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sugarbowl's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
i absolutely loved this book, and skimming through reviews, i’m genuinely surprised that i seem to be in the minority.
the writing is stunning, intricate, and plays it’s own role in each part of the story. it perfectly captures the anguish, resoluteness, and cautious hope through pacing and intensity and characterisation. the twists were chefs kiss phenomenal. it took me a moment each time to wrap my head around what changes in perception each twist demanded, but never enough to throw me off entirely. for most of the story i found it nearly impossible to predict how the story would continue, which could have been off-putting and stalled momentum, though it did nothing like that here for me. i loved it but it is incredibly hard to describe, categorise, or recommend. 5 star.
the writing is stunning, intricate, and plays it’s own role in each part of the story. it perfectly captures the anguish, resoluteness, and cautious hope through pacing and intensity and characterisation. the twists were chefs kiss phenomenal. it took me a moment each time to wrap my head around what changes in perception each twist demanded, but never enough to throw me off entirely. for most of the story i found it nearly impossible to predict how the story would continue, which could have been off-putting and stalled momentum, though it did nothing like that here for me. i loved it but it is incredibly hard to describe, categorise, or recommend. 5 star.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Pedophilia, Rape, Sexual assault, and Toxic friendship
bettydraper's review against another edition
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? It's complicated
3.0
i don't know what to think but i do know that i'm feeling very sad/hopeless with that ending
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Gun violence
collinsshaym's review against another edition
challenging
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Emotional abuse, Sexual violence, Vomit, Toxic friendship, Pregnancy, and Gun violence
leah_alexandra's review
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This book was pretty rough. It's tough to talk about my reactions without spoilers, so most of my review is hidden.
I had been told there was a big "twist" in the book, but I was honestly pretty disappointed. The first part of the book actually being a fictionalized book a student wrote was not as dramatic a twist as I thought it would be. And I don't know if the author meant for the shooting at the end of "Karen's" part of the book to be a surprise, but it was apparent from miles away. The last, very small piece of the book was vague, and not in a way that made it more intriguing. Just added to some general frustrations with the book. Sarah's story was pretty exhausting--it really leaned into the trope of special teens being somehow more mature than their years. I was less frustrated by that piece once I knew what it was, but the second half of the book didn't do enough to make up for it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, and Vomit
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