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sam_xmc's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
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
3.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent
Minor: Car accident
merle_bookdragon's review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-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
2.5
Very mixed feelings about this one. It took me about 2/3rds of this book before I fully got into it and managed to properly read it. If I was another person I might've dnf-ed it but I never do that and then the ending was able to raise the raiting again.
First of all, and I will be picky about this, because honestly, but a HP reference in a 2022 book? Really? It left a weird aftertaste and that was only 44 pages into the book.
For the rest, I truly don't know what it is. I don't know if it's because we're reading the story from the perspective of two teenagers and I just don't understand what they think like? And then a lot of the time they don't act like 17/18 year olds at all? Or maybe it's specifically American teenagers?
I was really struggling with Orion's perspective the most because he wasn't just awkward, he was AWKWARD. Like so much that it already felt unrealistic to me again. Technically he was incredibly sweet but then he'd say such random stuff? And also came on really strong to Ray even when she said no? Like I don't care that you think she is the most beautiful person in the world, she said no! It doesn't matter that Ray secretly likes it because he. doesn't. know. that. And then sleeping with the sweater she wore after they had just met? Is it just me or is that kinda weird?
I was getting along with Ray's POV way better until she started snooping around in Orion's house, like, have you heard of privacy? You've barely known him 24h girl. And then THEN she first of all went "why are we not making out yet, he should be all over me" and "Any other guy would have totally hooked up with me by now. He didn't even try. He's too innocent." ?! uhm excuse me !!? and then second of all literally went "i'm not like other girls" and then Orion also said "yeah you really aren't," like WOW, we really went there huh.
ANYWAY, it got really interesting and emotional towards the end. Ray's talks with her mom, Orion's talks with his dad (and mom), their talks with each other, Ray going to her dad's grave. It gave the story so much more meaning and depth and it only happened so late that it was only covered a little and felt like it was only used to create drama? Especially together with the unnecessary miscommunication between Ray and Orion about whether he knew or not. That could've 100% been avoided.
I like that at the end they both got to jump over their shadows a little and decide that despite their families' histories they would try to be together. I just wish that had played a role earlier. The star-crossed part really didn't matter for most of the book.
First of all, and I will be picky about this, because honestly, but a HP reference in a 2022 book? Really? It left a weird aftertaste and that was only 44 pages into the book.
For the rest, I truly don't know what it is. I don't know if it's because we're reading the story from the perspective of two teenagers and I just don't understand what they think like? And then a lot of the time they don't act like 17/18 year olds at all? Or maybe it's specifically American teenagers?
I was really struggling with Orion's perspective the most because he wasn't just awkward, he was AWKWARD. Like so much that it already felt unrealistic to me again. Technically he was incredibly sweet but then he'd say such random stuff? And also came on really strong to Ray even when she said no? Like I don't care that you think she is the most beautiful person in the world, she said no! It doesn't matter that Ray secretly likes it because he. doesn't. know. that. And then sleeping with the sweater she wore after they had just met? Is it just me or is that kinda weird?
I was getting along with Ray's POV way better until she started snooping around in Orion's house, like, have you heard of privacy? You've barely known him 24h girl. And then THEN she first of all went "why are we not making out yet, he should be all over me" and "Any other guy would have totally hooked up with me by now. He didn't even try. He's too innocent." ?! uhm excuse me !!? and then second of all literally went "i'm not like other girls" and then Orion also said "yeah you really aren't," like WOW, we really went there huh.
ANYWAY, it got really interesting and emotional towards the end. Ray's talks with her mom, Orion's talks with his dad (and mom), their talks with each other, Ray going to her dad's grave. It gave the story so much more meaning and depth and it only happened so late that it was only covered a little and felt like it was only used to create drama? Especially together with the unnecessary miscommunication between Ray and Orion about whether he knew or not. That could've 100% been avoided.
I like that at the end they both got to jump over their shadows a little and decide that despite their families' histories they would try to be together. I just wish that had played a role earlier. The star-crossed part really didn't matter for most of the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Child death, Car accident, and Death of parent
bruhbruh's review against another edition
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident and Death of parent
fandomsandfiction's review against another edition
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
2.0
I completed this book last night and it sure is something π¬
let's break it down ...
characters:
- the characters are flat and underdeveloped. I could not connect with them at all π
- the characterisation is inconsistent. the book is told from dual povs, but it's as if you're reading about completely different characters in each pov πΆ I swear Ray is a whole different person from Orion's pov compared to who she is in her own pov ...
- Orion is a red flag from the beginning π© he is stalker-level obsessed with Ray, his obsession with selfies makes no sense, and this specific "love at first sight" trope is just... weird (and creepy)
- the side characters are either horrible, clichΓ©, unrealistic or a combination fo all three ...
- there are so many lose threads !!! the characters are introduced with certain qualities or interests and then they're never mentioned again ??? what happened to Ray being "queen of the roller rink" ??? what happened to Orion's Sensory Processing Disorder ??? (I was actually interested in reading about that as someone who suffers with sensory issues myself)
plot/storyline:
- it feels very choppy
- the star-crossed lovers trope is a big part of the story's development, but it doesn't make much sense
- a lot of the plot is just unnecessary or unrealistic
- it is NOT the "Romeo & Juliet from Memphis" that some are claiming it to be
artwork:
β¨ GORGEOUS β¨
I can appreciate this book from a purely aesthetic pov because this cover !!! the found poetry and artwork included in the novel !!! the constellations !!! the colours !!! they're all so lovely
while I did not enjoy this book, perhaps you might? π if you're looking for a YA romance featuring black lead chatacters intertwined in a family drama of lies and secrets, this may be the book for you π
let's break it down ...
characters:
- the characters are flat and underdeveloped. I could not connect with them at all π
- the characterisation is inconsistent. the book is told from dual povs, but it's as if you're reading about completely different characters in each pov πΆ I swear Ray is a whole different person from Orion's pov compared to who she is in her own pov ...
- Orion is a red flag from the beginning π© he is stalker-level obsessed with Ray, his obsession with selfies makes no sense, and this specific "love at first sight" trope is just... weird (and creepy)
- the side characters are either horrible, clichΓ©, unrealistic or a combination fo all three ...
- there are so many lose threads !!! the characters are introduced with certain qualities or interests and then they're never mentioned again ??? what happened to Ray being "queen of the roller rink" ??? what happened to Orion's Sensory Processing Disorder ??? (I was actually interested in reading about that as someone who suffers with sensory issues myself)
plot/storyline:
- it feels very choppy
- the star-crossed lovers trope is a big part of the story's development, but it doesn't make much sense
- a lot of the plot is just unnecessary or unrealistic
- it is NOT the "Romeo & Juliet from Memphis" that some are claiming it to be
artwork:
β¨ GORGEOUS β¨
I can appreciate this book from a purely aesthetic pov because this cover !!! the found poetry and artwork included in the novel !!! the constellations !!! the colours !!! they're all so lovely
while I did not enjoy this book, perhaps you might? π if you're looking for a YA romance featuring black lead chatacters intertwined in a family drama of lies and secrets, this may be the book for you π
Content Warnings
Minor: Death and Car accident
solaria's review
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.5
bruh
Boring, cliche and cringey. Characters couldn't communicate and were bland which made it a frustrating read. Chemistry between main couple was forced and offered nothing interesting. There was no plot which left the already stale cast nothing to work with. The "plot twist" if you even want to call it that was underwhelming because the author clearly laid out what was going to happen before it was revealed, I knew exactly where the plot was heading and it was just as boring as predicted. The author told too much rather than describing or exploring it in a meaningful way. It could've been a lot shorter because sometimes the author inserted lines that were already implied during dialogue or other moments. Idk.....just not a good read at all.
Boring, cliche and cringey. Characters couldn't communicate and were bland which made it a frustrating read. Chemistry between main couple was forced and offered nothing interesting. There was no plot which left the already stale cast nothing to work with. The "plot twist" if you even want to call it that was underwhelming because the author clearly laid out what was going to happen before it was revealed, I knew exactly where the plot was heading and it was just as boring as predicted. The author told too much rather than describing or exploring it in a meaningful way. It could've been a lot shorter because sometimes the author inserted lines that were already implied during dialogue or other moments. Idk.....just not a good read at all.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Sexual content, and Grief
antonique_reads's review
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent, Death, Child death, and Car accident
amberinpieces's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death of parent, Toxic relationship, Cursing, Grief, Sexual content, Car accident, and Misogyny
Minor: Mental illness and Pregnancy
alexleigh20's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Car accident, Child death, Death, and Death of parent
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