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emptzuu's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Realism takes a backseat as the story presents a scenario where all characters are conveniently confined to the same space with an active shooter. This portrayal diverges from real-life shootings, characterized by chaos and confusion with individuals scattered throughout the environment. Learned strategies like "run, hide, fight" vanish as the characters comply with the shooter's demands without attempting to defend themselves. In the face of a life-threatening situation, they somehow have time for romance and obsessing over non-essential matters, instead of focusing on surviving.
The 54-minute duration of the shooting brings to mind the Uvalde school shooting in 2022, where police were faulted for treating the situation as a "barricaded subject" rather than an active shooting. Police response typically prioritizes urgency to stop shooters and protect lives.
Tyler's underlying message is clear: "I carry profound hurt—I'll react explosively and project it onto you." The narrative deliberately sidelines his perspective to underscore the impact of his actions. Through flashbacks, we witness Tyler's upbringing in an environment where violence is normalized, both at home and school. The novel exposes systemic failures in addressing bullying and violence, allowing Tyler's behavior to escalate unchecked. Tyler emerges as a complex character grappling with universal feelings of insecurity and alienation, yet also as a deeply entitled individual lacking empathy for others.
However, the author missed an opportunity to delve deeper into the characters' experiences during the shooting by relying too heavily on flashbacks for emotional exploration. With 288 pages and four different points of view, there isn't enough space to fully develop the characters. Claire's perspective, especially, feels disconnected from the central event as she is outside of the shooting. Along with multiple perspectives, this book seems trendy in a superficial manner. While having characters of diverse backgrounds could enrich the narrative, it feels meaningless and opportunistic in this context.
The epilogue's portrayal of survivors' reactions feels tone-deaf, lacking the necessary depth of grief and devastation. Their swift return to the site of the shooting and the overly hopeful tone undermine the seriousness of their experiences.
One might read this book solely for its emotional aspect. It prompts reflection on the multitude of lives shattered, families torn apart, and the many loved ones and friends who will never see another day. Alternatively, it could lead one to contemplate the shortcomings of some authors in handling serious topics. This novel serves as a cautionary example of what not to do when addressing traumatizing subjects.
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Emotional abuse, Toxic friendship, Gun violence, Mass/school shootings, and Violence
Minor: Rape
lorraine19'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
1.0
I don't like telling spoilers in reviews but I feel like I need to provide examples of scenes to express how unrealistic it was written....
(SPOILERS) The shooter comes in and an auditorium of a hundred students just goes completely silent. When the doors open, not a single person panics or makes a run for it. Everything is controlled and there is little chaos. Police officers find students a couple blocks from the school and BRING THEM BACK. Like what?! (SPOILERS)
Reading the author's note, they state they grew up in a different country and we're unfamiliar with school shootings. They wrote the book in order to "learn about it". Clearly they should've done more research. Insulting to anyone that's been in proximity to violence like this and does not provide a realistic or fair view of school shootings at all.
Graphic: Murder, Suicide, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Mass/school shootings, Blood, Cursing, Gun violence, Death, Gaslighting, Child death, Hate crime, Violence, Gore, and Confinement
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Alcoholism, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Racism, Car accident, Toxic friendship, Dementia, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Death of parent, and Toxic relationship
kashrae99's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Death, Child death, Murder, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Suicide, Blood, Child abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Mass/school shootings, and Violence
Moderate: Addiction, Medical content, Mental illness, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Sexual assault, Cursing, Homophobia, Sexual violence, Death of parent, Dementia, and Lesbophobia
Minor: Bullying, Car accident, Chronic illness, Religious bigotry, and War
person123'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
2.0
Anyway, I loved Tomas and Matt; they were my favorite characters, but of course, all good characters must die. ALSO, as a dancer, I hated autumn, more so her writing. I just hated the representation for the dancers okay? Like, no, if I got shot in the knee I wouldn't feel like 'i'm trapped in a pirouette (spin/turn)'. SO YEAH DONT READ THIS BOOK IF 1 YOU GET ATTACHED TO CHARACTERS 2 YOU ARE A DANCER.
But seriously don't joke about school shootings. thank youuuuuuu
Graphic: Gun violence, Child death, Violence, Death, and Suicide
Moderate: Domestic abuse and Emotional abuse
Minor: Sexual assault
ecahill23's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Death, Mass/school shootings, Medical content, Murder, Misogyny, Addiction, Grief, Homophobia, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Violence, Death of parent, Physical abuse, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, Alcoholism, Bullying, Drug use, Emotional abuse, and Gore
tiggeruth's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Gun violence, Murder, Suicide, Violence, Child death, Grief, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Mass/school shootings, and Blood
kanorve'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
4.0
Graphic: Grief, Suicide, Dementia, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Car accident, Child abuse, Death, Self harm, Death of parent, Homophobia, Rape, Blood, Gun violence, Murder, and Violence
username330's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Suicide, Gun violence, Genocide, Violence, Murder, Mass/school shootings, Grief, Death, Blood, Confinement, Child death, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Physical abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Bullying, and Gore
Minor: Medical content, Abandonment, Toxic relationship, Lesbophobia, Infidelity, and Gaslighting
molly4forever's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Mass/school shootings, Physical abuse, and Suicide
jamiejanae_6'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
1.0
Graphic: Gore, Death, Dementia, Emotional abuse, Grief, Homophobia, Islamophobia, Mass/school shootings, Murder, Suicide, Blood, Body horror, Child death, Confinement, Death of parent, Gun violence, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape