the_fool_has_arrived's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
funny
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-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
4.0
I liked this book more than I thought I would :) been a little while since i read it so i don't remember the names lol. Overall i would recommend :)
Spoiler
I usually don't like ambiguous ending and I didn't totally love the end with what's-his-name in the hospital room with the whole "big light in the sky" thing but the journey was super fun
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide attempt and Death
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Abandonment
averyarnold's review
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Self harm, Child abuse, Abandonment, Death, Death of parent, and Mental illness
sharbison's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mass/school shootings and Mental illness
Moderate: Abandonment, Alcoholism, Death, and Grief
diifacto's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
I can critique next to nothing about this novel without spoiling, but I will say this—I liked the ending. I'm sure it's controversial, but I didn't see it coming, which is not what I was expecting from 'I Hope You Get This Message,' especially since the novel's whole premise is kinda "this is how it ends." So, props to Rishi for keeping an "end of the world" novel's readers guessing!
What I can say about this novel is that this type of character-driven, everyone-is-connected writing is my favourite. All of the relationships felt so genuine and realistic, and even characters aside from our three protagonists seemed three-dimensional and unique. That being said, I wouldn't have minded Rishi taking fifty-or-so more pages—even a hundred—to flesh out these relationships a bit more. The pacing wasn't off, and maybe it's better this way (it was a really easy, fast read), but personally, I could've used a few more of those quieter, in-between moments for characters and their relationships to develop just a little bit more. But overall, nothing to complain about, at all.
At risk of saying anything else about the ending, I have to add that I loved how everything—everyone—came together like puzzle pieces at the end, how everyone's stories were intertwined. This sort of interconnectedness reminded me of 'They Both Die At The End,' by Adam Silvera. Actually, as I write this, this entire novel reminded me of 'They Both Die At The End' (though I'd dare say that, personally, I enjoyed the writing style of 'I Hope You Get This Message' a lot more).
Not much else to add here (re: spoilers), but if you a) enjoyed 'They Both Die At The End,' or b) share my taste of character-driven fiction, give 'I Hope You Get This Message' a chance, you'll like it.
What I can say about this novel is that this type of character-driven, everyone-is-connected writing is my favourite. All of the relationships felt so genuine and realistic, and even characters aside from our three protagonists seemed three-dimensional and unique. That being said, I wouldn't have minded Rishi taking fifty-or-so more pages—even a hundred—to flesh out these relationships a bit more. The pacing wasn't off, and maybe it's better this way (it was a really easy, fast read), but personally, I could've used a few more of those quieter, in-between moments for characters and their relationships to develop just a little bit more. But overall, nothing to complain about, at all.
At risk of saying anything else about the ending, I have to add that I loved how everything—everyone—came together like puzzle pieces at the end, how everyone's stories were intertwined. This sort of interconnectedness reminded me of 'They Both Die At The End,' by Adam Silvera. Actually, as I write this, this entire novel reminded me of 'They Both Die At The End' (though I'd dare say that, personally, I enjoyed the writing style of 'I Hope You Get This Message' a lot more).
Not much else to add here (re: spoilers), but if you a) enjoyed 'They Both Die At The End,' or b) share my taste of character-driven fiction, give 'I Hope You Get This Message' a chance, you'll like it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness
Moderate: Abandonment, Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, and Self harm
Minor: Gun violence, Mass/school shootings, and Schizophrenia/Psychosis
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