marisacarpico's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
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
3.0
Have really enjoyed the previous installments, but felt a bit disappointed by this one for a number of reasons.
The first is that the romance was less compelling this time because Levithan makes the both difficult and exciting choice to bring in a lot of other narrators besides A and Rhiannon. I largely liked spending time with these characters more than our main pair—especially X. The series' empathy has always appealed to me and that jumping around really brought that to a new level in a way that I really enjoyed on a writing level. A and Rhiannon's wavering (much of which stays in the same place for the whole book) just wasn't as compelling as jumping into these different stories and different perspectives.
The second major issue is the way the X storyline plays out. Levithan builds tension and a looming sense of danger throughout and then resolves everything too easily and too close to the end. Again, the way this meanders appeals to me most, but if you're going to set up the narrative, then make sure it's satisfying.
I also have to admit the way this connects to the milieu of the last few years was exhausting. I get it, we were all going through it, but this feels so surface-y and cliche in the way it deals with misogyny, gender/power dynamics and struggles for equality.
Glad I finally read this, but think the first will remain a perfect reading experience that some may feel is diminished by this sequel in particular.
The first is that the romance was less compelling this time because Levithan makes the both difficult and exciting choice to bring in a lot of other narrators besides A and Rhiannon. I largely liked spending time with these characters more than our main pair—especially X. The series' empathy has always appealed to me and that jumping around really brought that to a new level in a way that I really enjoyed on a writing level. A and Rhiannon's wavering (much of which stays in the same place for the whole book) just wasn't as compelling as jumping into these different stories and different perspectives.
The second major issue is the way the X storyline plays out. Levithan builds tension and a looming sense of danger throughout and then resolves everything too easily and too close to the end. Again, the way this meanders appeals to me most, but if you're going to set up the narrative, then make sure it's satisfying.
I also have to admit the way this connects to the milieu of the last few years was exhausting. I get it, we were all going through it, but this feels so surface-y and cliche in the way it deals with misogyny, gender/power dynamics and struggles for equality.
Glad I finally read this, but think the first will remain a perfect reading experience that some may feel is diminished by this sequel in particular.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Domestic abuse, and Emotional abuse
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