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sara_has_no_h's Reviews (356)
Typically I follow a rating system of stars based on whether I would read the book again or not or buy the book or not.
This book made me deviate. And I like that.
While based on my usual system, this book would've earned 3 stars (I liked it, but most likely won't read it a second time), it managed to pull a 4 star simply because I read the last 120 pages in one tear soaked, ugly cry sitting. I still do not plan on reading it a second time (it was a little too teen-y for me and the way John Green made Alaska's obviously unhealthy personality and lifestyle seem desirable made me want to kick my past teenage self's ass for thinking it was attractive to act in similar ways), but the raw emotion it pulled from me during the After was real and honest writing.
It's just so true. The way different people grieve a loss. Blaming the person who died for dying. Never knowing their last thoughts. Questioning what you meant to them and if they knew what they meant to you. The guilt from last words spoken and the "I should've"s. The unanswered questions are what drive us home when we lose someone and I feel Green hit the nail on the head with the last 100 or so pages of this book.
Also, I feel like this book did exactly what it was meant to do. Teens would eat this stuff up. It's very relatable to adolescent lives and plays on all of the desired experiences teens are still waiting to have. Dodging getting caught, smoking, drinking, sex, love, and of course, balancing school between all of it.
I wish I had read this book in my teens rather than my 20's. It would've earned a permanent spot on my bookshelf while I daydreamed about being an Alaska type girl full of mystery and sexuality rather than back to my local library while I reminisce about how Chip was doing it right.
All in all, this was a good book with a good story and a GREAT portrayal of emotions.
And in conclusion... 4 stars for you, Mr. Green.
You broke my system.
This book made me deviate. And I like that.
While based on my usual system, this book would've earned 3 stars (I liked it, but most likely won't read it a second time), it managed to pull a 4 star simply because I read the last 120 pages in one tear soaked, ugly cry sitting. I still do not plan on reading it a second time (it was a little too teen-y for me and the way John Green made Alaska's obviously unhealthy personality and lifestyle seem desirable made me want to kick my past teenage self's ass for thinking it was attractive to act in similar ways), but the raw emotion it pulled from me during the After was real and honest writing.
It's just so true. The way different people grieve a loss. Blaming the person who died for dying. Never knowing their last thoughts. Questioning what you meant to them and if they knew what they meant to you. The guilt from last words spoken and the "I should've"s. The unanswered questions are what drive us home when we lose someone and I feel Green hit the nail on the head with the last 100 or so pages of this book.
Also, I feel like this book did exactly what it was meant to do. Teens would eat this stuff up. It's very relatable to adolescent lives and plays on all of the desired experiences teens are still waiting to have. Dodging getting caught, smoking, drinking, sex, love, and of course, balancing school between all of it.
I wish I had read this book in my teens rather than my 20's. It would've earned a permanent spot on my bookshelf while I daydreamed about being an Alaska type girl full of mystery and sexuality rather than back to my local library while I reminisce about how Chip was doing it right.
All in all, this was a good book with a good story and a GREAT portrayal of emotions.
And in conclusion... 4 stars for you, Mr. Green.
You broke my system.
This book had a total of 3 chapters that I didn't dislike. 3 out of 33 is not a good ratio (especially since I am not hard to please when it comes to novels).
I should probably start off with the fact that this book was recommended to me by someone who had purchased it and enjoyed it. So I will happily validate that some people may like this novel. I was not one of those people.
This book had such potential. It's story was genuinely touching, but it felt like a sundae without the ice cream. It was wordy in the worst kind of way with confusing sentence structures, the characters were all extremes of their personalities, and those weird sex scenes. Ugh. It was just a terrible cocktail and those were only the most potent ingredients.
I feel like the author is one of those people who have a lot to say and no way to get to the actual point. Her writing felt like a lot of fluff was included whenever she wanted to convey something. Which was often. This book felt neverending.
Yet I don't feel like that was the worst of it. The characters of the book were unbelievably predictable and not because they were relatable or even likeable, but by the simple fact that they were one trick ponies. No surprises, only expectations that never waivered. Even the sex scenes were dry and lacking in any real emotion. Awkward wording, unrealistic moments... The only way I feel how to describe it is "expected sex". As if because this is an adult novel, someone expects to read about adult sex. Seemed borderline pathetic and slightly gross at times.
However. I did mention I enjoyed 3 chapters all of which were written from the viewpoint of Najda. It seemed like those were the only real moments. Struggles, disappointments, triumphs, goals, love... It felt true. I wish there had been more on her and her "family" rather than the overly needy, denial of the other main characters.
I will not recommend this book to anyone, however I do commend the author for the attempt. I feel that had there been a more focused, intimate, and real style of emotion, this book could've gone places. As it is, it was returned to my friend and I am glad it's over.
I should probably start off with the fact that this book was recommended to me by someone who had purchased it and enjoyed it. So I will happily validate that some people may like this novel. I was not one of those people.
This book had such potential. It's story was genuinely touching, but it felt like a sundae without the ice cream. It was wordy in the worst kind of way with confusing sentence structures, the characters were all extremes of their personalities, and those weird sex scenes. Ugh. It was just a terrible cocktail and those were only the most potent ingredients.
I feel like the author is one of those people who have a lot to say and no way to get to the actual point. Her writing felt like a lot of fluff was included whenever she wanted to convey something. Which was often. This book felt neverending.
Yet I don't feel like that was the worst of it. The characters of the book were unbelievably predictable and not because they were relatable or even likeable, but by the simple fact that they were one trick ponies. No surprises, only expectations that never waivered. Even the sex scenes were dry and lacking in any real emotion. Awkward wording, unrealistic moments... The only way I feel how to describe it is "expected sex". As if because this is an adult novel, someone expects to read about adult sex. Seemed borderline pathetic and slightly gross at times.
However. I did mention I enjoyed 3 chapters all of which were written from the viewpoint of Najda. It seemed like those were the only real moments. Struggles, disappointments, triumphs, goals, love... It felt true. I wish there had been more on her and her "family" rather than the overly needy, denial of the other main characters.
I will not recommend this book to anyone, however I do commend the author for the attempt. I feel that had there been a more focused, intimate, and real style of emotion, this book could've gone places. As it is, it was returned to my friend and I am glad it's over.