moonytoast's review against another edition
emotional
funny
reflective
sad
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Grief, Death, and Dementia
Moderate: Violence, Cancer, and Child death
znvisser's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This was my first magical realism in a while and it started off good: I was really invested, especially for the first half. Just a cute story, interesting build-up, and the magic was just mysterious enough to pull you in. Unfortunately in the second half the magic and memories derailed a bit for me and the previously well-outlined current day characters kind of fade away with it. It started to feel like a list of essential memories that makes the reader understand quickly what happened, but then you still have to sit through many more memories, while the two MCs are very slow in their understanding of it all and then finally there is a whole event where the past is literally spelled out, but it takes unnecessarily long by being buried in even more elaborate magic scenery (and unfortunately I am not a scenery type of reader).
So unfortunately this story went a bit downhill for me but because I enjoyed the first half I was invested enough to continue; it didn’t completely ruin my experience but I would have preferred to stay closer to the earlier vibes.
So unfortunately this story went a bit downhill for me but because I enjoyed the first half I was invested enough to continue; it didn’t completely ruin my experience but I would have preferred to stay closer to the earlier vibes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Blood, Cancer, Child death, and Dementia
Minor: Animal death and Suicide
mollywill's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, and Grief
Moderate: Dementia and Cancer
klavanger's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
I truly did not want to put this book down. Like I considered cancelling plans just to hunker down with this book. I found this book through Emily Henry’s contemporary romance, and while it may be quite different, it is absolutely excellent story telling. It will fully punch you in the gut with emotion, I was not prepared. I found the perspective on grief to be incredibly compelling and accurate, which made for a more interesting and addictive story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cancer, Child death, Death, Death of parent, and Grief
Moderate: Dementia and Mental illness
Minor: Alcohol and Animal death
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