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girlgetsbook's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I think I've said this about book one and I'll say this as well, if I was just a bit younger this would be my favorite series of all time, I just love the mixture of normal, daily life, it's ups and downs and struggles with some casual magic.
The major thing that took .75 star from my rating was probably a more personal thing for me. Though I appreciate Maggie for her exploration on the cycle of abuse, boy rage, toxic masculinity and ptsd – especially in Ronan and Kavinsky's characters and their relationship, and the intense representation of their emotions and their psyche through dreams, that beautifully crafted, and not something I've ever seen before – I still thought that in some moments those displays of anger and violence were directed towards the only female central character, Blue, which I guess makes it realistic since someone who is used to being the victim will try to intimidate someone who is more fragile than them, but I think the narrative would stand strong on this own without this (I also felt that this anger at times was maybe a product of a low-key character assassination? The way it was very purposeful how this one particular character seemed to target these two other characters maybe to push them closer to each other?).
I think maybe this is why I'm reluctant to put this series in my favorites, it is very much boy-centric, and very much outside of my comfort zone in that sense, I'm just used to female main characters or at least more than one if it's an assembly, I think if I had a teenage boy in my family I'd definitely recommend this series to him.
Another thing that made me like this book a bit less was the lack of Noah and the metamorphosis of Adam, but I understand that this was time to focus on other characters and I hope on future books they have a bigger role. My favorites are definitely Noah, Blue and Adam, in this order.
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Violence, and Drug abuse
Moderate: Homophobia and Toxic friendship
nevermoregothic's review against another edition
- 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: Drug use, Drug abuse, and Alcohol
Moderate: Murder, Grief, Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, Death, and Suicide
Minor: Homophobia, Classism, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, Child abuse, and Gun violence
angstifies's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
main reason why i enjoyed this slightly less than book one is probably because it was set in the summer (i personally am not a fan of summer) therefore it lacked that “private school vibe” which i loooved.
Graphic: Addiction, Alcohol, Drug use, Violence, Car accident, Death, Drug abuse, and Death of parent
Moderate: Homophobia, Child abuse, Cursing, Gun violence, Suicide, Fire/Fire injury, and Kidnapping
canopicfemme's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Drug abuse and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse, Homophobia, and Kidnapping
Minor: Suicide
cowardlyteaman's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
I love Ronan's POV! He's such an interesting character, and though he's «edgy» in a way, I don't feel like it goes overboard.
I also adore the Gray Man. I love to read about him,
The only thing I have to say is that ... well, I frankly cannot stand Blue. Maybe I'm just a misogynist, but that girl and her entire family (with the exception of Maura) is just not it for me. Frankly, her entire plot could've just been removed, because so far I don't really see the relevance.
However, back to my beloved birds and Welsh Kings——
Dwi'n caru ti, Glyndŵr.🫶 I'm learning Welsh and adore the references to Anglo-Saxons and Celts here. A bit confused about why they're looking for a mediaeval old Welsh fart in Virginia, but I'll accept it.
And Chainsaw, I love her, too.
Having serious homosexual feelings for Joseph Kavinsky. I don't want to talk about it.
The nightmare corvid monsters are cool, too. 10/10
So, this book is definitely recommended! I may or may not be the only person who dislikes Blue, I dunno, but don't let her stop you from reading this.
Graphic: Blood, Drug abuse, Death, Alcohol, Cursing, Violence, Murder, Physical abuse, Drug use, and Child abuse
Moderate: Homophobia and Sexual content
Minor: Religious bigotry, Sexism, Child abuse, Suicide attempt, Misogyny, and Death of parent
louise_o's review against another edition
4.75
Graphic: Child abuse
sophiesmallhands's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Violence, Drug use, and Alcohol
Moderate: Child abuse
Minor: Death of parent, Injury/Injury detail, and Suicide
bi_n_large's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
Graphic: Drug use, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Murder, Torture, Child abuse, Physical abuse, Alcohol, and Death
Minor: Abandonment, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, and Misogyny
andreadelo's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Homophobia, Drug use, Drug abuse, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Murder, Cursing, Addiction, and Mental illness
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Kidnapping, Bullying, Car accident, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Death of parent, Classism, Suicide attempt, Fire/Fire injury, and Gun violence
parisreads's review against another edition
- 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
3.5
Moderate: Alcoholism, Violence, Torture, Physical abuse, Murder, Domestic abuse, Death of parent, Child abuse, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Minor: Homophobia, Suicide, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, Gun violence, and Grief