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salutemviv's review against another edition
challenging
dark
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
this book was… something.
(general spoiler-ish content ahead)
i had put off reading the third installment of agggtm for a while after hearing how dark it was compared to the first two, but eventually curiosity/fomo got the better of me. so i decided to pick it up.
knowing in advance that the book had a much darker tone, and that pip would be out of character probably helped prepare me to read this. i think if i had gone in blind i would have been much more upset about how the story unfolded.
that being said, i still have very mixed feelings. from a story perspective, i will probably want to forget that any of this is canon because i absolutely hate what pip turned into. without saying too much, a lot of the plot felt very outlandish, out of character. was it somewhat enjoyable because of how fast paced and crazy it was? oh definitely. but on a moral basis i fundamentally disagree with pretty much all of what happens in the second half.
however, turning on my literary analysis brain that LOVES to read into themes and character studies and all that jazz: i think in a way, the overarching plot of the trilogy was probably intended from the very beginning. the first book established pip as a “good girl” who gets straight a’s and makes all the right choices. very black and white. but as she gets more involved in this world of crime, lines begin to blur. where she once saw justice and truth as black and white (represented in the justice system), she sees the flaws in the people and systems around her, blurring those into gray. and the black and white of her character muddles into gray right along with them in this story, representing her loss of hope and faith in the concreteness of good and bad.
so from that perspective, i do appreciate pip’s character development and what holly jackson did with this story.
still- my heart hates everything that happened and it hurts for ravi because he is probably the most good character and he didn’t deserve it.
so in conclusion, my feelings about this book are definitely not black and white either LOL. if i were to rate it on a pure enjoyment/subjective likability level, it would probably be 2 stars. but the metaphorical themes bump it up to a 3 because im a literary nerd too.
(general spoiler-ish content ahead)
i had put off reading the third installment of agggtm for a while after hearing how dark it was compared to the first two, but eventually curiosity/fomo got the better of me. so i decided to pick it up.
knowing in advance that the book had a much darker tone, and that pip would be out of character probably helped prepare me to read this. i think if i had gone in blind i would have been much more upset about how the story unfolded.
that being said, i still have very mixed feelings. from a story perspective, i will probably want to forget that any of this is canon because i absolutely hate what pip turned into. without saying too much, a lot of the plot felt very outlandish, out of character. was it somewhat enjoyable because of how fast paced and crazy it was? oh definitely. but on a moral basis i fundamentally disagree with pretty much all of what happens in the second half.
however, turning on my literary analysis brain that LOVES to read into themes and character studies and all that jazz: i think in a way, the overarching plot of the trilogy was probably intended from the very beginning. the first book established pip as a “good girl” who gets straight a’s and makes all the right choices. very black and white. but as she gets more involved in this world of crime, lines begin to blur. where she once saw justice and truth as black and white (represented in the justice system), she sees the flaws in the people and systems around her, blurring those into gray. and the black and white of her character muddles into gray right along with them in this story, representing her loss of hope and faith in the concreteness of good and bad.
so from that perspective, i do appreciate pip’s character development and what holly jackson did with this story.
still- my heart hates everything that happened and it hurts for ravi because he is probably the most good character and he didn’t deserve it.
so in conclusion, my feelings about this book are definitely not black and white either LOL. if i were to rate it on a pure enjoyment/subjective likability level, it would probably be 2 stars. but the metaphorical themes bump it up to a 3 because im a literary nerd too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Stalking
bo0k_wh0re's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
LOVE.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Injury/Injury detail, Violence, Sexual assault, Mental illness, Kidnapping, Gore, Stalking, Grief, Death, and Murder
Minor: Cursing
violet_viper's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book was so good. It was quite dark, but a perfect end to the series. It tied up all the loose ends and came full circle. Easily 5 stars.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders, Drug abuse, Stalking, and Murder
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, and Violence
Minor: Sexual assault
orlala123's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
informative
mysterious
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? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder
samigeo122's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
slow-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Blood, Stalking, Kidnapping, Murder, and Violence
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Rape, Drug use, and Vomit
pianoplayer279's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
An incredible conclusion to an absolutely fantastic series! Age 15+
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Murder, Stalking, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Rape and Sexual assault
nyxteria's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use and Murder
Minor: Rape
kat_a's review against another edition
It got just really confusing and I couldn't imagine it was well as I was able to wirh her previous work. This confusion and muddled detailed had me put it down temporarily. I also have a concussion which only added to my delayed attitude when picking it up and wanting to read it. I'll most likely pick it back up later in the year or maybe even in a few days. I love Holly Jackson, but I'm just not in the mood right now it seems.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Death, Drug abuse, Gaslighting, Addiction, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Misogyny, Murder, Bullying, Confinement, Cursing, and Grief
I just put all the warnings I could think of in the graphic section. I'm very tried and recovering from a concussion currently. Apologies for the messiness and lack of organization.jscarlet's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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
5.0
IN LOVE WITH THIS SERIES! I must admit I was so sad for how Pip suffered so much. But I will forever defend Pip for killing that piece of trash. He deserves to die, and the said 'suspect' deserves to rot in jail. Pip will always be innocent in my eyes, and so is Ravi. The flow of the story will keep you reading for more. The information, the revelations, the connections, THE EVERYTHING was so perfect, PERFECTLY PLANNED. ♡
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Panic attacks/disorders, and Murder
Minor: Rape
samanthas_bookshelf's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Violence