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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
Wow. This book is such a powerful tribute to healing, connection, love, and resilience. It illustrates so well the power of love and relationships, both therapeutic and not. Every book by Benjamin Alire Sáenz that I read reaffirms why he is my absolute favorite author.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Incest, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Alcohol
Moderate: Death, Racial slurs, Self harm, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Death of parent, Murder
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Benjamin Alire Sáenz's writing style is something that I often refer to as a required taste, or maybe, “a required read”. He’s fantastic at writing a first person narrative that mimics a consistent train of thought, but because of that, it can sometimes come off as frantic and choppy.
Last Night I Sant to the Monster is dark, but gripping, tale of Zach; an 18 year old who’s going through grief, substance abuse and the subsequent rehabilitation. As the reader, you follow Zach through a series of events, from what led him to rehab; and where he goes from there. It’s a heavy, intense, unconventional coming of age novel that I couldn’t put down.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
Moderate: Alcoholism, Drug abuse
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book floored me and I will never be the same. It was a genius move on the author’s part to give the main character amnesia at the beginning of the book. We as the reader are just as confused as to how Zach ended up in rehab as he is and we get to go with him on his journey towards remembrance and recovery. Yes there are many sad moments but don’t let that deter you - this book will break your heart and simultaneously put it back together again! Truly brilliant.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child death, Death, Suicide, Death of parent
Moderate: Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism
Moderate: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Murder
Minor: Sexual assault
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
I don't know if it because I was a teenager when I read it, but this book gave me so many tears, it made me feel understood and seen. I loved this book so much. I hope more people find it, because it is without a doubt such a beautiful and emotional book. 10/10!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse
dark
emotional
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Rape