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lil_grifta360's review against another edition
5.0
Growing up as a New Zealand teenager, there were a lot of issues in this book that I could relate to. I have many friends that suffer from mental illnesses and have lost people through them. This book was something I could emotionally attach to. I felt the frustration, sadness and happiness throughout this whole book--- and cried like a baby! But whats a good book if you don't cry? ;)
alekswhite's review against another edition
2.0
Mental illness deserves to be treated with a little less candour than being a footnote to a teen romance.
lorrietruck's review against another edition
1.0
This book was actually pretty irresponsible. For a YA book it felt dated and try-hard. It seemed to romanticise self harm in a way that feels almost dangerous given the book’s target audience. All the women in this book were either awful or barely worth a mention. The main character’s mother was described as a nag, the other girls in her classes were awful and described as sluts for their clothing choices. It actually used the word “transvestite” in the year of our lord 2017 like what the actual fuck.
Ugh so many problems. I’ve read other books of hers and enjoyed them so might not give up on this author yet but it’s tempting.
Ugh so many problems. I’ve read other books of hers and enjoyed them so might not give up on this author yet but it’s tempting.
meowzik's review against another edition
4.0
I did enjoy this book - I think Merriman discusses self-harm and mental health issues with care, and deals with it explicitly without sensationalising it. Fair warning though, I didn't expect her to go into it with detail on the first page! It's an important book, and I love that it's a kiwi book, because we pretty much fail as a country in discussing mental health, date rape, self-harm, and suicide, so I hope that it does get a wider reading audience if only for that.
Also, props to the chapter titles. Pretty cool idea.
Also, props to the chapter titles. Pretty cool idea.
keishaamariee's review against another edition
3.0
I found this book enjoyable but the book has triggers about sexual abuse and self harm, I don't think it gives enough warning about these issues in the book.
salmy_nella's review against another edition
4.0
At first I wasn't sure if I was going to enjoy this book. The beginning felt like an overplay of teenage angst and I felt like the writing could of improved. I did like the subtle hints at depression, and the main character suffering from PTSD from her assaulter and self harm, but I feel like the writing of self harm felt rushed and out of place a bit. However, halfway into this book was like a completely different story. The writing of grief was very well done and I felt my own heart aching for Cory and his depression. I felt for Rebecca and her unanswered questions about Cory's death, but also appreciated her friendship with Winston and the twins and her facing her assaulter. The second half was something nice
chelseas_reads's review against another edition
4.0
i actually get so excited when i read a book set in new zealand or written by a kiwi author. these things aren't very easy to find.
i was super excited when pieces of you arrived. it came with a bunch of little promotional gifts, which was the cutest thing ever. the items related to the book in different ways - it was really creative! i didn't request this book, and a friends review made me a little less excited to read this book, but i'm so glad i did.
i didn't like the book or the characters at first. it took a bit to grow on me. by the end of it, i still didn't like the characters that much, but i loved the plot and writing style. i loved the fact that pieces of you was set in new zealand?????!?!?!?! can you believe?!
okay. so pieces of you tackles some pretty serious issues. there should definitely be trigger warnings for self harm, rape and (possibly?) suicide. these are in no way spoilers. i found certain parts difficult to read and i probably would've dnf'd it had i not been reading it so quickly.
i thought it was very interesting being in rebecca's mind. there were times when she annoyed me, but overall i quite enjoyed her as a protagonist. i wish she had more character development. she didn't change much from start to end.
i think the biggest character change was cory. in saying that, i'm still confused as to what happened/why towards the end. either i was reading it too fast and missed important details, or it wasn't properly explained in the first place.
the ending has a huge twist that i didn't see coming. honestly, it was such a surprise i thought it was a joke at first. i can't believe.
i rated pieces of you 4 stars, although it kinda falls in the 3 - 4 star mark. i can't quite decide. it's definitely a good book and well worth the read.
i was super excited when pieces of you arrived. it came with a bunch of little promotional gifts, which was the cutest thing ever. the items related to the book in different ways - it was really creative! i didn't request this book, and a friends review made me a little less excited to read this book, but i'm so glad i did.
i didn't like the book or the characters at first. it took a bit to grow on me. by the end of it, i still didn't like the characters that much, but i loved the plot and writing style. i loved the fact that pieces of you was set in new zealand?????!?!?!?! can you believe?!
okay. so pieces of you tackles some pretty serious issues. there should definitely be trigger warnings for self harm, rape and (possibly?) suicide. these are in no way spoilers. i found certain parts difficult to read and i probably would've dnf'd it had i not been reading it so quickly.
i thought it was very interesting being in rebecca's mind. there were times when she annoyed me, but overall i quite enjoyed her as a protagonist. i wish she had more character development. she didn't change much from start to end.
i think the biggest character change was cory. in saying that, i'm still confused as to what happened/why towards the end. either i was reading it too fast and missed important details, or it wasn't properly explained in the first place.
the ending has a huge twist that i didn't see coming. honestly, it was such a surprise i thought it was a joke at first. i can't believe.
i rated pieces of you 4 stars, although it kinda falls in the 3 - 4 star mark. i can't quite decide. it's definitely a good book and well worth the read.
nyxiabel's review against another edition
3.0
Felt a lot like All th Bright Places, but set in NZ. I cried. The representation of mental illness was off for me at times here.
Definitely trigger warnings for sexual assault and repeated self-harming/suicidal ideation.
Definitely trigger warnings for sexual assault and repeated self-harming/suicidal ideation.
ettegoom's review against another edition
4.0
A really sensitive, and well understood exploration of mental illness, relationships and sexual assault.
I'm not a huge fan of things that talk about self harm, as I don't want it to become more accessible to struggling young people. But I also appreciate the way that it was portrayed in the story, the value that it can have for some people and the meaning behind it.
If anything, I would say that this book is useful to family/friends of people who self harm, although it also has value in terms of the idea that others can also experience pain, love and understanding. And that can be just as valuable, knowing that you're not alone. Even if the only other person you know that is feeling this way is a character in a book, at least someone understands.
I'm not a huge fan of things that talk about self harm, as I don't want it to become more accessible to struggling young people. But I also appreciate the way that it was portrayed in the story, the value that it can have for some people and the meaning behind it.
If anything, I would say that this book is useful to family/friends of people who self harm, although it also has value in terms of the idea that others can also experience pain, love and understanding. And that can be just as valuable, knowing that you're not alone. Even if the only other person you know that is feeling this way is a character in a book, at least someone understands.