Reviews with content warning for Alcohol - The Weight of the Stars

Holy wow.

The dedication was powerful, and I was captivated by page 6. Troubled teens, astronomy, misfits, kindness and hope hope hope hope hope.

Everyone had complex motivations and character depth (even if I still feel there are some unanswered questions around Alexandria’s dad). Problems don’t get magically solved, and good intentions are no guarantee, but goodness it’s a feel good affair.

The printing of the physical book is intriguing, until all at once it is, instead, captivating.

I wish (Spoilers)

there had been more in text reaction to Effie’s messages. To me, they said “don’t do this”, yet never seemed to give anyone pause. Plus — had Alexandria’s dad received these? If so, why didn’t he share them???

.

That said, my heart was in my throat to the final page: when do characters like these get happy endings, truly?

I never saw the penultimate paragraph coming

to RETURN?!

but it, more than anything else in this matter of factly diverse book of kindness, understanding and hope, makes me want to read more by Ancrum. 😍😍😍

[Characters contexts and complexities probably too old for 5/6 but good for highschool. Characters are 17-18. Clean language]

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k_underthestars's review

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adventurous emotional hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I finished this book sobbing. Was the ending even sad? It made me feel sad like 'To Build a Home' by The Cinematic Orchestra makes me sad. It made me feel a lot, not just sad; there was a lot of hope in this book too.

Not a lot of stories get me to shut of my structure-analysis-brain like this one did. I couldn't tell you one thought I had about plot or character or pacing. I wasn't thinking about it. It never occurred to me to think about it. I just let the words happen to me.

I don't know how to review this book and I don't know who to recommend it to. I do know I will be buying a copy. I loved it.

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chippyreads's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional inspiring mysterious sad slow-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

4.5

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danajoy's review

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challenging emotional inspiring reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.75

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lexstonum's review

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adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring sad fast-paced

Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

How did a book I almost DNF’ed end up leaving me in tears of sadness and hope? How did a book, with what I thought to be mediocre writing, end up having some of the most stunningly beautiful quotes in the back half?

This was well worth the read and I am beyond glad I stuck with it. While most conclusions and answers felt handed over without much conflict I see the reasons why now. This book isn’t about the conflict or resolution, it’s about human experience in a way we can all understand it. It’s about failures and pulling yourself out of your circumstance. It’s about love and family and how that transcends space and time.

This book was wonderful, I’m glad o gave it the chance it deserved.

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