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nehanaomi's review against another edition
- 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
I think I would hate both of them if they were real people, especially Aldo.
Graphic: Cursing and Mental illness
Moderate: Abandonment, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Addiction, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
azrah786's review against another edition
3.5
CW: mental illness, suicidal ideation, drug use/abuse, alcohol, addiction, toxic relationship, panic attacks, emotional abuse, infidelity, sexual content, abandonment
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Olive Blake is an expert at writing messy, chaotic characters that you can’t help but be engrossed by and highly introspective narratives that really get you thinking.
Alone With You in the Ether is not your conventional love story. It’s about two people whose lives colliding sets them both on a journey of finding love and acceptance of themselves, of each other and of their place in the world. As made evident in the author’s note/acknowledgements it is a deeply personal book and after reading that part and seeing the idea at the core of the story it really enhanced the meaning behind everything.
However, I would be lying if I said I didn’t have issues with it and this for the most part comes down to the writing. Sporadic and inconsistent is probably the best way to describe it which I guess sort of reflected the protagonists themselves but it did also get confusing at times. At first you’d have random cut off where external narrators would jump in and say their piece in between the main story. Eventually I thought this was pretty cool, I mean characters breaking the fourth wall to add a detail every now and again gave the story a film like feel. Bu then this then stopped happening midway and diverged into chunky monologues from the leading characters. Now I’ve personally come to realise that I don’t exactly vibe with the rambling monologue narrative style which is probably why I didn’t wholly enjoy it.
Though I will say that I really enjoyed the “conversations” section of the book, it was the part that hooked me onto the characters the most. Blake has shaped two beautifully realistic and flawed characters through her words and I found that I couldn’t help but fall in love with the deep bond that formed between them despite elements of their relationship coming across as a little toxic.
If you pick this one up it is without a doubt going to stick in your mind for a long while.
Final Rating – 3.5/5 Stars
Graphic: Toxic friendship, Mental illness, Alcohol, Addiction, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Abandonment, and Emotional abuse
wispwill's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Abandonment
This book has SO MUCH SEX. Just be aware of what you are signing up for!solouncapitulomas's review
- 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
5.0
I do not feel like my eyes deserved to read this book but god am I thankful for it.
This was a wonderful experience, last year I really enjoyed reading The Atlas Six and immediately wanted to call Olivie Blake one of my favorite authors, but I decided not to be so impulsive and wait until I read at least one more of her book...well I can know do whatever the hell I want bc this was an amazing experience and I am a 100% furious this book is not more loved, it deserves more attention, I cried like a hundred times while reading and it made me so happy too; many emotions were involved.
Also I am deeply offended bc I didn't know Rinaldo was half dominican, I would've read this last year if I knew, kinda random ik but it is weird to hear my nationality mentioned so I was happy af, sorry.
I was listening to Perfect Places by Lorde & ivy by Taylor Swift while writing this review
'kay, I'm out
Bye
Graphic: Addiction, Mental illness, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Cursing and Abandonment
Minor: Sexual content and Drug use
marcelas_'s review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Drug abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Abandonment