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mshiiken's review
challenging
emotional
inspiring
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review, and wow, am I glad I did.
Y'know that thing that happens, where you start reading a book late at night and then you look up and realize it's way past your bedtime but you have to know what happens next? That happened to me with this book. JAGGED LITTLE PILL is the story of five teens in a Connecticut suburb whose lives change irrevocably after something happens at a party. Frankie, Nick, Jo, Bella, and Phoenix are all trying to navigate the major life changes coming their way when it happens - the party's events send ripples out that deeply impact all of them and their community.
Smith's way of capturing and communicating the intense feelings surrounding each teen's situation are hard-hitting and perfect. The various methods used throughout the book to communicate story elements as characters communicate with each other are a deft touch and feel entirely too realistic. I'm really excited for this book to come out and I'll be recommending it to my library as soon as humanly possible to make sure our patrons have access to it.
Y'know that thing that happens, where you start reading a book late at night and then you look up and realize it's way past your bedtime but you have to know what happens next? That happened to me with this book. JAGGED LITTLE PILL is the story of five teens in a Connecticut suburb whose lives change irrevocably after something happens at a party. Frankie, Nick, Jo, Bella, and Phoenix are all trying to navigate the major life changes coming their way when it happens - the party's events send ripples out that deeply impact all of them and their community.
Smith's way of capturing and communicating the intense feelings surrounding each teen's situation are hard-hitting and perfect. The various methods used throughout the book to communicate story elements as characters communicate with each other are a deft touch and feel entirely too realistic. I'm really excited for this book to come out and I'll be recommending it to my library as soon as humanly possible to make sure our patrons have access to it.
Content Warnings
Minor: Toxic relationship, Sexual content, Rape, Addiction, and Drug abuse
keepcalmblogon's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
5.0
I have been a huge fan of Alanis Morissette since I was young, as well as a follower of Diablo Cody’s films, so even though I haven’t been able to catch the Jagged Little Pill musical, I couldn’t wait to read this book & I am so appreciative that ABRAMS Kids approved my NetGalley request.
Starting off, I did feel like it was the first YA novel I’ve read in a while in which the characters did feel juvenile to me at 31, but, despite that, there are characters & events with which I did relate. Namely, Phoenix’s character was the most like myself. He is responsible beyond his age & wiser than his years. He takes care of his mother & sister in a way that I once had to at a young age. Nick & Bella are also two of the more mature (& older) characters to whose experiences I can relate. Nick is the most complex of the MCs, his internal & external conflicts & his responsibilities, both put on him & voluntary, make me sympathize with the complexities of being a teenager about to head to college & figuring out a moral compass of one’s own. Frankie’s relationship with her own morality is gray at a time when young people are still developing their ideals of right & wrong. Personally, that was one of the most poignant aspects of this book; I wouldn’t want to relive those decisions!
I hadn’t previously had the privilege to read an Eric Smith novel, but in Jagged Little Pill, he, Morissette, Cody, & Ballard put themselves in the shoes of teenagers very well, both male & female, straight, gay, & bi, white, latinx, & black. I think the ability to show these representations, motivations, & struggles indicates an insight into the modern life of a young adult beyond the average author. Despite having gone through much of the same strife at the ages of these characters, I was still deeply moved, especially when these characters take more action than I was used to seeing during my time growing up, & it made me proud of fictional characters in a way I don’t remember having felt before.
Jagged Little Pill was definitely a 5 star read for me.
TW: underage drinking, off-page underage sex, off-page date rape, pediatric chronic illness, drug overdose, drug addiction.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug abuse, Alcohol, Addiction, Drug use, and Sexual content
Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual violence
TW: underage drinking, off-page underage sex, off-page date rape, pediatric chronic illness, drug overdose, drug addiction.
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