Reviews tagging 'Self harm'

How We Fall Apart by Katie Zhao

13 reviews

sharlottetheshark's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Stalking, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Classism

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Physical abuse, Self harm, and Suicide

Minor: Fatphobia, Blood, Antisemitism, and Medical content

amandalorianxo's review against another edition

dark mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

3.25/3.5 rating rounded up. A compelling read for those who enjoyed the central theme of Ace of Spades, Pretty Little Liars and One of Us is Lying. This definitely is a little more intense and darker than PLL though so be warned that suicide thoughts, verbal abuse and drug substance is mentioned / discussed. Unfortunately, a lot of Asian Americans are presented as the model minority and a lot of teens suffer because they want to live up to their parents sacrifices. This showcases the lives of four specific teens in a private school located in NY. Granted, we only get one specific POV but the general gist of what they all feel / think. There is a sequel to this so here’s to hoping we get Alex, Krystal and Akil’s POV’s too. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder

Moderate: Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Biphobia, Self harm, and Abandonment

ao3simp's review against another edition

dark mysterious 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

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Self harm, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Murder, and Toxic friendship

Minor: Mental illness

kateelissa's review against another edition

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Fire/Fire injury

Minor: Self harm

aformeracceleratedreader's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.0

It's giving Gossip Girl, Ace of Spades, Pretty Little Liars, all of Karen McManus' YA books but set with a predominantly Asian cast. So if you liked any of those, this could be right up your alley. I enjoyed it although it was a little predictable. I connected a lot with the whole "Asian immigrant family expecting the best" thing because I experienced that in my school years. Like ridiculous expectations of being the best and not talking about your mental health struggles because you have to be strong and look at the sacrifices your family did so you could grow up in America. So some of it hit real close to home.
I wish at the end we knew the secret of the Golden Trio but it was still a fulfilling (although maybe a bit frustrating) ending.
F in the chat for Alexander tho. Man shot his shot.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Self harm, Suicide, Toxic friendship, and Classism

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Racism, Blood, and Fire/Fire injury

bookwyrm_sisters's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious tense fast-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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Mental illness, Self harm, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Cursing and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Bullying, Drug use, and Alcohol

anniereads221's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Death, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Mental illness, Racism, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, and Toxic friendship

icarly's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I read this book in one night and it was worth being tired over the next day. A bonus is that I commented praises on Zhao’s TikTok and she actually replied back to me, which was incredibly special.

This book is so good! It was fast paced with short chapters (my favorite kind of read) and the plot was exciting and kept me hooked the entire time.

Its plot is very similar to One of Us is Lying, but I personally liked this book better. It probably was the setting that did it for me - who doesn’t love dark academia?

My favorite character was probably Krystal or Akil, but I pretty much liked all of them equally. They weren’t necessarily the most interesting characters I’ve ever met, but I liked them nonetheless.

I would recommend this book to people because I personally enjoyed reading it a lot and I think that it’s a quick and easy read for anyone who wants something exciting. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Racism

Minor: Self harm

hello_lovely13's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense fast-paced

• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

I’ve been waiting for this book to release, and I finally read it!  Zhao sets the tone of the book so well, and it everything feels so realistic.  I especially appreciate the care that went into the subtleties, such as details that concern Jamie’s relationship with her father.  Alexander Lin is my new comfort character.  He is a pure cinnamon roll that needs to be loved and protected!  It’s hard to find something related to dark academia that has a diverse cast (something I’m always on the prowl for), and this book NAILS it.  This book brought up so many true and tough topics that need to be discussed more.  I was definitely brought back to my competitive, anxiety-filled, under-too-much-pressure self when reading because Zhao set it up so well (I said it once, and I’ll say it again, Zhao NAILS the tone).  There are so many complex characters that are lovable, yet hatable at the same time (again, except Alexander, who only deserves love).   Zhao blends diverse stories and backgrounds so well that the characters felt real.  It’s just a well done book!  I’ll admit, there is a bit about the twist that I personally was just *eh* about, but otherwise…just spectacular!  Also, props and great respect for Zhao adding the trigger warnings in the Author’s Note at the beginning of the book!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship

Moderate: Domestic abuse and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Drug use, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, and Self harm

brynn_books's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional mysterious fast-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

4.0

Overall, this book was really good! It's basically Crazy Rich Asians meets Pretty Little Liars meets Gossip Girl meets One Of Us Is Lying. It's a murder mystery with an all asian cast which is great. I loved all of the characters relationships and their interactions with each other. It was interesting to see the differences between class that were so prominent in this book. 

I liked how the flashbacks were woven throughout the story revealing bits and pieces of the story. It was really interesting to finally get the last flashback and understand exactly what happened 2 years ago. I will say that the ending was slightly disappointing. 

This book has the perfect dark academia fall vibes. It was the perfect book to read for the time of year I read it (around October). Also, I went into this book expecting a standalone, but now I need the sequel. I need to know what that last secret is. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Drug use, Mental illness, Racism, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Violence