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taliatalksbooks's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
4.5
Roxy by Neil and Jarrod Shusterman was compelling from the first page. I loved the perspective changes (which is rare for me) and thought they added a lot to the narrative. I also loved the characters and the complexity of their interactions. Addiction is a really difficult topic, but the way these characters interacted made it manageable and digestible. For me it was a very mind-opening read, and allows you to think in hard topics in a more controlled setting. I did find the story a bit predictable as details began to be revealed, but that didn’t stop this book from being really entertaining and thought provoking. I think if you’re looking for a unique book to add to your TBR, this one is definitely worth your time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Grief, Addiction, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Alcohol, Cancer, and Car accident
amwallace95's review
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
tigerlipgloss's review against another edition
3.75
An excellent angle on addictions, though I wanted it to end differently.
defencelessghost's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
beautifully written and will probably be haunting me for the rest of my life (in a good way)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use and Drug abuse
girlaiko's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
mmotleyu's review
4.0
Interesting point of view to personify drugs-- Roxy (oxycontin) and Addison (Adderall) are the main ones, but all drugs, even formaldehyde, make an appearance. I disliked this book at first, thinking it was a bit too full of itself, but it definitely grew on me as I began to feel that the drugs were characters (along with the actual humans in the book). I am always thinking about whether books I read will appeal to the students that I work with (grades 9-12), and I think this one will. I do wonder if they know enough about the older drugs like Quaaludes to understand it. I listened to this, so I wonder if there was some sort of "glossary" type list that equated each drug's nickname in the book to its real counterpart (and if it listed the drug's use/effects). Overall, recommended. Not eloquently written, but an interesting read.
jessikaw's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0