas.
Still enjoyed the read and the book and will be reading more of Shustermans’ work
Still enjoyed the read and the book and will be reading more of Shustermans’ work
orion_moonz's review
3.0
it honestly took me a WHILE to be able to get through this book. It felt so much longer than it actually was for absolutely no reason.
As much as I think it portrays some aspects of addiction very accurrately, the worldbuilding is very poorly constructed. I was never able to fully understand the concept of how "The Party" was built, or how the roof of it existed, somehow peering down into the human world? its in a separate realm, yet accessible through an elevator? maybe im just taking it too literal for something clearly meant to be taken as a metaphor, but I AM autistic, so Im just honestly putting my perspective on it out there.
Its never really clear how these "humanizations" of drugs interact with humans or the basis in which they exist, and well, it was just overall hard to read, if im being honest.
I did finish it but it took me over a week to do so, which is A LOT for a book that still falls into the boundary of 300-something pages, being that ive gotten through 800-pagers in a day.
The writing is not bad, but the first-person point of view makes it harder to get through. Dont get me wrong, I´ve read most of the PJO series' books and absolutely loved them, and theyre in first person. The pov changes too much too quick and its kinda hard to keep up with.
I wouldnt consider this a bad book, hence my 3-star rating, but I also wouldn't have it in my list of recommendations or re-reads.
As much as I think it portrays some aspects of addiction very accurrately, the worldbuilding is very poorly constructed. I was never able to fully understand the concept of how "The Party" was built, or how the roof of it existed, somehow peering down into the human world? its in a separate realm, yet accessible through an elevator? maybe im just taking it too literal for something clearly meant to be taken as a metaphor, but I AM autistic, so Im just honestly putting my perspective on it out there.
Its never really clear how these "humanizations" of drugs interact with humans or the basis in which they exist, and well, it was just overall hard to read, if im being honest.
I did finish it but it took me over a week to do so, which is A LOT for a book that still falls into the boundary of 300-something pages, being that ive gotten through 800-pagers in a day.
The writing is not bad, but the first-person point of view makes it harder to get through. Dont get me wrong, I´ve read most of the PJO series' books and absolutely loved them, and theyre in first person. The pov changes too much too quick and its kinda hard to keep up with.
I wouldnt consider this a bad book, hence my 3-star rating, but I also wouldn't have it in my list of recommendations or re-reads.