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henrytinker's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I enjoyed the start and the end, but most of the book really dragged. I also didn't like or connect with any of the characters, unfortunately. Part of that is my fault, because I didn't realise this was YA and I don't like that genre much. Also didn't like how the one POC character in the book was so one dimensional and his code switching got played for laughs. Author also chose to censor certain curse words, but still use ableist slurs at various points throughout.
Graphic: Violence, Death of parent, Bullying, and Death
Minor: Ableism
whatisthebooksellerthinking's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
3.0
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Bullying
Moderate: Violence and Mental illness
A moving portrait of grief and the way it affects our relationships. Luke is taken in by his estranged nan when a car accident takes both his parents. The two of them try to navigate their pathways through their emotions, expertly written and reflected off the landscape of a cold, bleak Lake District. Would be a great study for schools - themes and symbolism are here in bucketfuls, definitely a challenging read for the younger spectrum of 9-12 middle grade reads. I'd recommend for ages 10+.
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