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emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Blood
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Bullying, Cursing
Minor: Medical content
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Honestamente fue un libro muy superficial, todos los temas que tocó a penas los rozó, ni siquiera el personaje principal estuvo bien desarrollado. Todas las problemáticas se me hicieron demasiado forzadas y el hecho de que la mamá se recuperara por completo del coma me pareció algo incrédulo. También que por ser apuñalado o ser víctima de demasiado dolor pudiera desarrollar sentimientos sin ninguna explicación; el interés amoroso también se me hizo ridículo, apareció de la nada, disque se besaron y volvió a desaparecer. Sorprendentemente se me hizo una explicación lógica que sus "almendras" crecieran porque él estaba creciendo pero no me terminó de satisfacer que todo ocurriera de golpe (jaja) No lo volvería a leer, ni siquiera lo hubiera leído si no fuera por mi club de libro pero gracias al mismo club me he dado la oportunidad de reflexionar más de lo poco que ofrece esta lectura.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Physical abuse, Torture, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Bullying, Kidnapping, Abandonment
Minor: Mass/school shootings
challenging
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The ending lost me a little. Nevertheless, I love Yunjae and his almond breath.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Bullying, Violence, Death of parent, Murder
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
"From what I understood, love was an extreme idea. A word that seemed to force something undefinable into the prison of letters. But the word was used so easily, so often. People spoke of love so casually, just to lean the slightest pleasure or thanks"
It's a short, simple story loaded with heavy themes but written with enough distance for the reader to be able to digest it. While I found it heartwarming (in a bittersweet kind of way), the story carries a dangerous idea of "one person can change someone abusive if they only try hard enough". "I can save him", if you will.
This message is already being reinforced in various media, both actively and passively, albeit it is usually aimed at women. Without proper critical reading skills, especially among younger audience, this novel might reinforce that belief and passively encourage harmful outcomes, like entering or staying in toxic relationships.
Major spoilers:
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder
Moderate: Bullying
dark
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Gore, Physical abuse, Blood, Death of parent, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
challenging
emotional
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
has dark themes imbedded but i still enjoyed the read. the boys made me really nervous but their bond pulled the other out of their comfort zones and that was beautiful to read.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Animal death, Cancer, Death, Physical abuse, Sexism, Torture, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Medical trauma, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence
Moderate: Animal cruelty, Bullying
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The author’s note at the end captured the book perfectly to me, “I have come to think that love is what makes a person human, as well as what makes a monster. That’s the story I wanted to tell”.
Almond is so simply written, that it has very little impact at the exposition. I wasn’t impressed by the first shock value plot device either. But as the story progressed,
I became deeply invested in Yunjae’s relationships as well as his mental and psychological development. It was fascinating watching him experience feelings for the first time and form somatic responses to his emotions. I could really relate to his difficulty with learning emotions and trying to fit in that way. I was really attached to his emotional journey and challenging friendship with Gon. This really eclipsed the rest of the needlessly tragic and violent narratives for me.
This book contains graphic and violent scenes that can be upsetting for readers. I personally didn’t find them to take away from the storyline; but after discussing the book with a friend, I think it’s important to note that the author most likely didn’t need these disturbing plot devices to achieve a similar if not same effect. That being said, I still really enjoyed this book and hope people will give Sohn’s debut novel a try!
Almond is so simply written, that it has very little impact at the exposition. I wasn’t impressed by the first shock value plot device either. But as the story progressed,
I became deeply invested in Yunjae’s relationships as well as his mental and psychological development. It was fascinating watching him experience feelings for the first time and form somatic responses to his emotions. I could really relate to his difficulty with learning emotions and trying to fit in that way. I was really attached to his emotional journey and challenging friendship with Gon. This really eclipsed the rest of the needlessly tragic and violent narratives for me.
This book contains graphic and violent scenes that can be upsetting for readers. I personally didn’t find them to take away from the storyline; but after discussing the book with a friend, I think it’s important to note that the author most likely didn’t need these disturbing plot devices to achieve a similar if not same effect. That being said, I still really enjoyed this book and hope people will give Sohn’s debut novel a try!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal cruelty, Violence, Murder
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Murder
Moderate: Animal cruelty