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asteinke's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Graphic: Terminal illness, Grief, Death of parent, Death, and Chronic illness
starryknightace's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? N/A
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Grief, Cancer, Mental illness, Terminal illness, Death, and Death of parent
dinipandareads's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This was a short, well-paced and fast read. It's a character-driven story and it focuses on Marin's journey of acceptance and the beginning of her healing. Despite being incredibly heartbreaking, profoundly sad and achingly lonely, there is hope at the end of this book and it is much needed after the last 15% hits you with all the emotions. There's nothing particularly special about the writing but LaCour infuses this deep sense of quiet stillness and grief in her very simple words that set the atmosphere well. We're not distracted from the pain by pretty overly philosophical words, it simply is what it is.
The author steadily builds up our curiosity (and admittedly dread) as to what happened with Gramps and how Marin got to where she is today, separated and alone from everyone she loves. Although the incoming sadness is often alluded to in various flashbacks and as Marin unveils the tale to Mabel, we don't find out everything until the very end. While flashbacks aren't necessarily my favourite, in this, we don't go back years only months and I thought it was well done to illustrate the difference in Marin before and after. As an emotional reader, of course, I cried buckets of tears at the end and my heart hurt for her so badly. But I think anyone who has had to deal with grief, loss, and heartache in some form, will be able to relate to this story and our characters' emotions.
Graphic: Grief, Terminal illness, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Minor: Death and Death of parent
historyoftape's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Death of parent and Grief
Moderate: Chronic illness, Mental illness, Suicide, and Terminal illness
smleeth93's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Moderate: Terminal illness, Alcohol, Death, and Grief
kyrstin_p1989's review
- 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
3.5
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, Chronic illness, Cancer, Death, Mental illness, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Abandonment, Alcohol, and Terminal illness
emminkirjakasa's review
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.5
"In some ways you spend the entire length of the book, hoping but not sure what you’re hoping for. Whatever it is, you only finish with half of what you hoped for"
Not much else to add. Beautiful story about grief.
Graphic: Death of parent, Mental illness, and Grief
Moderate: Terminal illness and Suicide
Minor: Sexual content
kalinczi's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Graphic: Grief
Moderate: Death, Terminal illness, and Death of parent
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Alcohol
decie's review against another edition
3.75
Graphic: Death of parent, Terminal illness, Mental illness, Cancer, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Suicide, Death, and Grief
Minor: Alcohol and Sexual content
saoreads's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Mental illness, Abandonment, Death, Terminal illness, and Suicide