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books_nooks_spooks's review against another edition
2.0
13/14 year old me might have like this but 45 year old me struggled with it a bit. There’s a very important story in here but you need to wade through pages that are very dialogue heavy to find it. I got the distinct impression that this was written with an eventual TV adaptation in mind and feel it might be quite suited for that! The author states that this was inspired by a personal experience but I think it’s safe to say that Thirteen Reasons Why may also have been an influence.
Between what feels like 250 filler pages of mindless teenage chat, the excessive amount of characters and the fact I couldn’t get behind the adults response (or lack of) to a rape - this one just wasn’t for me.
2.5 stars
Between what feels like 250 filler pages of mindless teenage chat, the excessive amount of characters and the fact I couldn’t get behind the adults response (or lack of) to a rape - this one just wasn’t for me.
2.5 stars
mrs_serendipitous's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
anna111185149141's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-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
thaleiagreek's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
midnightinsomnia's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
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
4.5
camille_catterpillar's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
I don't often read YA, so do take my review with a grain of salt.
I LIKED:
- the way this book treats a serious issue, in a way that is appropriate for its intended audience without sacrificing the story and feeling too didactic,
- the variety and complexity of the characters,
- the dynamic storytelling, making this a propulsive thriller for all ages.
HOWEVER, while I mentioned the variety and complexity of the characters, I feel these weren't fully exploited. The book does a great job at analysing the subtleties of misogyny, from implicit cultural biases, unchecked practices and traditions, to overt, violent sexism -- but it doesn't quite do the same for class, which does seem to also be an important theme. There is no nuance between the statuses of the various male characters, who are all of different social classes, and whose 'security' on the social ladder does heavily influence their decisions, especially when it comes to belonging into a group.
I LIKED:
- the way this book treats a serious issue, in a way that is appropriate for its intended audience without sacrificing the story and feeling too didactic,
- the variety and complexity of the characters,
- the dynamic storytelling, making this a propulsive thriller for all ages.
HOWEVER, while I mentioned the variety and complexity of the characters, I feel these weren't fully exploited. The book does a great job at analysing the subtleties of misogyny, from implicit cultural biases, unchecked practices and traditions, to overt, violent sexism -- but it doesn't quite do the same for class, which does seem to also be an important theme. There is no nuance between the statuses of the various male characters, who are all of different social classes, and whose 'security' on the social ladder does heavily influence their decisions, especially when it comes to belonging into a group.
nope_not_me's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault
pineapple104_xx's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
albon's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
«Boys will be boys held accountable». In the last 5% of the book. Well, at least one of them will. Kinda. The consequences aren’t massive. The rest of them will get away with it because they’re also victims of toxic masculinity and it’s actually very sad for them that they can’t break free from the horrible expecations placed on them by society (to… not uphold rape culture).
I’m probably being overly sensitive here, but this book wasn’t what I thought it would be. Maybe if it hadn’t been marketed with the «Boys will be held accountable» tagline and the part in the synopsis about the consequences of Quinn going public about being assaulted (which also doesn’t happen until the very last part of the book), I would have had more realisric expecations. It’s well written and not a bad book, but it just left me feeling a little let down
I’m probably being overly sensitive here, but this book wasn’t what I thought it would be. Maybe if it hadn’t been marketed with the «Boys will be held accountable» tagline and the part in the synopsis about the consequences of Quinn going public about being assaulted (which also doesn’t happen until the very last part of the book), I would have had more realisric expecations. It’s well written and not a bad book, but it just left me feeling a little let down
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Misogyny, and Rape
Minor: Death of parent