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knitandknits's review
hopeful
informative
sad
slow-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
3.0
frostlywild17's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
sad
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
4.25
emmawissman's review
5.0
I LOVED THIS BOOK!! It was so WHOLESOME!! I feel like all the books that are super popular right now are lowkey either trashy or disturbing, and this one was just really sweet and felt like a breath of fresh air kinda. The main characters are really likeable and relateable and the storyline is interesting and kept me reading. Probs one of the best books i’ve read recently and I’m really glad that I found it!! Highly recommend, especially if you’re looking for a ~lighter~ read :)
goettagerwig's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
4.75
popthebutterfly's review against another edition
5.0
Disclaimer: I received an e-arc from netgalley. Thanks! All opinions are my own.
Book: The Edge of Anything
Author: Nora Shalaway Carpenter
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: OCD rep! Own voice!
Publication Date: March 24, 2020
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 15+ (mental health, depression)
Publisher: Running Press Kids
Pages: 368
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Len is a loner teen photographer haunted by a past that’s stagnated her work and left her terrified she’s losing her mind. Sage is a high school volleyball star desperate to find a way around her sudden medical disqualification. Both girls need college scholarships. After a chance encounter, the two develop an unlikely friendship that enables them to begin facing their inner demons.
But both Len and Sage are keeping secrets that, left hidden, could cost them everything, maybe even their lives.
Set in the North Carolina mountains, this dynamic #ownvoices novel explores grief, mental health, and the transformative power of friendship.
Review: I really loved this one! It was poignant and heartbreaking all in the same. The book did well with the dual POVs and the character development was amazing. The world building was also done well and I applaud the author for making realistic characters, with flaws and all. Also, hats off to the amazing OCD rep!
The only issue I had with the book is that there were some overdramatic scenes and writing that I felt was a bit out of character. Other than that, this was a great book!
Verdict: A must read!
Book: The Edge of Anything
Author: Nora Shalaway Carpenter
Book Series: Standalone
Rating: 5/5
Diversity: OCD rep! Own voice!
Publication Date: March 24, 2020
Genre: YA Contemporary
Recommended Age: 15+ (mental health, depression)
Publisher: Running Press Kids
Pages: 368
Amazon Link
Synopsis: Len is a loner teen photographer haunted by a past that’s stagnated her work and left her terrified she’s losing her mind. Sage is a high school volleyball star desperate to find a way around her sudden medical disqualification. Both girls need college scholarships. After a chance encounter, the two develop an unlikely friendship that enables them to begin facing their inner demons.
But both Len and Sage are keeping secrets that, left hidden, could cost them everything, maybe even their lives.
Set in the North Carolina mountains, this dynamic #ownvoices novel explores grief, mental health, and the transformative power of friendship.
Review: I really loved this one! It was poignant and heartbreaking all in the same. The book did well with the dual POVs and the character development was amazing. The world building was also done well and I applaud the author for making realistic characters, with flaws and all. Also, hats off to the amazing OCD rep!
The only issue I had with the book is that there were some overdramatic scenes and writing that I felt was a bit out of character. Other than that, this was a great book!
Verdict: A must read!
alinaborger's review against another edition
5.0
(ARC)... what a beautiful book this is.
In this dual POV novel, volleyball superstar Sage faces a physical health challenge that puts her mental health at risk; loner and photographer Len faces a mental health challenge that puts her physical health at risk. The unlikely pair find each other at the moment each girl most needs a friend.
Carpenter manages the pivotal moments for each girl with a grace that doesn’t undercut them. Instead, the challenges highlight how friendship makes it *worthwhile* to overcome great difficulties.
Two especially interesting elements of craft here are:
1. The construction of poverty. Len’s family deals with elder care and significant financial insecurity that makes Len feel like getting help is impossible. But much of their difficulty is tied to her dad’s boho career choices, as opposed to more systemic issues. Carpenter navigates Len’s experienced poverty with compassion, but she doesn’t excuse the parents.
2. The parents, in both families, are not terrible humans, but they’re terrible for the girls. As a reader, I felt so much relief at the end of the book when
The author’s note highlights her #ownvoices experience with trauma-induced OCD.
CW: thought spirals, rare medical diagnoses, CBT as treatment for OCD
In this dual POV novel, volleyball superstar Sage faces a physical health challenge that puts her mental health at risk; loner and photographer Len faces a mental health challenge that puts her physical health at risk. The unlikely pair find each other at the moment each girl most needs a friend.
Carpenter manages the pivotal moments for each girl with a grace that doesn’t undercut them. Instead, the challenges highlight how friendship makes it *worthwhile* to overcome great difficulties.
Two especially interesting elements of craft here are:
1. The construction of poverty. Len’s family deals with elder care and significant financial insecurity that makes Len feel like getting help is impossible. But much of their difficulty is tied to her dad’s boho career choices, as opposed to more systemic issues. Carpenter navigates Len’s experienced poverty with compassion, but she doesn’t excuse the parents.
2. The parents, in both families, are not terrible humans, but they’re terrible for the girls. As a reader, I felt so much relief at the end of the book when
Spoiler
Len’s sister explains that her parents ideas are wonky and Sage’s mother finally steps up and insists on counseling.The author’s note highlights her #ownvoices experience with trauma-induced OCD.
CW: thought spirals, rare medical diagnoses, CBT as treatment for OCD
chamilton3396's review against another edition
3.0
Did I think that's too many characters were going to fall in love? Yes.
However I was all right in the fact that they didn't. I enjoyed this story of friendship of two teens at vulnerable moments in their lives and how they were able to really be there for each other. I did find certain moments quite strange but then again so are mental and chronic illnesses.
Ending was a big meh however.
However I was all right in the fact that they didn't. I enjoyed this story of friendship of two teens at vulnerable moments in their lives and how they were able to really be there for each other. I did find certain moments quite strange but then again so are mental and chronic illnesses.
Ending was a big meh however.
bundle_of_books's review against another edition
3.0
So I got this book in a Once Upon a Book Club box. I did not have high expectations going in as I knew nothing about the book nor ever heard of it. This book was definitely enjoyable to say the least. It just didn’t really stick with me. It was an average book I could say and reminded me of books I read before so it didn’t seem that original which is why I’d say it’s average.
maggie56's review against another edition
4.0
A very well written book on a subject that so many are afraid to talk about let write about.
Thank you to the author for bringing awareness of teens and the sensitivity in their lives.
Thank you to the author for bringing awareness of teens and the sensitivity in their lives.