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curlyewe's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Mass/school shootings, Violence, Racism, Murder, Mental illness, and Child death
Moderate: Child abuse and Adult/minor relationship
xangemthelibrarian's review against another edition
- 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
My Spooky Season choices seem to be keen on surprising me this year. Titles that I expected to be horrifying weren't that scary, and The Taking of Jake Livingston? Absolutely terrifying. Way more than I ever expected. It took me forever to read it because all the imagery with creepy crawlies *shudder* I HATE bugs. Especially cockroaches and wasps and those things are EVERYWHERE in here.
As for the actual story, it was really good! I appreciated all the time the author took at the end to make sure the loose ends were tied. It didn't just end after the Big Battle(TM), but it showed what happened After The Fight and left us with a good impression of how Jake and Sawyer would be facing their futures.
I appreciated that while the author showed how Sawyer came to become a mass murderer, he still showed that the kid did not make the right choice. He makes Sawyer human without glorifying his actions. Because Jake is very similar to Sawyer, and well, he's not shooting up schools or murdering in the afterlife.
The difference is that Jake was able to find help and Sawyer imploded.
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Hate crime, Murder, Racism, Violence, Homophobia, Gun violence, Mass/school shootings, and Suicide
sweetmusic22's review
- 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
Graphic: Gun violence, Homophobia, Mass/school shootings, Mental illness, Murder, Physical abuse, Racism, Suicide attempt, Blood, Death, Rape, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Child abuse, and Hate crime
jo_lzr's review
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Bullying, Car accident, Child abuse, Death, Grief, Gun violence, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Gore, Murder, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Stalking, Toxic friendship, Violence, Abandonment, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Hate crime, Homophobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Racism, Injury/Injury detail, and Mass/school shootings
Minor: Rape and Pedophilia
her's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Violence, Homophobia, Gun violence, Fire/Fire injury, Child death, Bullying, Murder, Sexual assault, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Pedophilia, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Death, Racism, Racial slurs, Mental illness, Mass/school shootings, and Incest
Minor: Drug use
blupies's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
Graphic: Racism, Bullying, Child abuse, Homophobia, Gun violence, Violence, and Murder
Moderate: Suicide
cormoth's review
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Violence and Racism
Moderate: Sexual assault and Mass/school shootings
readingratboy's review
- 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
3.0
i think this book definitely has some parts that shine (like the familial relationships, most of the scenes that carry a social message, the main character’s personal journey) but it also has a handful of things that could use more rounding out. the friendships seem instant and unbelievable, the romantic interest is a manic pixie dream boy (with whom he has no chemistry until the final scene), and about half of the supernatural scenes are hard to follow or disjointed.
that said, i think its flaws are pretty excusable for a first book and overall it has charisma. i would read more from this author
Graphic: Murder, Child death, Mass/school shootings, and Violence
Moderate: Homophobia, Racial slurs, and Racism
mancolepig's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Violence and Sexual violence
parasolcrafter's review
- 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
3.75
Graphic: Abandonment, Adult/minor relationship, Animal death, Mass/school shootings, Fire/Fire injury, Animal cruelty, Blood, Body horror, Car accident, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Incest, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Murder, Pedophilia, Racism, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Violence
Moderate: Ableism and Drug use