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suvoroch's review against another edition
3.0
I’ve already reviewed the first book, and now it’s time for the second one. Again, my review is spoiler free, and some points are taken from the first review.
Taking into consideration some disadvantages of the first book, it is possible to mention that there are still empty and unreal dialogues (especially at the beginning) but they became a little better, and there is more text in general. Many dialogues became longer and it made some of them look more like monologues which still sounded extremely robotic and unreal. There were more emotional elements, but I couldn’t fully feel empathy because again it was written extremely unrealistic. Additionally, there are more details and descriptions in some chapters, the writing seems to be improving. Therefore, there are more thoughts and more deeper quotes, which are still not that great but okay it’s better than in the previous book. Here, I actually liked some ideas and moments, where the feelings are involved. However, the sentences are still written poorly, and there are many repetitions of words, thoughts, and basically everything, which made a book so boring in some moments.
This part focuses mostly on representation of various of topics. It consists of a lot of thoughts about sexuality, racism, and feminism. A big focus is on the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s. In general, I liked the representation of these topics, and the characters who delivered it were also great. Nevertheless, I’m not sure about this point because maybe it’s just me with my trust issues, but some moments felt extremely unrealistic. Everywhere the characters went people were LGBT friendly, all their friends, random people etc. Of course there were some homophobic and racist characters, but there were just only 2 of them??? When in reality, especially during those time I don’t think people were actually that tolerant. Especially parents. But again, maybe I just cannot believe in it because of my surrounding.
Finally, talking about the plot. It was so weirdly structured. There are the same convos and phrases, even some events that are exactly the same. The topics and narrative change so quickly. In the first book the plot was also quick, but it was at least a unite and a structured one, like every event happens one after another. While in this book, there were too many information but at the same time not enough information and actions. The main idea and the sequence of events is shown and easily identified though.
In conclusion, it was actually so difficult to analyse this duology, and I feel extremely lost with it. Unfortunately, even though I really liked the wholesome boys and the main idea of their story, I still don’t think I would recommend it to any of my friends because of the number of disadvantages I managed to find. And again, for me, this book was just a one-evening read, which I do not fully regret reading, but the hype that was going around it is still confusing for me. Waiting for the movie I guess, I’m really interested how they’ll manage to show it on the screen.
Taking into consideration some disadvantages of the first book, it is possible to mention that there are still empty and unreal dialogues (especially at the beginning) but they became a little better, and there is more text in general. Many dialogues became longer and it made some of them look more like monologues which still sounded extremely robotic and unreal. There were more emotional elements, but I couldn’t fully feel empathy because again it was written extremely unrealistic. Additionally, there are more details and descriptions in some chapters, the writing seems to be improving. Therefore, there are more thoughts and more deeper quotes, which are still not that great but okay it’s better than in the previous book. Here, I actually liked some ideas and moments, where the feelings are involved. However, the sentences are still written poorly, and there are many repetitions of words, thoughts, and basically everything, which made a book so boring in some moments.
This part focuses mostly on representation of various of topics. It consists of a lot of thoughts about sexuality, racism, and feminism. A big focus is on the AIDS epidemic in the 1980s. In general, I liked the representation of these topics, and the characters who delivered it were also great. Nevertheless, I’m not sure about this point because maybe it’s just me with my trust issues, but some moments felt extremely unrealistic. Everywhere the characters went people were LGBT friendly, all their friends, random people etc. Of course there were some homophobic and racist characters, but there were just only 2 of them??? When in reality, especially during those time I don’t think people were actually that tolerant. Especially parents. But again, maybe I just cannot believe in it because of my surrounding.
Finally, talking about the plot. It was so weirdly structured. There are the same convos and phrases, even some events that are exactly the same. The topics and narrative change so quickly. In the first book the plot was also quick, but it was at least a unite and a structured one, like every event happens one after another. While in this book, there were too many information but at the same time not enough information and actions. The main idea and the sequence of events is shown and easily identified though.
In conclusion, it was actually so difficult to analyse this duology, and I feel extremely lost with it. Unfortunately, even though I really liked the wholesome boys and the main idea of their story, I still don’t think I would recommend it to any of my friends because of the number of disadvantages I managed to find. And again, for me, this book was just a one-evening read, which I do not fully regret reading, but the hype that was going around it is still confusing for me. Waiting for the movie I guess, I’m really interested how they’ll manage to show it on the screen.
jamiereybooks's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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? No
4.25
mayuscv's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
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
What a beautiful book, with so much tender and heartbreaking moments. I love that the author decided to explore more of the characters and that we get to know them was an adventure.
I gotta say though, read the TW first, because if you are a crybaby like me, it'll destroy you and leave you crying at 2 in the morning
I gotta say though, read the TW first, because if you are a crybaby like me, it'll destroy you and leave you crying at 2 in the morning
sakura_'s review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
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? No
4.0
hamate_714's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
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
4.0
kjgreen's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.0
tamaralista's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0
amg_reads's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book so much. I’m so glad to be able to live in Aristotles and Dante’s beautiful world.
I’m so glad that in this book we get to see them embracing their relationship. Personally I didn’t like Cassandra but I app that Ari had friends and grows as a person.
Aristotles and Dante’s relationship is so precious. Some parts of this book actually made me cry, that rarely happens. The writing is so beautiful, definitely related to a lot of the issues they went through. This is one of my favorite books of the year.
I’m so glad that in this book we get to see them embracing their relationship. Personally I didn’t like Cassandra but I app that Ari had friends and grows as a person.
Aristotles and Dante’s relationship is so precious. Some parts of this book actually made me cry, that rarely happens. The writing is so beautiful, definitely related to a lot of the issues they went through. This is one of my favorite books of the year.
maiswafel's review against another edition
1.0
Langdradig, onnodige personages en hoofdstukken,... Het heeft de essentie, de simpelheid en het pure verloren van het eerste boek. Het einde was dan ook nog eens sad en heb ik hartpijn
kaamezcua2's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75