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bridget986's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
2021 Challenge: 35/24
I cannot believe Emily Henry betrayed me like this! Everything I've read from her has been practically perfect and spurred on my reading. Unfortunately, this book has put me in a weeks-long reading slump and triggered some of my mental health issues. I had problems with the pacing, the insta-love, and the plot, but I had two main issues. The first being that this story relies so heavily on Native American culture and storytelling, and Emily Henry is not a Native American woman. I wouldn't have as much of an issue with a white woman writing a POC character if their culture wasn't a driving force of the novel. My second main issue was the message of the book. I really don't love how Natalie gave up her LIFE for a boy in a parallel world to hers, and we get to see how he and her family move on just fine without her. I find that triggering and a bizarre message for a YA book.
Additionally, the last chapter makes it even worse because it's so open-ended and vague. If Natalie is going to basically unalive, then I expect a more concrete ending. I expect for her to make this up to me in her upcoming romance novel "Book Lovers."
I cannot believe Emily Henry betrayed me like this! Everything I've read from her has been practically perfect and spurred on my reading. Unfortunately, this book has put me in a weeks-long reading slump and triggered some of my mental health issues. I had problems with the pacing, the insta-love, and the plot, but I had two main issues. The first being that this story relies so heavily on Native American culture and storytelling, and Emily Henry is not a Native American woman. I wouldn't have as much of an issue with a white woman writing a POC character if their culture wasn't a driving force of the novel. My second main issue was the message of the book. I really don't love how Natalie gave up her LIFE for a boy in a parallel world to hers, and we get to see how he and her family move on just fine without her. I find that triggering and a bizarre message for a YA book.
Additionally, the last chapter makes it even worse because it's so open-ended and vague. If Natalie is going to basically unalive, then I expect a more concrete ending. I expect for her to make this up to me in her upcoming romance novel "Book Lovers."
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide and Car accident
Minor: Sexual assault and Alcoholism
jaec11's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
The love that split the world
The story of a girl who gets visions and falls in love in a kind of urban fantasy setting, with First Nations folklore and stories interwoven
It's confusing, what with the world jumping and all, and I frequently found myself lost as to what was happening. They kept trying to explain a fantasy story through science and it was... a little strange.
I honestly didn't feel the romance. I thoguht they had some cute banter moments but otherwise I found it a little lackluster
The family dynamic was really sweet, and so was the friendship with Meg. I was highkey annoyed at the therapist. I absolutely could not stand the ex and didn't think he deserved forgiveness
The ending was... weird and felt kind of rushed. It was very very confusing and felt like just dumping information on me. It was emotional though I wasn't sold enough on the romance for her to sacrifice herself for him though
PG 13 for swearing, talk of sex, and suicide and darkness
The story of a girl who gets visions and falls in love in a kind of urban fantasy setting, with First Nations folklore and stories interwoven
It's confusing, what with the world jumping and all, and I frequently found myself lost as to what was happening. They kept trying to explain a fantasy story through science and it was... a little strange.
I honestly didn't feel the romance. I thoguht they had some cute banter moments but otherwise I found it a little lackluster
The family dynamic was really sweet, and so was the friendship with Meg. I was highkey annoyed at the therapist. I absolutely could not stand the ex and didn't think he deserved forgiveness
The ending was... weird and felt kind of rushed. It was very very confusing and felt like just dumping information on me. It was emotional though
PG 13 for swearing, talk of sex, and suicide and darkness
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Alcoholism, and Suicide
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