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3.78 AVERAGE
3.78 AVERAGE
Even though the story did not grasp me like I hoped it would, I really enjoyed Alice's writing style. From what I've heard, this is a lot of people's least favorite book of hers, so I figure it can only get better with the other ones.
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
funny
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
slow-paced
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Eating disorder
Minor: Homophobia
fast-paced
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
adventurous
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
the book was good but it made me realize how glad i am to no longer be a teenage girl
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt
Moderate: Violence
This review is of the audiobook of the earlier version of this book, rather than the 2023 re-release. I've looked up what the changes were and I think I might look a little more kindly on the re-release, but it still isn't a book I would enjoy.
On a personal level, I didn't want to be amongst the characters. It was miserable to read about them, and their thoughts and actions. The times when people weren't being awful to each other were mainly full of tedious details about everyday life andtoo many pop culture references. I like to read to escape to other worlds, a world of depression and people is not an escape for me.
In terms of the plot, it was quite odd. I didn't understand the power of Zelda to get Tori to come into school so early, why Tori would need rescuing when it was a normal school day so other people would be there. There is a huge absence of adults in this book, even during school they were left unsupervised. The whole 'Solitaire' thing was so unlikely in terms of the mechanics and the lack of response from parents or the media. The ending doesn't do the book any favours either. I hope the re-release signposting to help readers get actual help for depression.
On a personal level, I didn't want to be amongst the characters. It was miserable to read about them, and their thoughts and actions. The times when people weren't being awful to each other were mainly full of tedious details about everyday life andtoo many pop culture references. I like to read to escape to other worlds, a world of depression and people is not an escape for me.
In terms of the plot, it was quite odd. I didn't understand the power of Zelda to get Tori to come into school so early, why Tori would need rescuing when it was a normal school day so other people would be there. There is a huge absence of adults in this book, even during school they were left unsupervised. The whole 'Solitaire' thing was so unlikely in terms of the mechanics and the lack of response from parents or the media. The ending doesn't do the book any favours either. I hope the re-release signposting to help readers get actual help for depression.
1.5/5 - genuinely the only redeeming feature of this book was tori and how oseman handled depicting her depression (and even that felt overdone and excessive at times)
solitaire is the 2013 tumblr dream. read on for countless pop culture references that severely age the book by page 2 (everything from “did draco malfoy and harry potter fuck?” to gratuitous explanations on why pride and prejudice is terrible to “did sherlock holmes and john watson fuck?” to at least 4 radiohead references during key scenes) a supporting cast of characters that have exactly one personality trait each, and the most contrived, nonsensical, heathers fanfiction of a plot imaginable
solitaire is the 2013 tumblr dream. read on for countless pop culture references that severely age the book by page 2 (everything from “did draco malfoy and harry potter fuck?” to gratuitous explanations on why pride and prejudice is terrible to “did sherlock holmes and john watson fuck?” to at least 4 radiohead references during key scenes) a supporting cast of characters that have exactly one personality trait each, and the most contrived, nonsensical, heathers fanfiction of a plot imaginable