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books4em's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
5.0
This is probably the fastest I have read a book. I utterly loved it, and it’s my favorite Heartstopper volume so far. Can’t wait until next year with the final Volume 5. The ways that Oseman wasn’t afraid to address deep, personal issues is fantastic. I appreciated how she incorporated multiple diagnoses into Charlie’s experience with mental health. You don’t read about many positive stories from mental health hospital stays, and I’m glad Oseman was able to deliver one. I also appreciate how she has shown multiple reactions to coming outs - the drastic reactions in fiction are frequently not any of our experiences. All props to Oseman, they definitely hit this one on the nail and was a perfect blend of emotion and hard times, and happiness and silver linings.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder and Mental illness
Moderate: Outing
Minor: Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Homophobia, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Gaslighting
lizzieg22's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
sad
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Homophobia, Mental illness, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts
mariakureads's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
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
Volume 4 picked up right after the last one, and the gang is back from Paris and very much in love, and that has both Nick and Charlie nervous and worried for the same reasons the other is thinking, but my awkward babies are just that, awkward and I love them!
Still some heavy themes in play as this volume picks up right after the last one, but as hard as it can be to read, I love that Oseman did it. It's creating a space to be able to talk about mental illness and how it affects not just the person going through it but friends and family. Through Charlie, Oseman can showcase just some of it, the stress, not eating, missed sleep, the listlessness, and doubt that plagues, but she also highlights the support and love from Nick and the Paris Gang, aside from Charlie's siblings.
And a personal note, I love Tori! She was pretty quiet in the first volume but subsequently has been seen a but more and more with each volume to be there for Charlie, and girl really did her sisterly best here. I just whooped at the scene with Nick's brother, who had it coming—just saying!
I love how Oseman, again, captures so many emotions through her illustrations and single-color use. Had it been illustrated with more colors, I feel like I would lose something in the sentiment of the expressions, so I'm glad that in 4 volumes, the look is the same. I can't wait for the next installment 💕
Still some heavy themes in play as this volume picks up right after the last one, but as hard as it can be to read, I love that Oseman did it. It's creating a space to be able to talk about mental illness and how it affects not just the person going through it but friends and family. Through Charlie, Oseman can showcase just some of it, the stress, not eating, missed sleep, the listlessness, and doubt that plagues, but she also highlights the support and love from Nick and the Paris Gang, aside from Charlie's siblings.
And a personal note, I love Tori! She was pretty quiet in the first volume but subsequently has been seen a but more and more with each volume to be there for Charlie, and girl really did her sisterly best here. I just whooped at the scene with Nick's brother, who had it coming—just saying!
I love how Oseman, again, captures so many emotions through her illustrations and single-color use. Had it been illustrated with more colors, I feel like I would lose something in the sentiment of the expressions, so I'm glad that in 4 volumes, the look is the same. I can't wait for the next installment 💕
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Bullying and Suicidal thoughts
dontforgetthelights's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
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? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Biphobia, Homophobia, Mental illness, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts
toadstoolsnshit's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
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? No
4.25
This book follows the patterns of the other 3 (lighthearted and gay) but explores darker themes so be sure to check trigger warnings!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts
maxwell7373's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-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
4.5
As a gay lad who has struggled with rough mental health issues, this book depicted that experience very well. Beyond the well shown symptoms and struggles, I could also heavily relate to how Charlie’s experience at the hospital is shown. It can take a really long time to get help with the mental health system, even if you’re in a more progressive area. Also the little detail of Charlie playing cards with the other patients amused me, as when you’re in a mental facility, you’re quite likely to play a lot of cards Overall this book and the series really makes me feel seen for so many reasons, and I’m very glad for the realistic depiction of mental illness and treatment.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Biphobia, Eating disorder, Homophobia, Mental illness, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts
teslis's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I didn’t love it sadly as much as the last one. Nick and Charlie have gotten older and they go through so much hard ship during this book which was hard on me. Charlie’s ED is being a big part of the story which got me thinking a lot, he also relapse to SH. These topics were harder for me than I thought it would be. It’s important to understand that there isn’t anything wrong with the book on its own. In fact I really liked how it were written and that it were a bit slower. I cried and I laughed but it’s not my favorite in the end :( I’m excited for the last one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Eating disorder, Mental illness, and Self harm
Minor: Suicidal thoughts
hanaya's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
fast-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? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder and Mental illness
Minor: Self harm and Suicidal thoughts
taelights's review against another edition
emotional
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
4.75
As a fluff lover I'm kind of disappointed by how dark and triggering of a turn this series has taken compared to how it started out but I still really love these boys and will continue the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Biphobia, Bullying, Eating disorder, Homophobia, Mental illness, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts
lovelymisanthrope's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
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
I continue to absolutely ADORE this series, and I NEVER want it to end. Volume four of "Heartstopper" really dives into Charlie's struggle with mental health and explores how Nick can continue to support Charlie while taking care of himself.
This felt like the darkest installment of this series because Charlie gets diagnosed with anorexia and ends up leaving to stay at a treatment facility. I did really love seeing how Nick approached Charlie with his concerns and asked how he could help him. Nick was so patient and understanding of Charlie and really tried to be supportive, but not put too much pressure on Charlie to get help before he was ready. Nick is just perfect. Charlie is also an amazingly supportive boyfriend, and he never pushes Nick to come out before he is ready to do so.
I am going to be devastated when this series ends.
This felt like the darkest installment of this series because Charlie gets diagnosed with anorexia and ends up leaving to stay at a treatment facility. I did really love seeing how Nick approached Charlie with his concerns and asked how he could help him. Nick was so patient and understanding of Charlie and really tried to be supportive, but not put too much pressure on Charlie to get help before he was ready. Nick is just perfect. Charlie is also an amazingly supportive boyfriend, and he never pushes Nick to come out before he is ready to do so.
I am going to be devastated when this series ends.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Eating disorder, Homophobia, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Outing