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slsj_'s review
2.0
I will support characters of colour, always but I’ve got to be honest...I had a really hard time rooting for Saira Sehgal.
Not to spoil anything but her utter disregard for authority and rules while trying to play grown-up was honestly so exhausting to read. I can totally buy the teenage doctor thing, I’m behind it. I can even accept a lot of the emotions she felt—frustration when things didn’t go her way, lust for a really cute boy, anger at certain situation. But it still didn’t excuse any of her actions.
Constantly she was demanding respect from people twice her age because of the degree she held, while throwing tantrums, not doing what she’s told, disregarding her superiors, finding loopholes because she is “always right”, turning into a flaming ball of rage and putting lives in danger. Like constantly, like the ENTIRE book. And I can even understand that being her character arc, but it wasn’t. Because the same way she entered the book—haughty and headstrong with a me-first attitude was the same way she finished it. I was really sad to see no growth in her personality.
And despite all her bad decisions on the internship side I really questioned her choice in friends.
Additionally, this was way longer than it needed to be, especially when everything somehow wrapping itself up in a neat bow in the last 60 pages.
The word “love” got tossed around quite frequently as well when the couple had all of four minor interactions.
I will include two lines I just find hilarious:
“The way he calls me Starshine.”
LOL since whennnnn? Did I miss that part of the book? This was literally plopped in with no lead up. If anything he calls you Saira with an i.
“Maggie already told me everything. An affair? With a doctor? Unacceptable.”
When at this point all they’ve done is talked? And the staff had deduced an illicit teen affair from a mere look and conversation. It was so ridiculous I died.
In finality, I read it and I thought it was cute at time and I love the representation, but I’ve gotta have a charter to root for and I didn’t find it here. I’m going to of course keep an open mind about future books by this author, though. 2.5/5 stars
Not to spoil anything but her utter disregard for authority and rules while trying to play grown-up was honestly so exhausting to read. I can totally buy the teenage doctor thing, I’m behind it. I can even accept a lot of the emotions she felt—frustration when things didn’t go her way, lust for a really cute boy, anger at certain situation. But it still didn’t excuse any of her actions.
Constantly she was demanding respect from people twice her age because of the degree she held, while throwing tantrums, not doing what she’s told, disregarding her superiors, finding loopholes because she is “always right”, turning into a flaming ball of rage and putting lives in danger. Like constantly, like the ENTIRE book. And I can even understand that being her character arc, but it wasn’t. Because the same way she entered the book—haughty and headstrong with a me-first attitude was the same way she finished it. I was really sad to see no growth in her personality.
And despite all her bad decisions on the internship side I really questioned her choice in friends.
Additionally, this was way longer than it needed to be, especially when everything somehow wrapping itself up in a neat bow in the last 60 pages.
The word “love” got tossed around quite frequently as well when the couple had all of four minor interactions.
I will include two lines I just find hilarious:
“The way he calls me Starshine.”
LOL since whennnnn? Did I miss that part of the book? This was literally plopped in with no lead up. If anything he calls you Saira with an i.
“Maggie already told me everything. An affair? With a doctor? Unacceptable.”
When at this point all they’ve done is talked? And the staff had deduced an illicit teen affair from a mere look and conversation. It was so ridiculous I died.
In finality, I read it and I thought it was cute at time and I love the representation, but I’ve gotta have a charter to root for and I didn’t find it here. I’m going to of course keep an open mind about future books by this author, though. 2.5/5 stars
taylersimon22's review
3.0
Symptoms of a Heartbreak by Sona Charaipotra is a cute teen medical drama reminiscent of Gray’s Anatomy and the like. We follow the life of Indian-American teen doctor, Saira, as she navigates her legitimacy as Girl Genius and one of the youngest doctors in the country. And of course things get complicated when she develops feelings for one of her patients.
I think this book was an interesting take on ageism in the workplace. Saira worked so hard to be taken seriously, but at the same time neglected her high school experience. She was really struggling between being adultified and remembering she was still a kid. Even when all those people try to delegitimize her, she believed in her passion and ability to see her through.
One thing I couldn’t figure out if it made the story stronger or took something away from the experience from me, but the way that it played out like a series of TV episodes. I think having a diverse range of patients showed Saira’s different strengths. I think they added texture and a range of emotions to the story. On the other hand, I don’t like when books read like TV episodes. It feels disjointed and doesn’t fit neatly into a cohesive story like I like with novels.
The love story between Saira and Link was so cute though. I wish they got more time together throughout the novel, but I really liked their relationship when they finally got together. I like how Link reminded Saira to be a kid.
Overall I think this is super cute. I got to see a glimpse of Indian culture, and the story brought in important perspectives that Brown girls have to go through. I would recommend it.
I think this book was an interesting take on ageism in the workplace. Saira worked so hard to be taken seriously, but at the same time neglected her high school experience. She was really struggling between being adultified and remembering she was still a kid. Even when all those people try to delegitimize her, she believed in her passion and ability to see her through.
One thing I couldn’t figure out if it made the story stronger or took something away from the experience from me, but the way that it played out like a series of TV episodes. I think having a diverse range of patients showed Saira’s different strengths. I think they added texture and a range of emotions to the story. On the other hand, I don’t like when books read like TV episodes. It feels disjointed and doesn’t fit neatly into a cohesive story like I like with novels.
The love story between Saira and Link was so cute though. I wish they got more time together throughout the novel, but I really liked their relationship when they finally got together. I like how Link reminded Saira to be a kid.
Overall I think this is super cute. I got to see a glimpse of Indian culture, and the story brought in important perspectives that Brown girls have to go through. I would recommend it.
book_obsession7's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
vickiroberts082457's review
3.0
I read this YA novel as kind of a “cleansing” course between the adult fiction and non-fiction I have been reading. I chose it because it had a medical theme which is an interest of mine. The book aspires to portray Saira, an Indian American 16 year old doctor as a female Doogie Howser. I understand the connection but Saira’s internship in pediatric oncology is accomplished under rules set for a 16 year old. No night shifts. Minimum number of work hours. No weekends. No consecutive shifts. In other words it’s total fantasy. The book is more of a Fault In Our Stars romance when Saira becomes involved with one of her patients. But again the relationship is not realistic in that Saira is able to spend hours away from her patient load to spend time with Lincoln away from the hospital. He’s inpatient and she’s on duty. This is definitely a book for an age group unwise to the ways of the world.
clayrmorrell's review against another edition
5.0
Sweet and light while also covering tough topics. I’m the girl in the bookstore who sees the word “cancer” on a book cover and drops it like the book itself has the plague. SYMPTOMS, however isn’t out to break hearts and make readers cry — instead it’s allowing us a glimpse into the heartache or life in a hospital while still buoying us with hope and laughter and true joy. I enjoyed this story immensely and can’t wait for others to fall for it soon!
smalltownbookmom's review against another edition
4.0
This was a really entertaining #ownvoices YA romance featuring Saira Sehgal, a sixteen year old Indian American doctor dubbed the "Girl Genius." Part Doogie Houser, part Grey's Anatomy, this was full of high emotions and amazing Desi culture and food descriptions! Saira falls for one of the Leukaemia patients at the hospital where she's interning and has to fight her feelings in order to maintain her objectivity. Great on audio narrated by Soneela Nankali, this was my first book by this author and definitely won't be my last! Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance listening copy in exchange for my honest review!
caitfoges's review against another edition
4.0
~ 3.5 ~
I read this book with a group of high school students, most of whom are interested in pursuing careers in healthcare. We loved that the main character was a girl and a first-generation American - in this regard, the story was very relatable to them. That being said, we all agreed that it was not very relatable or realistic that Saira achieved what she did at her young age. Young people certainly do have power and can accomplish amazing things! But working as a doctor in a pediatric oncology ward at age 16 - is that really possible? And if it is possible, is it a good idea? In my opinion, Saira didn't have the maturity necessary to serve in this position, and I also didn't think the author offered a strong enough explanation for how she got there. Nonetheless, the litany of characters, interpersonal conflicts, and emotional situations led to engaging conversations - and of course the romantic story-lines were a compelling discussion point :)
I read this book with a group of high school students, most of whom are interested in pursuing careers in healthcare. We loved that the main character was a girl and a first-generation American - in this regard, the story was very relatable to them. That being said, we all agreed that it was not very relatable or realistic that Saira achieved what she did at her young age. Young people certainly do have power and can accomplish amazing things! But working as a doctor in a pediatric oncology ward at age 16 - is that really possible? And if it is possible, is it a good idea? In my opinion, Saira didn't have the maturity necessary to serve in this position, and I also didn't think the author offered a strong enough explanation for how she got there. Nonetheless, the litany of characters, interpersonal conflicts, and emotional situations led to engaging conversations - and of course the romantic story-lines were a compelling discussion point :)
mq1ne's review against another edition
3.0
Rating : 3.8 stars
“Maybe i won’t be your last love , Saira. And sometimes i think maybe I’ll be okay with that. But you could be my last love.”
This book follows Saira , a girl genius , who went through her studies with a fast track pass , just at a mere of 16 , she’s a force to be reckoned with and has started her internship at Princeton Près. She soon learns that her genius ability may not be that helpful after all.
This book reminded me so much of Greys’Anatomy , a comfort show of mine. Except with the twist of Indian characters , there was bits of communication, and the guy was kinda petty , but i mean he had a valid reason to be. I loved the fact that Vish was such a good best friend , always at Saira’s beck and call. But the way that Saira was always the bad person in almost all the aspects of the story made me annoyed. And Lizzie was such a bitch , it honestly wasn’t Saira’s fault to be pushed into this Girl Genius world , everyone had so much to expect from her. AND I WANT TAARA’S BOOK TOO , i love her.
“Maybe i won’t be your last love , Saira. And sometimes i think maybe I’ll be okay with that. But you could be my last love.”
This book follows Saira , a girl genius , who went through her studies with a fast track pass , just at a mere of 16 , she’s a force to be reckoned with and has started her internship at Princeton Près. She soon learns that her genius ability may not be that helpful after all.
This book reminded me so much of Greys’Anatomy , a comfort show of mine. Except with the twist of Indian characters , there was bits of communication, and the guy was kinda petty , but i mean he had a valid reason to be. I loved the fact that Vish was such a good best friend , always at Saira’s beck and call. But the way that Saira was always the bad person in almost all the aspects of the story made me annoyed. And Lizzie was such a bitch , it honestly wasn’t Saira’s fault to be pushed into this Girl Genius world , everyone had so much to expect from her. AND I WANT TAARA’S BOOK TOO , i love her.
vera_michele's review against another edition
3.0
3/5 Stars
All throughout this book, I was bored and just not interested in the plot. By the end of it, I felt the characters were not fully developed as well as the plot. However, toward the end I was starting to cry because there were things in here that happened that made me tear up. I also felt for Saira sometimes because you feel like she might have grown up way too fast and never really gotten to experience her childhood because of her schooling.
TW: Cancer, Death, Terminal Illness, Medical Content, Medical Trauma, Child Death
All throughout this book, I was bored and just not interested in the plot. By the end of it, I felt the characters were not fully developed as well as the plot. However, toward the end I was starting to cry because there were things in here that happened that made me tear up. I also felt for Saira sometimes because you feel like she might have grown up way too fast and never really gotten to experience her childhood because of her schooling.
TW: Cancer, Death, Terminal Illness, Medical Content, Medical Trauma, Child Death
zaebee's review against another edition
DNFing when only 50 pages in. There's nothing of substance happening here except for annoying the hell out of me :/