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zarahzoe's review against another edition
2.25
Alexis tends to be quite hit or miss for me, but the hits hit so high that I sometimes have to endure the misses, but... Uhm. Was this ever a miss.
Graphic: Body shaming, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Outing, Toxic friendship, and Classism
Minor: Fatphobia
adrienanthony's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Ableism, Fatphobia, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Forced institutionalization, Medical content, Medical trauma, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
Moderate: Biphobia, Body shaming, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, and Grief
graceheartsbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It was interesting to read his debut novel after reading so many others. And maybe because I’ve read so many of his other works that I’m not really sure how to feel about this one.
I really appreciated how Glitterland covered mental illness and the self loathing you can feel while going through that (especially as someone going through her own mental health journey as I learn to cope with social anxiety). However, I don’t know if I really felt the connection between the two leads but Ash and Darian both grew on me (even if Darian’s accent was a bit distracting to decipher…then again, I am an American and I barely know the distinct differences between British accents let alone American ones lol)
I also really liked the annotations and seeing Alexis Hall’s insights through the writing process—it’s interesting to read about what makes an author tick, you know?
Fair warning: Ash is an unlikable protagonist although unlike a lot unlikable protags, I did not get annoyed by him as much—although I did say aloud ‘Ash no’ when he f’ed something up lol
I do kind of wish we saw some of Darian’s POV. Not that I would’ve expected it because Alexis Hall doesn’t seem to do dual POVs but for some reason, sometimes I wanted to know what Darian was thinking.
I didn’t really have an strong reaction to most of the side characters (I say most because one in particular got on my nerves near the end for reasons I cannot reveal except in a spoiler👀)
Still everyone needs to start somewhere and I appreciate this novel for exsisting because without it would not have a new favorite author to enjoy❤️
Graphic: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Cursing, Self harm, and Sexual content
emrosenq's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Drug use, Fatphobia, Self harm, Suicide attempt, and Alcohol
Minor: Biphobia
bibliophiletricia's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Self harm
the_lady_librarian's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Mental illness and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Drug use, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
lololovesthings's review against another edition
- 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
4.5
"Glitterland" is another fantastic, emotional, beautiful book in author Alexis Hall's repertoire. This story is captivating, dark, honest, depressing, and powerful. Please check the trigger warnings as there are quite a few touchy topics discussed here. I appreciate how Hall can touch upon sensitive topics like suicidal ideation, bipolar disorder, and mental health with a mix of devastating frankness and shocking mirth. I will be thinking about Ash and Darian for months and years to come. What a couple of characters! This is one of the more interesting grumpy x sunshine books I have read. I have a hunch many readers will be turned off by Ash and his rude and frank but uncouth mannerisms. By all accounts, he is a huge w4nker. Still, I found him slightly endearing even with a mountain of flaws. His struggles are familiar, and I found myself identifying with him on many levels. I also saw a little of myself in Darian, who is a sweetheart of a person who radiates light and love and uniqueness. He knows who he is and isn't afraid to be exactly that person. He is naive where Ash is practical, and together, they complement each other in ways I didn't think would be possible given the selfishness of Ash at the start of the book. Darian tears down Ash's walls slowly but surely. Their pairing is complex and not without its faults and flaws, but they make it work best for them. These characters are spectacularly brought to life by audiobook narrator Nicholas Boulton. Talk about a fantastic performance! his shifting cadence, animated style, and various voices make this one of the best audiobooks I have ever had the pleasure of listening to. I just adored this book so, so much. I highly recommend it!
Thank you to NetGalley, Alexis Hall, and Dreamscape Media for the complimentary ALC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Drug use and Homophobia
ruexx's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Okay, I absolutely loved this book. I found the characters like Darian very enjoyable and I liked how it balanced with Ash and how he has his struggles. There is a lot of talk of mental health and triggering scenes but it was done well and I liked how Darian stood by Ash even with not much understanding of bipolar. I found the dynamic of Niall, Ash and Max very interesting. Toxic but interesting in a way that I just want to know so much more about there Uni days. Overall i really loved the book which is why I give it 5 stars. It just made me feel so much emotion and it was done so well. I love Darian and Ash <3
Graphic: Cursing, Drug use, Mental illness, Self harm, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
_isabel_'s review
5.0
I've been waiting for a chance to read this series, and the re-releases seemed like the perfect opportunity; I can't believe I ever doubted these books would work for me. Because wow: I think I love Alexis Hall the best when his writing and his stories are like this, an emotional punch to the gut in book form.
< I seized another kiss, swift and sweet from the corner of his lips. “All my smiles, you can have all my smiles, whenever I can find them.” “See,” he said, as though it was the simplest, most obvious thing in the world. >
I loved this book with my whole soul: it's packed with so much raw, unadultered angst and feels, so many hard, complex themes, and so many beautiful, hideous complicated human emotions. I read it at the precisely right time in my life as well: 2023 was a hard year for me, and seeing Ash struggle with his depression, with his out-of-control feelings, with his hopelessness, with not recognizing himself anymore, was hard, of course, but also cathartic. I think this genre needs more representation like his: it's important, necessary even, to see more mental health rep (and not only that!) on page, authentic, realistic, thought-through rep.
I didn't find the darkness to be overwhelming though: this is still a romance, and oh god, what a romance.
I didn't think it would work for me, but yep, it totally did: Ash and Darian's romance stole my soul. I loved them so damned much. They're so different from one another, but that's why they work; Darian's never known a different Ash, and Ash can be himself around Darian in a way he never could when so many people in his life are expecting the "broken, uncapable of change, bipolar depressive".
< “Darian. Darian.” He rolled over, tousled and lovely, blinking dazedly in the half- light. “What’s wrong, babes?” I stared at him, for a moment utterly speechless at the magnitude of everything. “I’m going to make you so unhappy,” I blurted out. “What? When? Can’t you like do it in the morning?” >
I loved their relationship, I loved how lighthearted and sweet and sexy they were with one another, and I loved their most difficult conversations and moments too.
Darian was a total sweetheart. I don't know how to describe him, but if I knew I person like him in my life, I'd probably be ready to go to war for them. He's lovely. Absolutely, 10000%, one of the loveliest love interests I've ever had the pleasure of meeting on page. He deserves the whole damned universe. He's funny and sweet and genuine and forgiving and friendly and kind, and just, the best person ever.
< “I’m not a fucking plural,” I snapped. “What?” I pointed at myself. “Item: one babe.”
“Ahwight,” he said. “Mister A.A. Winters, Esquire."
AND ASH. God, I don't know where to start, but boy, did I see myself in him. Not in his self-destructive ways, but in the way he's constantly doubting what he sees and feels and knows. He's complicated and rude and sarcastic and insecure and afraid, and I adored him even when I wanted to kick him (or maybe hug him?) for being all of that. I love a complex protagonist, a walking, talking contradiction of a mess of a MC, and Alexis Hall delivered (and then some) on that front.
The writing was lovely (if a bit flowery at times, BUT it was probably in line with the way Ash's mind works) and the humour was just right (and totally on brand for Alexis Hall: a bit hard, a bit rude, but thankfully it never reached Luc's levels) (YES, OKAY, after this one I will stop dropping hints about how angry "Husband Material" made me, I swear).
The romance was fantastic and the main characters stole my heart; the side characters were as complex and interesting as the two protagonists, and I wanted to hit Niall with something blunt, but I can't wait to read his book. Also, Amy? I loved her, I soooooo hope we'll get to see more of her (and Max, together thanks).
The ending was... abrupt, but thankfully there's an "Aftermath" short story that made it sweeter and more satisfying.
I'm excited to jump into book two! With brand new characters, but I can't wait to meet them.
TWs/CWs: mental illness (depression, bipolar disorder), suicide attempt and self-harm (referenced), panic attacks, one brief instance of biphobia (side characters), suicidal thoughts.
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Self harm and Suicide attempt
Minor: Biphobia
o3tri's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
1.5
Graphic: Addiction, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Body shaming, Fatphobia, Misogyny, and Classism