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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-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
A tender view inside the life of a painfully shy, autistic-coded, high school senior.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Body shaming, Suicidal thoughts
Contemplating suicide leads pretty directly to resolving significant tension and restoring a romantic relationship. So romanticization of suicidal feelings leading to getting the love you want and solving your problems.
I really loved this book!! It was so good!! It was probably one of the best books I’ve read this year!
Really, really wish I had this book when I was aged 17-20. Eliza's self-isolation, her residence on the internet, her art and how it shaped and filled her life, were all so relatable that it made me wanna cry. My medicine for my severe anxiety and depression was fan-fiction and the friends I made online, while face-to-face relationships either suffered or eroded until I was an agoraphobic, friendless hermit. Eliza's journey so mirrored my own, from the distance she created between herself and her family, to how misunderstood she felt, and how explaining herself to her parents seemed futile, 'cause they just wouldn't get it. Loved this book a whole bunch.
It’s perfect.
There’s really no other way around it.
In my late teens and early twenties, fandom was my LIFE. I had a real life Emmy and Max. Actually I had several, and most of us are still friends now. I bought this book because one of them left a positive review. I just convinced another (my RL Emmy, we met when she was 12) to get the book out of the library.
Eliza is such a real character. I wondered at times if she was on the spectrum, partly because of how intensely she attacked Monstrous Sea. Whether she is or isn’t doesn’t really matter. All that matters is that she is a passionate artist and storyteller and she has created something truly beautiful.
It was interesting to see her relationship with her family. My life is an open book, so mine were always fairly well informed about what I was doing. But Eliza is an introvert in a family of extroverts, none of whom seem to understand her at all.
Then there’s Wallace, who is possibly the sweetest boy in the world. (He’s 18 in the book so I can feel like less of a creep lusting over him 😂) I’ve read a lot about selective mutism because it fascinates me, and let me tell you, it was represented accurately. They never say the words in the book, but if you know anything about it it’s clear as day that he’s selectively mute.
I wonder how this book would be interpreted by someone who has little to no involvement in fandom, although there are a lot less of those people now that we have smartphones and tumblr. 🙃 I think after reading about Eliza and her friends they might just get “it”.
So in summary, best book I’ve read this year by far, A++++++ highly recommend. It made me cry a little at the end, but not ugly cry. Just a few years because I’ve been there and my heart hurt for Eliza.
There’s really no other way around it.
In my late teens and early twenties, fandom was my LIFE. I had a real life Emmy and Max. Actually I had several, and most of us are still friends now. I bought this book because one of them left a positive review. I just convinced another (my RL Emmy, we met when she was 12) to get the book out of the library.
Eliza is such a real character. I wondered at times if she was on the spectrum, partly because of how intensely she attacked Monstrous Sea. Whether she is or isn’t doesn’t really matter. All that matters is that she is a passionate artist and storyteller and she has created something truly beautiful.
It was interesting to see her relationship with her family. My life is an open book, so mine were always fairly well informed about what I was doing. But Eliza is an introvert in a family of extroverts, none of whom seem to understand her at all.
Then there’s Wallace, who is possibly the sweetest boy in the world. (He’s 18 in the book so I can feel like less of a creep lusting over him 😂) I’ve read a lot about selective mutism because it fascinates me, and let me tell you, it was represented accurately. They never say the words in the book, but if you know anything about it it’s clear as day that he’s selectively mute.
I wonder how this book would be interpreted by someone who has little to no involvement in fandom, although there are a lot less of those people now that we have smartphones and tumblr. 🙃 I think after reading about Eliza and her friends they might just get “it”.
So in summary, best book I’ve read this year by far, A++++++ highly recommend. It made me cry a little at the end, but not ugly cry. Just a few years because I’ve been there and my heart hurt for Eliza.
My heart, my soul! 😢
Eliza is so likable, relatable and quotable.
I just wanted to hug her and make her boiled eggs and hot coco and protect her from this cruel world.
4.5/5
Eliza is so likable, relatable and quotable.
I just wanted to hug her and make her boiled eggs and hot coco and protect her from this cruel world.
4.5/5
dark
emotional
sad
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I haven't read many young adult books recently that I've loved so I was kinda of scared that at 27 I'm finally too old for y/a, but turns out I can still enjoy them if they're as good as this one.
This book had so many elements that I like, an artist protagonist, the story within another story, themes of loneliness and the struggle to connect with family and friends.
and it tackled mental health issues so beautifully, I could've never put anxiety and depression into words so well myself,
"I'm doing it again_shutting everything out because I'm frustrated and tired and because the real world is difficult and I'd rather live in one of my own making. But I can't. I'm here, and I have to try."
Or
"I'm so tired of being gross. So tired of feeling like my body is this thing I have to lug around with me all day."
I have highlighted so many lines that I relate to in this book regarding Eliza's mental state.
And lastly this is one of the only books that have made me cry recently so it deserve all 5 stars.
This book had so many elements that I like, an artist protagonist, the story within another story, themes of loneliness and the struggle to connect with family and friends.
and it tackled mental health issues so beautifully, I could've never put anxiety and depression into words so well myself,
"I'm doing it again_shutting everything out because I'm frustrated and tired and because the real world is difficult and I'd rather live in one of my own making. But I can't. I'm here, and I have to try."
Or
"I'm so tired of being gross. So tired of feeling like my body is this thing I have to lug around with me all day."
I have highlighted so many lines that I relate to in this book regarding Eliza's mental state.
And lastly this is one of the only books that have made me cry recently so it deserve all 5 stars.
Could not put it down? Understatement of the century.
This reminded me so much of FANGIRL, my favorite YA novel - I just couldn’t stop reading. Long story short, Eliza is the author of a really popular webcomic and she has to deal with the expectations and fans that come along with that.
Lately I’ve been focusing a bit more on novels fuelled by character development rather than world building - a lot may not happen. No one is going to war and there are no epic deaths or proclamations - but it’s more like you’re seeing into something that’s real. As if these could be real people. They are developed and rounded and have real emotions and interactions. Real fears. I just had to find out what was going to happen to Eliza and now I think I need to go back and reread because I’m not ready to be done with it.
This reminded me so much of FANGIRL, my favorite YA novel - I just couldn’t stop reading. Long story short, Eliza is the author of a really popular webcomic and she has to deal with the expectations and fans that come along with that.
Lately I’ve been focusing a bit more on novels fuelled by character development rather than world building - a lot may not happen. No one is going to war and there are no epic deaths or proclamations - but it’s more like you’re seeing into something that’s real. As if these could be real people. They are developed and rounded and have real emotions and interactions. Real fears. I just had to find out what was going to happen to Eliza and now I think I need to go back and reread because I’m not ready to be done with it.
dark
funny
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes