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zookie_b's review against another edition
dark
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Some gorgeous prose and super clear characters but not my type of book- very introspective and with minimal plot.
manonbo93's review against another edition
2.0
Although this book has an interesting premise, I found it filled with vague religious speeches that made no sense (maybe that was the point but they annoyed me), a very problematic and unlikable male protagonist (again, maybe the point but I really do not want to waste my time on these characters) and an unsatisfactory ending. I liked only Phoebe, but she was characterized almost as in a John green novel - not a real person but an idea.
izzykathryn's review against another edition
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
admorobo's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-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
3.0
hallformusic's review against another edition
1.5
this book did not make the slightest dent in my memory. what’s it about? who knows.
jennyluwho's review against another edition
4.0
An eloquent tale that interested me with its comparisons of cult vs. Christianity and, really, good vs. evil. The author has hewn glass into a diamond, and I very much enjoyed the different angles I was forced to think through.
itsdeenlee's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-paced
- 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
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Suicide, Rape, and Sexual violence
giraffeinabookstore's review against another edition
dark
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
2.75
getthatbagel's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
kimscozyreads's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.75
The writing style was mostly really compelling; my one nitpick is there's lines sprinkled throughout that are pretty pretentious and hard to read- just oddly structured, with adjectives that stand out as trying too hard to sound poetic. This aside, it's really good prose, I think. Impressive stuff
The perspectives and point in the timeline slide around a little more than I'd prefer, and I think cutting John Leal's pages entirely would be great. But it's such a good picture of problems compounding and things falling apart in 2 very young people's lives.
The perspectives and point in the timeline slide around a little more than I'd prefer, and I think cutting John Leal's pages entirely would be great. But it's such a good picture of problems compounding and things falling apart in 2 very young people's lives.