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plumpaperbacks's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
I didn’t have high expectations for this book or even really know what it was about when I started reading. I certainly didn’t expect reading it to be such an emotional experience. I’m not sure how they did it, but Audrey Coulthurst and Paula Garner co-wrote one of the most beautiful, heart-wrenching contemporaries I’ve ever read.
I can truly say that I’ve never related to a book more. Sam’s relationship with her father, the delicate and exhausting balance of supporting a mentally ill family member but also trying to live your own life, Zoe’s constant efforts to be an “easy” child and not add any more stress to her parents’ plates… I felt these things in my soul. I empathized so strongly with these two girls, because even though our situations are drastically different, the internal struggles that come from such unpredictable external factors are very much alike. This book brought me close to tears more than once as I read, as did writing this review. I don’t think I’ve ever connected so personally, so deeply, to a book before, and honestly, I’m not sure I have the words to explain all of my feelings.
Sam and Zoe’s friendship was so beautiful and wholesome, and I loved seeing it grow. It warmed my heart to see them open up, and give one each other the hope they both desperately needed in their lives. Not only that, they created a safe haven for themselves, a dream world where they could escape for a while and anything was possible. Starworld was for them what books are for me, and they got to share it with each other. A small part of me is almost envious, in a way, because while I have a few friends, none of the people I was closest to in the past are still my friends now, and that kind of hurt stays with you for a long time. Reading about their deep, unwavering platonic love was bittersweet, because I loved what they had but was also kind of sad that I don’t have anything similar.
Every part of this book, every up and down, was perfect. The ending was so hopeful, so lovely, but still realistic; the perfect balance. I’m going to leave this review here because, despite that, I feel emotionally gutted after finishing this book. Not in the same way I do after a fantasy book I loved ends on a brutal cliffhanger, or the way I end up stewing in now-familiar feelings every time I reread Vampire Academy and revisit the unique pain those books bring. It’s different in a way I’m not sure I can articulate. But I know I won’t stop thinking about this book anytime soon. *buys a copy of my own, hugs it to my chest and loves it forever* 🖤
Representation
I can truly say that I’ve never related to a book more. Sam’s relationship with her father, the delicate and exhausting balance of supporting a mentally ill family member but also trying to live your own life, Zoe’s constant efforts to be an “easy” child and not add any more stress to her parents’ plates… I felt these things in my soul. I empathized so strongly with these two girls, because even though our situations are drastically different, the internal struggles that come from such unpredictable external factors are very much alike. This book brought me close to tears more than once as I read, as did writing this review. I don’t think I’ve ever connected so personally, so deeply, to a book before, and honestly, I’m not sure I have the words to explain all of my feelings.
Sam and Zoe’s friendship was so beautiful and wholesome, and I loved seeing it grow. It warmed my heart to see them open up, and give one each other the hope they both desperately needed in their lives. Not only that, they created a safe haven for themselves, a dream world where they could escape for a while and anything was possible. Starworld was for them what books are for me, and they got to share it with each other. A small part of me is almost envious, in a way, because while I have a few friends, none of the people I was closest to in the past are still my friends now, and that kind of hurt stays with you for a long time. Reading about their deep, unwavering platonic love was bittersweet, because I loved what they had but was also kind of sad that I don’t have anything similar.
Every part of this book, every up and down, was perfect. The ending was so hopeful, so lovely, but still realistic; the perfect balance. I’m going to leave this review here because, despite that, I feel emotionally gutted after finishing this book. Not in the same way I do after a fantasy book I loved ends on a brutal cliffhanger, or the way I end up stewing in now-familiar feelings every time I reread Vampire Academy and revisit the unique pain those books bring. It’s different in a way I’m not sure I can articulate. But I know I won’t stop thinking about this book anytime soon. *buys a copy of my own, hugs it to my chest and loves it forever* 🖤
Representation
- sapphic protagonist with anxiety
- side character with OCD
- nonverbal disabled side character
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Cancer
Moderate: Miscarriage, Grief, and Medical content
Minor: Ableism and Excrement
Sam’s mom has OCD and Sam has anxiety, though the latter isn’t diagnosed until the end of the book. Zoe’s mom was diagnosed with and treated for breast cancer prior to the story, and during the story is in partial remission. Her younger brother is nonverbal and disabled, possibly autistic, though that last bit is only my own speculation and not confirmed. Everything tagged moderate and minor is only discussed on-page, to varying degrees, not actually experienced or included in the story.
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