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maggiesasha's review against another edition
4.0
The writing is amazing. Loved this, but points off because I found the second half to be a bit weak compared to the first. I honestly wish they would make this a limited series on TV.
thefantasticalworldofsara's review against another edition
5.0
This book made my heart ache; it's so filled with loss and the extreme difficulties of growing up and figuring out who you are and what that means to you and to everyone else. One of my favourite lines is this:
"Maybe I still haven't become me. I don't know how you tell for sure when you finally have."
I'm happy I actually bought a copy of this book because I had the strong need to dog-ear and underline and just be a part of the book as much as I could.
Would highly recommend
ps. The views expressed in this review are my own and do not reflect the views of Indigo Books & Music Inc. or any of its subsidiaries. #IndigoEmployee
"Maybe I still haven't become me. I don't know how you tell for sure when you finally have."
I'm happy I actually bought a copy of this book because I had the strong need to dog-ear and underline and just be a part of the book as much as I could.
Would highly recommend
ps. The views expressed in this review are my own and do not reflect the views of Indigo Books & Music Inc. or any of its subsidiaries. #IndigoEmployee
futurama1979's review against another edition
5.0
I literally cannot even begin to get into it with this book.. maybe it's bc I'm a dyke too but genuinely this is the most realistic, honest book I've read all year and it took me the fuck out. Danforth really REALLY got the "being young and gay in a tiny, shitty, rural town in an agriculturally driven state away from any big cities/gay culture trying to figure shit out" down, and for that I have to sue her for emotional damages.
Actually though the complexity and honesty of Cam's character, the fucked up shit she goes through, her friends and relationships, how she grows up and how well Danforth writes that maturing just in the syntax/diction she uses... bro... and then the closure at the end?? The swimming into the lake w/ the candle?? This book fully made me bonkers crazy.
Actually though the complexity and honesty of Cam's character, the fucked up shit she goes through, her friends and relationships, how she grows up and how well Danforth writes that maturing just in the syntax/diction she uses... bro... and then the closure at the end?? The swimming into the lake w/ the candle?? This book fully made me bonkers crazy.
arogers159's review against another edition
5.0
This book was so real. I feel really connected to this in a way I can't really explain. The character of Cameron Post was amazing, she feels like a real person and I can tell that she'll stay with me for years to come, this story will stay with me for years to come. It ended at a really good place, but I would love a sequel, there are some things I'd like to see. Like, is that how things really ended with ? What about ?
I don't know how much sense this review actually makes, but to sum it up. I loved this book and would recommend it to anyone and everyone.
Spoiler
ColeySpoiler
LindseyI don't know how much sense this review actually makes, but to sum it up. I loved this book and would recommend it to anyone and everyone.
corsetedfeminist's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
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
5.0
bookph1le's review
3.0
This is a well-drawn, scenic book that really made me think. It didn't quite have the impact I had thought it would, probably because Cameron's personality is so different from mine that I didn't connect with her as much as I would have liked, even though I did sympathize with her. Some spoilers to follow.
Cameron is a complicated character who engages in a lot of risky behavior (drugs, alcohol, stealing, etc.). While I admired the complexity of her character and the fact that she was so human, I didn't really get the impression that she'd learned much from her own mistakes. She certainly doesn't deserve what happens to her, but I would have liked to see more introspection on her part.
I thought many of the characters were well done, especially Jane and Adam. I really liked Cameron's grandma, even though I was disappointed in her. Aunt Ruth was also well developed, but I completely despised her. Less interesting to me were the characters in Cameron's hometown, maybe because they felt more superficial. They weren't bad, but mostly they felt like they were there to move the plot along.
In an interesting twist, it's fascinating to see how Jane and, later, Cameron have more compassion and understanding for the perspectives of others than do the supposedly good characters. Both understand that Ruth and others like her are convinced that they're doing the right thing--but that didn't make me feel sympathetic toward them. Evil acts committed with good intentions are still evil acts.
And what happens in this book is evil, one of the most sinister kinds of evil, because people who do these things are often so deluded that they can't see the harm they're doing. They're causing psychological damage to young people who are already struggling with discrimination and hostility, all in the name of "curing" them.
This is what makes the portions of the book that take place in Promise the most powerful, especially with regard to what happens to Mark. In some ways, though, Mark's tragedy isn't even the worst of it, when the chilling disregard of the state investigators, of Lydia, and even Reverend Rick, are taken into account.
Really, this is a beautifully written and compelling novel. Had I identified with Cameron a bit more it would have been perfect. Still, I'd love to read more literary, thoughtful YA books like this in the future.
Cameron is a complicated character who engages in a lot of risky behavior (drugs, alcohol, stealing, etc.). While I admired the complexity of her character and the fact that she was so human, I didn't really get the impression that she'd learned much from her own mistakes. She certainly doesn't deserve what happens to her, but I would have liked to see more introspection on her part.
I thought many of the characters were well done, especially Jane and Adam. I really liked Cameron's grandma, even though I was disappointed in her. Aunt Ruth was also well developed, but I completely despised her. Less interesting to me were the characters in Cameron's hometown, maybe because they felt more superficial. They weren't bad, but mostly they felt like they were there to move the plot along.
In an interesting twist, it's fascinating to see how Jane and, later, Cameron have more compassion and understanding for the perspectives of others than do the supposedly good characters. Both understand that Ruth and others like her are convinced that they're doing the right thing--but that didn't make me feel sympathetic toward them. Evil acts committed with good intentions are still evil acts.
And what happens in this book is evil, one of the most sinister kinds of evil, because people who do these things are often so deluded that they can't see the harm they're doing. They're causing psychological damage to young people who are already struggling with discrimination and hostility, all in the name of "curing" them.
This is what makes the portions of the book that take place in Promise the most powerful, especially with regard to what happens to Mark. In some ways, though, Mark's tragedy isn't even the worst of it, when the chilling disregard of the state investigators, of Lydia, and even Reverend Rick, are taken into account.
Really, this is a beautifully written and compelling novel. Had I identified with Cameron a bit more it would have been perfect. Still, I'd love to read more literary, thoughtful YA books like this in the future.
achillesheeled's review against another edition
3.0
...just the insect itself, trapped, waiting. But even if the amber could somehow be melted, and it could be freed, physically unharmed, how could it be expected to live in this new world without its past, without everything it knew from the world before, from its place in it, tripping it up again and again?
my rating is more of a 3.5.
this book has a really gorgeous writing style that lends itself well to creating the imagery necessary to become involved in the story. i really did enjoy the story, though at some points i felt it could get a tiny bit repetitive. cameron's narrative is very enjoyable as well.
however: the book could have been shorter. by like, a lot. the pacing felt very off at some points... i don't see why the last part of the book couldn't have been moved up 60 or so pages and it itself extended by about 30. it would have also allowed for the characters in the last part to be a bit more developed.
my rating is more of a 3.5.
this book has a really gorgeous writing style that lends itself well to creating the imagery necessary to become involved in the story. i really did enjoy the story, though at some points i felt it could get a tiny bit repetitive. cameron's narrative is very enjoyable as well.
however: the book could have been shorter. by like, a lot. the pacing felt very off at some points... i don't see why the last part of the book couldn't have been moved up 60 or so pages and it itself extended by about 30. it would have also allowed for the characters in the last part to be a bit more developed.
aybee25's review against another edition
5.0
I wish I had read this in high school because it would have absolutely changed my life
marshzz's review
4.0
A decent novel with an interesting and complex story. Wasn't meant for me to read necessarily, but was insightful and saddening.