caseythereader's review
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
- 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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Confinement, Addiction, Alcohol, Car accident, Drug abuse, Grief, Suicide attempt, and Death
Moderate: Suicide and Sexual content
booklovertamisha's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
slothieereads's review against another edition
4.0
While yes this is a story of forgiveness and how to move on from a terrible tragedy its also a story on the justice system.
The system is biased against POC both in real life and in this book. It's set up more for punishment than reform and that's something that needs to change in both places. It's kind of a tough read but definitely worth it and everyone should.
My only issue here is pacing. It's kind of a slow start and the time jump at the end makes me feel like we missed big chunks of the forgiveness aspect.
The system is biased against POC both in real life and in this book. It's set up more for punishment than reform and that's something that needs to change in both places. It's kind of a tough read but definitely worth it and everyone should.
My only issue here is pacing. It's kind of a slow start and the time jump at the end makes me feel like we missed big chunks of the forgiveness aspect.
hobbithopeful's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Thank you Penguin for this ARC
A great concept and message, but the execution of it fell flat for me.
I did like the characters, and found the story incredibly relatable. I most enjoyed the beginning of the book, all the uncertainty and strife made for many tense scenes.
I really had a hard time with the dual POV. Every time it went to Vince's pov, I just kinda sighed and was hoping it would go back to Violetta's. I know the author is trying to show how the justice system impacts families and those on the outside, but I truly wish we had gotten less of Vince, or ideally just stuck with Violetta's pov. It felt like it didn't add much to the story, and the pacing of it slogged on for me. There were several times I kept "waiting" for something to happen.
I really liked the premise and concept of what the author was trying to show and the point she is trying to make, but the execution of it fell flat for me, and by the end I truly think it is a swing and a miss. By the end of the story there truly isn't a major point made. I do think it would have had a bigger impact and stronger message if Violette I really thought we were going to learn more about the trials, and have more of a commentary on how minority communities are unfairly and unjustly targeted for such laws but that didn't happen either. There is so much talk about how terrible the Trials are, and how traumatic, and I honestly expected Violette to have to go through something akin to the endurance trial, or just show how what she went through impacted her to reoffend again. Instead she just ends up
With a story and concept like this the bittersweet ending came off too happy and hopeful for the message it was trying to get across. I'm glad I'm not a blubbering mess after reading this, but it didn't stick in my head and make me keep thinking about it.
I would definitely read others books by Jennifer Baker, and if you're interested in the premise I would say check this one out and see if you like it! But I wouldn't personally say this is a book I would recommend.
A great concept and message, but the execution of it fell flat for me.
I did like the characters, and found the story incredibly relatable. I most enjoyed the beginning of the book, all the uncertainty and strife made for many tense scenes.
I really had a hard time with the dual POV. Every time it went to Vince's pov, I just kinda sighed and was hoping it would go back to Violetta's. I know the author is trying to show how the justice system impacts families and those on the outside, but I truly wish we had gotten less of Vince, or ideally just stuck with Violetta's pov. It felt like it didn't add much to the story, and the pacing of it slogged on for me. There were several times I kept "waiting" for something to happen.
I really liked the premise and concept of what the author was trying to show and the point she is trying to make, but the execution of it fell flat for me, and by the end I truly think it is a swing and a miss. By the end of the story there truly isn't a major point made. I do think it would have had a bigger impact and stronger message if Violette
Spoiler
ended up with an endless trial, or just committed another crime. Because at the end of the day the way the justice system is set up it is set up for people to just end up back in jail, and truly isn't one of rehabilitation.Spoiler
going to therapy. Which yay is a great ending, but also again just doesn't fit the tone and message of the book.With a story and concept like this the bittersweet ending came off too happy and hopeful for the message it was trying to get across. I'm glad I'm not a blubbering mess after reading this, but it didn't stick in my head and make me keep thinking about it.
I would definitely read others books by Jennifer Baker, and if you're interested in the premise I would say check this one out and see if you like it! But I wouldn't personally say this is a book I would recommend.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Drug abuse, Bullying, Racism, and Forced institutionalization
Minor: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, and Sexual harassment
aerialsshelfielife's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
ckkurata529's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
mrscorytee's review against another edition
emotional
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
alylentz's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
slow-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
2.5
The best thing about this book will be the conversations it starts for the teens who read it. I loved the ideas it was engaging with and putting out there, but I found the actual execution of the story lacking at times. I wish it wasn't dual POV; I feel like I could have gained a much deeper level of understanding of the characters if it had been narrated solely by Violetta or Vince. I also felt like the story ended really abruptly... the pacing throughout felt really stop-start to me and I wish the ending chapters hadn't felt so rushed. I also wish this had leaned fully into dystopia or been fully contemporary. As it is, it operates in a sort of limbo space that I think can be distracting at times. I would recommend this to teen readers who are looking for books with hard hitting themes, family conflicts, and light dystopian elements.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC of this title in exchange for an honest review.
durablepigments's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
ehogan's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75