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sarasreading's review
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Yet another book where my expectations were different from the actual content of the book, and I actually read a blurb before reading. I suppose because of the title, the blurb, and the cover, I thought there was going to be some sci-fi/magical realism aspects to this book, which would have taken it to another level for me.
I wasn't expecting it to just be contemporary romance. Granted, beautifully written, with well crafted unhealthy characters using unhealthy coping mechanisms, but contemporary romance all the same.
And I was bored. The thought provoking writing kept me going for sure, but it wasn't enough to elevate the story into something truly special for me.
I wasn't expecting it to just be contemporary romance. Granted, beautifully written, with well crafted unhealthy characters using unhealthy coping mechanisms, but contemporary romance all the same.
And I was bored. The thought provoking writing kept me going for sure, but it wasn't enough to elevate the story into something truly special for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Sexual content, and Cursing
ohennui's review against another edition
emotional
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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cursing, Mental illness, and Sexual content
Minor: Drug abuse and Drug use
hapalyn's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Cursing, Drug use, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Death of parent
nehanaomi's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
At first I felt too stupid to be reading this book but I got the hang of it eventually. The style of writing was so unique and ever-changing, which kept me on my toes. While reading books I typically see it in my head as if it were made into a film or tv show, but it may be impossible to create a faithful adaptation of this story without losing most of what makes it special.
I think I would hate both of them if they were real people, especially Aldo.
I think I would hate both of them if they were real people, especially Aldo.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Mental illness
Moderate: Abandonment, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Addiction, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
storieswithbee's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
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
Oh my days… my heart! My soul! How? How is writing like this even remotely possible? The book is so whimsical, so fantastical, yet so damn human, so real!
I can’t fathom how I will ever live in a world where another book will ever make me feel the scope of emotion that I experienced.
Chaotic.
Brilliant.
Simply stunning.
I can’t fathom how I will ever live in a world where another book will ever make me feel the scope of emotion that I experienced.
Chaotic.
Brilliant.
Simply stunning.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Moderate: Cursing and Sexual content
Minor: Addiction
aliyachaudhry's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Cursing, Drug use, Mental illness, and Sexual content
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
amiably's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
it saw right through me. heartbroken it's over.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Drug use
cody's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
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? Yes
3.5
i read the last bit of this book while listening to Beach House’s Depression Cherry, unintentionally lining up the endings perfectly, and it was an experience 😮💨
as for my feelings toward the book as a whole, idk.. it didn’t quite reach the levels i wanted it to. there were a multitude of attempts at poignancy and quotability but not too many successes for me. I also don’t love that the NPC narration only appeared at the beginning and the end of the novel; that made it feel like a gimmick. Blake’s writing has a lot of potential tho, and it didn’t feel as pretentious as it probably should have.
writing aside, the story/relationship itself was captivating. Regan and Aldo felt destined to be together, though the relationship also felt doomed to end catastrophically, and since this is clearly not meant to be a traditional romance novel, i was very much worried as to where the pair would wind up. but i actually love the way it wrapped up, especially after reading the acknowledgments (which might be my fav part of the book lol). though i will say I would’ve liked to spend more time with Regan and Aldo as individuals, not as the two parts of this pair. also was never really able to grasp the
significance of hexagons, but that’s probably a reading comprehension thing
so overall, book good. i <i> adore </i> the concept, even though the execution left a bit to be desired, and i appreciate the commentary on mental health & treatment. i wish this had a bigger impact on me!!
3.5
as for my feelings toward the book as a whole, idk.. it didn’t quite reach the levels i wanted it to. there were a multitude of attempts at poignancy and quotability but not too many successes for me. I also don’t love that the NPC narration only appeared at the beginning and the end of the novel; that made it feel like a gimmick. Blake’s writing has a lot of potential tho, and it didn’t feel as pretentious as it probably should have.
writing aside, the story/relationship itself was captivating. Regan and Aldo felt destined to be together, though the relationship also felt doomed to end catastrophically, and since this is clearly not meant to be a traditional romance novel, i was very much worried as to where the pair would wind up. but i actually love the way it wrapped up, especially after reading the acknowledgments (which might be my fav part of the book lol). though i will say I would’ve liked to spend more time with Regan and Aldo as individuals, not as the two parts of this pair. also was never really able to grasp the
significance of hexagons, but that’s probably a reading comprehension thing
so overall, book good. i <i> adore </i> the concept, even though the execution left a bit to be desired, and i appreciate the commentary on mental health & treatment. i wish this had a bigger impact on me!!
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Cursing, and Mental illness
Minor: Drug use and Suicidal thoughts
_saphyr_'s review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Cursing, Emotional abuse, and Sexual content
emabelle's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Addiction, and Mental illness
Moderate: Sexual content and Cursing