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meeklovestoread's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
I understand how many found this story emotional and a phenomenal piece on Dublin and the effects of gang culture and how classism plays a role. However, I felt like the issues this book was tackling were very surface-level. Joe didn't seem like a flushed-out enough character in my opinion and I don't we got enough insight into his grieving for his brother. Also, I was expecting more emotional interactions with the two brothers considering the blurb portrayed them to be very close.
I'd also like to point out that I'm not familiar with Dublin culture so many of the phrases used were very unfamiliar to me and I just didn't vibe with the way that this book was written. And the ending of this book felt very underwhelming and inconclusive
Graphic: Cancer, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, and Violence
Minor: Confinement, Domestic abuse, Forced institutionalization, and Classism
pkc's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cancer, Child death, Chronic illness, Cursing, Drug use, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Terminal illness, Medical content, Grief, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
frankieclc's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Cancer, Child death, Terminal illness, Medical content, and Grief
Minor: Domestic abuse, Drug use, and Sexual harassment
lotties_booked's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Cancer
Moderate: Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Terminal illness, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Minor: Gun violence and Sexual harassment
rachelg's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Cancer, Child death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Blood, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
aquaria127's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cancer, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Physical abuse, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Murder, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
ashleighvdk's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Cancer, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, and Medical content
Minor: Alcoholism, Cursing, Blood, Murder, Gaslighting, and Alcohol
bookswithgeorgia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Graphic: Alcoholism, Cancer, Child death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Terminal illness, and Grief
bookswithhan's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
5.0
Graphic: Cancer, Child death, and Drug use
travelseatsreads's review against another edition
- 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
This heartbreakingly beautiful and tender story is told with alternating chapters from each of the boys perspectives. This was so affective as it allows the reader to see the varied themes (poverty, crime, domestic violence, cancer & grief) through each of the boys eyes.
The writing is tender yet captivating. Once I picked it up, I couldn't put it down and had to finish it in one sitting. Fiona beautifully portrays the unbreakable bond between Joe and Finn and just how besotted they are with each other.
I also really enjoyed the female characters within this book, each one appeared to be trying to cope with the hand they had been dealt and made often hard choices to try to better themselves and those around them.
This is a gorgeous story, brimming with equal amounts of love and sorrow that will stay with me for a long time to come.
Graphic: Cancer, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Violence, Grief, and Murder