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seamoonstone's review against another edition
dark
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Uncanny Valley meets sad girl novel. I appreciated that she (sad girl) had friends and a family. This book had a lot of gimicks (black hole facts/dictionary references) but they worked for me.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Abortion
iridescencedeep's review against another edition
challenging
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Deeply unsettling, in an impressive way. But not that enjoyable to read. This is just stylistic preference but there were a lot of comma-separated lists used to build atmosphere; didn’t love that at the beginning and was kind of tired of it by the end.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Abortion, Mental illness, and Drug use
Minor: Suicide
kels_cullen's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide, Drug abuse, Death, Abortion, and Drug use
rebeshelton's review against another edition
dark
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
3.5
"Ripe" is one of those books that hits you hard and leaves a mark. It's a journey into the dark heart of Silicon Valley through Cassie's eyes, a place where dreams and nightmares walk hand in hand. The story is heavy, packed with despair and anxiety, perfectly capturing the soul-sucking essence of a cutthroat startup culture. It's depressing, yes, but that's the point, and it does a stellar job at it.
The magical realism of the black hole following Cassie is nothing short of poetic. It's a unique twist that adds depth to her character and visually represents the mental toll of her experiences. This black hole is more than just a plot device; it's a silent, ever-present character that mirrors Cassie's internal turmoil.
I have mixed feelings about the portrayal of open relationships in the book. The whole 'don't fall in love' rule felt a bit cliché and unrealistic. But then again, maybe that's part of the commentary on the hopelessness and superficiality of the world Cassie navigates.
The ending, though? Brilliantly ambiguous. It leaves you hanging, pondering, and that's the beauty of it. It's a reflection of life itself - messy, uncertain, and open to interpretation.
3.5 stars for a journey that's as unsettling as it is captivating.
The magical realism of the black hole following Cassie is nothing short of poetic. It's a unique twist that adds depth to her character and visually represents the mental toll of her experiences. This black hole is more than just a plot device; it's a silent, ever-present character that mirrors Cassie's internal turmoil.
I have mixed feelings about the portrayal of open relationships in the book. The whole 'don't fall in love' rule felt a bit cliché and unrealistic. But then again, maybe that's part of the commentary on the hopelessness and superficiality of the world Cassie navigates.
The ending, though? Brilliantly ambiguous. It leaves you hanging, pondering, and that's the beauty of it. It's a reflection of life itself - messy, uncertain, and open to interpretation.
3.5 stars for a journey that's as unsettling as it is captivating.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
Moderate: Abortion
selam's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide
conspiracy's review against another edition
dark
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Drug use
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Abortion, and Panic attacks/disorders
annagerman's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
An exploration of life under late capitalism. A quintessentially millennial novel, about mental health, dating and love, friendship and familial ties, social and financial inequality, disillusionment from the "dream job", and corporate greed.
This story manages to explore so many different aspects and difficulties of modern life without being shallow, in a nuanced sensitive way.
I loved the writing, it was wry and sharp yet poignant. The use of magical realism was done just right, reflecting the complexities of the MC's inner-monologue. The structure of the chapters was also interesting.
I really felt for Cassie. Her views were definitely warped by her mental state, but I still found myself relating to many of her observations. The descriptions of depression and anxiety, and even suicidal indentations, were done particularly well. They are complex and subtle, yet emotionally charged and unsettling.
Verdict - 4.5\5 black holes.
A compelling, complex and absorbing read, tackling major issues, with a touch of magical realism and dark humor.
This story manages to explore so many different aspects and difficulties of modern life without being shallow, in a nuanced sensitive way.
I loved the writing, it was wry and sharp yet poignant. The use of magical realism was done just right, reflecting the complexities of the MC's inner-monologue. The structure of the chapters was also interesting.
I really felt for Cassie. Her views were definitely warped by her mental state, but I still found myself relating to many of her observations. The descriptions of depression and anxiety, and even suicidal indentations, were done particularly well. They are complex and subtle, yet emotionally charged and unsettling.
Verdict - 4.5\5 black holes.
A compelling, complex and absorbing read, tackling major issues, with a touch of magical realism and dark humor.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Abortion, Pandemic/Epidemic, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Medical content and Suicide
melireads_sometimes's review against another edition
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
erachelc's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide and Mental illness
Minor: Abortion
amybookyhands's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
This was a hypnotisingly vivid and often painful read about a young woman struggling with the brutal culture of the Silicon Valley company she works at (and the general horror of late stage capitalism)
This was not, in any way, a pleasant reading experience, but I couldn't tear myself away from the visceral prose and mounting tension threading its way throughout the book.
If you're a fan of Sylvia Plath or Lisa Taddeo, I think this will be right up your street.
This was not, in any way, a pleasant reading experience, but I couldn't tear myself away from the visceral prose and mounting tension threading its way throughout the book.
If you're a fan of Sylvia Plath or Lisa Taddeo, I think this will be right up your street.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide