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kornelija's review against another edition
emotional
tense
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? N/A
4.0
ckhoury5's review against another edition
4.0
This book really opened my eyes to what it would be like to live with a mental illness. It was very frustrating at times because I just wanted Bo to snap out of it and be "normal," but that is also what makes it so interesting. I was almost relieved when the POV would change to Phoebe because it was easier to follow and more relatable to me. Definitely a must-read for anyone who interacts with people who live with a mental illness.
sayloranderson's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
ajlawford's review
4.0
I started reading this book about 10 months ago for book club. I got through a good sized chunk, about 40%, and was mildly intrigued but not overly hooked. After the book club discussion, I didn’t feel compelled to finish it, until now.
I remember the discussion at book club revolving around how we all thought it was a time travel book, but is actually a mental health book about a boy with delusions who thinks he can control time. At the time I thought knowing it was a mental health book was a spoiler, and knowing the end was another reason I didn’t want to keep reading.
However, I persevered, and I glad I did. This time around I was struck by how the writing style was really erratic. I didn’t really like how it jumped all over the place. When the main character starts to realise he’s delusional, is about the same time that I realised the author was writing in a way to deliberately reflect his state of mind onto the reader. His thinking and grasp of reality was erratic, so her writing style was too. When I came to this level of understanding, I felt like I steadily enjoyed the book more and more with each chapter. As Bo, the main character, began to get a better grasp of reality, I was simultaneously getting a better grasp of the intention behind how this book was written. It was a really surreal experience.
Once I finally accepted that there was no time travel, and instead I was on a journey about this boy discovering what reality is, I was hooked. I wish I had known from the start it wasn’t actually a fantasy book. I don’t tend to read blurbs for fear of spoilers, and as soon as I finished reading this book, I read the blurb, and it says verbatim “a boy suffering delusions”! What I thought was a spoiler at book club was actually just the premise. For once I wish I had read the blurb prior to reading!
I remember the discussion at book club revolving around how we all thought it was a time travel book, but is actually a mental health book about a boy with delusions who thinks he can control time. At the time I thought knowing it was a mental health book was a spoiler, and knowing the end was another reason I didn’t want to keep reading.
However, I persevered, and I glad I did. This time around I was struck by how the writing style was really erratic. I didn’t really like how it jumped all over the place. When the main character starts to realise he’s delusional, is about the same time that I realised the author was writing in a way to deliberately reflect his state of mind onto the reader. His thinking and grasp of reality was erratic, so her writing style was too. When I came to this level of understanding, I felt like I steadily enjoyed the book more and more with each chapter. As Bo, the main character, began to get a better grasp of reality, I was simultaneously getting a better grasp of the intention behind how this book was written. It was a really surreal experience.
Once I finally accepted that there was no time travel, and instead I was on a journey about this boy discovering what reality is, I was hooked. I wish I had known from the start it wasn’t actually a fantasy book. I don’t tend to read blurbs for fear of spoilers, and as soon as I finished reading this book, I read the blurb, and it says verbatim “a boy suffering delusions”! What I thought was a spoiler at book club was actually just the premise. For once I wish I had read the blurb prior to reading!
bookishstone's review against another edition
4.0
Wow. That was one tough read. This book is really powerful, heartbreaking, and beautiful. I'm floored with the way things went down in this book. When it first started I really believed Bo's reality, but then Phoebe's POV came up and I understood. This is a tough book about mental health, family, love, and so much more. Bo's reaction to Sofía's suicide was tragic and heartbreaking to read throughout this book.
This book was tough but well worth every minute. The audiobook narration was done really well, for those who like to listen. You get two narrators who do Bo and Phoebe. They really sell the characters and bring you into their respective worlds.
This book was tough but well worth every minute. The audiobook narration was done really well, for those who like to listen. You get two narrators who do Bo and Phoebe. They really sell the characters and bring you into their respective worlds.
spookykestrel's review against another edition
2.0
2.5 stars. Hmmmm. I honestly couldn’t get into this book. It started off meh and it didn’t ever grab my attention. There was nothing really bad about it, but nothing really stood out either. It might have just been me, because I’m sure lot’s of people would find it interesting. I technically didn’t finish it, but I read the last chapter?
teresaschatz's review against another edition
5.0
This is definitely going to be one of my favorite books of the year!
maliamichelle's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
snchard's review against another edition
4.0
I didn't remember reading the blurb for this book, and so for the first half of the book, I thought I was reading paranormal fiction. At about 66%, the story becomes completely enthralling, and the unreliable narration completely freaked out my perception. I didn't much care for Phoebe's chapters, but I can kind of see where the author intended her to ground the audience in reality. Since I wasn't sure what genre I was in, and this is the 5th mental disorder book in a row for me, I think it played with my mind more than it might have otherwise. I enjoyed the writing for the most part. It got a bit repetitive with the strings, but I think that was partially to really characterize Bo's obsession with the time stream. The premise was excellent, and it succeeded in giving me more anxiety than usual, which I'm sure I'll get over eventually.