Reviews with content warning for Mental illness - Solitaire

I'm glad that this book exists for teens today who need and can appreciate the kind of representation within Solitaire. I certainly wish I'd had it as a teenager! However, reading as an adult, there are things that I didn't like or thought should have been done better:

specific references to Charlie's self harm were not handled well, the plot was sloppy & the Solitaire aspect of it went on way too long, and I hated the reverse-manic pixie dream girl ending.

That said, knowing that this book was written by a 17 year old Oseman makes me significantly more forgiving. I certainly couldn't have written this at that age and I think for a teenager, the flaws it has are entirely understandable and the strengths are to be commended. Oseman has created wonderful characters that feel real and who live in a world that feels real to my own teenage & young adult experience. There were *many* literary, musical, and tv references, making it feel like a snapshot of a very specific era in recent history.

Overall, I didn't love this book but I'm sure lots of YA readers will enjoy getting to know Tori a bit better.

Content Warnings

minzzi's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad fast-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? Yes

5.0

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fany_3d's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective 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

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sllymeows's review against another edition

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emotional reflective sad slow-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

I read this so long ago, but I still think it's a really good book. I could really relate to Tori, the main character. It a heavy read in the way that it makes you kind sad. But I think it's very good at describing mental illness from an inside perspective, and not only how it can be observed by others.

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aves_brynn's review against another edition

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dark emotional reflective sad 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

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fyre_flies's review against another edition

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emotional mysterious reflective sad 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

3.5

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graceheartsbooks's review against another edition

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4.0

I think I enjoyed it? I’m honestly still not sure how to feel about it but I’m giving it a 4 star anyway.

I related to Tori a lot (maybe a bit too much😅). Knowing that Alice Oseman wrote this book when she was 17 makes a lot of sense as this definitely captures the loneliness and frustration you feel at that age. Especially when you’re trying really hard but nobody seems to think you’re making an effort.

If anyone has read Volume 5 of Heartstopper you’d know Tori comes out as asexual and I think this book shows some hints that she might be—or at least they seemed relatable to me as an ace woman

With the amount of references to The Catcher in the Rye though I may have to read that soon since it’s also on my TBR, seems like fate a little bit.

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lililoos's review against another edition

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dark emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

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

5.0

I thoroughly enjoyed this book, though I think only because I found it relatable. If I didn’t find it relatable I don’t think I would’ve enjoyed it as much.

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