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claudiamacpherson's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Death, Medical content, and Terminal illness
Minor: Alcohol, Blood, Cursing, Drug use, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Lesbophobia, Infertility, and Misogyny
corriejn's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.5
It's hard to remember the last time I read a book I cared less about, but I figured I'd give it at least some stars since it wasn't like, deeply offensive or something, and I didn't want to block off my whole bottom end of the scale.
I finished this only because it's short, and also there was a sleeping cat on my lap keeping me from getting up to do something else. I really need to start screening book recommendations better.
I found this just incredibly boring. One-dimensional characters, entirely unsurprising plot "twists," and thoroughly self-conscious "oh hey, lesbians!" references slung in at enough points to attempt to get it shelved with LGBTQIA+ lit. All of the themes (terminal illness, friendship, queerness, agency over life choices, etc., etc.) fail to reach a level of relevance that leave the reader actually caring what happens. Imagine the Steve Buscemi "how do you do, fellow kids?" meme and that gives you a rough sense of the smoothness of the author's attempted connection to... frankly, I'm not even sure exactly what the target audience of this book is meant to be (I considered that question during most of the fortunately short slog through it). Toss in a few unearned, inspirational-poster-caliber cheesy life lessons, and you've got this book.
I finished this only because it's short, and also there was a sleeping cat on my lap keeping me from getting up to do something else. I really need to start screening book recommendations better.
I found this just incredibly boring. One-dimensional characters, entirely unsurprising plot "twists," and thoroughly self-conscious "oh hey, lesbians!" references slung in at enough points to attempt to get it shelved with LGBTQIA+ lit. All of the themes (terminal illness, friendship, queerness, agency over life choices, etc., etc.) fail to reach a level of relevance that leave the reader actually caring what happens. Imagine the Steve Buscemi "how do you do, fellow kids?" meme and that gives you a rough sense of the smoothness of the author's attempted connection to... frankly, I'm not even sure exactly what the target audience of this book is meant to be (I considered that question during most of the fortunately short slog through it). Toss in a few unearned, inspirational-poster-caliber cheesy life lessons, and you've got this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Terminal illness and Medical content
Moderate: Cursing, Drug use, Injury/Injury detail, and Blood
Minor: Homophobia
rchristine11's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness, Terminal illness, and Cursing
Moderate: Abortion, Suicidal thoughts, and Drug use
mommarex1221's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I adore Alix E. Harrow and will continue to happily consume anything she writes. Even fairy tale retellings.
A very sweet, quick read that could've (most definitely) been fleshed further out into a full novel that would've been even more compelling. But I see Alix has plans for Zinnia and the novella might just be the best way to go. Looking forward to A Mirror Mended and any other tales that lie ahead of Zinnia.
A very sweet, quick read that could've (most definitely) been fleshed further out into a full novel that would've been even more compelling. But I see Alix has plans for Zinnia and the novella might just be the best way to go. Looking forward to A Mirror Mended and any other tales that lie ahead of Zinnia.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Chronic illness, Cursing, Medical content, and Terminal illness
Minor: Rape and Sexual assault
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