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nightshaderoots's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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? Yes
4.75
The book had so much happening in the last 10% of it. There are lots of relatable moments and I enjoyed how the theme of space keeps coming up. I will admit I didn't like the main character for a good majority of the book but towards the end I couldn't help but to feel for him. Lots are left for interpretation but that's how the book should end. To quote Sandra, "Other people don't exist just to be your happy ending." And that's true for the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Suicidal thoughts, Deportation, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Racism, Classism, Death, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Suicide
Minor: Sexism, Bullying, and Homophobia
megelizabeth's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.5
This is a book that sort of crept up on me. I didn't fully realise until towards the end, or possibly even after I finished reading, just how much it was making me feel. It went to so many places that I was not expecting, covering several difficult and important things but never feeling as if it was doing too much. It's largely a coming-of-age story, but one that's more layered and haunting and ultimately devastating than most. I loved the depictions of friendships and high-school life, of difficult family relationships, of queerness and first love, of sacrifice in many forms. I also thought the mystery element of the story was really strong. The ambiguity of the ending absolutely killed me, but at least I can choose to believe that certain things did or did not happen.
The one criticism I will make is that both the writing and many of the characters are pretty pretentious, and that made our main character Danny in particular super frustrating a lot of the time, and it wasn't quite clear whether these things were intentional. Mostly I could look past this, particularly as it's YA and set largely in a prestigious area, though it did still bug me quite a bit. I still thoroughly, thoroughly loved this book overall though!
The one criticism I will make is that both the writing and many of the characters are pretty pretentious, and that made our main character Danny in particular super frustrating a lot of the time, and it wasn't quite clear whether these things were intentional. Mostly I could look past this, particularly as it's YA and set largely in a prestigious area, though it did still bug me quite a bit. I still thoroughly, thoroughly loved this book overall though!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Suicide, Injury/Injury detail, Racism, and Death
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Misogyny
snowydaze's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief and Kidnapping
Moderate: Car accident, Death, Gaslighting, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Stalking, and Suicide
Minor: Racism
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