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mads1706's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Eating disorder, Death, Mental illness, Alcoholism, Panic attacks/disorders, and Suicide attempt
mallorypen'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
5.0
The wave this book told the story from the perspective of a teenager was incredibly well done. Violet is such a relatable character, even though our life experiences are wildly different. The author was able to encapsulate the feelings of uncertainty, self-doubt, self hatred, defensiveness, young love, queerness, self-discovery, confusion, and pain in such a way that was beautifully and lyrically done. The story made me remember my teenage years, and all of the emotions, change, and overwhelming feelings that came during that time period of life.
The story itself is complex, but told in such a way that feels very straightforward until you get deeper into the story and realize all the different layers coming together. The way the author structures the story lets you learn along with violets friends all the things that have gone on in her life. Violet is showing us her life story, through her lived experiences and her thoughts about what’s going on in the present but taking the reader backwards in time in such a way where I don’t feel like I was being info-dumped upon but rather things were coming to light as they related to the experiences she was having in the moment.
The cast of characters in the story was also incredibly three-dimensional and well flushed out. The love triangle was handled in such a way where I honestly did not know where the story was going to go until we were almost at its conclusion. The romance was so heartbreakingly teenager, but also so much bigger and deeper in a way that felt really special.
The overarching story plot of finding the Lyric was such an interesting device. I also really liked the idea of the shipwreck gene; were some members of Violet‘s family saw their heritage as a source of strength, Violet saw it almost like a curse. And then, in the end, when she was able to come to terms with the idea of a curse not necessarily being a bad thing, but a promise … that was just very cool from a storytelling perspective.
There is this triumphant moment when they think they found the Lyric; it’s very contemplative where it almost doesn’t matter whether or not the ship is actually there. I thought that was going to be a climax in and of itself, but the way that the author was able to up the tension with the kayak and going out to sea was unexpected but thrilling. It also made a lot of sense for Sam‘s character to do something reckless but also so very alive; and the hint of mysticism with the voice that urged them to swim up and not really understanding whether or not the wreck was there beneath them was a satisfying conclusion will still leaving things open ended and not neatly tied up in a narrative bow.
Over all this was such an unexpectedly poetic, beautiful and intriguing plot with a lovable cast of characters you wanted to root for. What a surprise and delight!
Moderate: Suicide attempt and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Death
mariah_poulin's review against another edition
3.0
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, and Death
jenmaysiereads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Eating disorder, Panic attacks/disorders, Death, Drug use, and Alcohol
brookey8888's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Biphobia, Bullying, Death, Drug use, Eating disorder, Outing, Alcohol, Forced institutionalization, Grief, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Child death, Drug abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Lesbophobia, Mental illness, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Alcoholism, and Suicide attempt
nmcannon's review against another edition
I wasn't in the right place to read this book. Both in terms what happening in my life this year and in terms of my expectations going in. Going by the blurb, I was expecting a Twelfth Night retelling with some light personal reflections and, overall, a romantic beach read. Nope. Last True Poets of the Sea is nowhere near a heartwarming comedy! More to my own fault, I thought this was an Adult book, and teenagers going through these heavy, intense mental health troubles squicked me out at times. Heed the content warnings! They're not kidding with this one!
To the book's credit, it's indeed beautifully written. On a sentence level, the novel is ornate without being overwrought, and the teenage voice is believable. Friends noted that their teenage selves would have appreciated this book so much.
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Grief
Moderate: Eating disorder, Sexual content, Car accident, Biphobia, Medical content, and Adult/minor relationship
Minor: Forced institutionalization, Transphobia, and Suicide attempt
layla_reads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Grief, Medical trauma, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, and Drug use
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Cancer
marselise'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
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Mental illness, and Grief
imstephtacular's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
Moderate: Suicide attempt, Sexual content, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Injury/Injury detail, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Grief
Minor: Death, Eating disorder, Homophobia, Medical content, Self harm, Blood, Ableism, Alcohol, Biphobia, Classism, and Cursing
lilworm's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Suicide attempt and Eating disorder