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molly_dettmann's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
4.0
Tragic and beautiful with an interesting premise. I feel like fans of Jennifer Niven’s books would love this one.
aisbeareads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
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
4.25
“I didn’t climb Kilimanjaro or see the Northern Lights or ride a camel, but I met September forty-one days before the end, and it was everything.”
This book took me by surprise, hitting me harder than I anticipated. 🥲💔
Flint and September are truly beautiful souls, their impact on each other's lives profound and moving. Exploring the complexities of grief can be challenging, but the author navigated it with grace and authenticity. While it took me some time to fully immerse myself in the story, the last 20% shattered me completely, leaving me in tears. It's a bittersweet journey that I'm grateful to have experienced. Honestly, this book deserves more love and attention!
As I sit here, writing this sloppy review with tear-streaked cheeks and a runny nose, I'm reminded that the power of YA literature knows no age limit. (Glad I didn’t outgrew YA 🥺✌🏻)
katykelly's review
5.0
Genuinely moving YA love-and-death story.
Really very touching, a few tears were shed throughout this. As a parent I felt for the adults in this, but I empathised with Flint and September as well.
Who couldn't? Flint half-lifed at 8. As everyone does in his world, a twinge and reaction that means you know your life is half-over. Meaning for him - death at 16. Before graduation, before he's had a chance to live. So he doesn't. He's been waiting nearly 8 years for the end to come, not getting close to anyone, even pushing his parents away.
In the town he's returned to for his last weeks, September is feverishly working to try and 'cure' this half-life and help people live past their pre-determined death day. Like her adored sister... who died the previous year after half-lifing at the age of 2.
It's a tragic set-up, intriguing and sob-inducing. And could be rather mawkish and cheesy. But it isn't at all. Flint is a realistic loner/angry/bitter teen. September is a driven, emotionally-tight scientist focused on one thing, above grief and family and her own teenage life.
Which makes it all the more heart-breaking and bittersweet when they meet, unaware of their similarities and connections, and feel attraction, despite everything they are trying to prevent.
There are some lovely descriptions of burgeoning young love and desire, some upsetting preparations, discussions and reflections on death.
I found the whole premise fascinating and the book didn't stint on trying to explain how the Half-Life works, so it wasn't too contrived or unaccounted for.
You want Flint to live, you want September to find a cure, you want their story to continue. But you also know what life is really like and it's a tearing feeling, not knowing how the tale will play out. It's very well judged by Bourne, sensitively handled and a very moving end.
Wonderful stuff. For ages 13+.
With thanks to the publisher for providing a sample reading copy.
Really very touching, a few tears were shed throughout this. As a parent I felt for the adults in this, but I empathised with Flint and September as well.
Who couldn't? Flint half-lifed at 8. As everyone does in his world, a twinge and reaction that means you know your life is half-over. Meaning for him - death at 16. Before graduation, before he's had a chance to live. So he doesn't. He's been waiting nearly 8 years for the end to come, not getting close to anyone, even pushing his parents away.
In the town he's returned to for his last weeks, September is feverishly working to try and 'cure' this half-life and help people live past their pre-determined death day. Like her adored sister... who died the previous year after half-lifing at the age of 2.
It's a tragic set-up, intriguing and sob-inducing. And could be rather mawkish and cheesy. But it isn't at all. Flint is a realistic loner/angry/bitter teen. September is a driven, emotionally-tight scientist focused on one thing, above grief and family and her own teenage life.
Which makes it all the more heart-breaking and bittersweet when they meet, unaware of their similarities and connections, and feel attraction, despite everything they are trying to prevent.
There are some lovely descriptions of burgeoning young love and desire, some upsetting preparations, discussions and reflections on death.
I found the whole premise fascinating and the book didn't stint on trying to explain how the Half-Life works, so it wasn't too contrived or unaccounted for.
You want Flint to live, you want September to find a cure, you want their story to continue. But you also know what life is really like and it's a tearing feeling, not knowing how the tale will play out. It's very well judged by Bourne, sensitively handled and a very moving end.
Wonderful stuff. For ages 13+.
With thanks to the publisher for providing a sample reading copy.
lclowe's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.0
deepthoughtbubble's review
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
marsbookreviews's review
4.0
Reading this a couple of days after I read A thousand boy kisses has not been good for my mental health
abbsdear's review
5.0
The concept of a half life and knowing when you’re going to die is such a cool concept. Plus, the exploration of death, grief and all that comes with it, is so exquisitely handled in this book. From the first few minutes of the audiobook, I was hooked and literally could not put it down. I started it in the afternoon and found myself unable to sleep or go to bed, so I picked it back up and finished it at 2am. It was touching and heartbreaking and beautiful and I can’t stop thinking about it. I’m so glad I picked it up and will recommend it to everyone I know.
anna111185149141's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
sad
fast-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
3.5