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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
imaginethisreader's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? N/A
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Mass/school shootings, Gore, Death, Murder, and Gun violence
Moderate: Mental illness, Grief, Sexual assault, Alcoholism, Blood, Emotional abuse, Bullying, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Rape, Terminal illness, and Misogyny
spooderman'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: Blood, Domestic abuse, Death, Death of parent, Gun violence, Medical trauma, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Violence, Alcoholism, Bullying, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Torture, Child abuse, Child death, Chronic illness, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Gore, Hate crime, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Mass/school shootings, Mental illness, Murder, and Suicide
Moderate: Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Car accident, Dementia, Lesbophobia, Misogyny, Rape, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Xenophobia, Outing, Vomit, Deportation, and Islamophobia
allanaentrada's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Another thing that must be mentioned is that this book does use language that could be perceived as humanizing and attempting to have the reader sympathize with the antagonist (the school shooter) and has come under fire for it— for absolutely understandable reason. The author doesn't write the antagonist in a fully sympathetic light but there may be readers that hate this just for the fact that the author does include details that could have you look at the antagonist in a not fully hating them sort of way. To be fair, I still hated the antagonist wholeheartedly despite the details I learned about their life and traumas but do be aware of this facet of the book.
Overall, it was a good read in terms of the characters and the relationships that unfold throughout the book and the slightly hopeful (?) ending that it has. I find it difficult to say that it has a happy ending because of the tumultuous events throughout the book but it does end on a bit of peace that I find is, most likely, unrealistic for most school shooting survivors. Again, do not read this book if you are sensitive to topics that I've brought up and have tagged because I am and it absolutely crushed me. I was pretty sad for a few days after reading it because it genuinely felt like I lost friends to such a heartbreaking and traumatizing disaster. Read this book critically but don't be afraid to allow your emotions to rise as the book does.
Graphic: Child death, Death, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, and Mass/school shootings
Moderate: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Homophobia, Misogyny, and Mental illness