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liviaelle's review against another edition
2.0
If this book had a plot it got lost in a sea of unrelated musings that took up most of the pages. I found myself bored and not really interested in continuing to read it. The way the characters fade in and out of flashbacks is hard to follow and relates very narrowly to the central storyline. It doesn’t feel like the book wrapped up or ended—it just stopped. There was no bow or finality, it was just the last page. I wouldn’t read again and I wouldn’t recommend it unless you are looking for a quick read to fill your time.
vici24kl's review against another edition
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.5
emmaberger's review against another edition
I did not like where to story was going. Was not interested in the plot anymore
brittany_tellefsen's review against another edition
2.0
After a bridge in Boston collapses killing and injuring hundreds, a group of teenagers find themselves drawn together in the waiting room of the local hospital as they wait to find out the fate of their loved ones. Throughout this time we learn more about each teen and their history with the loved ones they may lose.
Though I enjoyed this story for the most part, I feel that so much more could have been done with the plot of this book and that it was wasted on a 277 page YA novel.
First, there was far more focus on the teenagers themselves, rather than the victims of the bridge collapse. In order for a story like this, one that involves a tragedy with mass victims, to be effective, you have to care about the victims. Or at the very least, you have to be invested in their relationship to the surviving characters and I did not find that to be the case with this story.
For the most part, we were focusing on each teenagers' own personal drama and in certain instances, it didn't even involve the bridge victims. For example, Jason and Alexa are siblings who are waiting on news of their parents. But instead of focusing on their relationship with those parents, we focus on their relationship with each other as well as some mutual grief they share about a loss in their past.
Now, this might have been okay if I actually cared about these characters but to be honest, I found them often to be unlikable and selfish. I was more interested in their backstories rather then their present day situation.
I feel that this story lacked a great deal of substance for a topic that, in itself, is substantial. It could be because the length of the story was very short and you definitely can't flesh out this type of narrative in that length of time. It could be an age-gap issue because it is targeting young teens. Either way, it did not follow through on the emotional factor that I was expecting.
I will say, that I feel Richard Lawson did a great job of capturing the complexity of grief. How the possibility of losing someone close to you can bring about a range of emotions that isn't just about fear or sadness. It could be relief. Or even, just the selfish "what am I going to do now?" that comes with that loss.
Overall, this was fairly "meh." I can't say that in six months I will remember the story or the characters but it was entertaining during the moment.
Though I enjoyed this story for the most part, I feel that so much more could have been done with the plot of this book and that it was wasted on a 277 page YA novel.
First, there was far more focus on the teenagers themselves, rather than the victims of the bridge collapse. In order for a story like this, one that involves a tragedy with mass victims, to be effective, you have to care about the victims. Or at the very least, you have to be invested in their relationship to the surviving characters and I did not find that to be the case with this story.
For the most part, we were focusing on each teenagers' own personal drama and in certain instances, it didn't even involve the bridge victims. For example, Jason and Alexa are siblings who are waiting on news of their parents. But instead of focusing on their relationship with those parents, we focus on their relationship with each other as well as some mutual grief they share about a loss in their past.
Now, this might have been okay if I actually cared about these characters but to be honest, I found them often to be unlikable and selfish. I was more interested in their backstories rather then their present day situation.
I feel that this story lacked a great deal of substance for a topic that, in itself, is substantial. It could be because the length of the story was very short and you definitely can't flesh out this type of narrative in that length of time. It could be an age-gap issue because it is targeting young teens. Either way, it did not follow through on the emotional factor that I was expecting.
I will say, that I feel Richard Lawson did a great job of capturing the complexity of grief. How the possibility of losing someone close to you can bring about a range of emotions that isn't just about fear or sadness. It could be relief. Or even, just the selfish "what am I going to do now?" that comes with that loss.
Overall, this was fairly "meh." I can't say that in six months I will remember the story or the characters but it was entertaining during the moment.
lispylibrarian's review against another edition
4.0
Overall, this was a good story of strangers being forced to sit with each other and bond over a bridge collapse while they wait to hear the fates of their family and friends. It ends suddenly, and a little predictable, but I would use it as a way to teach empathy in classrooms or schools.
stories's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
slow-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
2.5
Teenage dilemmas and trauma, in the hospital waiting room after an unexpected bridge collapse.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Car accident, Alcohol, Death, Drug use, Grief, Physical abuse, Stalking, Toxic relationship, and Death of parent
Minor: Terminal illness, Suicidal thoughts, Cancer, Classism, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Pregnancy
akinad's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
crabber's review against another edition
1.0
1/5
Super disappointing, one of my updates sum it all well, this feels just a mish mash of random stories and the author decided, hey fuck it why don't we publish this bad boy? It just felt plotless and the character development was super weak, like incredibly weak.
Super disappointing, one of my updates sum it all well, this feels just a mish mash of random stories and the author decided, hey fuck it why don't we publish this bad boy? It just felt plotless and the character development was super weak, like incredibly weak.
brooklynbelill's review against another edition
fast-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
3.0
nycitybookworm's review against another edition
4.0
Its a good premise, it had the potential to be great. But there was so much backstory for all the characters.