Scan barcode
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.”
However, I left the book just wondering…why? I never really understood why the characters did what they did or why
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.”
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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Drug use, Sexual assault, Grief, Death of parent, Pregnancy, Abandonment, Injury/Injury detail, and Classism
nightstitch96's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
reflective
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? Yes
3.25
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Sexual assault, Violence, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Minor: Drug use and Alcohol
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
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
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
stories's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
5.0
Holy wow.
The dedication was powerful, and I was captivated by page 6. Troubled teens, astronomy, misfits, kindness and hope hope hope hope hope.
Everyone had complex motivations and character depth (even if I still feel there are some unanswered questions around Alexandria’s dad). Problems don’t get magically solved, and good intentions are no guarantee, but goodness it’s a feel good affair.
The printing of the physical book is intriguing, until all at once it is, instead, captivating.
I wish (Spoilers) there had been more in text reaction to Effie’s messages. To me, they said “don’t do this”, yet never seemed to give anyone pause. Plus — had Alexandria’s dad received these? If so, why didn’t he share them??? .
That said, my heart was in my throat to the final page: when do characters like these get happy endings, truly?
I never saw the penultimate paragraph coming to RETURN?! but it, more than anything else in this matter of factly diverse book of kindness, understanding and hope, makes me want to read more by Ancrum. 😍😍😍
[Characters contexts and complexities probably too old for 5/6 but good for highschool. Characters are 17-18. Clean language]
The dedication was powerful, and I was captivated by page 6. Troubled teens, astronomy, misfits, kindness and hope hope hope hope hope.
Everyone had complex motivations and character depth (even if I still feel there are some unanswered questions around Alexandria’s dad). Problems don’t get magically solved, and good intentions are no guarantee, but goodness it’s a feel good affair.
The printing of the physical book is intriguing, until all at once it is, instead, captivating.
I wish (Spoilers)
That said, my heart was in my throat to the final page: when do characters like these get happy endings, truly?
I never saw the penultimate paragraph coming
[Characters contexts and complexities probably too old for 5/6 but good for highschool. Characters are 17-18. Clean language]
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault and Violence
Minor: Bullying, Drug use, Car accident, Death of parent, Alcohol, and Classism
periwinkle_flora's review against another edition
hopeful
mysterious
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Bullying and Sexual assault
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
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Sexual assault, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, and Pregnancy
mariebrunelm's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
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
5.0
I picked up this one because I'd seen so much potential in Ancrum's short story The Legend of the Golden Raven. I read the blurb of The Weight of the Stars but somehow assumed it was Sci-fi when it's much more contemporary with a hint of Sci-fi. But what it is mainly is a book bursting with heart.
Ryann Bird is what you'd call a difficult student. Outwardly she doesn't really care about any of it, except for the group of misfits she's brought together and watches over fiercely. Then a new student walks in. Alexandria is the angriest person Ryann has ever met. So of course the latter agrees to keep an eye on the former. What she didn't expect was for Alexandria to reach to the stars with as much longing as Ryann does.
This book goes from dark to light and back to a darkness that's shot with so much light. You can't help but care deeply for this weird found family and hope they turn out OK. It's an extremely readable book because the chapters are so short you just keep reading one more, knowing your heart is more and more likely to be squeezed tight. Especially when the story starts to get Interstellar vibes. And the emotion kept bubbling up until my eyes were very wet by the end, which is rare enough to note.
Rep: bi MC, black SC, non-speaking SC, and on the whole a bunch of diverse & queer characters.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Death of parent, and Abandonment
stelepami's review
adventurous
emotional
funny
informative
reflective
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
I raced though it, living in that world, amazed by these teenagers who had more courage than I ever did.
I didn't expect it to go where it did.
The book itself is beautiful with sound waves (I think?) printed on the edges of the pages and the last few pages become darker and darker with images of space. Glad I checked out the hardback from the library.
The quotes from astronauts at the end of the book made me cry.
I didn't expect it to go where it did.
The book itself is beautiful with sound waves (I think?) printed on the edges of the pages and the last few pages become darker and darker with images of space. Glad I checked out the hardback from the library.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Suicide and Death of parent
Minor: Addiction