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irenebxx's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.5
It’s beautifully written around Ed’s character growth, his understanding of the world and the cards that he gets, it just gives you a sense of hope.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual violence, Domestic abuse, and Alcohol
feelsattack's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
I would give this book a 3.5/5 MAX but I'm giving a 3/5. I felt like the constant sexual thoughts were just so unnecessary and they made me so uncomfortable whenever I had to read them. There's also the problem with how heavy handed this book's message/theme is, and it was already obvious once you get about halfway through the book, but Zusak, if possible, laid it down even heavier at the end. There's a fine line when you're dealing with making something so obvious/heavy handed and it's the difference between enhancing your book or making it... "not as good" (trying to be nice here).
I feel like the ending made it "not as good," and I'm attributing it to the HEAVY HANDEDNESS.
One thing that was really glaring was the way he writes. I don't even know how to explain it, and oddly enough I watched a AClockworkReader's video where she tried to describe this style of writing. It's like, when Zusak writes really short sentences, sometimes even only two words, and then moves to the next line. Let me find an example:
"Lua kisses her.
Just softly on the lips.
And she kisses back.
Sometimes people are beautiful.
Not in looks.
Not in what they say.
Just in what they are."
AND IT'S SO ANNOYING. I understand this is an intentional writing choice but it's so annoying. I feel like Zusak has some sub-group of John Scalzi-itis Syndrome, where John Scalzi literally adds "said" after EVERY dialogue, Zusak can't help but use this format of writing ALL THE TIME. It gets annoying after a while. Usually I only see it used occasionally in other books because this style of writing can really enhance a scene, especially if it is an emotional scene, but because Zusak used it so much it lost its effect very quickly.
Otherwise, the book was fine. I enjoyed it.
I feel like the ending made it "not as good," and I'm attributing it to the HEAVY HANDEDNESS.
One thing that was really glaring was the way he writes. I don't even know how to explain it, and oddly enough I watched a AClockworkReader's video where she tried to describe this style of writing. It's like, when Zusak writes really short sentences, sometimes even only two words, and then moves to the next line. Let me find an example:
"Lua kisses her.
Just softly on the lips.
And she kisses back.
Sometimes people are beautiful.
Not in looks.
Not in what they say.
Just in what they are."
AND IT'S SO ANNOYING. I understand this is an intentional writing choice but it's so annoying. I feel like Zusak has some sub-group of John Scalzi-itis Syndrome, where John Scalzi literally adds "said" after EVERY dialogue, Zusak can't help but use this format of writing ALL THE TIME. It gets annoying after a while. Usually I only see it used occasionally in other books because this style of writing can really enhance a scene, especially if it is an emotional scene, but because Zusak used it so much it lost its effect very quickly.
Otherwise, the book was fine. I enjoyed it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Sexual assault, and Sexual violence
thecavewoman's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
First, I'd like to say that I did enjoy the book when I read it. It was very thought-provoking and made you feel for the cast of characters that the protagonist helps. The ending wasn't the greatest thing in the world but it was pretty satisfying.
The only real problems I really have with it is the protagonists thoughts about women and his actions. When he meets a female character one of the first descriptions he delves into is their physical beauty and while one motif of the book is the beauty in humanity, I still found it fairly uncomfortable. Not even to mention the protagonists relationship with "Audrey." His actions are where suspension of disbelief needs to come into play because the character is essentially stalking all of these people he's helping so if you give more than a passing thought to his methods things get really creepy really quickly.
All in all, it has a heartwarming message but you also need to not take the story too seriously.
The only real problems I really have with it is the protagonists thoughts about women and his actions. When he meets a female character one of the first descriptions he delves into is their physical beauty and while one motif of the book is the beauty in humanity, I still found it fairly uncomfortable. Not even to mention the protagonists relationship with "Audrey." His actions are where suspension of disbelief needs to come into play because the character is essentially stalking all of these people he's helping so if you give more than a passing thought to his methods things get really creepy really quickly.
All in all, it has a heartwarming message but you also need to not take the story too seriously.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Stalking, Sexual violence, and Violence
Moderate: Misogyny and Kidnapping
greatestheights's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape, Grief, Sexual violence, and Domestic abuse
amberacks12's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Rereading this for the first time, and I would say it mostly holds up to my original review. Hanging out in Ed’s hyper-sexualized brain was not pleasant. But when he wasn’t objectifying every woman/girl he met, this book really hits a spot. It scratches that itch of when you feel powerless in a world that is falling apart, maybe you can still make a difference to those closer to home. And I would say that’s the true message of this book, and why his friends were the denouement.
Enjoyment: 3.5
Educational value: 3
Emotional impact 4.5
Enjoyment: 3.5
Educational value: 3
Emotional impact 4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Dementia, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Sexual content
Minor: Violence, Terminal illness, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Rape, and Pregnancy
jordanreads's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I don’t generally read books written by men at this point in my life. This is the exact reason why not.
Talking about her horrible boss at an old job to the narrator:
Talking about her horrible boss at an old job to the narrator:
“[My boss] tried to put his tongue down my throat!”
Narrator: “Well, we’re all kind of like that.”
The narrator’s entire story line talking about how attractive a 15 year old is, while he himself is 19-20 years old.
He watches sexual assault happen to a child multiple times and just watches it happen??
The premise is interesting, but the entire thing was dissatisfying. Disappointed after being excited to read this book.
TW: sexual violence, assault
The premise is interesting, but the entire thing was dissatisfying. Disappointed after being excited to read this book.
TW: sexual violence, assault
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Child abuse
lily_rumley's review against another edition
3.5
i have very mixed emotions on this book... over all the plot if the book was really a neat story. Ed, a 19 year old feels like he has no purpose in life until he gets a card. i feel like the book had some unnecessary parts in it (Ed obsessing over Audrey, Ed having weird dreams, the hit men were kinda weird, unnecessary detail in some abusive situations,etc) anyway I feel like this book had a lot going for it, it just could have been executed better
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual violence
lri_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping, Rape, Sexual violence, and Emotional abuse
miaaa_lenaaa's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I do love this book a fucking lot, but babe, we get it, audrey is hot and u love her- YOU DONT NEED TO TALK ABOUT HER THIGHS EVERYTIME YOU SEE HER
‘He comes a little closer as the sun falls on its hand and knees behind him.’
‘He comes a little closer as the sun falls on its hand and knees behind him.’
Content Warnings
Graphic: Abandonment, Addiction, Alcohol, Blood, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Toxic relationship, and Violence
sunflowersarepretty's review against another edition
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Violence, Toxic relationship, Stalking, Sexual violence, Sexism, Rape, Physical abuse, Pedophilia, and Misogyny
Moderate: Dementia
Minor: Alcohol, Body shaming, and Death of parent