Reviews tagging 'Grief'

Cracked Up to Be by Courtney Summers

6 reviews

sebradley29's review against another edition

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Blood, Bullying, Animal death, Emotional abuse, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Drug use, Child death, Cursing, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Murder, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, and Toxic relationship

ravensandlace's review

dark emotional sad tense slow-paced

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

3.5

Title: Cracked Up to Be

Author: Courtney Summers

Genre: YA Contemporary 

Format: owned paperback

Star Rating: 3.5 stars

tw: underage drinking, missing children, hospitalization, animal death, rape, death, attempted suicide, suicidal ideation, infidelity

I really thought I was going to like this book more than I did. But unfortunately, I just didn’t fall in love with this book. While I think it’s an incredibly important book, I just couldn’t bond with the main character. It’s probably because I couldn’t relate to what she was going through or who she was before everything happened.

I understand completely that Parker was a very broken individual, even before everything happened. I understand that her behavior is rooted in guilt for something she thinks is her fault. But I just had such a problem with the way Parker was to everyone. I don’t care how much you are hurting, there is no need to be so disrespectful. I am also not a fan of the trope that if something bad happens, even if it isn’t your fault, you must punish yourself. I just can’t stand that.

But despite my complaints about Parker, this book describes guilt and grief so well. I would even go so far as to say that the guilt Parker is feeling is borderline survivor’s guilt. Parker is a great example of how grief and guilt can completely change a person, to the point where they aren’t even recognizable to themselves or others. So even though I had complaints, I still enjoyed all other aspects of this book, including the complex relationship with guilt. 

Overall, I still recommend this book despite not falling in love with it. Courtney Summers certainly knows how to write hard-hitting books with characters you are either going to fall in love with or can’t stand. She also knows how to write books that touch on incredibly difficult topics that often aren’t discussed. And that’s why, even though I may not love all her books, I still highly recommend them. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcoholism, Mental illness, Self harm, Sexual assault, Infidelity, Emotional abuse, Alcohol, Toxic friendship, Suicidal thoughts, Sexual violence, Rape, Kidnapping, Grief, Suicide attempt, Sexual content, and Murder

tw: underage drinking, missing children, hospitalization, animal death, rape, death, attempted suicide, suicidal ideation, infidelity

coolcat02's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

5.0

I loved this book. I love how the main character is realistic and relatable. The way the author slowly revealed things that made everything make sense was so brilliant. I'm obsessed with how Parker wasn’t just fixed and she realistically needed more time. Also can we take a moment for the hero of the story; Bailey!! He was so adorable and I love what he meant to Parker. This book hit me and I loved it.  I love this author and eat up all her books. This feels like a must read for all my fellow perfectionists out there. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Vomit, Alcohol, Animal death, Blood, Grief, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, and Self harm

saltair_andtherust_onyourdoor's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional tense medium-paced

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

5.0

This is my all-time favorite but definitely not a book for everyone, I enjoyed the storyline but Parker -the main character- was VERY dislike able, still absolutely loved her growth at the end. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness, Cursing, and Toxic relationship

Moderate: Addiction, Alcohol, Animal death, Animal cruelty, Grief, Rape, and Suicide

samh's review

challenging dark reflective sad fast-paced

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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Suicide, Vomit, Animal death, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, and Car accident

Moderate: Rape

lydiaaaa's review

medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Addiction, Alcohol, Animal death, Bullying, Death, Grief, Kidnapping, Murder, Rape, and Sexual content