Reviews tagging 'Grief'

The Last True Poets of the Sea by Julia Drake

28 reviews

reginacordium's review against another edition

adventurous emotional reflective sad fast-paced

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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Grief, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Alcohol and Medical content

Minor: Blood, Cursing, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexual content

alouette's review against another edition

adventurous challenging emotional hopeful fast-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

"I swam up, Violet. We both did."

a beautiful, lyrical, swimmingly fantastic novel. you can tell the author poured their heart into this book, into the achingly real and complex characters, into their relationships, and into the journey they undergo. it was difficult for me to read at first, painful and hitting too close to home, but that's the beauty of it, i suppose. i feel like a better person, more self-aware and more resilient, for the adventure this book took me on. even if the first half was painful and confusing, the second half was comforting and lovely.

"I'm saying our choices matter. Choosing to try... that's not a small thing."

i was hoping that violet, liz, and orion would become a cute poly trio but how it turned out with the girls was sweet nonetheless

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Eating disorder, Medical content, Mental illness, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Drug use, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, and Vomit

Minor: Homophobia and Sexual content

lexstonum's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional hopeful 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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcohol, Death, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Vomit

karinac's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful reflective sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Death, Eating disorder, Grief, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Vomit

marlireads's review against another edition

emotional hopeful 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

3.5

I'm at a weird place where I'm still not sure whether or not I liked the writing style or not... Was expecting more concerning the ship wreck, but hey, strong story nonetheless.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Grief

Moderate: Eating disorder, Suicide attempt, Mental illness, and Sexual content

Minor: Suicide and Car accident

daydreamermoonwalker's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful reflective 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

5.0

This book was truly incredible. The characters felt so real, the prose was lovely, the relationships between the characters were so heartfelt, and the the theme was so touching and important. The last true poets of the sea was heart achingly beautiful and has earned a place as one of the best books I've ever read. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Death

Moderate: Alcoholism, Biphobia, Bullying, Car accident, Grief, Sexual content, and Sexual violence

for_esme_with_love's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring medium-paced

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

4.5

My teenage self feels incredibly seen by the protagonist, Violet, who is one of the most richly crafted characters I have read in YA fiction! A former child actor who is reeling from a traumatic family event, Violet is used to coping with her anxiety through alcohol and sex. But this summer she is rocking a freshly shaved head and is determined to turn over a new leaf, throwing herself instead into investigating a shipwreck that may hold a secret about her family's past. The real intrigue of this book is the depth of the supporting characters, all deeply lovable as well as flawed, who embrace Violet with open arms to help her solve the mystery. The love interest is beautifully rendered as a full, imperfect human, and even though the romance is a more minor plot it is no less satisfying. Also bonus points for depicting a character responding very reasonably to romantic rejection, which is rare to see, and queer story without a focus on coming out! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Panic attacks/disorders

Moderate: Sexual content, Alcoholism, Blood, Grief, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, and Suicide attempt

Minor: Bullying and Child death

A suicide attempt of a family member is a primary aspect of the plot (not depicted). One of the characters lost a sibling when they were younger and discusses this loss. There is also a scene where the main character goes out with an older man who may not realize she is underage. She is ok, but the scene is uncomfortable.

jams's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective medium-paced

• 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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Content Warnings

Graphic: Mental illness

Moderate: Eating disorder, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide

Minor: Alcoholism, Biphobia, and Blood