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grclnntt's review
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
3.75
First half could have been shortened and then second half could have been explained more. I’m a little confused what happened, but overall I understand and enjoyed it. 3.75 bc a bit too long. Check trigger warnings, too
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts and Abandonment
Minor: Blood
thenovelmaura's review
dark
emotional
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
I've seen several other reviews for this book that summed up my thoughts pretty well, to the point where I'm not sure if my review will be valuable at all! I liked the feeling of being unsettled for most of the story. This book was suspenseful and I remember flying through its short chapters. On the other hand, the chapters are so short that I think the characters and content of the flashbacks ended up being underdeveloped (despite the "normal" number of pages). As for the ending, I usually like open-ended books but this was more of an abrupt letdown than a graceful, ambiguous conclusion.
I also agree with the critiques that readers should be warned that this story is an allegory for depression rather than "loneliness." It is heavy and I could see how this could send someone into a spiral if they're not expecting to engage with this kind of content. It is a hard one to rate but (as a long ago Matched series fan) I do applaud Condie for going out of her normal dystopian genre with this one.
I also agree with the critiques that readers should be warned that this story is an allegory for depression rather than "loneliness." It is heavy and I could see how this could send someone into a spiral if they're not expecting to engage with this kind of content. It is a hard one to rate but (as a long ago Matched series fan) I do applaud Condie for going out of her normal dystopian genre with this one.
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Abandonment
cfpharmd's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, and Abandonment
Moderate: Toxic friendship
ivylee's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
A really gorgeous exploration of being a teen on the verge of being an adult, dealing with grief and depression and love and friendship and change and growth and nostalgia and healing.
Bonus points for setting it (or “setting it”) in my hometown. Anyone who grew up in the area will read the descriptions of not-Indian Creek Farm and not-Taughannock and feel all their childhood memories flooding back. There’s something really magical about Ithaca and Condie for sure captured it.
Bonus points for setting it (or “setting it”) in my hometown. Anyone who grew up in the area will read the descriptions of not-Indian Creek Farm and not-Taughannock and feel all their childhood memories flooding back. There’s something really magical about Ithaca and Condie for sure captured it.
Graphic: Grief and Abandonment
Moderate: Death
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