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dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Interesting piece with Korean cultural nuance referenced throughout the book and some very unexpected turns
Content Warnings
Graphic: Vomit, Murder
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Ah the complexities of the human experience :’)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Death, Physical abuse, Murder
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
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death of parent, Murder
emotional
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Child abuse, Violence
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Grief, Murder
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
slow-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
The book is written in a very direct way but with a detached voice that really reflects the way the mc sees himself and his place in the world. i think this straightforward tone can make the book seem simple, like a typical coming of age about misfit teens, but if you think of it more like a character study and keep in mind that the mc is still a child and his views are largely informed by the way he was raised, it opens it up to deeper interpretations. Overall and very profound and interesting story about simple parts of life.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder, 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