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starklinqs's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book may honestly be my favorite book that I’ve read in a long time - it’s not perfect, but the emotions that this book brought up for me make it so that even the things that I wish were different don’t detract my rating for this book.
Things that I wish were different - the main character doesn’t sound 13 years old whatsoever. I definitely got used to it, and the book acknowledges that he’s different from other 13 year olds, but I do wonder why he wasn’t aged up even slightly. The book also feels very very long. I think it’s all worth it, but there definitely were moments where I’d check to see how much longer I had left.
World building was also done but left me with many questions - and I feel like these things were all mentioned in other reviews and I can see why it would push a rating down.
That being said - I absolutely loved it. I feel like this book had a theme of forgiveness as Gunboy evolves. (This is spoilered and if you haven’t read don’t click it!) The concept of forgiving a stranger, then a best friend, and finally yourself was just wonderfully done and I adored it. The relationship with Boo and Johnny was also a beautifully done relationship - a wonderful platonic relationship with depths of love. I would honestly read a sequel from Johnny’s POV post-Town . Overall I just loved it dearly - I feel like with Boo it’s difficult for me to cry with books, but the last half had me tearing up and I was fully invested in the story.
Things that I wish were different - the main character doesn’t sound 13 years old whatsoever. I definitely got used to it, and the book acknowledges that he’s different from other 13 year olds, but I do wonder why he wasn’t aged up even slightly. The book also feels very very long. I think it’s all worth it, but there definitely were moments where I’d check to see how much longer I had left.
World building was also done but left me with many questions - and I feel like these things were all mentioned in other reviews and I can see why it would push a rating down.
That being said - I absolutely loved it. I feel like this book had a theme of forgiveness as Gunboy evolves. (This is spoilered and if you haven’t read don’t click it!) The concept of forgiving
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Gun violence, and Suicide
Minor: Ableism and Racism
obviousthings's review
emotional
funny
mysterious
sad
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? It's complicated
3.25
I loved the characters, but ultimately I don’t think this book handled themes of mental illness and suicide very well. I found the ending really upsetting.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child death, Gun violence, Mental illness, Murder, and Suicide
Moderate: Ableism, Blood, Fatphobia, Grief, Hate crime, Racism, Self harm, Violence, and Mass/school shootings
Minor: Alcohol, Animal death, Fire/Fire injury, Medical content, and Panic attacks/disorders
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