Reviews with content warning for Sexual content - Por Lugares Incríveis

I really do not know how to feel about this book. This book was heavy. Coming off of The Fault in Our Stars, I think this book is very similar, but there are a few differences that made me not enjoy this book as much as The Fault in Our Stars. I didn't like the writing style as much. Some lines felt very outdated. I didn't really like the characters as much, either. Their relationship felt a bit insta-lovey to me as well, like in The Fault in Our Stars. There were a few moments I liked, but there were also several that I disliked. The discussions around sensitive topics are ones that should be talked about, and destigmatized, yet, I feel as if there are better books out there for that.

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bertrandlm's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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tnemelce's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional funny sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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theverycraftyvegan's review against another edition

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challenging emotional sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Please check the content warnings.

This was not an easy book to read. I took a few breaks to feel my feelings before picking it back up. That being said, Jennifer Niven did an amazing job of showing Violet and Finch’s worlds colliding, melding, and ripping apart.

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kathrynstanley's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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? It's complicated

4.75

This book is absolutely, heart-wrenchingly beautiful. One of those books that stay with you for a long time. I would highly recommend it, but please check the content warnings before reading (and be prepared to cry. like ugly cry.)

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krzem's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0

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purplee_rain89's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad 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

5.0

It was so beautifully written and you could totally immense yourself in the story, almost feeling like you're the one living through it. The topics it talks about are difficult but important nonetheless and it's done in a way that portrays the seriousness of mental illness and suicide/suicidal ideation really well but even despite this, the end of the book leaves you with some sort of hope that healing is possible and you can in fact find your own way. It was heart wrenching and devastating but has its own beauty after all and I'll definitely read it again.

Sending lots of love to anyone struggling right now, you matter and you're so so strong. You will find your way through this eventually; I believe in you, truly <3

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reading_srsly's review against another edition

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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

5.0

* Mental illness

* School Project

* Harsh Realities

* First Person Voice

Every school project is another chance to make a new connection, and the Bartlett High ‘Wander Indiana’ US Geography project is no different. For the school outcast and the popular girl still mourning the death of her sister, it’s the catalyst that keeps them together after a chance meeting on the ledge of the school bell tower. They begin to explore the beauty of the world around them - and finally face the traumatic challenges haunting them.

The author does a great job of developing empathetic characters and establishing their relationships with their peers and the world around them. It was easy to get drawn into their world and begin to root for them, which made the ending all the more impactful. The plot itself is messy and spontaneous, which I think is a reflection of the mindset of our characters - in that way I think it’s less of a love story, and more of a study of mental illness and how one person can change the life of another.

Finch’s particular struggle isn’t named at the start of the book, and the author’s choice to not explicitly label Finch’s problems or the medical justifications behind why he makes questionable choices I think makes the story feel more authentic - not everyone who is struggling wants to know what’s wrong, or is aware of what they’re struggling with, or honest that they’re struggling at all until it’s too late

That being said, I have mixed feelings about this book, and I wouldn’t recommend it to just anybody. As an isolated story, I think it was phenomenal. But for someone who’s really struggling with the darker concepts of this book, I’m not sure it’s the most encouraging portrayal out there (though I’m definitely not the one qualified to make the final determination).

I’m not sure how I feel about how neatly things were tied up, and how Finch’s entire existence seemed to be reduced to a plot device. It’s especially jarring because the way the book is written it feels like it should be Finch’s journey as he is the one with the most autonomy and determination to change, yet Violet is the one who benefits from his efforts - as though no matter how hard you work at improving you’re reliant on external forces for the change to actually be successful. This book makes it feel as though once someone’s crossed over into suicidal ideation it’s inevitable, and trying to get help for someone can be a dangerous catalyst for them to end it.

This book is a good conversation starter for mental health and the struggle to feel normal. If you’re not in the right headspace for a depressing read that'll make you ugly cry over the injustices and romanticized tragedies of the world, this might not be the book for you. But if you’re in the mood to see the world from a different perspective and reflect on how little you might know about the people around you and your effect on them, you’ll love All the Bright Places.

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