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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
agoraphobic_crawfish'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
4.5
Reading this was painful. Upsetting. I probably won't read another book like it in the future.
Graphic: Mass/school shootings, Grief, Toxic friendship, Suicide, Sexual violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Outing, Death, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual harassment, Sexual assault, Rape, Murder, Gore, Child death, Car accident, Blood, Gun violence, Bullying, Lesbophobia, Death of parent, Violence, Physical abuse, Islamophobia, Terminal illness, Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, Homophobia, Emotional abuse, Domestic abuse, Dementia, Child abuse, and Hate crime
mollyharwood's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Child death, Violence, Suicide, Mass/school shootings, Gore, and Death
Moderate: Physical abuse, Homophobia, Toxic friendship, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Bullying
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
kaylasbookgram'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
4.0
This book was so devastating and super emotional.
Moderate: Murder, Suicide, Panic attacks/disorders, Lesbophobia, Confinement, Grief, Gun violence, Outing, Rape, Toxic relationship, Bullying, Child death, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Toxic friendship, Death, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Mass/school shootings, Mental illness, and Physical abuse
anonymous_traveller's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Medical trauma, Murder, Suicide, Violence, Addiction, Blood, Bullying, Chronic illness, Gaslighting, Lesbophobia, Mass/school shootings, Medical content, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Rape, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Gore, Grief, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Outing, Panic attacks/disorders, Alcoholism, Child death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, and Vomit
sharlapeggy's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
Graphic: Mass/school shootings, Injury/Injury detail, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Grief, Violence, Gore, Toxic friendship, Gun violence, Murder, Torture, Child death, and Blood
sassyshark'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? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Blood, Bullying, Child death, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Child abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Mass/school shootings, Mental illness, Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Suicide, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Violence
Moderate: Alcohol, Car accident, Cursing, Grief, Medical content, Racism, and Religious bigotry
shannay_05'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
4.5
Graphic: Blood, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Genocide, Grief, Gun violence, Mass/school shootings, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Suicidal thoughts, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Rape