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siasprout's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
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
5.0
gar42's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
An alternate timeline when Al Gore won the election against Bush and pursued a war on climate rather than a war on terror. The premise explores the ways in which white supremacy and greed are baked into America, regardless of the prevailing political ideal of a given time.
I found the conceit of the book interesting, and many parts of the book exciting and fun to read. But this book is filled with white tears, white guilt, over-explanation of political ideology, and in-your-face critiques of America that are founded, but written without the nuance or craft that I would hope for in a work of satire or literary fiction.
I look to books like Chain Gang All Stars or Our Missing Hearts as models of how a dystopian, alternate timeline book can point back to the flaws of present-day America without hitting the reader over the head. When a dystopian plot is too similar to the plot of reality, it can feel more like an uncanny valley reflection than an effective piece of probing political commentary.
For what it is, though, a fun and exciting read!
I found the conceit of the book interesting, and many parts of the book exciting and fun to read. But this book is filled with white tears, white guilt, over-explanation of political ideology, and in-your-face critiques of America that are founded, but written without the nuance or craft that I would hope for in a work of satire or literary fiction.
I look to books like Chain Gang All Stars or Our Missing Hearts as models of how a dystopian, alternate timeline book can point back to the flaws of present-day America without hitting the reader over the head. When a dystopian plot is too similar to the plot of reality, it can feel more like an uncanny valley reflection than an effective piece of probing political commentary.
For what it is, though, a fun and exciting read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Death, Drug abuse, Police brutality, Suicide attempt, Addiction, Alcoholism, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: War, Confinement, Panic attacks/disorders, Forced institutionalization, and Grief
joannalouise's review against another edition
emotional
funny
informative
inspiring
reflective
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Homophobia, Toxic relationship, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual assault, Transphobia, and Suicide attempt
claudine_h's review
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
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
fiifarts's review against another edition
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
s_evan's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
I like this author's content on IG and the premise sounded good, but I was disappointed by this novel. When I told myself it was YA, I could accept the writing and approach to telling/showing us about activist circles. Overall it felt very surface and young, which the narrator is, but I feel like needed depth could have be added through more insight, better writing and/or more robust character development.
*TW/SPOILER/LEARNING LESSON: don't shame people who use drugs so that they use alone and OD w/o possibility for reversal. Making someone carry naloxone does NOTHING if that person is alone. For such a "woke" book when it comes to race and class class consciousness, as well as other forms of oppression, it really was not progressive when it came to substance use or people who live with addiction!
https://neverusealone.com/
*TW/SPOILER/LEARNING LESSON: don't shame people who use drugs so that they use alone and OD w/o possibility for reversal. Making someone carry naloxone does NOTHING if that person is alone. For such a "woke" book when it comes to race and class class consciousness, as well as other forms of oppression, it really was not progressive when it came to substance use or people who live with addiction!
https://neverusealone.com/
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction
Moderate: Suicide attempt and Rape
name_user's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
beckhansman's review against another edition
challenging
dark
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
As a lover of alternative-future literature, this blew me away. The story strikes a deep emotional chord in countless ways; it’s crazy how timely the plot is. If this book came out when I was a teen, I fully believe it would have created a longggg lasting impact on my life.
I do think the story and characters are sometimes a little too on the nose, especially the main character. More nuance would have been greatly appreciated, but that feels like a nit-picky complaint! Overall, I really loved it.
I do think the story and characters are sometimes a little too on the nose, especially the main character. More nuance would have been greatly appreciated, but that feels like a nit-picky complaint! Overall, I really loved it.
lxeleigh's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
4.0
Maddie annoyed me a lot but like fuck if I’m not crying rn