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sbojo32's review against another edition
2.0
I really wanted to like this book, but I just couldn't get into it. I wasn't invested in Maddy's story because it was hard to root for someone who was offered opportunities for success and repeatedly turned them down. Maddy is homeless, 20 years old, and living in the park in San Francisco. She and her small friend group spend their days looking out for each other, getting food when they can, getting showers when they can, and getting drugs.
The best character in this book was Root, Maddy's dog. I wish this book could have been told from his perspective.
The "drama" in the book starts when Maddy (and Root) find a boy (age unclear but probably late teens/early 20s) bleeding out in the park. They see a man nearby who may or may not have been his killer. Maddy is scared of the man and tries to hide from him. The dead boy's parents find her and want information. They try to take her in as one of their own and give her anything she might need. She refuses and runs away, back to her old life.
I feel like there was just something missing in this one. The stories weren't woven together well and it seemed a bit repetitve at times. I wanted to feel bad for Maddy, but it was difficult.
The best character in this book was Root, Maddy's dog. I wish this book could have been told from his perspective.
The "drama" in the book starts when Maddy (and Root) find a boy (age unclear but probably late teens/early 20s) bleeding out in the park. They see a man nearby who may or may not have been his killer. Maddy is scared of the man and tries to hide from him. The dead boy's parents find her and want information. They try to take her in as one of their own and give her anything she might need. She refuses and runs away, back to her old life.
I feel like there was just something missing in this one. The stories weren't woven together well and it seemed a bit repetitve at times. I wanted to feel bad for Maddy, but it was difficult.
trisha_thomas's review against another edition
2.0
Well written and interesting in the first half. The second half just started to lose my interest.
lovesworldofbooks's review against another edition
2.0
I really struggle with story. I understand homeless is one of the big problems in the US however, it was hard to gain empathy for this character. This is what I got from this story. The people who were homeless were perfectly happy and would whether getting high. When they are offered help or a job they turn it down. Bookending with unresolved murder plus a cliffhanger regarding Maddy and her mother.
greenan26's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Police brutality, and Classism
leahjanespeare's review against another edition
3.75
I am not sure I enjoyed this, but I am glad I read it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use
selena74321's review against another edition
adventurous
informative
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Outside of reading the basic synopsis on the dust cover of the book, I went into this book blind. When I first began reading, I found myself quite excited about the premise, thinking this was going to be one of my favorite books.
I adore books that give me a chance to step into the shoes of someone with a life vastly different from mine, so I was excited when I found out that we were following Maddy, a young adult living on the streets of San Francisco. To make it even better, it seemed like it was going to integrate mystery into the book. The premise was perfect - an unhoused 20-something witnesses the death of a young boy, and has to find a way to cope with the mental repercussions.
As the story went on, it seemed increasingly misguided. They made it seem like we’d get some positive resolution for Maddy after the long scenes with Shane’s parents, or that the murderer himself would make more of an appearance and leave a negative impact on Maddy’s life. The book set up so much, but didn’t have much payoff at the end. In fact, the book ended very abruptly and left me in a state of confusion. During the entire book, Maddy didn’t want to see her mom because it hurt her to know how far gone she was from her mental illness. Dave and his wife kept mentioning that Maddy’s parents probably wanted to know more about her and how she was doing. Maddy was stubborn, and resolved never to speak to her mother again. I’m unclear where the turnaround for Maddy was. There was no climax to the story.
Also, I loved the idea of Maddy’s perspective giving the reader empathy for the unhoused populations around us, but I was a bit confused to see that the author had never been unhoused. She had just lived in SF for a long time. I hope she did some research before writing this, at least.
Ultimately, because of the first part, I feel comfortable giving it 3.75 stars. However, due to the lack of an ending and emotional payoff, I cannot give it much more.
I adore books that give me a chance to step into the shoes of someone with a life vastly different from mine, so I was excited when I found out that we were following Maddy, a young adult living on the streets of San Francisco. To make it even better, it seemed like it was going to integrate mystery into the book. The premise was perfect - an unhoused 20-something witnesses the death of a young boy, and has to find a way to cope with the mental repercussions.
As the story went on, it seemed increasingly misguided. They made it seem like we’d get some positive resolution for Maddy after the long scenes with Shane’s parents, or that the murderer himself would make more of an appearance and leave a negative impact on Maddy’s life. The book set up so much, but didn’t have much payoff at the end. In fact, the book ended very abruptly and left me in a state of confusion.
Also, I loved the idea of Maddy’s perspective giving the reader empathy for the unhoused populations around us, but I was a bit confused to see that the author had never been unhoused. She had just lived in SF for a long time. I hope she did some research before writing this, at least.
Ultimately, because of the first part, I feel comfortable giving it 3.75 stars. However, due to the lack of an ending and emotional payoff, I cannot give it much more.
rachelares1's review against another edition
4.0
This book captured the baffling, often self-destructive behaviors of the unhoused.
indydc's review against another edition
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
k8perkins's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
informative
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
2.0
alifromkc1907's review against another edition
4.0
Gut Instinct Rating: 3
Characters: 3.75
Believability: 4
Uniqueness: 5
Writing Style: 5
Excitement Factor: 3
Story Line: 5
Title Relevance: 5
Artwork Relevance: 3
Audiobook Narration: 4.25
Overall: 4.10
Characters: 3.75
Believability: 4
Uniqueness: 5
Writing Style: 5
Excitement Factor: 3
Story Line: 5
Title Relevance: 5
Artwork Relevance: 3
Audiobook Narration: 4.25
Overall: 4.10