Reviews

Breathe and Count Back from Ten by Natalia Sylvester

meowmeowmeow13's review

Writing was not bad, neither was the story, in a general sense at least. I just could not bring myself to become engaged in the story without forcing myself to pick up the book. I think this is mainly due to romance/coming of age novels not being my typical reads. A decent book from what I did read.

xkaioni's review

emotional funny hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

ariahd's review

adventurous emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.75

tor's review

hopeful inspiring lighthearted medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

lottie1803's review against another edition

emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

4.5

kbogs's review

medium-paced

3.0

erinreadsbooks2's review

emotional fast-paced

3.0

yoleolibros's review

3.0

I loved the disability lens here and the focus on Florida, but the pace of writing was just too slow for me. Great content though on diverse experiences interweaving.

elise_reads_books's review

I think this book could have a lot of wonderful things to say and make a lot of teens feel seen. In the 30% I read, there were already some hard truths our FMC was exploring about privacy and bodily autonomy. At 17 there are a lot of things we still may not know or understand, but certainly we should be able to make choices about our own body. However…. This is very YA and a little too angsty for me. Our FMC was going through things, sure, but she was upset and ungrateful about EVERYTHING. Also, her parents were very extreme in their reactions (which I guess makes her upset/ungratefulness make sense). This would have probably resonated to me as a teen, but not at this time in my life. 

sega415's review

5.0

Let me start this review with saying that it is a 5 star book. I didn't round up, it is 5 stars. I don't think I have ever read a YA novel following a Peruvian MC and I read a lot of Latinx contemporary novels. Sylvester is a fantastic author. Verónica is a 17 year old girl living in Florida with hip dysplasia and a dream of becoming a professional mermaid. With her medical issues her parents are overprotective about what her body can handle, what she should do with it and with who. Sylvester did a great job at giving issues enough time in the book which is something I usually have problems with. When she introduces someone or something she follows through with it. I loved the ending and Verónica's journey was one that I think people need to read.

She even included some Peruvian mythology which I never heard of and I can't wait to find out more about it.

My only critique was the name of the book. And that is mostly because I kept forgetting it. I would tell people what I was reading and mess up the title every time. I got it now, but I don't know why I could not remember it.

Anyways. Read. Buy. Check out it from your library.

Thank you NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!