Reviews

Shiny Broken Pieces by Dhonielle Clayton, Sona Charaipotra

chloethecoupon's review against another edition

dark hopeful inspiring sad tense medium-paced

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

4.25

cgreaderbee's review against another edition

3.0

Quick thoughts:
- I enjoyed the twists & turns the sequel took into the character arcs.
- At first I wasn’t a fan of the return of a certain character, but I can see the part she played in the arcs of the 3 main POV characters.
- I felt like Will’s story was maybe realistic but also harsh & unexplored? I guess we don’t get insight into the inner demons of secondary characters though.
- I’m still on the fence on how I felt about any of the characters. Do I like them? Trust them? Believe in them? Nobody knows.
- The ending again felt off & lacking, imo. I thought Bette & Gigi were rounded off reasonably, but June felt unfinished. We find out what she chooses in an indirect way, but like ... why? The choice of her as the 3rd POV felt like a stretch in each book, though her arc was interesting.
- I did admittedly zip through these audiobooks in a few days though; so there is that!

ashezbookz's review against another edition

3.0

Getting more in depth on all the girls is an awesome part of the book, the thriller aspect (who did it!) was a storyline that I adored - I feel bad for the girls, I get dancing is your life but for your life to spiral like it has for some is upsetting to read - secondary characters from book 1 were more prominent in this one too, what a time

kerrycat's review against another edition

4.0

As someone who has 'been there, done that' I was glad to see June choose to be happy at the very end. Crazy drama - so glad my own ballet dancing experience was nowhere near this level of dangerous competition. Competitiveness is good - but not like this.

heyluhreads's review against another edition

emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

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

4.0

etinker's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring 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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Bullying, Eating disorder, Racism, and Suicide attempt

callmesword's review against another edition

dark hopeful sad tense medium-paced

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

4.0

What a read. Much better than the first one. Incredible how the tables turned: Gigi was my favorite in the first book, yet in the second, it was Bette. Besides, I could relate much more to June than I did in the first one. 

A lesson on KARMA! While the harassing Cassie and Gigi experienced was horrific, it really did not excuse their actions during this book. They were the same throughout the novel except for the end, when Cassie decided to stay angry and Gigi decided to move on, which, ultimately, determined their future. 

I was specially sad for Will and Eleanor. I know Will dropped Cassie and

was the one who pushed Gigi.

However, he got such an awful and cold treatment in both of the books that it's just unfair. From Alec, his best friend, from Bette, from Henry (who knows what happened, I wish we would've found out), from his mom as well apparently. From Gigi, who was supposed to be his friend! She just ended up excluding him like everyone else. 

And then, poor Eleanor. The girl was carrying so much on her shoulders and

when I read the bath scene, I couldn't believe my eyes.

I have no words for her storyline, even if she was more of a side character, her story is so striking, so hurtful, that I don't know what to say. I think a part of me wanted Mr. K to care a bit. I guess not. Glad she had Bette, though.

oneanjana's review against another edition

dark emotional fast-paced

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

3.0

This second book is definitely stronger and darker than the first. 

When I saw a sign of Gigi and June's fighting spirit, I was instantly intrigued. I also found fondness in the relationship that was repaired between some characters. So it's a very positive point for character development and the plot.

But generally, there are pointless dramas everywhere. The ending was abrupt and left me unsatisfied. 

caylareads_'s review against another edition

3.0

Ok that was really good and I’m disappointed there are no more books. I would have loved just another 200 page novella or something to end it all off.

Side note - the audiobook is really good! I was going back and forth between that and the book.

giuliana_g's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• 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

3.0

There were some pretty unexpected plot twists. But like the first book, the writing was lacking in some areas, and it wasn't a very intricate plot. It did however, touch on some serious topics, and I thought the author did a good job writing them.