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tiffanymonet's review
4.0
This book was an overall good read. I enjoyed it and had a hard time putting it down (even when I was sick and should have been sleeping). The story gives a different perspective to school shootings and at times reminded me of Grisham's A Time to Kill. I did not know the ending until I read it and both like and dislike it. There was very little I did not like about this book and would probably recomend it to a friend.
caraeliz's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Good book. Not great. But absolutely hated how it was written with such long chapters. I’m talking one chapter was like an hour and a half long.
The book has a good premise and kept me entertained. Super heavy topic of a school shooting. One that in a way I feel is overdone in a lot of books and shows and movies… the kid being bullied who’s driven to the point where he chooses gun violence to come ‘deal with who started it’. It honestly gets repetitive and is so freeking prevalent in todays world that I almost hated reading about it. It’s on the news constantly about things like this. Yes this book shows exactly what it’s like for many teenagers who go through bullying though. And that’s even more sad.
But this book also pissed me off because I have a firm belief that so much could be different and that starts with parenting. Peters mom Lacy truly frustrated me when she said she never really even bothered seeing what her son was up to. Like hello you’re a PARENT. Sure I get your other child died, but when she said “Peter was holding us together and us as the parents couldn’t function” it’s like yeah… that’s a problem you let that fall on your child. Nope.
Also… so many things just felt really drawn out. Like this book could have been 100 pages shorter. But I enjoyed the ending yet that felt kind of rushed at the end. I wish there had been better balance with the ending and the content of the book.
wendy_veley's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
lfras99's review
challenging
emotional
informative
mysterious
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
meredith_summers's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
zepeng's review
2.0
2 stars | DNF @60%
I truly believe this will be a massive hit in the early 2010s. However, my 2024 attention span is screaming because why is the book 400 pages long. It can be cut in half easily and the impact would have been much more profound.
I truly believe this will be a massive hit in the early 2010s. However, my 2024 attention span is screaming because why is the book 400 pages long. It can be cut in half easily and the impact would have been much more profound.
quills4days's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Blood, Bullying, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Death, Mass/school shootings, Child death, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Violence, Murder, Physical abuse, Gore, and Grief
nerdie_kitten's review
4.0
My first JP book of the year..
And just slick, emotive and as readable as ever.
This might be one of few books I have read and will read whose main character i hate with passion. Peter and Josie both grew very I'll feeling in my stomach when I was only 25-30 pages into it.. (not even end of first chapter. Another clue chapters are pretty long and detailed)
Normally I enjoy her courtroom drama, in this case I enjoyed the previous episodes shown throught the years of Peter and Josie . That I would say, were the reason I kept reading.. What exactly feels like to be part of a "popular crowd " and one outside one.. Or how u balance and bridge that gap over within years..
This book on one hand evoked motherly instincts in me and on another hand , it made me sure in my belief that, knowing you have created new life, doesn't mean that creature will turn out to be what u saw in them. A wrong step on either side of the rope and you are doomed.
Just a superb thought provoking book.
//
"When I was little I used to pour salt on slugs. I liked watching them dissolve before my own Eyes. Cruelty is always sort of fun until you realize that something's getting hurt. "
///
And just slick, emotive and as readable as ever.
This might be one of few books I have read and will read whose main character i hate with passion. Peter and Josie both grew very I'll feeling in my stomach when I was only 25-30 pages into it.. (not even end of first chapter. Another clue chapters are pretty long and detailed)
Normally I enjoy her courtroom drama, in this case I enjoyed the previous episodes shown throught the years of Peter and Josie . That I would say, were the reason I kept reading.. What exactly feels like to be part of a "popular crowd " and one outside one.. Or how u balance and bridge that gap over within years..
This book on one hand evoked motherly instincts in me and on another hand , it made me sure in my belief that, knowing you have created new life, doesn't mean that creature will turn out to be what u saw in them. A wrong step on either side of the rope and you are doomed.
Just a superb thought provoking book.
//
"When I was little I used to pour salt on slugs. I liked watching them dissolve before my own Eyes. Cruelty is always sort of fun until you realize that something's getting hurt. "
///