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katsbooks's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
tense
fast-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
3.0
“It’s okay how some stories leave off without an ending. Life doesn’t always deliver the one you would expect.”
“I’m more happy than not. Don’t forget me.”
“Happiness shouldn’t be this hard.”
This book was a complete roller coaster. One of my students recommended it so, of course, I had to follow through and let them know how I felt about it. I'll be real, I thought I was going to get an angsty teen novel, and it was that, but it was also so much more than that. It was fast-paced and angsty, like I said, but it also included so much more about relationships and trauma. So definite trigger warnings for suicide (attempted and successful), emotional abuse, grief, death of a parent, hate crimes and medical trauma. There are probably more that I'm forgetting but those are just the rapid fire ones I could think of off the top of my head. I enjoyed the time I spent with this book and I am definitely going to give Adam Silvera's other work a try. This was his debut novel and, again, it was good, it just felt a little lacking to me. There were times when the writing felt a little clunky and awkward. There were some points where I feel like it dragged on just a bit too much because of all the different elements. But for a debut, it's pretty solid. I may even put my copy in my classroom for my other students to enjoy.
“I’m more happy than not. Don’t forget me.”
“Happiness shouldn’t be this hard.”
This book was a complete roller coaster. One of my students recommended it so, of course, I had to follow through and let them know how I felt about it. I'll be real, I thought I was going to get an angsty teen novel, and it was that, but it was also so much more than that. It was fast-paced and angsty, like I said, but it also included so much more about relationships and trauma. So definite trigger warnings for suicide (attempted and successful), emotional abuse, grief, death of a parent, hate crimes and medical trauma. There are probably more that I'm forgetting but those are just the rapid fire ones I could think of off the top of my head. I enjoyed the time I spent with this book and I am definitely going to give Adam Silvera's other work a try. This was his debut novel and, again, it was good, it just felt a little lacking to me. There were times when the writing felt a little clunky and awkward. There were some points where I feel like it dragged on just a bit too much because of all the different elements. But for a debut, it's pretty solid. I may even put my copy in my classroom for my other students to enjoy.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Death, Emotional abuse, Hate crime, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Medical content, Dementia, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual content and Alcohol
Minor: Cursing, Domestic abuse, and Abortion
mschills's review against another edition
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
dhruthick's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Chronic illness, Death, Domestic abuse, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Terminal illness, Violence, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
Moderate: Child death, Cursing, and Drug use
Minor: Rape
emm_furlong's review against another edition
emotional
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Bullying, Cursing, Homophobia, Violence, and Death of parent
Minor: Drug use, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, and Toxic friendship
19becky97's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Hate crime, Homophobia, Infidelity, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Murder, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Injury/Injury detail
half_bloodreader's review against another edition
dark
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Written in 1st person, present tense. Divided into 5 parts
Toxic masculinity is real in this one.
This is not only a sad book, it's also really hard to go through. I advise against reading this when you are going through a depressive episode.
It's not a feel good story, and most of the characters are pretty hateful. Thomas -who's pretty flawed himself- keeps calling these guys he knows from childhood his "friends", when they're nothing but! He also looks for his happiness in others which is an awful message and he's super entitled.
The book is pretty short, but Part 1 is boring. The pacing's inconsistent.
The premise is interesting, but it didn't feel explored to its potential.
I appreciate the diversity. Not only in race and sexuality, but in social class. Poverty isn't addressed enough, unless it's for the same plot we all know. But poverty has many faces.
I don't appreciate Aaron's transphobic wording about the character Nate (especially when he wants to be accepted). Or how he hurts the people who truly care about him again and again. And how he decides who someone is and labels them. You don't get to tell someone hoe they identify or attribute a label! You can give them resources, support, discuss such subjects, and let them figure it out!!
I don't like how there's a message that a boy liking girl characters, girl action figures and girl pop singers equals being gay. The mc himself says these traits were hints of his sexuality! That is such patriarchal heteronormative bs, and it's actually part of a bigger issue: men must want women, but they can't respect them, while respecting and looking for the approval of other men, but keeping a distance.
If I took a shot every time "no homo" was said, I'd have liver failure! Just. Stop.
Just what even was the point of this book? If it was: embrace past hardships & traumas, so you can overcome and move on, then I personally don't think it was handled right.
I loved They Both Die at the End, but this one wasn't it.
Toxic masculinity is real in this one.
This is not only a sad book, it's also really hard to go through. I advise against reading this when you are going through a depressive episode.
It's not a feel good story, and most of the characters are pretty hateful. Thomas -who's pretty flawed himself- keeps calling these guys he knows from childhood his "friends", when they're nothing but! He also looks for his happiness in others which is an awful message and he's super entitled.
The book is pretty short, but Part 1 is boring. The pacing's inconsistent.
The premise is interesting, but it didn't feel explored to its potential.
I appreciate the diversity. Not only in race and sexuality, but in social class. Poverty isn't addressed enough, unless it's for the same plot we all know. But poverty has many faces.
I don't appreciate Aaron's transphobic wording about the character Nate (especially when he wants to be accepted). Or how he hurts the people who truly care about him again and again. And how he decides who someone is and labels them. You don't get to tell someone hoe they identify or attribute a label! You can give them resources, support, discuss such subjects, and let them figure it out!!
I don't like how there's a message that a boy liking girl characters, girl action figures and girl pop singers equals being gay. The mc himself says these traits were hints of his sexuality! That is such patriarchal heteronormative bs, and it's actually part of a bigger issue: men must want women, but they can't respect them, while respecting and looking for the approval of other men, but keeping a distance.
If I took a shot every time "no homo" was said, I'd have liver failure! Just. Stop.
Just what even was the point of this book? If it was: embrace past hardships & traumas, so you can overcome and move on, then I personally don't think it was handled right.
I loved They Both Die at the End, but this one wasn't it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Homophobia, and Physical abuse
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Transphobia and Suicide attempt
emilyellen07's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Drug use, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Outing, and Toxic friendship
hyac1nthgirl's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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? It's complicated
5.0
this book WRECKED me. like WRECKED. when the twist happened, i literally had to set the book down to process what that meant. processing pain & trying to heal is what this book is all about, & as someone who has had their fair share of guilt & grief, this touched me in a way i didn't expect. im not sure exactly what is holding me back from giving a full 5 stars, maybe I'll find it later. but i loved everything about this book, including the tiniest of details like the smiley/sad faces that separated sections & how they always matched the content & how aaron was feeling at that point. a beautiful debut from an author that i NEED to read more from.
EDIT: upping this to 5 stars bc i literally can't stop thinking about this book MONTHS later.
EDIT: upping this to 5 stars bc i literally can't stop thinking about this book MONTHS later.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Hate crime, Homophobia, Self harm, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
cris7791's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-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
5.0
I’m still in shock from this book.
Oh…and I ugly cried.
Oh…and I ugly cried.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, and Suicide attempt
abbiesb_read's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Correct me if I’m wrong but, I got the vibe that Aaron is bi and Adam Silvera had no idea how to conceptualize that idea fully.
This book read like a draft that needed more editing.
The narrator, Aaron, was insufferable at times. For most of the book I honestly couldn’t stand him and considered DNF the book because he acted like he was entitled to have his feelings returned. We can not control how others feel about us which i thought was going to be part of the message of this book—which would have been a very powerful message—instead we have a character whose entire happiness relies on others. —which is a terrible message.
There were so many moments where I felt like Aaron was in denial that a guy could have physical attraction towards him and also still be figuring out his sexuality— or that a guy could have been experimenting and came to the conclusion he isn’t gay. Considering that Aaron himself was questioning his own sexually he never once acted like it was ok for his male love interests to also question their own sexuality. If his feelings towards them weren’t returned and they showed any sort of straightness—“he’s gay and he’s in denial if he thinks he isn’t”. This book acts like being Straight or Gay are the only options.
Also, the friend characters were written very stereotypical and lacked any sort of interesting substance. I often found myself getting them confused because they all had the same personality.
Why was “no homo” used SO MANY TIMES?? I don’t have a problem with it being used. I’m in my 30s and I do remember kids my age in middle school saying it but why was that saying used so EXCESSIVELY?!
In terms of the plot: Sometimes the pacing was fast, other times it slogged. I felt like this book tried to cram in as much trauma as it possibly could so it could make you “feel something” but it came off as emotionally manipulative. The “twist” ending and then eventual conclusion made me wander what was the damn point of this book.
I read We Both Die at the End first and this didn’t even come close to the same impact that book had on me. However, I acknowledge that this is Adam’s first novel so I’m glad his writing has improved!
This book read like a draft that needed more editing.
The narrator, Aaron, was insufferable at times. For most of the book I honestly couldn’t stand him and considered DNF the book because he acted like he was entitled to have his feelings returned. We can not control how others feel about us which i thought was going to be part of the message of this book—which would have been a very powerful message—instead we have a character whose entire happiness relies on others. —which is a terrible message.
There were so many moments where I felt like Aaron was in denial that a guy could have physical attraction towards him and also still be figuring out his sexuality— or that a guy could have been experimenting and came to the conclusion he isn’t gay. Considering that Aaron himself was questioning his own sexually he never once acted like it was ok for his male love interests to also question their own sexuality. If his feelings towards them weren’t returned and they showed any sort of straightness—“he’s gay and he’s in denial if he thinks he isn’t”. This book acts like being Straight or Gay are the only options.
Also, the friend characters were written very stereotypical and lacked any sort of interesting substance. I often found myself getting them confused because they all had the same personality.
Why was “no homo” used SO MANY TIMES?? I don’t have a problem with it being used. I’m in my 30s and I do remember kids my age in middle school saying it but why was that saying used so EXCESSIVELY?!
In terms of the plot: Sometimes the pacing was fast, other times it slogged. I felt like this book tried to cram in as much trauma as it possibly could so it could make you “feel something” but it came off as emotionally manipulative. The “twist” ending and then eventual conclusion made me wander what was the damn point of this book.
I read We Both Die at the End first and this didn’t even come close to the same impact that book had on me. However, I acknowledge that this is Adam’s first novel so I’m glad his writing has improved!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Homophobia, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, and Death of parent
Moderate: Biphobia, Bullying, and Toxic friendship