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acanthae's review
dark
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
hpbug7's review
3.0
Really had some potential but didn’t really go anywhere. Definitely points out some red flags in relationships. Good palate cleanser during or between books.
poeticparson's review
dark
tense
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
3.0
Koja knows her way around imagery and figurative language. That is clear. There were plenty of moments in this book that I felt inspired to write down elsewhere to remember later and enjoy anew.
As for subject matter, Koja wades into interesting waters. Exploring parasitic relationships and how those with power, even a small amount, and no humanity abuse those around them. Cole is an all consuming devil and Maggy gets caught in the alluring power he wields.
All this said, it's still not quite up my alley in terms of its general tone. As a book written from the perspective of a high school girl that largely focuses on her obsessive relationship with a boy from the streets, it is bound to have a certain register (and should). It's just not something I'm particularly compelled by.
As for subject matter, Koja wades into interesting waters. Exploring parasitic relationships and how those with power, even a small amount, and no humanity abuse those around them. Cole is an all consuming devil and Maggy gets caught in the alluring power he wields.
All this said, it's still not quite up my alley in terms of its general tone. As a book written from the perspective of a high school girl that largely focuses on her obsessive relationship with a boy from the streets, it is bound to have a certain register (and should). It's just not something I'm particularly compelled by.
nicoleanthony's review
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
bb_laurens's review
3.0
This book is like pure poetry. It is so good, I may read it again! Maggy and Cole are dangerously smooth.
cindywho's review
3.0
Short novel about teen artist angst and bad boyfriend problems, a little on the supernatural side.
carolined314's review
3.0
The setting and feel of teen angst are gorgeously realized in this book. The tight writing and strong visual sensibility makes this absolutely worth reading--and it's an easy read, took me a little over an hour. However, I wish that it offered a little more joy, some of the ups and thrills of being a teen, and some plot aside from girl-likes-boy-who-likes-girl-but-girl-realizes-he's-no-good. While relevant for teen girls, it's also predictable in an unfortunate way, given the luminous writing.
livfass's review
dark
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
nebby's review
3.0
Re-read this after two years or so, and I can't say I really liked it a second time. I think I liked it more the first time I read it. I found a lot of things this time around while reading it that irritated me, and I guess it just took a second time to see those things clearly. It's an okay book for teenagers, and it's a really easy small read, but I don't think I'd read it again.