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betweentheshelves's review
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This is my first Emery Lord book, and I've gotta say, what a place to start. I do think this book is a little longer than it needs to be, as there is a bunch of back and forth in the middle that doesn't really add that much tension to the plot. However, the dual timelines does help in adding suspense in Hannah's journey to unravelling Sophie's death so she can come to terms with it.
The aspects of grief and learning how to move one when someon eyou love dies unexpectedly were the best written parts of this book. As a narrator, Hannah isn't always the most likable, but that's partly because of the grieving process. Hannah goes on quite an emotional journey in this book, and it's one that some teens will relate to.
While we get bits and pieces of Sophie throughout this, I do wish we got to actually see more pieces of her character. We really only get glimpses, and adding more depth to her might have added more depth to the overall story. But outside of that, this is a book that definitely has a strong emotional core.
The aspects of grief and learning how to move one when someon eyou love dies unexpectedly were the best written parts of this book. As a narrator, Hannah isn't always the most likable, but that's partly because of the grieving process. Hannah goes on quite an emotional journey in this book, and it's one that some teens will relate to.
While we get bits and pieces of Sophie throughout this, I do wish we got to actually see more pieces of her character. We really only get glimpses, and adding more depth to her might have added more depth to the overall story. But outside of that, this is a book that definitely has a strong emotional core.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Addiction, and Grief
Moderate: Stalking, Drug abuse, and Drug use
Minor: Child death
snowwhitehatesapples's review
challenging
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Also on Snow White Hates Apples.
When your loved one dies unexpectedly from a drug overdose at a high school party, what would you do?
In Hannah’s case, she mourns, she grieves, gets angry. She tires from the cycle yet continues on, hunting for the truth because she knows Sophie, she knows. (But alas, it was only one Sophie whom she knew — this truth, she learns along the way.)
Anyway, as interesting as the plot was, it developed too slowly. Yes, I liked the dual timeline which allowed for explorations of grief and coping mechanisms through various characters. Yes, I liked that Hannah isn’t a sweet, likeable character. I liked the friendships, how they developed and changed and I liked that the romance wasn’t rushed too. But, it felt like these relationships were taking up more attention than should’ve because the whole point of the book is for Hannah to navigate her grief and find out the truth behind Sophie’s death.
Sure, both the pace and the focus may be practical (because let’s be real, it’d take just as long or longer if we were in Hannah’s shoes). However, in a book, I’d personally prefer for there to be more tension and anxiety. For Hannah to have more moments to herself, and for her to feel as though she’s racing against time even though the story isn’t about stopping an active murderer. This would also make sense since Hannah obsesses greatly over uncovering the truth as a way to cope with Sophie’s death.
Anyway, all the aforesaid aside, I do think All That’s Left to Say is a solid read with a realistic (albeit anticlimactic) ending. It’s another important book that could help with bettering the understanding and generating awareness and conversations on substance abuse.
When your loved one dies unexpectedly from a drug overdose at a high school party, what would you do?
In Hannah’s case, she mourns, she grieves, gets angry. She tires from the cycle yet continues on, hunting for the truth because she knows Sophie, she knows. (But alas, it was only one Sophie whom she knew — this truth, she learns along the way.)
Anyway, as interesting as the plot was, it developed too slowly. Yes, I liked the dual timeline which allowed for explorations of grief and coping mechanisms through various characters. Yes, I liked that Hannah isn’t a sweet, likeable character. I liked the friendships, how they developed and changed and I liked that the romance wasn’t rushed too. But, it felt like these relationships were taking up more attention than should’ve because the whole point of the book is for Hannah to navigate her grief and find out the truth behind Sophie’s death.
Sure, both the pace and the focus may be practical (because let’s be real, it’d take just as long or longer if we were in Hannah’s shoes). However, in a book, I’d personally prefer for there to be more tension and anxiety. For Hannah to have more moments to herself, and for her to feel as though she’s racing against time even though the story isn’t about stopping an active murderer. This would also make sense since Hannah obsesses greatly over uncovering the truth as a way to cope with Sophie’s death.
Anyway, all the aforesaid aside, I do think All That’s Left to Say is a solid read with a realistic (albeit anticlimactic) ending. It’s another important book that could help with bettering the understanding and generating awareness and conversations on substance abuse.
Thank you so much Pansing for sending me a copy of this in exchange for an honest review! All That’s Left to Say by Emery Lord is available at all good bookstores.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Drug use, Addiction, Grief, and Drug abuse
Minor: Death and Child death
aqtbenz's review
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Grief, Drug use, Death, and Drug abuse
chip4201's review
challenging
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug use, and Death
girlreading's review
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
A poignant story of grief, family, love and coming to terms with loss. Although I admittedly found this a little confusing at the times, with trying to follow the large cast of characters amongst the time jumps (possibly audiobook wasn’t the way to go with this one?) this was an emotional story with a mystery that kept reading.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Death, Drug abuse, and Addiction
madisonkeough's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The end is very emotional and got me quite teary. Had a lot of build up to get to that point. The characters are interesting and they explore a lot of sad and relevant topics.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction
Moderate: Alcohol, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Drug use, Mental illness, Sexual content, Drug abuse, Bullying, and Child abuse
sandwiiche's review
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
i really loved the exploration of grief here, especially the periods of anger and bargaining that comes with it. at times i was sorta annoyed at the mc, but i could understand why she'd make those decisions. a solid read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Drug use, and Grief
Moderate: Stalking
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