Scan barcode
afternoondreamer's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Alcohol, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Toxic friendship, Death of parent, Forced institutionalization, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Infidelity, Suicide attempt, Classism, Drug abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Addiction, Animal death, Blood, and Suicide
Moderate: Sexual violence, Transphobia, Terminal illness, and Chronic illness
____nique's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
I saw this on Fully Booked– the cover page piqued my interest and made me want to read it when I read its blurb. Thankfully, I fought the urge to buy the physical copy of this book because I would be so disappointed if I did as I didn’t enjoy reading it. The first chapter of it was eye-catching and it was the main reason why I continued reading it. However, the chapters following that were disappointing. Maybe the story was not just for me, but I really can’t see the logic and sense of reading a story without an actual plot (I mean, I would get it if the story is non-fiction, but a fiction book without a plot? Oh, come on!)
Since it has no plot, I found the book very tedious and tiring to read– it took me 2 weeks to finish it which was unusual for me as I only read books at least a week. The chapters were just too long; I found the descriptive words very detailed; and the stories in each chapter were not really linked to the main storyline (if a storyline/plot really does exist in this book). Some readers prefer this kind of writing, but I found it unnecessary which prevented me from connecting with the story.
I can see the similarities between this book and The Year of Rest and Relaxation. They both gave me mixed feelings towards the book because I genuinely think that the story, characters, and overall setting of this book have potential, but something in the writing was lacking that made the story feel lost somewhere. So sad, I would’ve loved to enjoy reading these kinds of stories, but my impatient ass cannot stand it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Blood, Cursing, Suicide attempt, Self harm, Addiction, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Drug use
realbooktingz's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
tense
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Alcoholism, and Drug abuse
tankiana's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism
Moderate: Suicide, Suicide attempt, Drug abuse, and Death of parent
maddieagiles's review against another edition
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide, Animal death, Suicide attempt, and Alcoholism
csmoke85's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Suicide attempt, Drug use, Sexual content, Alcoholism, and Addiction
kelly_ann's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I am a sucker for melancholy books about the human experience and this was definitely that. Reading Cleopatra and Frankenstein was like being dropped into someone’s life, following them around, and just as suddenly being pulled away. In this case we not only follow the two main characters, but briefly drop into the lives of a few of the side characters too.
I can see how this book would not be for everyone – it’s character led with a meandering plot that really leads to nowhere – but I enjoyed it! I will say, though, that the description on the back of the book is a little misleading. I found very little humour in it and, while, there are a couple of POVs from the side character’s referenced, their storylines are pretty minor. I would also recommend checking trigger warnings before reading; there is adultery, heavy drug use, discussions of depression and suicide, and an attempted suicide.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Drug use, and Suicide attempt
mayatownsend's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0
(very) flawed people you cant help but root for. For a relatively wide csst of characters i found something interesting about each one. There is one character who’s chapters are formated differently and they were my favorites!!
also shoutout to the unexpected peruvian representation.
also shoutout to the unexpected peruvian representation.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism and Self harm
moonpeach's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
inspiring
reflective
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcoholism, Suicide attempt, and Drug abuse
_misha_'s review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Self harm, Alcoholism, and Drug use