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kirobunny's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this book, the mystery the innocence. And how much over time, even the oddest of people, can see an opportunity.
sorcery_and_stories's review against another edition
3.0
Ça m’a pris beaucoup de temps pour embarquer dans l’histoire, mais les 75-100 dernières pages sont phénoménales.
sapphaos's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Very good read, the twist at the end is given to us by clues throughout the whole book. The whole book make you long for it because you know something is wrong with info given earlier, and it keeps getting weirder.
The thing that can make this read a bad time is that the protagonist is insufferable because of how much he values his intelligence, but he grows to appreciate other things.
It also makes sense that he was like this at the start given the end twist, he was very much still in the same mental state, hating people, thinking they're all stupid and below him... But heaven makes him like people and realise what he was missing on earth is friends, and being intelligent doesn't do everything.
The thing that can make this read a bad time is that the protagonist is insufferable because of how much he values his intelligence, but he grows to appreciate other things.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Mass/school shootings, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Violence, Suicide, and Self harm
mountie9's review against another edition
4.0
Excellent novel, not perfect, but so close. I think the author just took on too much and it takes it a little away from what could have been perfection. The story is full of damaged, unique characters and a truly intriguing premise. There is some wonderfully done dark humour and some wonderful insights into growing up, bullying, and forgiveness. I was also a tad confused on a certain plot point which I cannot go into as it would be a serious spoiler. I also felt it lacked a proper ending and would have liked a little more explanation of why heaven is designed this way. But I am a simple girl and prefer when a storyline wraps up and questions are answered.
Favourite Quotes
"What I need is the kind of intelligence that helps me understand why a boy might walk into a school and start shooting a gun, why one victim might forgive this boy, and why another never will."
"In any case, do we ever really let anyone go? Even those who are no longer with us, are still with us."
Favourite Quotes
"What I need is the kind of intelligence that helps me understand why a boy might walk into a school and start shooting a gun, why one victim might forgive this boy, and why another never will."
"In any case, do we ever really let anyone go? Even those who are no longer with us, are still with us."
megantee's review against another edition
4.0
Very good book. Lots of twists and turns and gives an interesting point of view from a 13 year old boy who has recently died and arrived in heaven. Very well written and brings the plot out well.
seiyuudreams's review against another edition
dark
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence and Suicide
armadillos_digging_holes's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
_hanna's review against another edition
5.0
Absolutely fantastic. I had the opportunity to hear Neil Smith talk about it during the Vancouver Writers Fest, bought it immediately, and devoured it. It's clever and imaginative, and managed to keep you constantly off-balance. It'd also been a while since I'd read a book with such a strong emotional journey for the characters--I tend to read a lot of literary fiction, where the emotional changes are a really slow burn. But the emotions in this hit fast, hard, and are always genuine. Easily one of my favourite books I've read this year.
ellaandcoffee's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Murder, Mass/school shootings, Suicide, and Child death
raposisses's review against another edition
4.0
I had figured out what the final plot twist would be, but I'm still left shaking from the ending. That final build-up was nerve-wracking - when i say i was shaking, I'm really not being hyperbolic - and when the final reveal finally happened, even if i knew what was coming, it was still a punch in the gut. The beginning of this book was light(-ish), but from the middle onwards it was brutal, geez. Amazing story.