Scan barcode
alyxandrathegr8's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
Spoilers-Fine but not for me. If you liked “the secret history” you’ll like this. They are essentially the same. Notable differences are a lack of incest and instead of being obsessed with the Greeks, these kids are the obsessed with Shakespeare. Both books include incredibly absent parents or parents that don’t give the kids what they think they deserve, the person you love being in love with someone else (that person also being your friend) main characters being elite in some way, substance abuse, suicide, and an“accidental death”/murder. This book
However is set in a more realistic world with more realistic situations than in the secret history.
However is set in a more realistic world with more realistic situations than in the secret history.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Drug abuse, Toxic friendship, Drug use, Alcohol, and Body shaming
Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Suicide
snovella's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence
Moderate: Homophobia, Alcoholism, and Drug abuse
Minor: Eating disorder
sleepypandaa's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Bullying, Self harm, Violence, Addiction, Blood, Death, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Physical abuse, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Gore, Mental illness, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Toxic friendship
lou702's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Its a very frustrating piece of art. The character do things that can almsot always be questioned. The death was unnessecary and unlogical but also slightly deserved. The character had no developement and had no good relationship with each other at many points. And to top it all of, it even has a cliffhanger, which makes it even more frustrating but also wanting for more.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Murder, Emotional abuse, Violence, Physical abuse, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Gore, Addiction, Blood, and Drug abuse
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Domestic abuse
veliana's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Addiction, Grief, Alcohol, Bullying, Death, Drug use, Vomit, Suicide, and Murder
Moderate: Eating disorder, Sexual content, and Violence
curlykristenk's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.0
Loved the character building at the beginning and throughout. Loved the way their characters all go a little mad even tho it’s a bit sad that they do. They are a little over the top but I think that was intentional due to them being die hard theatre kids and adding to them getting lost in the world of theatre.
I loved the poetry of some of the Shakespeare references. Both in the quotes (even though some of them were, imo, ill placed and at times a little cringy when they weren’t like necessarily poetic or added much. At the same time i could see how it really added to the narrative of the characters losing touch of reality outside of Shakespeare) and in the plot similarities at times. I could never really guess what was going to happen next which both I liked and disliked lol.
I’m sad about that ending for Meredith, just to be there for convenience. She deserves a man that loves her and that will choose her.
Filippa was a convenient character, especially towards the end, with not a lot of depth but was always there to solve a problem that the author came across. She didn’t have much backstory explained even though it got built up to have lots of potential for it.
Richards body being mangled, broken and twisted in odd ways and James’ story of him just slashing him with the hook don’t match. It’s a huuuge plot hole and I don’t understand how that could’ve been missed? I was convinced I read the initial description of how his body was found wrong so I went back and looked and yeah it just doesn’t match. And I’m confused about it.
I feel like overall the wrap up at the end was really rushed. Especially how Oliver found out about James and quickly skimmed over that to ask another question about another loose end of the book straight after hearing that. Then once all the loose ends were tied up after talking to colbourne only then does he have a bit of a menty b about it. I feel like it was just rushed because he’s been waiting 10 years to get out and see the love of his life and he learns that and then asks about other people? Nah I’d go non-verbal except screams. It was just like a bit disingenuous compared to the rest of the book and the great character building. Loved the lil Cliff hanger tho hehe
Overall loved the book! I think I would give it a 5 if it weren’t for the huge plot hole that maybe I’m still mistaken about? If you’ve read this far plz tell me if I’m wrong haha
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, and Death
Moderate: Violence, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Murder, Drug use, Drug abuse, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Domestic abuse and Eating disorder
sadiegenene25's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
I cried. I’m still crying. This book is so upsetting and it might be my favorite thing i’ve ever read. Best read of 2024 so far and I will never get over it
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gore, Death, and Violence
Moderate: Drug use
ms_sarah621's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
If you love Shakespeare and poetic writing, then this will be perfect for you. I cannot believe how beautifully written this book is. The language and word choice alone is five stars. Also, references to pop culture and the “real world” is so difficult to do well in books. All of the Shakespeare, the plays themselves, the way the group talks to each other, and how lines from the plays are used like casual speech is so incredibly well done. It flows so well and creates this deeply poetic story and complex relationships. Another point, how well these characters are fleshed out and their relationships with each other. Everything is so complex and even vague at times. However, you care so much for these characters and what is happening to them. You want to know everything about them and what they mean to each other, no matter how messy things get between them. The only thing that brought my rating down slightly was that this is a slow paced character driven book. So, at times, I struggled to pick it up. Yet, the story is so incredibly written and poetic that you want to keep reading and be emerged in the tragic world that was created. A must read.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Physical abuse, Addiction, Alcohol, Death, Drug use, and Grief
Moderate: Body horror
issysamb's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Death, Drug abuse, Violence, Murder, and Physical abuse
Minor: Suicide and Eating disorder
kathyovalle01's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I have absolutely no words for this book. My jaw was on the floor most of the time and that ending was everything to me. I love how the author leaves things up to you to figure out. And the writing was so freaking beautiful. I’m not a Shakespeare expert or anything and it was not a problem for me in the book, but if you want to enter this book a little bit more prepared read: Romeo and Juliet, hamlet, king Lear, Caesar and Pericles, I think those are the most relevant to the story. I loved these characters and the story, they will live in my heart forever.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, and Alcohol