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te_ss_i's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Mental illness, Death of parent, Drug use, Toxic relationship, Child death, Confinement, Gun violence, Murder, Physical abuse, Trafficking, Body horror, Death, Grief, Blood, Classism, Cultural appropriation, Emotional abuse, Gore, and Violence
katsbooks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“People always love people more when they're dead.”
"YOU COMING?”
“in the mirror
my face sagged,
like sadness
was trying to pull
the skin off”
This was a fantastic book in verse. It was intense and emotional. The structure of the writing was so compelling. The entire novel takes place in a one minute period encompassing the time it takes the main character to go down the elevator to the lobby of his building. At each level, he is visited by ghosts of people from his life who have been victims (and sometimes also perpetrators of gun violence). It's a really interesting reflection on the cyclical nature of gun violence and how insidiously it encompasses our lives. The best part about this book is that it's written at a level that I think most young adults could connect with. I might even use it with middle school students who are ready for more advanced concepts. Since the writing is in verse, it's quite approachable for younger readers but even for those who really struggle with reading, the audiobook is performed by the author and is absolute perfection. Obvious trigger warnings for death and gun violence but a really impactful read.
"YOU COMING?”
“in the mirror
my face sagged,
like sadness
was trying to pull
the skin off”
This was a fantastic book in verse. It was intense and emotional. The structure of the writing was so compelling. The entire novel takes place in a one minute period encompassing the time it takes the main character to go down the elevator to the lobby of his building. At each level, he is visited by ghosts of people from his life who have been victims (and sometimes also perpetrators of gun violence). It's a really interesting reflection on the cyclical nature of gun violence and how insidiously it encompasses our lives. The best part about this book is that it's written at a level that I think most young adults could connect with. I might even use it with middle school students who are ready for more advanced concepts. Since the writing is in verse, it's quite approachable for younger readers but even for those who really struggle with reading, the audiobook is performed by the author and is absolute perfection. Obvious trigger warnings for death and gun violence but a really impactful read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Gun violence, Death of parent, Violence, Grief, and Death
Minor: Cursing and Trafficking
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