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booksonthefloor's review against another edition
5.0
I finally finished this book and I am so happy that I gave it the time it was due. I purchased this book this summer right after getting REAL into Heartstopper. I had binged the books, the TV show... and I still truly adore Heartstopper.
When I began reading this, I was really only reading it to get more of Nick and Charlie's story. I knew they were secondary characters in this book-- with Charlie being slightly more important to the plot than Nick (who really is, in this book, just a very loyal, responsible, doting boyfriend and that is pretty much it.)
My first read through of this book was mid-September and I really just skimmed. I was pretty driven by two things: what was the Nick and Charlie storyline (even though I knew it would be very minor), and who was Solitaire? I found the tone of the book so different from the wholesome Heartstopper I was used to and my interest faded.
A month later, I picked it back up with less Heartstopper fanaticism. Even though I was technically well into the 2nd half of the book, I decided to start over and really read it. This time around, I truly fell in love with this book, especially the character of Michael. This reas through, Charlie and Nick became less important side characters to me, where they rightfully belong in this story. Tori definitely deserves to be front and center during this novel. She has so much to do (besides skulking in the corner sipping diet lemonade).
I understand why Solitaire is largely kept separate from Heartstopper. The things that happen in the book, and the way Higgs students react to them, would potentially change our views of some beloved characters (can we imagine Darcie and Tara celebrating at the Clay as the fireworks burst? Would Elle have thought beating up Ben was funny? Would the gang have celebrated as the school burned?) And because the answer to all of those things is "no way," the story would not have been centered around Tori. It would have been the Paris Crew vs. Solitaire.
That being said, as Michael Holden has begun to surface in Heartstopper, just slightly, it was exciting to hear his complex backstory.
Overall, this book was wonderful, not because it was a sister to Heartstopper, but because it was such a beautiful, powerful story.
When I began reading this, I was really only reading it to get more of Nick and Charlie's story. I knew they were secondary characters in this book-- with Charlie being slightly more important to the plot than Nick (who really is, in this book, just a very loyal, responsible, doting boyfriend and that is pretty much it.)
My first read through of this book was mid-September and I really just skimmed. I was pretty driven by two things: what was the Nick and Charlie storyline (even though I knew it would be very minor), and who was Solitaire? I found the tone of the book so different from the wholesome Heartstopper I was used to and my interest faded.
A month later, I picked it back up with less Heartstopper fanaticism. Even though I was technically well into the 2nd half of the book, I decided to start over and really read it. This time around, I truly fell in love with this book, especially the character of Michael. This reas through, Charlie and Nick became less important side characters to me, where they rightfully belong in this story. Tori definitely deserves to be front and center during this novel. She has so much to do (besides skulking in the corner sipping diet lemonade).
I understand why Solitaire is largely kept separate from Heartstopper. The things that happen in the book, and the way Higgs students react to them, would potentially change our views of some beloved characters (can we imagine Darcie and Tara celebrating at the Clay as the fireworks burst? Would Elle have thought beating up Ben was funny? Would the gang have celebrated as the school burned?) And because the answer to all of those things is "no way," the story would not have been centered around Tori. It would have been the Paris Crew vs. Solitaire.
That being said, as Michael Holden has begun to surface in Heartstopper, just slightly, it was exciting to hear his complex backstory.
Overall, this book was wonderful, not because it was a sister to Heartstopper, but because it was such a beautiful, powerful story.
khrenek's review against another edition
5.0
Voto 4.5
Per chi avesse letto prima la graphic novel (Heartstopper), quelsto libro sembrerebbe essere stato scritto da un'autrice alquanto diversa. Dove HS e le novelle che lo ampliano sono caratterizzati da un'approccio lieve ai problemi trattati, in Solitaire invece il tono è alquanto più cupo. C'è un'aura di disillusione che pervade la narrazione, soprattutto perché la protagonista del romanzo è Tori.
Pur essendo tratteggiata come una nichilista e piuttosto depressa (in pratica sembra una emo), Tori svela però, nel corso del romanzo, una serie di atteggiamenti e di emozioni alquanto varie (nonostante continui a ripetersi di non provare nulla). Un altro personaggio molto interessante e ben tratteggiato è Michael, il quale, come Tori, nasconde sotto la patina del tipo strano e un po' schizzato, molto altro e riesce a farsi amare dal lettore praticamente fin da subito (almeno, a me è successo).
Nel romanzo appaiono anche Nick e Charlie, che almeno in un frangente non fanno propriamente una bella figura (dopotutto non sono esseri perfetti, ma ragazzi che hanno anche tutto il diritto di sbagliare).
Chi rimane abbastanza fedele a sé stessa è la madre di Tori e Charlie, che come nella graphic novel, appare piuttosto scostante.
Riguardo l'identità di Solitaire, ho avuto un'idea abbastanza forte su chi fosse già ben prima della metà del libro, prendendoci, anche se alla fine una sorpresa c'è comunque stata.
L'unica perplessità - non dovuta né all'autrice né al testo -, è stata sulla scelta nell'edizione italiana di aggiungere un sottotitolo ("Senza nuvole") al romanzo; sarò tonto io, ma francamente non ne ho capito il significato.
Per chi avesse letto prima la graphic novel (Heartstopper), quelsto libro sembrerebbe essere stato scritto da un'autrice alquanto diversa. Dove HS e le novelle che lo ampliano sono caratterizzati da un'approccio lieve ai problemi trattati, in Solitaire invece il tono è alquanto più cupo. C'è un'aura di disillusione che pervade la narrazione, soprattutto perché la protagonista del romanzo è Tori.
Pur essendo tratteggiata come una nichilista e piuttosto depressa (in pratica sembra una emo), Tori svela però, nel corso del romanzo, una serie di atteggiamenti e di emozioni alquanto varie (nonostante continui a ripetersi di non provare nulla). Un altro personaggio molto interessante e ben tratteggiato è Michael, il quale, come Tori, nasconde sotto la patina del tipo strano e un po' schizzato, molto altro e riesce a farsi amare dal lettore praticamente fin da subito (almeno, a me è successo).
Nel romanzo appaiono anche Nick e Charlie, che almeno in un frangente non fanno propriamente una bella figura (dopotutto non sono esseri perfetti, ma ragazzi che hanno anche tutto il diritto di sbagliare).
Chi rimane abbastanza fedele a sé stessa è la madre di Tori e Charlie, che come nella graphic novel, appare piuttosto scostante.
Riguardo l'identità di Solitaire, ho avuto un'idea abbastanza forte su chi fosse già ben prima della metà del libro, prendendoci, anche se alla fine una sorpresa c'è comunque stata.
L'unica perplessità - non dovuta né all'autrice né al testo -, è stata sulla scelta nell'edizione italiana di aggiungere un sottotitolo ("Senza nuvole") al romanzo; sarò tonto io, ma francamente non ne ho capito il significato.
sailorqwn's review against another edition
4.0
idk what to say. i know that this book can come off as a bit overdramatic and all, but it is about a teenager tho. i used to be where tori is when i was her age (and i think i can relate to some things still, one of the most realistic depictions of depression and how it affects the way one perceives the world around then), so i get it. the ending was a bit ridiculous, yeah, but i understand that it’s supposed to be an irony, so it’s okay. i also cried a few times.
leia_faith's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
juliarose54's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
shrimprin's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
5.0
alexiabar_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ringfinder33's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
4.5