valpal77's review
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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
4.0
Graphic: Bullying, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Suicide, Toxic relationship, Child abuse, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Ableism, Fire/Fire injury, Mental illness, Grief, and Self harm
bookcaptivated's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Graphic: Grief, Ableism, and Mental illness
Moderate: Blood, Child death, Suicide, Bullying, Death, Fire/Fire injury, and Gaslighting
Minor: Confinement and Self harm
tanya_18's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book had a lot of lgbt+ representation, specifically for less common labels, compared to YA books and I really appreciated that. Romance played no part in the book but it was still interesting. I mainly loved this book because it was the first time a main character shared my sexual orientation, which is a huge thing when the most common type of lgbt+ representation in a book is a gay best friend, a gay couple if you are lucky.
Graphic: Ableism and Suicide
redbookpanda's review
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.0
Okay this was more fucked up than I thought it would be.
Graphic: Confinement, Fire/Fire injury, Mental illness, and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Ableism and Bullying
morebedsidebooks's review against another edition
tense
slow-paced
2.0
Before I Let Go by Marieke Nijkamp follows teenage Corey (aromantic asexual) returning from boarding school to the remote small Alaskan town where she grew up when her friend 17-year-old Kyra (pansexual) dies in an apparent suicide. Kyra, after being diagnosed with bipolar disorder was regarded as an outsider, despite being the daughter of the most prestigious family of the community. Along with becoming a source of conflict for residents during manic episodes where she could paint prescient pictures or wander the forest for days on end. Yet, Corey after seven months away from a place she considers home finds much changed in the town. Including the views of residents when it comes to herself as well. All this only adding to Corey’s more desperate need to seek answers along with making sense of the haunting presence that has arose with her grief and guilt.
This tragic YA title with a dose of magical realism is difficult. Kyra, ostensibly centered as the character whose death the story revolves, is much characterized by her illness and the denial and tautologies of others. Painfully so that I cry when I read this novel. For a story that grapples with perception, truth and bearing witness, I was as the book progressed left wanting more of Kyra’s POV that is relegated to short intermittent correspondences to Corey. At times the novel also switches to parts of script like a play, an effect that can cause differing receptions for the reader. The way this novel takes on very complicated subjects— I don’t know if reading it hurts me more than it benefits. But I’ve been unable to discard this book outright.
This tragic YA title with a dose of magical realism is difficult. Kyra, ostensibly centered as the character whose death the story revolves, is much characterized by her illness and the denial and tautologies of others. Painfully so that I cry when I read this novel. For a story that grapples with perception, truth and bearing witness, I was as the book progressed left wanting more of Kyra’s POV that is relegated to short intermittent correspondences to Corey. At times the novel also switches to parts of script like a play, an effect that can cause differing receptions for the reader. The way this novel takes on very complicated subjects— I don’t know if reading it hurts me more than it benefits. But I’ve been unable to discard this book outright.
Moderate: Ableism, Bullying, Child abuse, Mental illness, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, and Fire/Fire injury
This novel strongly features a cultish community.
More...