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junglejelly'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
4.5
The relationships explored are complex from fathers and sons to best friends to father figures.
It would have been 5 stars but I found the ending a bit rushed and would have loved to have delved more into these characters.
I would completely recommend this book.
Graphic: Homophobia, Alcoholism, Abandonment, Pedophilia, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Racism and Death of parent
Minor: Medical content
leahthenerd's review against another edition
- 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
1.5
this felt poorly written, slow paced, and with emphasis on sections that could have been half as long while other sections needed so much more for me to care about it. the first third of the book is telling you two characters are flawed but in love, without really showing it. i was uninvested, so everything that followed was just an uphill slog. was really hoping for something here but it was just too earnest in a way that real conversations just aren't. too on the nose at points and too cliche at others. there were tiny moments of hope, but overall this needed better editing, better writing, better plot and better character development. also
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, and Death
Moderate: Death of parent, Abandonment, Grief, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Sexual assault
thewordsdevourer's review against another edition
- 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
2.0
while i get what nzelu's trying to do, imo the story's structure and various interspersing timelines can be distracting and not as effective as i think the author hopes them to be. the book could be more trimmed as well; the current languid pacing, esp in the first half, often makes reading it a drudging task to trudge thru. i also dont quite wholly empathize w/ some of the characters, particularly ekene whose characterization and reasons for action baffle me at times.
the novel, its characters and themes are painted w/ a tender hand and oft heart-tugging writing, but would've benefited from a more solid foundation and tied up loose ends.
Graphic: Abandonment, Homophobia, Alcoholism, Grief, and Death
Moderate: Physical abuse, Child abuse, Sexual content, Racism, and Medical content
Minor: Body shaming
aaronjdilkes's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Graphic: Homophobia, Pedophilia, Child abuse, Death, Addiction, Grief, and Death of parent
keirahelena_'s review
- 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: Sexual assault, Alcoholism, and Grief
nialiversuch's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Grief, Abandonment, Addiction, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Chronic illness, Death, and Medical content
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Infidelity, Child abuse, Death of parent, Sexual assault, Pedophilia, and Rape
Minor: Vomit and Sexual content