Scan barcode
jessticulates's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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? Yes
4.0
izzys_internet_bookshelf's review
3.0
3/5
I enjoyed the plot but I felt like the characters didn’t get enough story to them. I loved the journaling and the ending though.
I enjoyed the plot but I felt like the characters didn’t get enough story to them. I loved the journaling and the ending though.
marieintheraw's review
4.0
This story benefits from being told in prose as well as the method of story telling it uses.
I received an ecopy of this book via Netgalley; however, my opinions are my own.
I received an ecopy of this book via Netgalley; however, my opinions are my own.
bookswithmaddi's review against another edition
3.0
Do not let my 3 star rating fool you into believing this book does not have my whole heart! I'm not even sure how to begin rating this book. My life changed after I read Blood Water Paint by Joy McCullough and since I read it I've been in a desperate search for the same reading experience with another book. So when reaching for WAtAWatF I wanted exactly what BWP gave me. It would be ignorant of me to think that my rating of this was not affected by my expectations for something different from this book. While half of this book takes a historical angle and the same format and BWP (verse), the other half is a YA contemporary which handles the trauma of existing in this world as a woman.
Because these two formats are so different I think it is hard to find the perfect audience for this book. The juxtaposition between the formats and the time periods truly show of McCullough's talent for writing heartfelt and meaningful stories. I thought that at some points the story felt drawn out, I wasn't as invested in the story of Em and Nor and I know some people had the exact opposite reaction. It's difficult to place these two stories in the same binding because in some ways by their existence they rip you out of the story your reading. It's hard to say what should have been done differently, but although the stories had the same themes it felt jolting each time the story would shift from Em to Marguerite.
Overall this book is so important. It singlehandedly captured all of my pent up anger at men and wrote it in the words that I have always struggled to say. I highly highly recommend this book, I think the story of Em makes this book more accessible to a wider audience and although I preferred the verse I can imagine there are so many people who would enjoy the beautiful contemporary inside of this just as much as I enjoyed the history.
Because these two formats are so different I think it is hard to find the perfect audience for this book. The juxtaposition between the formats and the time periods truly show of McCullough's talent for writing heartfelt and meaningful stories. I thought that at some points the story felt drawn out, I wasn't as invested in the story of Em and Nor and I know some people had the exact opposite reaction. It's difficult to place these two stories in the same binding because in some ways by their existence they rip you out of the story your reading. It's hard to say what should have been done differently, but although the stories had the same themes it felt jolting each time the story would shift from Em to Marguerite.
Overall this book is so important. It singlehandedly captured all of my pent up anger at men and wrote it in the words that I have always struggled to say. I highly highly recommend this book, I think the story of Em makes this book more accessible to a wider audience and although I preferred the verse I can imagine there are so many people who would enjoy the beautiful contemporary inside of this just as much as I enjoyed the history.
pocketfullofjosie's review
1.0
I would give this book 1.5 stars. It was very well written, and I enjoyed the authors style of transitioning between prose and Em’s life, and the allusions made between those two texts was effortlessly done. It addressed important issues in society, and shows lots of diversity.
However, this book was personally not my cup of tea. I felt the main character was selfish and deflecting of all of her loved ones feelings. I understand one of the purposes of the novel was to show growth through Em as she navigates difficult situations in her life, but the way she handles those situations made me upset as I was reading.
Overall, I think if you’re interested in this book, you should give it a shot for its main idea because it teaches a beautifully heartbreaking message about feminism. It’s just personally not my favorite book I’ve read this year!
However, this book was personally not my cup of tea. I felt the main character was selfish and deflecting of all of her loved ones feelings. I understand one of the purposes of the novel was to show growth through Em as she navigates difficult situations in her life, but the way she handles those situations made me upset as I was reading.
Overall, I think if you’re interested in this book, you should give it a shot for its main idea because it teaches a beautifully heartbreaking message about feminism. It’s just personally not my favorite book I’ve read this year!
alongreader's review
4.0
I'm struggling to write this review, because I'm not quite sure how I feel about this novel.
As was noted on a recent review, I hate that books like this keep being necessary. Because of course it is necessary, because things like this happen all the time, even nowadays. It's awful and hideous and unfair.
I hesitate to say that I enjoyed this, just because of the subject matter. But I did enjoy it. The characters are great and the writing flows, especially in the Marguerite sections. I loved the illustrations there as well, especially a lovely spread of the girls helping each other into armour.
There were a couple of times I didn't like Em very much, but I always understood her and what was going through her mind. Overall, I want to be like her when I grow up.
As was noted on a recent review, I hate that books like this keep being necessary. Because of course it is necessary, because things like this happen all the time, even nowadays. It's awful and hideous and unfair.
I hesitate to say that I enjoyed this, just because of the subject matter. But I did enjoy it. The characters are great and the writing flows, especially in the Marguerite sections. I loved the illustrations there as well, especially a lovely spread of the girls helping each other into armour.
There were a couple of times I didn't like Em very much, but I always understood her and what was going through her mind. Overall, I want to be like her when I grow up.
sassyykassie's review
3.0
This was unfortunately not my favorite, but it’s a solid 3 stars. We follow M who’s older sister was sexually assaulted before the start of the novel. After a very Brock Turner -esque sequence of events, M is still struggling with feeling she could do more and wants see her sister’s rapist see real punishment.
While the themes of the story were something i wanted to see and want more books about, i think this one didn’t hit the right tone for my own enjoyment. M feels whiny and is very selfish throughout the book. Not to say some of what M is going through isn’t realistic, but more that i would’ve liked to see her recognizing more of her mistakes by the end of the novel with a resolution.
There’s also a historical fiction story within the story that M is writing and i didn’t realize that going in. It’s not my favorite writing style.
While the themes of the story were something i wanted to see and want more books about, i think this one didn’t hit the right tone for my own enjoyment. M feels whiny and is very selfish throughout the book. Not to say some of what M is going through isn’t realistic, but more that i would’ve liked to see her recognizing more of her mistakes by the end of the novel with a resolution.
There’s also a historical fiction story within the story that M is writing and i didn’t realize that going in. It’s not my favorite writing style.
marissa17's review
emotional
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
4.25
msduke's review
4.0
A story that needs to be told, over, and over, and over again. The execution of the story lacked a little bit for me, the poetry was difficult to follow, and I wish the characters had a little more depth.
Worth the read, though. "Her abuser passed his privilege to Nor's abuser." This is a foundational problem with rape and sexual assault that needs to be addressed.
The poetry execution and character tinnieness dropped me down a star.
Worth the read, though. "Her abuser passed his privilege to Nor's abuser." This is a foundational problem with rape and sexual assault that needs to be addressed.
The poetry execution and character tinnieness dropped me down a star.
thindbooks's review
4.0
*This book was sent to me by the publisher to give an honest review in return*
Trigger Warning - rape, bullying, and discussion about trauma
I enjoyed reading this book. It's about Em's older sister who was raped at a party and the rapist was found guilty because of Em speaking out on social media. The victory was short once the family finds out that the rapist gets no jail time which makes Em angry and posts a famous tweet that goes viral. To help her, she writes a story about a female knight who saves those who were raped.
This book was incredibly written and the story was raw and pure. The plot structure was well done and kept me hooked on the story from page one until the end. I enjoyed how the author also added Em's story when she was writing her book. The pacing was a little slow but it was still great for the book. It was also different but a good difference in how the book was written by Em's POV who is fighting for her sister. I think it would have been great to also get her sister's pov just to see how she felt throughout the whole story. I did enjoy the whole idea of adding the "sword" and the discussion of how girls can wield it too.
I enjoyed the main character but also didn't. I thought she was brave and amazing for standing up for her sister but sometimes she was frustrated when she tried to make everything about herself. She had a slow character development throughout the book and not a fast one. I enjoyed the side characters in this book and thought they were important in the book to help Em grow. I also enjoyed Jess who is best friends with Em. They are really amazing and my favorite side character in this book. The antagonist is the people the bullies on social media and at Em's school.
I thought the ending was well done in this book. I didn't have any major problems with this book but some minor ones. I can see why a book company decided to curate this book and it's a must need to create because most only curate fantasies. I recommend reading this book to everyone!
Trigger Warning - rape, bullying, and discussion about trauma
I enjoyed reading this book. It's about Em's older sister who was raped at a party and the rapist was found guilty because of Em speaking out on social media. The victory was short once the family finds out that the rapist gets no jail time which makes Em angry and posts a famous tweet that goes viral. To help her, she writes a story about a female knight who saves those who were raped.
This book was incredibly written and the story was raw and pure. The plot structure was well done and kept me hooked on the story from page one until the end. I enjoyed how the author also added Em's story when she was writing her book. The pacing was a little slow but it was still great for the book. It was also different but a good difference in how the book was written by Em's POV who is fighting for her sister. I think it would have been great to also get her sister's pov just to see how she felt throughout the whole story. I did enjoy the whole idea of adding the "sword" and the discussion of how girls can wield it too.
I enjoyed the main character but also didn't. I thought she was brave and amazing for standing up for her sister but sometimes she was frustrated when she tried to make everything about herself. She had a slow character development throughout the book and not a fast one. I enjoyed the side characters in this book and thought they were important in the book to help Em grow. I also enjoyed Jess who is best friends with Em. They are really amazing and my favorite side character in this book. The antagonist is the people the bullies on social media and at Em's school.
I thought the ending was well done in this book. I didn't have any major problems with this book but some minor ones. I can see why a book company decided to curate this book and it's a must need to create because most only curate fantasies. I recommend reading this book to everyone!