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mcdevimm's review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
0.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Toxic relationship, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Death, Animal death, Classism, Alcohol, and Child death
justcallme_blondie's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Some people think BookTok is ruining reading and I disagreed, until this book.
I think book had potential. that's why I gave it two and a half stars instead of one. I actually liked the whole concept of a girl solving a mystery surrounding her family after suffering brain damage and I did enjoy the whole subplot of Gat and Cadence.
Gat and her might actually make a good couple if she wasn't so insufferable (more on this later). Gat actually seemed really hot and like the only one with common sense on the whole island. "He stops in front of me, breathing hard. His hair sticks up, bedhead. The muscles of his abdomen ripple and he seems much more naked than he would in a swimsuit." (see page 93)
This is my personal opinion, but this is a great way to show teenage awkwardness and moments of physical attraction.
What I Didn't Like:
- The purple prose. The purple prose was unnecessary. I'm definitely not saying this book had to be as bland as a box of saltines. Not at all! But the purple prose makes it difficult to distinguish the metaphors from the actuality.
For example:
"Then he pulled out a handgun and shot me in the chest. I was standing on the lawn on I fell. The bullet hole opened wide and my heart rolled out of my rib cage and down into a flower bed." (see page 5)
This is just a metaphor for her dad's leaving/divorce to be especially hard but it could have been demonstrated in other ways. It was very confusing to me because I literally thought her dad shot her and that was her trauma in the beginning. But, then again, maybe I'm just stupid.
But then it was also difficult because at one point she talks about her wrists bleeding in front of Gat and I couldn't tell if this was a metaphor for her spilling her guts in front of him or what, but she was actually bleeding! Then, it was also confusing because it was never discussed why her wrists are bleeding, so then I thought she was self-harming. but that was never discussed.
I also didn't like the family tree. This is a weird complaint and I'm not talking about the actual drawing but I didn't like how there was practically no character building. There was a set of twins in the story and some cousins and aunts but after two weeks I can barely remember any of the characters except for Cadence, the Grandfather, Mirren (barely. I only remember reading something about her and Mirren forced to beg for tablecloths or something and I can't recall her relation to Cadence), and Gat. I didn't even know that the mother had two sisters except for when she started introducing those quirky fairy tales. I can't even remember who a "Liar" is and who isn't. (which is also confusing because I'm pretty sure only Cadence calls them Liars and it isn't really discussed why...)
Characters. I didn't like any of the characters except Gat. Don't get me wrong - they all had potential.
Cadence - She was too "not like other girls" for my taste. The whole story she says "I'm not like other girls because other girls have blonde hair but I dyed mine black. I'm not like other girls because I have trauma. I'm not like other girls because I'm donating things. etc.," She was basically a self-insert, Y/N-type character for those girlies in 2014 when this was published, who like to hate conforming, cheerleader types. Another thing I didn't like about Cadence was the fact that she was randomly donating things and acted like she was woke for that. She was too pretentious and I understand that the whole point of the story is that they're supposed to be overindulged but it was a bit too on the nose and made for an annoying read.
Grandpa - He was annoying but the best annoying character there. I actually thoroughly enjoyed reading about him because it was such a perfect example of an egotistical spoiled white man.
Gat - This man was another of the handful of likable characters. He can have my soul. He is the perfect pretentious woke teenager. Like I wanted Gat because Cadence surely didn't deserve him.
That's all I can remember of characters.
The plot twist. It could have been done so well but it flopped. It was a stupid and unbelievable idea that a group of kids would willingly agree to commit arson with a visibly mentally unstable teenager. Like and the fact that everyone ignored it? Girlie? What were they thinking?! I almost cried but not because this book was so mind blowing but because I wished it was better.
Something else I didn't like was the weird formatting.
The whole story was like this:
I
am
not like
those weird
o
t
h
e
r
girls. im different.
because i almost died as the flowers wrapped around my neck in peaceful scarf before fashioning themselves into a necklace growing tighter and tighter until the sun scooped me up and dyed my hair blonde again. i am mad. i want black hair because i'm different.
The fairy tales did nothing to add to the story and were weird and confusing. I found myself skipping them sometimes.
Things I Did Like:
Besides Gat, I liked the small chapters. I love a book with shorter chapters because I can get into more I feel like and this is definitely something this book accomplished.
I did like some of the descriptions of Gat and Cadence together and their love.
I did like the idea of the story and felt it could have been done well. The novel was a good size, it dragged on in parts but wasn't unbearably long.
So, read with caution but just know you're going to wish you had thought of this idea before E. Lockhart so you could've written a better novel.
I think book had potential. that's why I gave it two and a half stars instead of one. I actually liked the whole concept of a girl solving a mystery surrounding her family after suffering brain damage and I did enjoy the whole subplot of Gat and Cadence.
Gat and her might actually make a good couple if she wasn't so insufferable (more on this later). Gat actually seemed really hot and like the only one with common sense on the whole island. "He stops in front of me, breathing hard. His hair sticks up, bedhead. The muscles of his abdomen ripple and he seems much more naked than he would in a swimsuit." (see page 93)
This is my personal opinion, but this is a great way to show teenage awkwardness and moments of physical attraction.
What I Didn't Like:
- The purple prose. The purple prose was unnecessary. I'm definitely not saying this book had to be as bland as a box of saltines. Not at all! But the purple prose makes it difficult to distinguish the metaphors from the actuality.
For example:
"Then he pulled out a handgun and shot me in the chest. I was standing on the lawn on I fell. The bullet hole opened wide and my heart rolled out of my rib cage and down into a flower bed." (see page 5)
This is just a metaphor for her dad's leaving/divorce to be especially hard but it could have been demonstrated in other ways. It was very confusing to me because I literally thought her dad shot her and that was her trauma in the beginning. But, then again, maybe I'm just stupid.
But then it was also difficult because at one point she talks about her wrists bleeding in front of Gat and I couldn't tell if this was a metaphor for her spilling her guts in front of him or what, but she was actually bleeding! Then, it was also confusing because it was never discussed why her wrists are bleeding, so then I thought she was self-harming. but that was never discussed.
I also didn't like the family tree. This is a weird complaint and I'm not talking about the actual drawing but I didn't like how there was practically no character building. There was a set of twins in the story and some cousins and aunts but after two weeks I can barely remember any of the characters except for Cadence, the Grandfather, Mirren (barely. I only remember reading something about her and Mirren forced to beg for tablecloths or something and I can't recall her relation to Cadence), and Gat. I didn't even know that the mother had two sisters except for when she started introducing those quirky fairy tales. I can't even remember who a "Liar" is and who isn't. (which is also confusing because I'm pretty sure only Cadence calls them Liars and it isn't really discussed why...)
Characters. I didn't like any of the characters except Gat. Don't get me wrong - they all had potential.
Cadence - She was too "not like other girls" for my taste. The whole story she says "I'm not like other girls because other girls have blonde hair but I dyed mine black. I'm not like other girls because I have trauma. I'm not like other girls because I'm donating things. etc.," She was basically a self-insert, Y/N-type character for those girlies in 2014 when this was published, who like to hate conforming, cheerleader types. Another thing I didn't like about Cadence was the fact that she was randomly donating things and acted like she was woke for that. She was too pretentious and I understand that the whole point of the story is that they're supposed to be overindulged but it was a bit too on the nose and made for an annoying read.
Grandpa - He was annoying but the best annoying character there. I actually thoroughly enjoyed reading about him because it was such a perfect example of an egotistical spoiled white man.
Gat - This man was another of the handful of likable characters. He can have my soul. He is the perfect pretentious woke teenager. Like I wanted Gat because Cadence surely didn't deserve him.
That's all I can remember of characters.
The plot twist. It could have been done so well but it flopped. It was a stupid and unbelievable idea that a group of kids would willingly agree to commit arson with a visibly mentally unstable teenager. Like and the fact that everyone ignored it? Girlie? What were they thinking?! I almost cried but not because this book was so mind blowing but because I wished it was better.
Something else I didn't like was the weird formatting.
The whole story was like this:
I
am
not like
those weird
o
t
h
e
r
girls. im different.
because i almost died as the flowers wrapped around my neck in peaceful scarf before fashioning themselves into a necklace growing tighter and tighter until the sun scooped me up and dyed my hair blonde again. i am mad. i want black hair because i'm different.
The fairy tales did nothing to add to the story and were weird and confusing. I found myself skipping them sometimes.
Things I Did Like:
Besides Gat, I liked the small chapters. I love a book with shorter chapters because I can get into more I feel like and this is definitely something this book accomplished.
I did like some of the descriptions of Gat and Cadence together and their love.
I did like the idea of the story and felt it could have been done well. The novel was a good size, it dragged on in parts but wasn't unbearably long.
So, read with caution but just know you're going to wish you had thought of this idea before E. Lockhart so you could've written a better novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Classism, Death, and Self harm
ame_why's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
slow-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
3.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Dementia, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Death, Animal death, Child death, and Classism
whynotreadwithalex's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Devastating. Honestly, I don't know if I can put into words the feelings this book stirred up within me.
I suppose I should start by saying that I don't read sad books. Like, ever. And when I do, it is by accident and begrudgingly. And NEVER in the "hurt-no-comfort" category. Because I don't like being sad on purpose. Period.
However, a friend of mine gifted me this book when she moved, and after all the hype surrounding it when it came out, and of course the intriguing premise, I knew I was going to have to just power through and give it a chance.
Even though I knew it would be devastating.
And even when I reached the halfway mark and guessed at the truth hidden underneath the lies -- at which point, I knew for certain that I was going to be, you guessed it: devastated -- I wanted to finish it. To feel it and live it with Cady.
Oh, my poor, sweet Cady. How I wish I could just wrap you up in the biggest of hugs.
All in all, this is an excellent book. Devastating, yes. But exquisitely told. Grief is explored in every aspect. And as much as we would all rather avoid this kind of heartache, it comes for each of us. And this book does an amazing job of taking the reader through the process of pain, acceptance, healing, denial, and hope that surfaces even as the wounds turn to scars and the phantom pains set in. I can't say that I loved this book, because it's still so fresh and raw and, well, painful. But I needed it. My soul needed it.
I suppose I should start by saying that I don't read sad books. Like, ever. And when I do, it is by accident and begrudgingly. And NEVER in the "hurt-no-comfort" category. Because I don't like being sad on purpose. Period.
However, a friend of mine gifted me this book when she moved, and after all the hype surrounding it when it came out, and of course the intriguing premise, I knew I was going to have to just power through and give it a chance.
Even though I knew it would be devastating.
And even when I reached the halfway mark and guessed at the truth hidden underneath the lies -- at which point, I knew for certain that I was going to be, you guessed it: devastated -- I wanted to finish it. To feel it and live it with Cady.
Oh, my poor, sweet Cady. How I wish I could just wrap you up in the biggest of hugs.
All in all, this is an excellent book. Devastating, yes. But exquisitely told. Grief is explored in every aspect. And as much as we would all rather avoid this kind of heartache, it comes for each of us. And this book does an amazing job of taking the reader through the process of pain, acceptance, healing, denial, and hope that surfaces even as the wounds turn to scars and the phantom pains set in. I can't say that I loved this book, because it's still so fresh and raw and, well, painful. But I needed it. My soul needed it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Medical trauma, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Fire/Fire injury, Medical content, Classism, Death, Grief, and Racism
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Alcoholism, Animal death, Gaslighting, Cursing, Forced institutionalization, and Alcohol
reemoony's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
the main premise of this book is that the ending is supposed to be this huge, unexpected thing. i went into this thinking that no plot twist could ever catch me off guard. this one did. as i was reading and learning little things, i kept thinking. is this it? is this the huge twist ive been waiting for? if so, shitty book. but it hits you in the face, and i love this book so much for that. genuinely, if anyone asks you how it ends, just lie.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Mental illness, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Suicidal thoughts, Chronic illness, Alcoholism, Grief, Alcohol, Classism, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Animal death, and Addiction
crieraylas's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Suicidal thoughts, Classism, Grief, Racism, Child death, Death, Mental illness, Fire/Fire injury, Drug use, Animal death, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Medical content, Medical trauma, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, and Murder
Minor: Misogyny, Blood, Infidelity, and Rape
lizzylakes's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- 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
This book made me cry.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Medical trauma, Mental illness, and Death
Moderate: Animal death, Blood, and Racism
Minor: Classism, Drug abuse, and Drug use
medini_l's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Child death, Animal death, Classism, and Death
kotletka_polina's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I reread it for the prequel.
I read this book back in 2016 and was confused to see this book blew up on TikTok in 2022??
Idk a lot of people have strong feelings about this book, I remember reading it for the first time and I was flabbergasted: the plot twist, the writing style. But I was like 12?? It’s a pretty disturbing and sad book but it’s y/a so idk why people expect it to be great.
Personally I didn’t quite get the whole point when I read it for the first time, I didn’t understand the ending and overall was pretty much confused for the most part, but reading it now I cried. It’s not the best book I’ve ever read but it’s decent quick read the plays with your head. Nice.
I read this book back in 2016 and was confused to see this book blew up on TikTok in 2022??
Idk a lot of people have strong feelings about this book, I remember reading it for the first time and I was flabbergasted: the plot twist, the writing style. But I was like 12?? It’s a pretty disturbing and sad book but it’s y/a so idk why people expect it to be great.
Personally I didn’t quite get the whole point when I read it for the first time, I didn’t understand the ending and overall was pretty much confused for the most part, but reading it now I cried. It’s not the best book I’ve ever read but it’s decent quick read the plays with your head. Nice.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Racism, Fire/Fire injury, Classism, Child death, Death, and Medical trauma
violet_viper's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Grief, and Classism
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, and Racism