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tinareads'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
5.0
I'm rusty at writing reviews, but this book touched my heart directly, so I feel pulled to speak on it. Please check trigger warnings before getting into this, especially if SA is a trigger for you. It's a prevalent them throughout the book and could be very triggering.
This book made me feel right at home. I was born and raised in California, not Ohio like Echo, but the way she wrote the experience of growing up Black and seeing how your parents struggle-to provide, to survive, to battle their demons-sometimes by using substances to dull the ache. How those struggles, when unaddressed, can bleed onto you, the child and shape you how it shaped them all those years ago. But also how the same parents who hurt you and aren't always available have those moments where they are soft and loving. How you yearn for those moments and cling to them when they're cruel. Phew! But, the magic on these pages added something special to this otherwise sad and tense recollection of Echo's upbringing. I love the aspect of ancestral magic in Black YA books. It often stems from the violence and survival of our ancestors, but it always does something for me. I like to think we might have some of that magic here in the real world, if we're willing to be open to it.
Like another reviewer said, the storytelling is definitely unique. You might be confused at the start, but if you stick with it and are open-minded I think it's quite enjoyable. The way the timelines blend together as the main story goes along was interesting and I was really invested, knowing that this book was about Echo's life with a magical twist. I shed quite a few tears in the last quarter of the audiobook, and it's a shame that we lost such a gifted storyteller so young. I'll definitely be checking out her other novels in the future.
Graphic: Drug abuse, Drug use, Rape, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Alcoholism, Child abuse, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Racial slurs and Suicide attempt
rachelkreadsbookz'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? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Drug use and Suicide attempt
livinthebubble's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
2.5
Important Read
This book talks about poverty, racism, the hardships that come with being a woman, and the assault of minors, among other important topics. It was tough to read at times, with the graphic scenes here and there, though I still appreciate this being written and having read it.
Ending
Most of the book was just ok to me, although I enjoyed one of the scenes at the end, where the main group write messages on the trees. I thought it was a lovely scene and the messages were uplifting after a dark book.
Magical Realism
I think this is another case of "it's not you, it's me" and me not properly reading what books are about before reading/buying them. I dislike most books with magical realism, and I didn't realize that this was a magical realism book.
Confusing
The wizard stuff was just confusing to me, and the time jumps/scene jumps connected by dashes were so weird and just didn't work for me.
Overall, this just wasn't for me and I'm really sad that I didn't like it as much as everyone else.
Graphic: Rape and Sexual assault
Moderate: Addiction, Cursing, Drug abuse, Drug use, Racism, Rape, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
amberinbookland's review
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Child abuse, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Hate crime, Mental illness, Pedophilia, Racial slurs, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Medical content, Grief, Religious bigotry, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Alcohol, and Classism
lilythebibliophile'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
3.0
Graphic: Child abuse, Pedophilia, and Rape
Moderate: Drug abuse, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
lydiabader'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? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Suicide attempt, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment, and Sexual harassment
Please be wary of triggers before picking up this book, it covers many different delicate subjects