A review by lizziehutchings
New Beginnings by V.E. Schwab

5.0

~~edit 11/18/21~~

man. i am emotionally not okay.

"Maybe none of this would be okay. Life wasn't fair. Death wasn't fair. And nothing she could say right now would make it easier to bear."

This book just is all the emotional feels - joy, anger, anxiety, grief - that a person could feel. My first review is undoubtedly better than this one, so I'm going to cut my self short here.

Have a wonderful evening.

~~original~~


ring ring
"hi, yes? oh, I'm calling because of the emotional *pain* this book put me through."


5.0 stars

I know. I know. But I promise the book is 100% better than the cover. I don't know who designed this book cover, but it is appealing to exactly no one.

Aaaaanyways. I just would like to pledge my love and appreciation to the amazing author who is Victoria Schwab. For always being there to make me bawl my eyes through a middle-grade book.

Thank you.

Characters. I appreciate V.E. so much for not being afraid to really dig deep psychologically when writing twelve-year-old characters. Our MC, Gabby (which I despise that nickname, I'm sorry), was absolutely fantastic. Her problems and situation felt so real, and I wishwishwish that I read this book when I was in middle school because, while my family was not going through something as taxing and heart-breaking as hers was at the time, I know that middle-school me could definitely relate to this protagonist so so much. It deals with some heavy stuff. Fear and anxiety, feeling invisible but not wanting attention at the same time, not knowing how to manage friendships--I could go on. Just so you know, I cried three times while reading this so, it's fine, I'm fine. Aria was also so delightful, and I felt like I was able to understand and appreciate all the side characters as well, so THANK YOU (my dear writing goddess) Victoria Schwab for just like being able to write.

Plot. This part of the book was so solid. Talk about an amazing idea-vs-execution type book. I thought the whole guardian angel concept was so sweet and fantastic. Honestly, I felt like I was watching It's a Wonderful Life and I dearly hope we hear a bell ring when Aria gets her wings. To be honest I could not say that this was "such a fun book," because well...picture me slouching over my laptop with dried tear tracks down my cheeks trying desperately hard not to start weeping ungracefully.

Writing. I mean, is there any more to be said. If you've committed yourself to read this far through my review, then you probably already know my passion and obsession with the breathtaking writing style of our dear Victoria Schwab. I don't say this lightly, but also don't take my word for it, but this book may be the most well-written middle-grade book I have ever read.

Well, have a fantastic evening--watch Shadow and Bone on Netflix (you won't regret it)