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ashction's review against another edition
3.0
I rate this at a 3, but it's more of a lukewarm 3.5 stars.
I'm not entirely sure this one deserves all the hype, but I get why it might appeal to the average young adult reader. It's a quick easy read, though definitely some things are accurate and difficult to read when it comes to depression. However, the end was too sudden for my liking, and Roman seemed kind of like a joke the entire time. While I didn't believe in the Aysel/Roman connection, I did believe in the message and can vouch that depression is a lot like that. Please do not follow in these two characters's footsteps though; if you think you are depressed, please talk to someone and get help. Find your reasons to live.
I'm not entirely sure this one deserves all the hype, but I get why it might appeal to the average young adult reader. It's a quick easy read, though definitely some things are accurate and difficult to read when it comes to depression. However, the end was too sudden for my liking, and Roman seemed kind of like a joke the entire time. While I didn't believe in the Aysel/Roman connection, I did believe in the message and can vouch that depression is a lot like that. Please do not follow in these two characters's footsteps though; if you think you are depressed, please talk to someone and get help. Find your reasons to live.
librarylandlisa's review against another edition
4.0
Jasmine Warga was a science teacher for a time and also grew up in the Midwest. It is easy to see her influences alive in the main characters of this novel. Aysel (ah-zell) is a sixteen year old girl who is in love with science and that is about it. She is the outcast at school due to not only her Turkish heritage, but because her father committed a crime that rocked her small community. The character and the analogies are my favorite things about Aysel. She describes her depression as a black slug that lives inside of her. She has decided the only thing that will make her life better is to end it. She finds a partner on an online suicide partner website and together they make their plans to end their lives. As they get to know one another better, she beings to question if her life should end or not. She has to decide whether to go through with it or to convince her suicide partner that there are things worth living for. The characters in the book seem like they are deeply hurt but as a reader I want to keep listening to see if they can find a better meaning in life that will keep them from taking their own lives. Aysel reaches a realization that could change everything, but it might not end the way she wants. Will she will end it all, save herself, or manage to save them both?
Quote from Aysel’s on her depression:
“I think of my black slug, slithering around, slurping up my potential energy for joy. I press my hand to my stomach and desperately wish that it didn’t exist, that there was some way to fix me, to fix him” (P.187).
Quote from Aysel’s on her depression:
“I think of my black slug, slithering around, slurping up my potential energy for joy. I press my hand to my stomach and desperately wish that it didn’t exist, that there was some way to fix me, to fix him” (P.187).
literareads's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
jessicajessica101's review against another edition
4.0
Un très beau livre touchant et prenant ! Il aborde un sujet délicat, celui du suicide, mais aussi de la dépression mais d'une façon assez différente ! J'ai adoré les personnages, l'histoire, l'écriture, tout !
melissa_bookworm's review against another edition
3.0
This book fell a little flat to me. The themes of depression & guilt are potent throughout which is its real virtue. The way Aysel describes her depression as her black slug seems a quite accurate portrayal of how depression feels from the inside. Roman's story is a sad one & I understand the characters motives for wanting to end his life but as Aysel & Roman's relationship develops he doesn't seem to develop as a character. This might appeal more at the target age, full of hormones and possible angst, but I sadly didn't connect.
cleothebengal's review against another edition
1.0
This wasn't the worst book I've ever read, but although the concept is original, it is far from the best. I really would have liked to give this 1 and 1/2 stars but obviously that wasn't an option. Although it deals with deep subject matters, the book itself doesn't permeate any farther than your run-of-the mill teen novel.
blurrypetals's review against another edition
4.0
This book was sad. I was waiting for a gut-punch every minute, but the more I read, the more I realized the emotional value of this book was all on the surface level. It's sweet but not completely successful in what it's trying to say or do. It's nice but definitely nothing special.
rosalie_gonzalus's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
kofolapumpkin's review against another edition
2.0
Unfortunately this book was very anticlimactic.
Reading the end of it felt like turning the TV off 5 minutes before the movie ends. Also, I couldn't relate to the character Aysel at all. Who the hell hums classical music? How is that even possible? I remember telling people I liked classical music in 7th grade just to be cool.
On top of this I sometimes felt like I was reading a book about physics or something.
Also, how can you write a BOOK that talks down literature? People read books because they like literature... and not because they want to be criticized for reading it.
There are a lot of loose ends that the author didn't even care to tie up.
THE FOLLOWING MIGHT CONTAIN SLIGHT SPOILERS
For example, during 80% of the book Aysel talks about her father/wanting to meet him. There was this whole build-up towards her meeting him and well.. I just would've liked to "see" that happen. Very unsatisfying.
Also: what's with the rest of her family? Her sister showed some affection for the first time ever and after that they never talk again? Is Aysel going to get therapy or not? Why does nobody bully her anymore all of a sudden? Did she imagine it all or what? Ugh.. This makes me angry.
Reading the end of it felt like turning the TV off 5 minutes before the movie ends. Also, I couldn't relate to the character Aysel at all. Who the hell hums classical music? How is that even possible? I remember telling people I liked classical music in 7th grade just to be cool.
On top of this I sometimes felt like I was reading a book about physics or something.
Also, how can you write a BOOK that talks down literature? People read books because they like literature... and not because they want to be criticized for reading it.
There are a lot of loose ends that the author didn't even care to tie up.
THE FOLLOWING MIGHT CONTAIN SLIGHT SPOILERS
For example, during 80% of the book Aysel talks about her father/wanting to meet him. There was this whole build-up towards her meeting him and well.. I just would've liked to "see" that happen. Very unsatisfying.
Also: what's with the rest of her family? Her sister showed some affection for the first time ever and after that they never talk again? Is Aysel going to get therapy or not? Why does nobody bully her anymore all of a sudden? Did she imagine it all or what? Ugh.. This makes me angry.