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4.01 AVERAGE
4.01 AVERAGE
does this deserve five stars? no way. it's like, really bad actually lol. but i lowkey loved it. i'm just kind of obsessed with death cast, i think it's really fun, and sometimes you just need to read a weird cringy book. also, the main characters' relationship was SO unhealthy but like whatever
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I enjoyed the beginning immensely; it felt like coming home to the familiar world of death-cast but with the new focus on politics and suicide. I liked seeing Orion again and hearing about Mateo's dad and Rufus' friends. I did not enjoy the subplot with Alano's friends, however, and there was an abrupt tonal shift from the first half to the second half of the book, and things kept getting more random from there.
I did not entirely buy into Alano's character. The same guy has heterochromia, an eidetic memory, AND his dad is one of the richest, most powerful people in the world? really? I also didn't really buy that the main characters should be together--didn't love the way Alano played Paz' therapist, even though Alano was in crisis himself. It's one thing to have that happen on a maybe-end-day, it's another thing for these characters to declare they have a future together, idk.
It was interesting to hear more about the politics surrounding death-cast. The focus in this book isn't as tight as the others, seeing as it's longer and is set over multiple days. The author included more big-picture events in this book compared to the previous ones, and because the focus is not as limited, I would have liked to see more of a resolution to those plots. Maybe in the next book. (Also, I think this book made me somewhat of a pro naturalist myself.)
At the very end, it is revealed that Alano knows the secret of death-cast because he heard it as a fetus in his mother’s womb (see: eidetic memory.) Earlier in the book, it is discussed how death-cast cannot predict miscarriages or animal death, so this seems to be a contradiction on whether or not fetal personhood is canon in this universe. He also mentions that his parents only stopped talking about the secret in front of him when he was four. So, why not just have him remember it from when he was an infant/toddler instead of a fetus?
It was interesting to hear more about the politics surrounding death-cast. The focus in this book isn't as tight as the others, seeing as it's longer and is set over multiple days. The author included more big-picture events in this book compared to the previous ones, and because the focus is not as limited, I would have liked to see more of a resolution to those plots. Maybe in the next book. (Also, I think this book made me somewhat of a pro naturalist myself.)
At the very end, it is revealed that Alano knows the secret of death-cast because he heard it as a fetus in his mother’s womb (see: eidetic memory.) Earlier in the book, it is discussed how death-cast cannot predict miscarriages or animal death, so this seems to be a contradiction on whether or not fetal personhood is canon in this universe. He also mentions that his parents only stopped talking about the secret in front of him when he was four. So, why not just have him remember it from when he was an infant/toddler instead of a fetus?
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
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
I thought the first two books in the series were a little meh, but this one was fantastic. It does deal with very heavy and triggering themes, and goes into a lot of explicit detail. The audio was phenomenal; the narrators are beyond exceptional.
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
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
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I really liked the story, because of the fact that ||both of the characters survive this one you can really get to know them without having the sense of urgency to make the most of it like the other books tends to have.||
One thing I didn't really like tho is the ending, it was very underwhelming as ||we hear the suicide attempt mostly from Paz's perspective.|| Also the reveal at the end about deaths twelve was, for me, overshadowed bc ||Alano apperantly has super powers and can suddenly form memories in the womb?? even tho it is biologically impossible to form memories before turning 2 years old. Also the ending left to many threads open so I hope that Paz and Alano will have major storylines down the line. Bc ending on this note feels rather empty to me.||
But despite my qualms with the ending, I really did like the rest of the book. I liked spending time with the characters and getting to know them better and above all I liked them fighting for life against all odds.
One thing I didn't really like tho is the ending, it was very underwhelming as ||we hear the suicide attempt mostly from Paz's perspective.|| Also the reveal at the end about deaths twelve was, for me, overshadowed bc ||Alano apperantly has super powers and can suddenly form memories in the womb?? even tho it is biologically impossible to form memories before turning 2 years old. Also the ending left to many threads open so I hope that Paz and Alano will have major storylines down the line. Bc ending on this note feels rather empty to me.||
But despite my qualms with the ending, I really did like the rest of the book. I liked spending time with the characters and getting to know them better and above all I liked them fighting for life against all odds.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-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
challenging
dark
hopeful
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Honestly, this was a very tough read. But it also taught me a lot about mental health and ways to support those who are struggling. While the inclusion of additional character perspectives besides the two protagonists was sometimes annoying and the book could have overall been significantly shorter, this was still a very important book and a worthy addition to the series.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent
Moderate: Gun violence, Pregnancy, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cursing, Sexual assault
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes