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ladev12's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Graphic: Rape and Violence
Moderate: Death, Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Car accident, Death of parent, Grief, Hate crime, Homophobia, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
ivana'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
4.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Blood, Bullying, Car accident, Child death, Cursing, Death of parent, Grief, Homophobia, Rape, and Violence
oliverlang'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? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Grief, Hate crime, Homophobia, Rape, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence
emakay's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Bullying, Cursing, Grief, Homophobia, Mental illness, Self harm, Violence, and Vomit
Moderate: Addiction, Alcoholism, Blood, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Suicidal thoughts, and Terminal illness
znvisser's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
In Beartown #1, a lot of time was taken to construct the characters and their relationships on and off the ice, both when everything is still 'normal' and when it no longer is. This time, that space is given to smaller incidents, whereby the characters are treated as plot devices instead of feeling humans. Previously we had already learned that hockey can't be without politics, and now we were shown more of the politics instead of the training and matches. Consequently, I couldn't get the picture clear of how all the players formed a team on the ice, and how they could still achieve without their best players even showing up at training or during the games. It was treated as if it didn't really matter to the story, while us readers had previously been taught to know better than that.
While we still joined some our favourite characters - Kira, Benji, Amat, Ramona - they felt more distant than they did before. New characters were introduced, attempting to offer an alternative, but we never get as close to them either. So when all incidents pile up and collide towards the end, I didn't feel as invested as I did before: it granted some tears but I was nowhere close to the sobbing that was caused by #1.
Nevertheless, I was involved in the story and curious what would happen next, because the first book made me care enough already and Backman is just a very skilled writer. I just hope that the next sequel coming up brings more of what made me fall in love with Beartown in the first place.
Graphic: Blood, Death, Grief, Homophobia, Suicide, and Violence
Moderate: Vomit
Minor: Rape
eeeva's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Graphic: Homophobia, Misogyny, and Grief
Moderate: Death and Violence
lexa's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
(Read via audiobook & physical copy, both are fantastic).
“This has been a story about ice rinks and all the hearts that beat in and around them. About people and sports and how they sometimes take it in turns to carry each other. About us, dreaming and fighting. Some have fallen in love and some have been destroyed; we’ve had good days and some very bad ones.”
Graphic: Alcoholism and Homophobia
Moderate: Death, Grief, Rape, and Violence
Minor: Child death and Terminal illness
warnerselle's review against another edition
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Drug use, Grief, Gun violence, Homophobia, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, and Violence
Moderate: Addiction, Blood, Bullying, Cursing, and Domestic abuse