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sm_moon's review
emotional
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? Yes
3.25
erinbritt's review
5.0
An amazing retelling of Orpheus and Eurydice. While I could definitely see how the myth influenced the story there were several times when I forgot it was a retelling. The characters are so well developed and have so much depth. I loved the blend of Greek mythology and Latinx culture. The story was full of hope and heartbreak and I adored every second.
oxfordcommaon's review
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Colonisation, Death, and Grief
alenka's review
dark
emotional
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
sarahanne8382's review
3.0
I liked but didn't love this Afro-Latinx retelling of the Orpheus myth.
Running from the destruction of Hurricane Maria and the demon who torments her, Eury agrees to spend the summer in the Bronx with her cousin, where she meets charming guitar playing Pheus. While she's been warned that all the girls in the neighborhood are crazy about him, Eury can't help but notice the darkness that's surrounded her for years disappears when he plays his guitar and sings, and Pheus realizes that maybe there's more to his musical talent than the adulation of the crowd.
I think my problem is less with the story than with the myth it's retelling. Rivera does a creative job with weak source material.
Running from the destruction of Hurricane Maria and the demon who torments her, Eury agrees to spend the summer in the Bronx with her cousin, where she meets charming guitar playing Pheus. While she's been warned that all the girls in the neighborhood are crazy about him, Eury can't help but notice the darkness that's surrounded her for years disappears when he plays his guitar and sings, and Pheus realizes that maybe there's more to his musical talent than the adulation of the crowd.
I think my problem is less with the story than with the myth it's retelling. Rivera does a creative job with weak source material.
christina_smith's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
emsprobablyreading's review
emotional
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
miss617's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this book. I read a version of the story of Orpheus and Eurydice (most likely Ovid) in high school, and Never Look Back jibed with my memories of it. Really my only quibble with this story is "why Eury?" We get a very brief explanation of why Ato is drawn to her, but that's about it. I would have liked a little more elaboration about what made her special (because I see this a lot in YA books and it drives me a little crazy), but otherwise, I was rooting for her and Pheus.