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A review by naysia_reads
Counting Stars by Braelyn Wilson
dark
emotional
relaxing
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
CW: depression, death of a parent, suicide, substance abuse and physical abuse
rating: 3.5 stars
I first want to start this review by saying thank you to the wonderful author Braelyn Wilson for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Counting Stars is an emotional and thought-provoking read. It is extremely well written and felt very poetic at times. This story is about 17-year-old Brantley Thorton, who following the death of her mother falls into a deep depression. But one day her dark world becomes slightly brighter when Caspian Marks arrives in her small town. From the beginning the narrator makes it clear that this book is going to end in tragedy, however, I still was hoping things would change for the better. I will say that despite the devastating way the novel ended it was also quite beautiful at the same time. This book offers the reader an accurate representation of mental illness and the struggles associated with grief. But because of its accurate portrayal, it is deeply emotional and features triggering subject matter. Which for me at times was a little too much to bear. So keep that in mind if you do choose to read this book. Overall I think this book was a great debut for such a young author!
rating: 3.5 stars
I first want to start this review by saying thank you to the wonderful author Braelyn Wilson for sending me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
Counting Stars is an emotional and thought-provoking read. It is extremely well written and felt very poetic at times. This story is about 17-year-old Brantley Thorton, who following the death of her mother falls into a deep depression. But one day her dark world becomes slightly brighter when Caspian Marks arrives in her small town. From the beginning the narrator makes it clear that this book is going to end in tragedy, however, I still was hoping things would change for the better. I will say that despite the devastating way the novel ended it was also quite beautiful at the same time. This book offers the reader an accurate representation of mental illness and the struggles associated with grief. But because of its accurate portrayal, it is deeply emotional and features triggering subject matter. Which for me at times was a little too much to bear. So keep that in mind if you do choose to read this book. Overall I think this book was a great debut for such a young author!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide