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2.92 AVERAGE
2.92 AVERAGE
The idea of mixing an RPG with murder appeals to me on so many levels, but this just doesn't play out well. The chapters are 'character's perspective revealing a secret' 'something happens' and the big reveal at the end isn't so big at all.
challenging
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Ending was super slow and the twist was super predictable
I think the premise was really interesting but the characters were not well fleshed out or had a distinct personality beyond one distinguishing factor about them that became the main focus of their story. Additionally, I don’t think the antagonist’s personality or motives were developed at all for their reasoning/reveal to make any sense. Lots of the lines or monologues from the characters were repetitive or cheesy and honestly just felt like rolling my eyes half the time while I was reading it.
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
very disappointing.
Started this and had to walk away. I just could not get into it. I was not engaged in the story.
However, my 12-year-old daughter wanted to read it, so I passed it her way.
However, my 12-year-old daughter wanted to read it, so I passed it her way.
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review*
I had no idea what to expect from EVEN IF WE BREAK and went in pretty blind, knowing only that it was a mystery. The book starts by introducing the POVs of each of the five main characters. I originally thought that I would have difficulty differentiating between them, but was kind of surprised by how easy it was to remember who was who. Part of this could be attributed to the fact that each of the characters are WILDLY different, though totally authentic and not stereotypical.
I did briefly wonder why these wildly different people would have such a strong friendship and go out to a cabin in the woods together to play a game, but the more I learned of their story and development as a group, I kind of got it. Teenage friendships are weird and don't always make sense, and are a bit messy. It worked!
I was able to determine who the culprit/murderer was as soon as events turned in the novel, but will admit that I kept second-guessing myself because I couldn't figure out why Liva would do what she did to her friends. Her few POVs at the beginning of the novel didn't seem to mesh with a character who would murder one friend and try to kill the others. Though we are given her reasons at the end - and they do fit for her character's upbringing - I still didn't feel like they meshed with the Liva we met in the beginning and the way the other characters (her supposed long-time friends) viewed her until the reveal.
While I was completely drawn into the book up through the climax, the aftermath felt a bit flat. Though I felt the conversations had between the surviving characters was essential and prompted character growth, I felt they were a bit repetitive. I felt like Finn and Ever went in circles repeating the same conversation from the moment when planned their attack on their attacker until the last page. I was totally rooting for these two the entire time, but the end fell a bit for me.
Despite my reservations about some of the plot elements in EVEN IF WE BREAK, I loved the characters. I could picture them vividly and every interaction felt authentic and realistic. The scene where Finn and Ever are banging on the glass trying to get to each other is heartbreaking, and the moment they finally break the glass is a well-earned moment of relief. Maddy's character arc is mostly shown in her inner dialogue, but equally as authentic. I found her to be a version of a character I don't often read, but wish I could have seen more of.
I had no idea what to expect from EVEN IF WE BREAK and went in pretty blind, knowing only that it was a mystery. The book starts by introducing the POVs of each of the five main characters. I originally thought that I would have difficulty differentiating between them, but was kind of surprised by how easy it was to remember who was who. Part of this could be attributed to the fact that each of the characters are WILDLY different, though totally authentic and not stereotypical.
I did briefly wonder why these wildly different people would have such a strong friendship and go out to a cabin in the woods together to play a game, but the more I learned of their story and development as a group, I kind of got it. Teenage friendships are weird and don't always make sense, and are a bit messy. It worked!
I was able to determine who the culprit/murderer was as soon as events turned in the novel, but will admit that I kept second-guessing myself because I couldn't figure out why Liva would do what she did to her friends. Her few POVs at the beginning of the novel didn't seem to mesh with a character who would murder one friend and try to kill the others. Though we are given her reasons at the end - and they do fit for her character's upbringing - I still didn't feel like they meshed with the Liva we met in the beginning and the way the other characters (her supposed long-time friends) viewed her until the reveal.
While I was completely drawn into the book up through the climax, the aftermath felt a bit flat. Though I felt the conversations had between the surviving characters was essential and prompted character growth, I felt they were a bit repetitive. I felt like Finn and Ever went in circles repeating the same conversation from the moment when planned their attack on their attacker until the last page. I was totally rooting for these two the entire time, but the end fell a bit for me.
Despite my reservations about some of the plot elements in EVEN IF WE BREAK, I loved the characters. I could picture them vividly and every interaction felt authentic and realistic. The scene where Finn and Ever are banging on the glass trying to get to each other is heartbreaking, and the moment they finally break the glass is a well-earned moment of relief. Maddy's character arc is mostly shown in her inner dialogue, but equally as authentic. I found her to be a version of a character I don't often read, but wish I could have seen more of.
these characters (lovingly) far exceeded my level of nerd. an impressive feat, for sure. however, this book wasn't for me.