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A review by booksteastories
We Deserve Monuments by Jas Hammonds
emotional
reflective
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? Yes
4.0
The book starts out quite slow, with Avery's arrival in Bardell and some elements of backstory and because the first scene is her arrival, it meant that I struggled to get started within the book. However, it quickly picks up as key characters are introduced, so the slight dip in pace at the beginning of the novel does not affect the story too much.
Avery was well fleshed out -- her frustration, confusion, anger and joy were all well developed. Her slow navigation of her breakup and her questioning over whether or not her feelings for someone new were requited or not were all visibly new processes for her and it was wonderful to see her grow.
The side characters were less fleshed out and thus came off as irritating sometimes; some of their decisions would seem unreasonable and at times they just seemed stubborn for no reason. However, Avery's family, friendship and relationship dynamics made all of it worth it.
Grief plays such a large part within this book that it felt as though it was a character itself. I think it was wonderfully written; I nearly cried several times. The writing is absolutely beautiful and I loved the structure where in there are interval chapters. I think the commentary on the pandemic was quite fitting, however, I am aware some may find it annoying.
However, the places within this book struggles are in relation to the plot itself -- a lot of it is so intricately woven that it becomes confusing. Sometimes things are only hinted at but hinted at in such a way as to still be vague or hinted at in such an obvious manner that you start questioning yourself. There were also quite a lot of different subplots which meant that the story seemed to jump from one thing to another sometimes.
Overall, a great book with some minor issues that honestly do not detract from the enjoyment of the book to much. If you are someone who does not get irritated by people behaving irrationally easily, this will be a 5 star read for you.
Avery was well fleshed out -- her frustration, confusion, anger and joy were all well developed. Her slow navigation of her breakup and her questioning over whether or not her feelings for someone new were requited or not were all visibly new processes for her and it was wonderful to see her grow.
The side characters were less fleshed out and thus came off as irritating sometimes; some of their decisions would seem unreasonable and at times they just seemed stubborn for no reason. However, Avery's family, friendship and relationship dynamics made all of it worth it.
Grief plays such a large part within this book that it felt as though it was a character itself. I think it was wonderfully written; I nearly cried several times. The writing is absolutely beautiful and I loved the structure where in there are interval chapters. I think the commentary on the pandemic was quite fitting, however, I am aware some may find it annoying.
However, the places within this book struggles are in relation to the plot itself -- a lot of it is so intricately woven that it becomes confusing. Sometimes things are only hinted at but hinted at in such a way as to still be vague or hinted at in such an obvious manner that you start questioning yourself. There were also quite a lot of different subplots which meant that the story seemed to jump from one thing to another sometimes.
Overall, a great book with some minor issues that honestly do not detract from the enjoyment of the book to much. If you are someone who does not get irritated by people behaving irrationally easily, this will be a 5 star read for you.