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3.67 AVERAGE
3.67 AVERAGE
I stayed up way too late reading this. Luckily, it was on a Friday night, so I’ll get to nap later today.
This story tackles online bullying from all angles: victim, perpetrator and everyone affected by the act. It stresses that too often people don’t consider their actions, acting without thinking, and the terrible impact that has. The should be required reading for teens.
This story tackles online bullying from all angles: victim, perpetrator and everyone affected by the act. It stresses that too often people don’t consider their actions, acting without thinking, and the terrible impact that has. The should be required reading for teens.
Well that was something. I'll say that. This was a really good book. I honestly could not put it down. There are a few things I didn't like, but overall I really liked it.
Okay so the plot:
I really liked how the story flowed between the pov characters. It was really cool. Each chapter built off of the one before it. It was really well done.
There were times I felt like the story tilted towards the unbelievable, like, I know the plot needs to move forward, but still.
And good heavens did Sarah Littman make me sympathize with these characters. I cared for each character to an extent. (Though we have an Umbridge level villan in this book which I will get to layer.) The way she wrote from their perspectives conveyed the message very well.
Okay now about those characters
Lara: This poor girl. Seriously. She's been through too much. She does not deserve any of this. I really appreciated how her character developed though. It was nice to see her become a happier person in a better state of mind than se was previously. I think everyone can get lost in themselves to a certain extent, and that reality check does come, where we realize how we are affecting others.
Bree: This girl. THIS STUPID GIRL. I have not been this furious at a character since Umbridge. This girl has the intelligence of a pea. First of all, I don't care how angry you are, you don't go cyberbully someone because of an out of context laugh. There is absolutely no excuse for what she did. I understand that she felt pressure by her mother, and I feel bad that she was treated so horribly by the media and students. Maybe this is an unpopular opinion, she absolutely brought it all on herself.
Liam: This kid deserves better. I really liked him. He was just out there trying to live his best life and gets lumped in with all the press and drama. It really isn't fair. I did love his relationship with Syd though, it was really wholesome.
Syd: I loved her too. I definitely agree that her anger towards Lara is misplaced, but I can see where she's coming from too. I think her character development was handled so well too.
All in all, I really loved how this book worked. The characters were all human. They had their flaws, but it worked well in the story, and I appreciated it.
I reccomend.
Okay so the plot:
I really liked how the story flowed between the pov characters. It was really cool. Each chapter built off of the one before it. It was really well done.
There were times I felt like the story tilted towards the unbelievable, like, I know the plot needs to move forward, but still.
And good heavens did Sarah Littman make me sympathize with these characters. I cared for each character to an extent. (Though we have an Umbridge level villan in this book which I will get to layer.) The way she wrote from their perspectives conveyed the message very well.
Okay now about those characters
Lara: This poor girl. Seriously. She's been through too much. She does not deserve any of this. I really appreciated how her character developed though. It was nice to see her become a happier person in a better state of mind than se was previously. I think everyone can get lost in themselves to a certain extent, and that reality check does come, where we realize how we are affecting others.
Bree: This girl. THIS STUPID GIRL. I have not been this furious at a character since Umbridge. This girl has the intelligence of a pea. First of all, I don't care how angry you are, you don't go cyberbully someone because of an out of context laugh. There is absolutely no excuse for what she did. I understand that she felt pressure by her mother, and I feel bad that she was treated so horribly by the media and students. Maybe this is an unpopular opinion, she absolutely brought it all on herself.
Liam: This kid deserves better. I really liked him. He was just out there trying to live his best life and gets lumped in with all the press and drama. It really isn't fair. I did love his relationship with Syd though, it was really wholesome.
Syd: I loved her too. I definitely agree that her anger towards Lara is misplaced, but I can see where she's coming from too. I think her character development was handled so well too.
All in all, I really loved how this book worked. The characters were all human. They had their flaws, but it worked well in the story, and I appreciated it.
I reccomend.
TW: attempted suicide, depression, minor verbal abuse, cutting, bullying, and fat-phobia.
I don't know a single person in my life who talks like any one of these characters. It's some of the cringiest dialog I've read in ages. Truly hard to get through.
Not a single person in this book was likable, even though I'm pretty sure at least Lara and Liam were intended to be. I also think it's worth pointing out that the only explicitly POC characters, who exist solely to help out Lara, are very stereotyped Hispanics. They just randomly throw Spanish words into sentences, which yk, real Hispanic people don't do...
"Luis thought I was crazy enough when I tried out for cheerleading. He must think I'm completely loco now." Get real!
There's not really any aspect of this book I enjoyed but I have read worse YA. Happy for you if this is your thing, but it's definitely not mine.
Not a single person in this book was likable, even though I'm pretty sure at least Lara and Liam were intended to be. I also think it's worth pointing out that the only explicitly POC characters, who exist solely to help out Lara, are very stereotyped Hispanics. They just randomly throw Spanish words into sentences, which yk, real Hispanic people don't do...
"Luis thought I was crazy enough when I tried out for cheerleading. He must think I'm completely loco now." Get real!
There's not really any aspect of this book I enjoyed but I have read worse YA. Happy for you if this is your thing, but it's definitely not mine.
sad
fast-paced
I really like this book I want to read Sarah Darer Littman's other books now.
emotional
reflective
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Dang, this book is so good! It made me think about my past actions which could’ve affected others. This book talks about modern day problems and tells the consequences of bullying and insights of a person dealing with depression. It also shows the point of view of the characters affected.
Wow. I’m amazed. This book hit me so hard emotionally.
Wow. I’m amazed. This book hit me so hard emotionally.
The ending was quite abrupt and a little too "happily ever after" for my taste. It felt a bit unrealistic. Still, I like that this book explored how one stupid and cruel act can have long-lasting repercussions, and not just for the people most immediately involved in the situation. It was a bit sickening how the main antagonists (unnamed to avoid spoilers) never really felt bad about what they did. They only felt bad about getting caught and how that affected their lives. It's so sickening because I think it's the most realistic thing about the book. And that scares me a little.
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes