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msyakirah's review against another edition
4.0
Not gonna lie this book took me a long time to get used to it. Plus, I read the translated version of it to Indonesian, and I definitely see some sentences that don't line up with each other. It is a struggle for me to read it on like the first 100 pages because, in my opinion, it bored me to death. There is no plot whatsoever, the character building is too slow, and overall not much happens. But when I got past that, I can feel that this is a heart-warming book. The character is okay, but the scenery, the plot, and everything really show how a teenager reacts to this kind of situation. It really pictures the real-life internalization of how a teenager's mind thinks, at least according to me. The book is good, but for me that postpones 2 months to read more from the first 100 pages, I don't know it is worth it or not. I'm sure although don't know it yet, there definitely is a better book that raises the same issue as this.
cass_cady's review against another edition
4.0
Zenter's novel about grief is honest and heartbreaking. He doesn't dumb down or shy away from the very real questions, emotions, and anxieties people feel when someone they love has died. Zentner's characters journey through the grief process in very realistic ways- shock, denial anger- but his exploration of guilt is unique in this novel in that his protagonist Carver struggles with the very real possibility that he might be found criminally culpable for causing the deaths of his friends. Carver's grief process is punctuated by flashbacks that serve to bring the "Sauce Crew" back to life for the reader and also enlighten the family members they left behind. I wasn't so sure about the titular premise of the story- it seems almost tortuous for the adults to Carver, a child (albeit a near-adult), to have a "goodbye day" in which Carver role plays his deceased friends in order to help them find closure, honor their memory, or process their feelings about Carver's guilt. It felt irresponsible to a certain degree to place that kind of pressure on Carver, and that was the only aspect to the plot that felt a little ridiculous. The way the characters spoke to one another, Carver's anxieties and panic attacks, his family's attempts to help him- all of this felt visceral, raw, and realistic.
Zentner's talent for description and imagery become Carver's writing talent and Zentner captures the language and mannerisms of teens on the precipice of becoming young adults- how do they reconcile wanting to be mature and in control with their childish tendencies? Carver's insecurities and difficulties with managing relationships is honest. Even as an adult I can relate to Carver. Zentner writes mental illness well- Carver's panic attacks are intense, and Zentner appears to be a proponent of a shameless and realistic approach of ways teens experiencing depression and anxiety can get help.
It's definitely not a book for all students. Those who've recently experienced tragedy either from losing a friend or loved one or have experienced a car accident may find this book too intense. The main characters are teenage boys who curse and joke around (references to sex, but no graphic sexual content), so younger middle schoolers are not the target audience. This books would be a great small ground novel for 8th grade or high school students.
Zentner's talent for description and imagery become Carver's writing talent and Zentner captures the language and mannerisms of teens on the precipice of becoming young adults- how do they reconcile wanting to be mature and in control with their childish tendencies? Carver's insecurities and difficulties with managing relationships is honest. Even as an adult I can relate to Carver. Zentner writes mental illness well- Carver's panic attacks are intense, and Zentner appears to be a proponent of a shameless and realistic approach of ways teens experiencing depression and anxiety can get help.
It's definitely not a book for all students. Those who've recently experienced tragedy either from losing a friend or loved one or have experienced a car accident may find this book too intense. The main characters are teenage boys who curse and joke around (references to sex, but no graphic sexual content), so younger middle schoolers are not the target audience. This books would be a great small ground novel for 8th grade or high school students.
potwato's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
syndi3's review against another edition
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
oh man.. oh man.. oh man... another masterpiece from jeff. what a hearbreaking and uplifting story. about friendship, adulthood, responsibility and loss. a heart wrenching lost. i feel carver. his grief and his heartbreak.
wonderful wonderful book.
wonderful wonderful book.
rudera01's review against another edition
3.0
I feel torn on this book. I really like the premise and that the author is addressing multiple challenging subjects. I also appreciate the advocacy for seeking mental health through therapy!
I struggled with a few things.
1). For most of the book, I found the three friends who passed were hard to distinguish from each other. Aside from Blake being the funny one, they all bled together until Carver spent time with their families. Once that happened, however, I was really happy with the character descriptions but wish we got that introduced earlier on.
2). I was shocked how quickly the therapist recommended Zoloft - it was like the first five minutes into his session! Hardly any questions were asked or suggestions made for other solutions. I am not shaming taking medication in the slightest(I take anti anxiety myself and I certainly know how helpful and necessary it can be), but to me it seemed to push medication as the first and foremost answer. And then when he comes in the second or third time he immediately INCREASES his prescription when the panic attack came back again. He didn't recommend any sort of deep breathing or other exercise when Carver feels a panic attack coming on. Just take the pills, you'll be cool forever, bro. I didn't like the message that sent.
3). --and this is very minor compared to #2 -- the author has a habit of sending his characters into fits of hysterical laughter at the smallest of jokes. I gave it a pass when the Sauce Crew would break into giggles because I know how you can be with your friends and for no reason you are cry laughing at the dumbest stuff. But when he and Jasmyn are talking about nothing and one of them says a small thing and they are in tears laughing? This happened a lot. I don't know why it bothered me that much. I guess I don't think people are that uproariously hilarious?
I think it's an important message and warning about texting while driving, but I think it can be done better. Still, I finished it quickly and for the most part appreciated it. It dealt very well with describing grief and guilt in an authentic way.
I struggled with a few things.
1). For most of the book, I found the three friends who passed were hard to distinguish from each other. Aside from Blake being the funny one, they all bled together until Carver spent time with their families. Once that happened, however, I was really happy with the character descriptions but wish we got that introduced earlier on.
2). I was shocked how quickly the therapist recommended Zoloft - it was like the first five minutes into his session! Hardly any questions were asked or suggestions made for other solutions. I am not shaming taking medication in the slightest(I take anti anxiety myself and I certainly know how helpful and necessary it can be), but to me it seemed to push medication as the first and foremost answer. And then when he comes in the second or third time he immediately INCREASES his prescription when the panic attack came back again. He didn't recommend any sort of deep breathing or other exercise when Carver feels a panic attack coming on. Just take the pills, you'll be cool forever, bro. I didn't like the message that sent.
3). --and this is very minor compared to #2 -- the author has a habit of sending his characters into fits of hysterical laughter at the smallest of jokes. I gave it a pass when the Sauce Crew would break into giggles because I know how you can be with your friends and for no reason you are cry laughing at the dumbest stuff. But when he and Jasmyn are talking about nothing and one of them says a small thing and they are in tears laughing? This happened a lot. I don't know why it bothered me that much. I guess I don't think people are that uproariously hilarious?
I think it's an important message and warning about texting while driving, but I think it can be done better. Still, I finished it quickly and for the most part appreciated it. It dealt very well with describing grief and guilt in an authentic way.
aburgess15's review against another edition
4.0
This book had all the potential to be a 5 star book at the beginning, but somehow I lost the connection with Blade towards the end of the book. During the first 'Goodbye Day', I cried. The second 'Goodbye Day', I was so very angry. The last one, I felt sorry for both parties but did get some resolution for the whole story at the end.
I would recommend this book to all my friends. It was a good read that did bring a face to the consequences of texting and driving. Look at what could happen to those who are left behind...
I would recommend this book to all my friends. It was a good read that did bring a face to the consequences of texting and driving. Look at what could happen to those who are left behind...
erincataldi's review against another edition
5.0
One of the most beautifully written and heart wrenching teen novels I've read since John Green. With one little text, Carver accidentally kills his three best friends. Trying to cope and process the guilt and the sorrow is near impossible since his best friends are gone. He relies on his older sister but soon she's going back to college and soon he'll have to face everyone at school. He slowly becomes friends with the girlfriend of one of his deceased friends and together the two of them try to make sense of what has happened. Jesmyn makes music and Carver tries to return to his writing but his heart's not in it. Trying to do the mundane, every day tasks can be excruciating. While working on college applications, Carver write "One day I wrote a text message that killed my three best friends... Sure I've written a few stories here and there, but my masterwork was a two-sentence-long text message that ended three stories. I'm the only writer in the world who makes stories disappear by writing." To top it all off Carver might be facing accidental manslaughter charges because of the text. Beautiful, heart-wrenching, an absolute must read!
I received this book for free from Blogging for Books in return for my honest, unbiased opinion.
I received this book for free from Blogging for Books in return for my honest, unbiased opinion.
janaybrazier's review against another edition
4.0
I read this book in one day! I've literally sat and read my ARC (I'm in the UK and it's not out until next month here) all day, only moving to eat. I even read it in the bath! I honestly loved this book. I loved the setting, as I've always wanted to go to to Nashville and the surrounding areas, I loved the narrative voice and I loved how impactful the plot was. I have experienced the loss of a friend in a similar situation. I was 17 when she was in a car accident with two of her friends. My friend (the driver) was the only one who died, although one was in a wheelchair at the funeral and the other was in a coma. Although it was almost 8 years ago it still struck a chord and took me back to that moment, but in a way I think it has helped. Overall, this was a very well-written story that had a big impact on me and I would definitely recommend it. * I may have been sent an ARC, but these views are completely my own *
thriller_chick's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0