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podanotherjessi's review against another edition
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
3.75
This is such an incredibly difficult book to rate because at times I really loved it, but most of the book made me felt ambivalent at best. I really liked the themes of lonliness and isolated, the ethical questions of who deserves to be saved (if anyone) and who has the right to decide that. But I'm not sure I liked the way those thoughts were concluded. And the whole thing was beautifully written.
The plot, however, was where this book really lost me. I found myself zoning out for passages only to go back and find out I hadn't missed much. I never was interested in both Cee and Kacey's story at the same time. There's a point about halfway through the book where Cee's plot hits a point that I think would have made a perfect ending, but the story keeps going, and I felt myself completely check out of her side of things after that. Luckily, shortly after that is when I became interested in Kacey's story finally. I also really could have done without the romantic subplots which I felt undermined the already perfectly wonderful sisterly love that was motivating both girls.
The plot, however, was where this book really lost me. I found myself zoning out for passages only to go back and find out I hadn't missed much. I never was interested in both Cee and Kacey's story at the same time. There's a point about halfway through the book where Cee's plot hits a point that I think would have made a perfect ending, but the story keeps going, and I felt myself completely check out of her side of things after that. Luckily, shortly after that is when I became interested in Kacey's story finally. I also really could have done without the romantic subplots which I felt undermined the already perfectly wonderful sisterly love that was motivating both girls.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment and Death of parent
hello_lovely13's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness, Death, Grief, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, and Classism
Minor: Sexual content
littlewishling's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
He tells a story of sisters and what it is to be human. An emotional journey about living for yourself and for others.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death and Death of parent
Minor: Terminal illness
librarianlayla's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This book hurts. It hurt me so much. I adored it.
Slow to start but it does pick up pace and I found myself unable to put it down, finally finishing it at 2am.
It's raw and heartfelt and sad and tragic.
If you love stories based on familial bonds, on tackling environmental issues and discovering one's purpose in life - this book is for you. But prepare your heart to break.
Slow to start but it does pick up pace and I found myself unable to put it down, finally finishing it at 2am.
It's raw and heartfelt and sad and tragic.
If you love stories based on familial bonds, on tackling environmental issues and discovering one's purpose in life - this book is for you. But prepare your heart to break.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Death of parent, Medical trauma, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Terminal illness, Vomit, Blood, and Cancer
ajthequeen's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Fresh concept, predictable (but not too cheesy/lame) twists. Big horizon zero dawn vibes from the plotline. Id love to see a sequel following the immediate end of this book. Overall 3.75 stars. I liked the characters and i liked that they were complex and Kasey was Autistic (you can pry that out of my cold dead hands) but it was never really seen as a flaw and kasey came to love herself because of it. I liked that actinium wasnt a broody sad boy and that there was no huge romance plot.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Bullying, Terminal illness, Death of parent, Cancer, Xenophobia, and War
Moderate: Classism, Cursing, Grief, and Colonisation
smrj's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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
Moderate: Blood, Death, Death of parent, Sexual content, and Terminal illness
mattiedancer's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Writing: 4⭐️/5
Solidly written with some truly beautiful sections. Lots of really great foreshadowing that you don’t necessarily realize until you look back on it. Parts of the story can be a bit jarring and confusing, though He mostly smooths these out quickly.
Characters: 4⭐️/5
Beautifully different characters with realistic flaws and goals. The end felt a bit forced onto the characters, rather than created by the characters. Some sacrifices for plot over characters.
Plot: 4.75⭐️/5
Superb plot. Everything felt wrapped up at the end, but not too neatly. Some good surprises that didn’t feel forced or fake.
Post-Reading Rating: 5⭐️/5
Amazing plot. Interesting, thoughtful, well-developed and thought out.
Final Rating: 4.5⭐️/5
Notes: Joan He definitely sacrificed a bit of characterization for plot. Feels like a gem of the genre, regardless.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Sexual content
Moderate: Abandonment, Alcohol, Cancer, Chronic illness, Death, Death of parent, and Terminal illness
awxiee's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I was confused most of the time. It is kinda boring at some parts, tho it became better during the revelation part.
the ending is open for interpretation. After finishing the book, I pondered for an hour about whether Cee went back to Kay or she just swam in the ocean for herself
the world-building is okay, although I would prefer it if it's more descriptive, because it was so confusing, especially at first.
I actually like the storyline, I will deffo think about this book in the future bc this type of story will stay in me,,, and the cover is so stunning! Absolutely one of my fav book cover ever <3
the world-building is okay, although I would prefer it if it's more descriptive, because it was so confusing, especially at first.
I actually like the storyline, I will deffo think about this book in the future bc this type of story will stay in me,,, and the cover is so stunning! Absolutely one of my fav book cover ever <3
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, and Violence
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Vomit
sarah984's review against another edition
mysterious
reflective
medium-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
4.0
Overall I enjoyed this one. The author’s note mentioned it feeling weird to edit this book in 2020, and it definitely feels weird to read after having lived through so many climate emergencies in 2021.
Most of the characters are interesting and the central dilemmas of the book feel real. I loved the robot U-me and Cee’s routine on the island. However, I thought the romance was extremely silly and the ending was a little muddled.
Most of the characters are interesting and the central dilemmas of the book feel real. I loved the robot U-me and Cee’s routine on the island. However, I thought the romance was extremely silly and the ending was a little muddled.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Child death, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, Medical content, Violence, and Terminal illness
Minor: Alcohol, Body horror, Cancer, Racism, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Vomit
merle_bookdragon's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
informative
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.5
I read this book because it's one of two books I will write my MA thesis about. This was only my first read and I'm sure I will expand on an actual review once I have more insight.
So far I can tell that this is definitely a challenging book but I enjoyed the challenge! I must admit that I was confused for a long time of like *what was actually going on* behind all the mysterious events and statements but I think that is the point of the book. I also feel like I wouldn't have been near as invested if I knew the *plot twist* from the very beginning. This way I was SO curious of what was the explanation and I was truly shook because I did not see ANY of this coming. The book definitely did not end like I thought it would when I started reading.
At the moment I won't go into plot/spoilers but that will surely follow!
So far I can tell that this is definitely a challenging book but I enjoyed the challenge! I must admit that I was confused for a long time of like *what was actually going on* behind all the mysterious events and statements but I think that is the point of the book. I also feel like I wouldn't have been near as invested if I knew the *plot twist* from the very beginning. This way I was SO curious of what was the explanation and I was truly shook because I did not see ANY of this coming. The book definitely did not end like I thought it would when I started reading.
At the moment I won't go into plot/spoilers but that will surely follow!
Content Warnings
Moderate: Cancer, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Death, Death of parent, and Violence