brookey8888's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was such a weird book. I was invested the whole time and wanted to know what happened and why everyone was such a freak. It is very open ended though and it is kind of depressing. I do not have bipolar disorder so I don’t know if the representation is good, but from what I know I think it was done fairly well. It was just so sad to me to see how the townspeople treated her. I also loved the asexuality representation in this. Overall I will probably never think of this again, but it was entertaining. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend because it’s just fine(even though I’m giving it a four). This was also sometimes told in a weird way which I didn’t understand. It was like a movie script for no reason for like 4 chapters.
Graphic: Violence, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Confinement, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Suicide, Mental illness, Murder, Bullying, Child death, Suicide attempt, and Suicidal thoughts
anniereads221's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Suicide, Mental illness, Suicide attempt, Suicidal thoughts, Bullying, Child abuse, Confinement, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Grief, and Murder
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.
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