Scan barcode
linde_ahobbit's review
adventurous
funny
sad
fast-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? It's complicated
3.75
This is a fun book that I really enjoyed. It isn't perfect, the jokes don't always land and it's sometimes a bit immature. But it's such a fun ride. There was one plot twist tho, during the last couple of chapters ,that I really dislike.
Turns out Ravi was Wyatt (almost) the whole time... and I think it was a bad move. I actually really liked Dee's romance with Wyatt, and the shock that Ravi got killed off so soon and unexpextedly. It felt good for Dee to move on and open up to someone new. First loves, however important they were at the time, aren't always the right choice for us. And the book convinces you of that as well. Ravi was awful to Dee before be "died". Dee realises this and is ready to move on. Move on to someone who is there for him, who defends him. There's literally a scene in the book where Dee chooses Wyatt over Ravi. That's why you don't see the plot twist coming. It's such a set-up, Wyatt is written as an entirerly different character. That's why it doens't work.
It is so manipulative of Ravi. He was lying to Dee the whole time while pretending to be someone else (for a bad reason I might add). And even after Ravi comes clean and admits to it (and how he was in on the murder plot from the beginning...), he still doesn't tell the whole truth.
Dee forgave him wayyyy to easily. He should at least have been angry and feel betrayed. Ravi made him mourn him, made him fall in love with a pretend person (he made up a whole backstory for Wyatt etc) and kept lying right until the end.
Dee also should've missed Wyatt at least a bit, because you do as reader. For him to just accept it... feels off. And unfair (to himself).
Also, Ravi being the one to take away Dee's clothes for almost two weeks without even as much as a change of underwear?? Actual bullying behavior. And one another thing, shouldn't Ravi have known about Dee's "fear" of water?
Sorry for the rant, but the twist just doesn't work. They could have kept the twist in, that Ravi's still alive. Just not him being Wyatt as well... It makes me feel sad because I was really liking the book right until that point... ):
Other than that, I liked how Dee's mental health was handled. And Grashopper was a cutie. Anyway.. justice for Wyatt.
It is so manipulative of Ravi. He was lying to Dee the whole time while pretending to be someone else (for a bad reason I might add). And even after Ravi comes clean and admits to it (and how he was in on the murder plot from the beginning...), he still doesn't tell the whole truth.
Dee forgave him wayyyy to easily. He should at least have been angry and feel betrayed. Ravi made him mourn him, made him fall in love with a pretend person (he made up a whole backstory for Wyatt etc) and kept lying right until the end.
Dee also should've missed Wyatt at least a bit, because you do as reader. For him to just accept it... feels off. And unfair (to himself).
Also, Ravi being the one to take away Dee's clothes for almost two weeks without even as much as a change of underwear?? Actual bullying behavior. And one another thing, shouldn't Ravi have known about Dee's "fear" of water?
Sorry for the rant, but the twist just doesn't work. They could have kept the twist in, that Ravi's still alive. Just not him being Wyatt as well... It makes me feel sad because I was really liking the book right until that point... ):
Other than that, I liked how Dee's mental health was handled. And Grashopper was a cutie. Anyway.. justice for Wyatt.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Bullying
aroraback's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-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
4.5
I enjoyed the characters, they kept true to their characterizations and were all unique to each other. They were designed with my millennial heart in mind, and remind me of the characters I enjoy from the 90s-10s. They also built as the story went on, as you would expect with a secret driven story.
Points of the plot were apparent, but I felt like the evidence was pointing against it. But I was pleasantly surprised at various points as the story wrapped up during the reveal. All point but one point were used and didn’t get left behind. The myth the story uses as setup/a driving force felt a little underdeveloped, or like it had more that needed to be edited out. But this didn’t detract from the rest of the story and wasn’t absolutely necessary for the plot to continue.
I did start a little slow with this story, solely due to single quotations (a pet peeve of mine, and something I wouldn’t mind dropping a book for), but once I got into the story I easy got over this.
Star rating based on CAWPILE
I read the first sentence from one review before starting this and was sold on that (before hesitating when I saw single quotations). That being comparing it to a gay Fruits Basket. While not 100%, the story is reminiscent that I love this comparison LOL
Points of the plot were apparent, but I felt like the evidence was pointing against it. But I was pleasantly surprised at various points as the story wrapped up during the reveal. All point but one point were used and didn’t get left behind. The myth the story uses as setup/a driving force felt a little underdeveloped, or like it had more that needed to be edited out. But this didn’t detract from the rest of the story and wasn’t absolutely necessary for the plot to continue.
I did start a little slow with this story, solely due to single quotations (a pet peeve of mine, and something I wouldn’t mind dropping a book for), but once I got into the story I easy got over this.
Star rating based on CAWPILE
I read the first sentence from one review before starting this and was sold on that (before hesitating when I saw single quotations). That being comparing it to a gay Fruits Basket. While not 100%, the story is reminiscent that I love this comparison LOL
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Mental illness, Terminal illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Chronic illness
Who dies: Wyatt, Euphodar, Negrüi, Jasper, Shinjirio, Eska,keya_caivalur's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Suicide attempt, Murder, Blood, Xenophobia, Violence, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Death, Confinement, and Body horror
Moderate: Xenophobia, Alcohol, Mental illness, Hate crime, Fire/Fire injury, Dysphoria, Drug use, Chronic illness, Classism, Bullying, Child abuse, Stalking, Sexual content, and Religious bigotry
Minor: Vomit, Abandonment, War, and Death of parent
More...