Reviews tagging 'Medical content'

Heartstopper Volume 4 by Alice Oseman

58 reviews

aformeracceleratedreader's review against another edition

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lighthearted fast-paced

4.0

Also didn't love this one like the first two but I appreciate the discussion on mental health. The discussion of eating disorders/disordered eating still made me uncomfy as it's something I struggle with from time to time though.

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hewbear13's review against another edition

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challenging emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted 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


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cozyreader9752's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful lighthearted 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

5.0


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piperclover's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional funny lighthearted 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? No

4.5

I really enjoy the way mental health and illnesses are described in a light hearted but still serious way.  It's dealt with appropriately but it's not so heavy that it feels a pit in your stomach. I absolutely love that therapy and medical intervention is so well highlighted and encouraged in this series. There's a whole lot of nuances but it's really nice to see, especially in the context of teenagers. The other thing I love is that Nick flat out tells his dad and brother off and says to his dads face that he isn't being a good parent.  I can't stand it when characters, especially teens/young adults, aren't vocal in telling the people hurting them how they're hurting them. 

I think the author has found a very good balance between sounding like authentic teenagers but keeping it clean and not harmful. At the end, Charlie jokes about Tao being homophobic when he complains about Charlie and Nick kissing too much.  That's such a realistic thing for friends to joke about but its never taken any farther so it's always funny. 

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m4rtt4's review against another edition

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dark emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective 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

4.25

A comfort series, but this one was not quite a comforting read — it got very deep and dark, though I feel like it was both a necessary development to the story and more importantly, a safe way to teach young people about mental health issues and bumpy recovery journeys. Heartstopper is one of the most impactful book series I've ever come across, and I just wish these had been around when I was 15-16 myself.

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aseel_reads's review against another edition

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hopeful lighthearted 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

4.0

Very wholesome as always. I really like the mental health aspect of it, I thought it was dealt with well

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dianaschmidty's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark funny hopeful inspiring relaxing sad 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

4.5


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sudatot's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful informative inspiring sad fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25


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sammymilfort's review against another edition

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challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative reflective 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


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kelly_e's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted 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

Title: Heartstopper: Volume Four
Author: Alice Oseman
Series: Heartstopper #4
Genre: YA Graphic Novel
Rating: 5.0
Pub Date: May 6, 2021

T H R E E • W O R D S

Realistic • Hopeful • Heartfelt

📖 S Y N O P S I S

Now that they are officially a couple, Charlie feels ready to say those three little words: I love you, but doesn't want it to be too soon.

Nick's been feeling the same, but he's got a lot on his mind - not least coming out to his dad, and the fact that Charlie might have an eating disorder.

As summer turns to autumn and a new school year begins, Charlie and Nick are about to learn a lot about what love means.

💭 T H O U G H T S

In Heartstopper: Volume Four the main focus is on Charlie's mental health, specifically his eating disorder, OCD, and self-harming. It is all handled with sensitivity and compassion by the author. The loved one/caregiver/friend perspective was a welcome addition, as there aren't a lot of books that show what it is like to love someone struggling with mental illness. It shows how you can feel so helpless and want to help, but that all you can really do is show up, be supportive, and love them. There is so much character growth, and what it truly means to be there for one another.

Alice Oseman details the realities of recovery in a realistically way, demonstrating that there is so linear progression, but rather that it is something that must be tended to and worked through throughout our lives.

The wholesome characters, the personal banter, the exploration of queerness, the depiction of mental illness, and the beautiful love story continue to make this unlike anything I've ever read. And throughout the whole thing, the illustrations continue to convey so much of the story, which seems highly appropriate for such an endearing and heartfelt story.

I am so glad this series exists! For me, this installment really hit home and was the most emotional to read, as I have been in Nick's shoes - having to watch the one I love struggle with mental illness. I laughed, I cried, and I swooned as this is one of the healthiest portrayals of romantic love I've come across in my reading life. I am eagerly anticipating Volume Five, but know I won't be ready to say goodbye to Nick and Charlie when it ends, and I know this will be a series I come back to time and time again.

📚 R E C O M M E N D • T O
• graphic novel enthusiasts
• young adult mental health workers
• everyone!

🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S

"Love can't cure a mental illness."

"But also knowing that sometimes people need more support than just one person can give. That's love darling." 

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