Reviews tagging 'Grief'

The Weight of the Stars by K. Ancrum

9 reviews

glutenfree_nonbinary_heehee's review

emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.5

I really wanted to like this book because who doesn’t love sapphic love and space? And butch rep! Plus the title rocks.

However, I left the book just wondering…why? I never really understood why the characters did what they did or why

Ryann wanted to go to space and did it. It really seemed like we were told she wanted to go to space rather than shown. I felt like this book could’ve gone in a different direction, as it had so many avenues to flesh out that it really didn’t. 

The recordings from Alexandria’s mother in space were so interesting, and honestly made it sound so harrowing that I couldn’t believe Ryann would still want to go to space after hearing all of that. Again, we were told she did, not shown, so it was very hard to believe.

Additionally, I known I might not be the target audience as I’m white and didn’t grow up in a space similar to Ryann, but I can’t stand the way her and her friends treated Alexandria and each other before they were in the friend group together. It was hard to listen to at points. I can see the angle the author was going for, but it just reminded me of the “oh that boy is picking on you because he likes you” trope in a way.

There were a lot of things I enjoyed about the book, but I did walk away feeling generally “meh.”

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual assault and Violence

Minor: Bullying, Mental illness, Grief, Death of parent, and Alcohol

otakatoe3's review against another edition

adventurous emotional reflective medium-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

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Bullying, Drug use, Sexual assault, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

allyg_10's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.75

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Sexual assault, Death of parent, and Abandonment

Minor: Grief

talonsontypewriters's review against another edition

hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

2.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Death, Sexual assault, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, Alcohol, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism

Minor: Addiction, Drug use, Homophobia, Racism, Suicide, Pregnancy, and Lesbophobia

basementofbooks's review against another edition

emotional hopeful sad fast-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

5.0

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Content Warnings

Minor: Bullying, Sexual assault, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, and Pregnancy

lexstonum's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring sad fast-paced

• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

How did a book I almost DNF’ed end up leaving me in tears of sadness and hope? How did a book, with what I thought to be mediocre writing, end up having some of the most stunningly beautiful quotes in the back half? 

This was well worth the read and I am beyond glad I stuck with it. While most conclusions and answers felt handed over without much conflict I see the reasons why now. This book isn’t about the conflict or resolution, it’s about human experience in a way we can all understand it. It’s about failures and pulling yourself out of your circumstance. It’s about love and family and how that transcends space and time. 

This book was wonderful, I’m glad o gave it the chance it deserved. 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Addiction, Rape, Sexual assault, Violence, Medical content, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment

emmeline's review

adventurous emotional hopeful reflective medium-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

4.75

The weight of the stars made be cry in the best way. The characters are well written, my only issue was having some questions on the space travel. Overall that element wasn’t realistic and it took me out of the story a little towards the end. That said the book is incredible and I highly recommend it.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying

Minor: Drug abuse, Drug use, Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Grief, and Death of parent

annalisaely's review against another edition

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring reflective relaxing medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

5.0

I loved the found family in the little glob of misfits surrounding the main character, and the way she kept adding to it. The main relationship grew beautifully and I loved seeing all the characters process their life situations and emotions. There is a f/f relationship, a gay side character, and the brother of the main character is nonspeaking and communicates via typing. I felt like I was being hugged every time I picked it up.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Drug use and Grief

Moderate: Sexual assault

mandkips's review against another edition

adventurous emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Death, Sexual assault, Violence, and Grief