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whynotreadwithalex'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
5.0
I suppose I should start by saying that I don't read sad books. Like, ever. And when I do, it is by accident and begrudgingly. And NEVER in the "hurt-no-comfort" category. Because I don't like being sad on purpose. Period.
However, a friend of mine gifted me this book when she moved, and after all the hype surrounding it when it came out, and of course the intriguing premise, I knew I was going to have to just power through and give it a chance.
Even though I knew it would be devastating.
And even when I reached the halfway mark and guessed at the truth hidden underneath the lies -- at which point, I knew for certain that I was going to be, you guessed it: devastated -- I wanted to finish it. To feel it and live it with Cady.
Oh, my poor, sweet Cady. How I wish I could just wrap you up in the biggest of hugs.
All in all, this is an excellent book. Devastating, yes. But exquisitely told. Grief is explored in every aspect. And as much as we would all rather avoid this kind of heartache, it comes for each of us. And this book does an amazing job of taking the reader through the process of pain, acceptance, healing, denial, and hope that surfaces even as the wounds turn to scars and the phantom pains set in. I can't say that I loved this book, because it's still so fresh and raw and, well, painful. But I needed it. My soul needed it.
Graphic: Child death, Medical trauma, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Fire/Fire injury, Medical content, Classism, Death, Grief, and Racism
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Alcoholism, Animal death, Gaslighting, Cursing, Forced institutionalization, and Alcohol
inkysplodge'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
4.75
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Mental illness, and Grief
Moderate: Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, Animal death, Drug use, Child death, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Racism, Sexual content, and Cursing
angeldevoursliterature's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Some parts were kinda tedious but I still managed to read through them. It was a good book though.
Graphic: Animal death, Child death, Fire/Fire injury, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Racism
Minor: Cursing
brooks_209's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Cursing, Mental illness, Fire/Fire injury, Animal death, Body horror, Dementia, Grief, and Murder
booknerdz28'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
4.75
Minor: Cursing, Death, Alcohol, Medical trauma, Fire/Fire injury, and Grief
ariak07's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
anyway, any book that can make me cry
Graphic: Drug use, Drug abuse, Medical trauma, Classism, and Medical content
Moderate: Alcohol, Death, Addiction, Alcoholism, Animal death, Blood, Child death, Cursing, and Suicidal thoughts
kkuecker218'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: Death, Alcohol, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Cursing, and Animal death
kaz_brekkerrr's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.0
Graphic: Blood and Grief
Moderate: Medical trauma, Cursing, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Mental illness, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Self harm and Vomit
swiftie4evermore's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Drug use, Cursing, Medical trauma, Panic attacks/disorders, and Xenophobia
Moderate: Vomit, Addiction, and Grief
Minor: Alcohol, Racism, and Sexual content
skpandher's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Overall, I was absolutely delighted with this novel and it's tantalizing plot of mystery and prejudice, sometimes slightly macabre.
Graphic: Dementia, Child death, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Cursing
Minor: Toxic relationship