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3.98 AVERAGE
3.98 AVERAGE
Blows my mind that this is a debut novel. I can't even put into words yet what I loved about this book, only that I loved it all so much
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was extremely difficult to get through, and way more triggering than I imagined, but it was all worth it. Such a beautiful book—with such difficult topics handled with such care yet simultaneously brutally honest. I miss my sisters.
dark
sad
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
Three and a half stars—this was a pleasant surprise. Although it hews closer to certain tropes than I'd prefer, we also get a push-pull between Rose and Lily that felt fresh and new: as Rose withers and wilts, Lily expands (but does not—dare I say it—blossom). Their twin bond is to Rose intoxicating, but sometimes becomes toxic to them both. Right to the end I wasn't certain how things would work out for either sister, which is always a good feeling.
I'm torn on Lily's plotline: she has, in many ways, the more interesting story, yet we see so little of it. That's intentional, as Rose is too wrapped up in her own story to take Lily's in for most of the book, but it's still kind of disappointing as Lily's is the story less often heard—Rose's struggle is so visible.
Still, again: a pleasant surprise, twisting and dark, ever so slightly fantastical at times.
I'm torn on Lily's plotline: she has, in many ways, the more interesting story, yet we see so little of it. That's intentional, as Rose is too wrapped up in her own story to take Lily's in for most of the book, but it's still kind of disappointing as Lily's is the story less often heard—Rose's struggle is so visible.
Still, again: a pleasant surprise, twisting and dark, ever so slightly fantastical at times.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
dark
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
For me, it was so clear the author worked with Roxanne Gay. There were moments in this story that struck so loudly, often poignantly capturing the struggles of growing up in a society that places goodness in being thin. I was worried this book would be a giant trigger warning. Which… in a way it is. But it’s also brave and honest. We’re all on some sort of journey with loving ourselves more. This journey is about two sisters we also see in ourselves.
This was painful to read pretty much the entire time. I'm wondering who the author is hoping to reach here with the way its written? It would be incredibly triggering for anyone with an eating disorder or even mildly unhealthy relationship with food. It gets 3 stars for that reason alone because although it was powerful, it's 99% pain and I'm not sure who the target audience would be here. She also just casually throws some extra trauma around towards the end for seemingly no purpose.
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes