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bethtrigg's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Alcoholism, Bullying, Abortion, Police brutality, Death, Mental illness, and Racism
elisalasater's review against another edition
- 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? Yes
3.75
Moderate: Kidnapping, Suicide, Racism, and Violence
epellicci's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Every relationship was so aggressive, often times to the point of physical violence. There wasn't a single healthy, consistently loving family or friendship. Combined with a plot which never let up on anyone, it made for unlikable characters. I didn't believe in the main couples on again/off again romance, which lacked any tenderness. Blackman consistently gave us the narrative that they hated one another, their "love" felt based entirely on guilt and familiarity. On top of this, I felt that in an attempt to make the message apparent to the young teen audience, all the nuance had been stripped from the plot. There was no subtlety, which I found killed the atmosphere. While I can totally appreciate what it was trying to do, it fell really flat for me.
Graphic: Police brutality, Bullying, Violence, Toxic friendship, and Racism
Moderate: Alcoholism, Toxic relationship, and Murder
justagirlwithbooks's review against another edition
3.75
“Just remember, when you’re floating up and up in your bubble, that bubbles have a habit of bursting. The higher you climb, the further you have to fall.”
The writing isn't that amazing, but I would rate this book 4 stars for the concept alone, it's that engaging. Everything else... brings it down to a 3.75 for me.
Graphic: Death, Racism, and Violence
Moderate: Kidnapping
Minor: Sexual content and Pregnancy
sgtjonesy's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
Graphic: Racism
fairy_gardenn's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
Graphic: Death of parent, Kidnapping, Murder, Abortion, Racism, and Rape
karol99's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Racial slurs and Racism
Moderate: Rape, Religious bigotry, Sexual violence, Violence, Murder, Bullying, Hate crime, Police brutality, Pregnancy, Sexual content, Slavery, Physical abuse, Suicide, Abortion, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Torture, and Vomit
asourceoffiction's review against another edition
- 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
4.0
The adolescent nature of the writing also lulled me into a false sense of security, thinking that the story might gloss over some of the more unpleasant ideas explored. But it hits them head on, pulling no punches, and renders them all the more shocking as a result. But as the story went further and Sephy and Callum grew older, I started to feel the writing pulling me out of the action again. It seems like it was a really hard balance to strike.
That said, none of it takes anything from the phenomenal story and the brutal world these characters live in. What's so clever is that neither Callum nor Sephy knows the right or wrong way to behave to encourage change; and even when they try it can backfire spectacularly when prejudice is so ingrained. It's fascinating and infuriating, which you can see so well as they change with age.
After the incredibly tense ending, I'm intrigued to see where the rest of the series takes the story!
Graphic: Suicide, Racial slurs, Racism, Violence, and Kidnapping
jennaaaa's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Graphic: Racism and Death
Moderate: Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Hate crime, Pregnancy, Classism, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, and Kidnapping
Minor: Suicide
ellafranks's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Violence, Murder, Racism, and Suicide