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thissagreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I learned so much, and thankfully had the physical copy as well, so I was able to see the various sign language phrases and images for more context. I do wish there were less characters so the author could really focus each person’s journey more, and the students at the boarding school for the deaf because that concept alone is intriguing. Especially since the head mistress who’s hearing, lives an annoyingly depressing life and cannot communicate well to her girlfriend (It’s very ironic). She’s whiny and selfish and I would’ve appreciated LESS of her story and more of the students journeys. But I digress. I learned a lot -the characters make a hearing person like myself, really see a different perspective on even the most basic tasks. It forces a hearing person to reflect and recognize the privilege a person can have when they’re of hearing vs someone who’s hard of hearing.
Lastly, while I felt like the book’s pace moved painfully SLOW at times, I do appreciate reading a refreshing and informative take on fictional academia, and this book would make a solid teaching resource.
Minor: Suicidal thoughts and Self harm
pages_with_panda's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
In a public school strapped for resources, extra tutoring and empathy had to be rationed, and they could not risk wasting it in her.
Ugh, the rage I felt during the first few chapters!! I felt so angry on behalf of Charlie but it was a solid reminder that this is the every day life for so many.
I really enjoyed diving into this book and the insight it gave into the Deaf community. It was super informative - I LOVED that the illustrations and info that would've been given to the ASL students/family was given to us, without being some kind of guide on Deafness. Nović did a great job of balancing the fact and fiction. I read the hardcover edition of the book and was glad I did. Not sure how the illustrations would translate to an ebook or audiobook. There were other stylistic choices too that I liked, especially when multiple people were signing and you could visually see them separated on the page. I thought that was so ingenious!
The story was also very interesting with a diverse cast - not a single person felt perfect. They were all human with their own flaws and issues and I really liked. I felt the anarchy route was interesting, and added some suspense and action to the every day lives of students. However, the rather anti-climatic ending did feel a little unrealistic.
On the other hand, I liked the open-ended conclusion, especially after reading the author's note. I didnt think it was that abrupt or lacking a conclusion. It felt real.
386 pages.
(⚠️Content Warnings;
Graphic: Self-harm, medical trauma, death of a parent, ableism, violence,
Moderate: Car accident,
Minor: Racism, Drug use,)
Graphic: Self harm, Ableism, Death of parent, Medical trauma, and Violence
Moderate: Car accident
Minor: Drug use and Racism
sarah984's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
The story itself was whatever to me but the way the dialogue is written - between verbal, sign and text dialogue - was really well done.
Graphic: Ableism, Death of parent, and Medical content
Moderate: Car accident, Child abuse, Dementia, Injury/Injury detail, Sexual content, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Bullying, Child death, Pregnancy, Racism, Vomit, Infidelity, Police brutality, and Self harm
A major plotline involves teen charactersimds'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? No
3.75
Graphic: Death, Abandonment, Medical trauma, Religious bigotry, Grief, Car accident, Ableism, Forced institutionalization, Drug use, Dementia, and Death of parent
Moderate: Bullying, Child death, Racism, and Self harm
Minor: Police brutality
bedtimesandbooks'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
4.0
Graphic: Ableism, Gore, Emotional abuse, Child abuse, Medical trauma, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, Drug use, Cursing, Bullying, Alcohol, Dementia, Death of parent, Classism, Racism, and Vomit
Moderate: Pregnancy
Minor: Self harm and Child death