Reviews

Heart-Shaped by Siobhán Parkinson

vera_nikolajevna's review against another edition

emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death and Death of parent

elliep63's review against another edition

2.0

The first half of the book seemed really muddled, whereas the second half seemed more well written and well thought out. I think that's the way it was supposed to be though, because the girl is going through therapy and dealing with traumas so naturally not everything makes sense at first.

As the story progresses, the girl opens up more and starts dealing with the traumas, making the book naturally flow into a sad and understanding end.

Overall a good easy read if you can deal with a young girls jumbled thoughts along the way. I couldn't relate to the character particularly so the book didn't pull me in much; that's the reason for 3 stars.

arjunthakrar's review against another edition

4.0

Heart Shaped. The title instantly reminded me of Heart Shaped Bruise so naturally I was on the look out for any similarities between the books and whilst there were many difference I did seem to find one major; whether I was looking to hard or not, a lot of this book is Annie telling her head doctor her story... which is nearly identical to what happened in Heart Shaped Bruise. However that's beside the point. Overall it was a good story, well written and evoking a lot of emotion, but it just wasn't for me. I felt that even though it was a very small book some parts dragged a little and I'm not saying this is a bad book; it's really not, I'm just sort of showing the negatives I found before moving onto the positives.

For starters this is one of those books that although sad it's rather positive and keeps you feeling good inside. The story was fairly simple as far as it went and had a mix of sub genres focusing around one genre. I like the use of death but in a way that it wasn't so much a negative things in this. I mean the story really touched on parental death for youngsters and what would happen and I really feel like Parkinson hit the nail on the head with portraying that and the emotions of how they would all feel.

The writing was nice. Annie had a very distinct voice and although some characters seemed to blend in my mind Annie stayed strong and clear as the main characters. Her narrative was good and I liked the way the book was a little more mentally focused, because if someone close has died you going to mentally close in a little more and talk less and I like how we glimpsed into Annie's mind a lot.

I have mixed opinions on the characters. Although some were a little samey I felt as though each one was likeable and well formed with enough information to make them real in my mind. I just felt like sometimes characters would drop out for a while and then reappear for a long time before disappearing again. However the main characters did have distinctive voices that held me tight and I definitely wanted to know Annies story from when she first started to talk.

Overall I though the book was a little confusing but once you reach that ending it all makes sense and quite honestly: this book will leaving feeling warm inside.

thelibraryofethos's review

3.0

Pretty depressing to start with, very confusing halfway through, rather sweet at the end. I found that this book could've had a great, moving, meaningful message to it, but it was all so rushed.
A quick read, though I won't say easy because of the confusing bits.

homeschooledbookworms's review

3.0

Pretty depressing to start with, very confusing halfway through, rather sweet at the end. I found that this book could've had a great, moving, meaningful message to it, but it was all so rushed.
A quick read, though I won't say easy because of the confusing bits.