albon's review against another edition
5.0
(Review from 2013)
This book contains mature content and a lot of triggering subjects. I'll list some of the triggers here under a spoiler warning, so if you don't think you'll be affected, don't click, because spoilers, but if you're usually triggered/affected by heavy subjects, I advise that you take a look so you know what you're getting yourself into. And these are for the books, obviously, not the review. [Trigger warnings: suicide, rape, drowning, talk of self harm and a lot of self hate. Yeah. (hide spoiler)]
Holy fucking shit. Sorry for the language, but there is truly no other way to put it. (This was in my original "reaction review", but I decided to keep the sentence, because it still describes how I feel about this book.) It's now been almost 14 hours since I finished the book, and I still find myself thinking about it and feeling dizzy, out of breath and sick. That's how much this book impacted me.
This is the story of Mathéo Walsh, an amazing diver that has set his eyes on the olympics next year, and what happens to him a night in Brighton after a championship. He wakes up the day after with no recollection of the night before, but as he slowly start recalling the details, he uncovers a horrific dreadful. This is about how he copes when everything is coming apart, and how everyone around him, the ones he care for the the most, find out and how they react.
The writing style was amazing, just like in Tabitha Suzuma's other book, Forbidden. It is a very reflective style, and a lot happens inside Mathéos head, because this is as I sad about him coming to terms with and dealing with what happened. There is a great sadness in the writing, and it's definitely very haunting. At some points it gave me chills. I wasn't planning on finishing this book yesterday, but I just couldn't stop when I started, which I usually can. Hat off to Suzuma for that, and for the way she let us into Mathéo's head.
The characters were also great. My favorite was Mathéo, him being the main character and everything. Through the book we just got more and more sympathy for him, and I was rooting so hard for him. I also liked Lola, Hugo, and Isabel, [and one of the things that upset me the most about the ending, was that Mathéo didn't stay in touch with them. Everytime a book ends with a character saying that they haven't heard from other characters in years, it always leaves me so sad, because they went through so much crap together and then just drifted apart. Obviously, in my head, they meet up again next year, become best friends again. And then Mathéo decides to pick up diving again, just for fun, but soon realizes that he doesn't want to do it "just for fun" and rejoins his team and starts doing competitions and wins an Olympic Gold Medal. Yeah. That's how his story ends. Don't argue with me. (hide spoiler)]. Hurt was very character-driven, and I enjoy that, and I think the characters, well, drove the story well. (Oh, and little Loïc was a charmer.)
As I mentioned, there are some heavy themes in this book, and I applaude Tabitha Suzuma for writing this. I can't say anything about how well she did it and how "accurately" she describes the feelings that come along with this situation, because I haven't been through anything like it and I don't think I know anyone who has, but it was nevertheless very brave and I personally think it was well done.
I did not see the ending coming at all, and it left me speechless. I'm not gonna say anything else, because I don't want to spoil anyone, but I couldn't breath. It devestated me.
And that's the story about how another book by Tabitha Suzuma left me speechless and crying.
This book contains mature content and a lot of triggering subjects. I'll list some of the triggers here under a spoiler warning, so if you don't think you'll be affected, don't click, because spoilers, but if you're usually triggered/affected by heavy subjects, I advise that you take a look so you know what you're getting yourself into. And these are for the books, obviously, not the review. [Trigger warnings: suicide, rape, drowning, talk of self harm and a lot of self hate. Yeah. (hide spoiler)]
Holy fucking shit. Sorry for the language, but there is truly no other way to put it. (This was in my original "reaction review", but I decided to keep the sentence, because it still describes how I feel about this book.) It's now been almost 14 hours since I finished the book, and I still find myself thinking about it and feeling dizzy, out of breath and sick. That's how much this book impacted me.
This is the story of Mathéo Walsh, an amazing diver that has set his eyes on the olympics next year, and what happens to him a night in Brighton after a championship. He wakes up the day after with no recollection of the night before, but as he slowly start recalling the details, he uncovers a horrific dreadful. This is about how he copes when everything is coming apart, and how everyone around him, the ones he care for the the most, find out and how they react.
The writing style was amazing, just like in Tabitha Suzuma's other book, Forbidden. It is a very reflective style, and a lot happens inside Mathéos head, because this is as I sad about him coming to terms with and dealing with what happened. There is a great sadness in the writing, and it's definitely very haunting. At some points it gave me chills. I wasn't planning on finishing this book yesterday, but I just couldn't stop when I started, which I usually can. Hat off to Suzuma for that, and for the way she let us into Mathéo's head.
The characters were also great. My favorite was Mathéo, him being the main character and everything. Through the book we just got more and more sympathy for him, and I was rooting so hard for him. I also liked Lola, Hugo, and Isabel, [and one of the things that upset me the most about the ending, was that Mathéo didn't stay in touch with them. Everytime a book ends with a character saying that they haven't heard from other characters in years, it always leaves me so sad, because they went through so much crap together and then just drifted apart. Obviously, in my head, they meet up again next year, become best friends again. And then Mathéo decides to pick up diving again, just for fun, but soon realizes that he doesn't want to do it "just for fun" and rejoins his team and starts doing competitions and wins an Olympic Gold Medal. Yeah. That's how his story ends. Don't argue with me. (hide spoiler)]. Hurt was very character-driven, and I enjoy that, and I think the characters, well, drove the story well. (Oh, and little Loïc was a charmer.)
As I mentioned, there are some heavy themes in this book, and I applaude Tabitha Suzuma for writing this. I can't say anything about how well she did it and how "accurately" she describes the feelings that come along with this situation, because I haven't been through anything like it and I don't think I know anyone who has, but it was nevertheless very brave and I personally think it was well done.
I did not see the ending coming at all, and it left me speechless. I'm not gonna say anything else, because I don't want to spoil anyone, but I couldn't breath. It devestated me.
And that's the story about how another book by Tabitha Suzuma left me speechless and crying.
READING PROGRESS
October 10, 2013 – Started Reading
October 10, 2013 – Shelved
October 12, 2013 –
page 72 17.31% "Other than a slightly awkward sex scene (and it wasn't even the actual scene, it was just that I would rather have the characters talk to each other in that moment), this book is A+ so far."
page 72 17.31% "Other than a slightly awkward sex scene (and it wasn't even the actual scene, it was just that I would rather have the characters talk to each other in that moment), this book is A+ so far."
October 14, 2013 – 26.0% "The writing in this scene is really haunting"
October 19, 2013 – 33.0% "I should just be crowned queen of "I accidentally forgot to read for an entire week" already"
October 19, 2013 –
page 195 46.88% "I'm getting frustrated at Matheo and his absolute refusal to talk to anyone about what he's going through, but at the same time I really understand him, because he barely knows himself, and what he's feeling must be extemely difficult to put words to."
page 195 46.88% "I'm getting frustrated at Matheo and his absolute refusal to talk to anyone about what he's going through, but at the same time I really understand him, because he barely knows himself, and what he's feeling must be extemely difficult to put words to."
October 21, 2013 –
page 247 59.38% "Oh no. Oh no oh no oh no. I had a feeling this was the issue, but that doesn't make it any less horrible."
page 247 59.38% "Oh no. Oh no oh no oh no. I had a feeling this was the issue, but that doesn't make it any less horrible."
October 21, 2013 –
page 358 86.06% "Oh my god, I think I know what's coming. I think I'm about to throw up."
page 358 86.06% "Oh my god, I think I know what's coming. I think I'm about to throw up."
October 21, 2013 –
page 386 92.79% "This book was obviously never going to have a happy ending, but there are so few pages left that I fear we won't even get anything that even resembles closure..."
page 386 92.79% "This book was obviously never going to have a happy ending, but there are so few pages left that I fear we won't even get anything that even resembles closure..."
October 21, 2013 –
page 399 95.91% "No, no, no, absolutely not and no way. I can't believe this. (On the """bright""" side (lol AS IF THERE IS ONE, I thought I was reading the last chapter, but there is an epilogue as well!)"
page 399 95.91% "No, no, no, absolutely not and no way. I can't believe this. (On the """bright""" side (lol AS IF THERE IS ONE, I thought I was reading the last chapter, but there is an epilogue as well!)"
October 22, 2013 – Finished Reading
Content Warnings
Graphic: Rape and Suicide
nouraalz's review against another edition
2.0
This doesn't have a low rating cause it's not good, I just didn't enjoy reading it much. It has a good plot and writing. Loic has got to be my favorite character he is just so adorable and I want to hug him every time he is mentioned.
jessixx's review against another edition
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
dash_dash's review against another edition
3.0
3.5/5 (Way too much description. Had to skim half the damn book, as excatly that much of it was just dull descriptions.)
Buuuut... That reveal though. THE FREAKING PLOT TWIST! When I read that line, I was so EFFING shocked, I choked on my Gummy Bears... I did not see that coming, WHATSOEVER. I applaud you, Miss Suzuma.
P.s. Lola was pretty annoying... Mateo is mine, girl. Leave.
P.p.s. Loic, baby, you warmed my nonexistent heart, and for that, I thank you. <3
Buuuut... That reveal though. THE FREAKING PLOT TWIST! When I read that line, I was so EFFING shocked, I choked on my Gummy Bears... I did not see that coming, WHATSOEVER. I applaud you, Miss Suzuma.
P.s. Lola was pretty annoying... Mateo is mine, girl. Leave.
P.p.s. Loic, baby, you warmed my nonexistent heart, and for that, I thank you. <3
ankaashp's review against another edition
4.0
Reseña aquí http://everybodyisgoingcrazyy.blogspot.com.es/2014/09/resena-58-hurt.html
anaurrutia's review against another edition
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
Final horroroso, cansadísima lectura llena de párrafos repetitivos y lloricones, en fin, le sobran la mitad de las páginas y el "giro" hace pensar más en trampa que en virtud... no me quedaron ganas de leer nada más de esta mujer.
neenor's review against another edition
2.0
Although I didn't like it, this book is important. The topic of rape is often focused around women, and yes, statistically women suffer from abuse more than men. But men are also raped, and I think it's something that attention needs to be drawn to. This book does that, and for that reason it's worth the read. But if you're looking for a good book...well, it's nothing like Forbidden.
jasmeensidhu's review against another edition
5.0
I CRIED SO MUCH, AND OH THE BUILDUP TO FINDING OUT WHAT HAPPENED TO MATHÉO!!!! I must admit Lola could have been more developed as a character though I loved the relationship between Lola and Mathéo. This book also shed some light on some issues that aren't discussed often in real life. I LOVED this book, stayed up until 2am to finish it because I couldn't put it down near the end.
aim_mee223's review against another edition
2.0
This is my first novel by Tabitha Suzuma, and her writing style is on point. It's descriptive and atmospheric, which really impressed me. I thought at times though, that the description was overthought and abstract. But for the most part, Suzuma's writing style blew me away. It was a great experience.
My issue with this novel is that I felt that Suzuma kept repeating scenes of Mathéo experiencing PTSD. I thought that there was little variance between these scenes, which put me off continuing the novel. The novel was written in a way that it led the audience to believe that he hadn't remembered what had happened until he had told someone, as though he knew all along.
This just really annoyed me. And it didn't just happen once. The other time that I remember it occurring (I put the book down for a while) was the perpetrator. I guess this gave it a mysterious element, however, I got sick of these scenes repeating, only to discover that Mathéo knew all along (or a while at least).
Summing up this mini-rant, I felt that the death of Lola was unnecessary (and cruel-thanks Suzuma!). It just prevented the story from developing as the Epilogue jumps from Mathéo's healing and I think it really takes away from the story. I'm sure there is plenty who don't agree with my opinion, and maybe, the novel was really about uncovering the truth, but I'm just saying that this ending prevented further character development and exploration into victims of sexual abuse (and possibly the ramifications of family members of rapists).
This novel was amazing. Not that I have had the same experiences as Mathéo, but I could relate to him when he felt worthless and out of place. This and the amazing writing style really impressed me. And although I have some issues with this book, I really want to read more of Suzuma's books. :)
My issue with this novel is that I felt that Suzuma kept repeating scenes of Mathéo experiencing PTSD. I thought that there was little variance between these scenes, which put me off continuing the novel. The novel was written in a way that it led the audience to believe that he hadn't remembered what had happened until he had told someone, as though he knew all along.
This just really annoyed me. And it didn't just happen once. The other time that I remember it occurring (I put the book down for a while) was the perpetrator. I guess this gave it a mysterious element, however, I got sick of these scenes repeating, only to discover that Mathéo knew all along (or a while at least).
Spoiler
The ending. It was harsh and so sudden. I thought that it was melodramatic, to say the least. Reading through the book, knowing of the assault, I wanted to be able to read about Mathéo's experience after- dealing, and also how he was able to heal and get past this horrible experience. And it really seemed that the novel was headed into that direction. The story continuing in this direction could have allowed Suzuma to write about how Lola dealt with the grief of her father being a rapist, thereby exploring the effects of close family and friends of a rapist, especially as Jerry was her best friend.Summing up this mini-rant, I felt that the death of Lola was unnecessary (and cruel-thanks Suzuma!). It just prevented the story from developing as the Epilogue jumps from Mathéo's healing and I think it really takes away from the story. I'm sure there is plenty who don't agree with my opinion, and maybe, the novel was really about uncovering the truth, but I'm just saying that this ending prevented further character development and exploration into victims of sexual abuse (and possibly the ramifications of family members of rapists).
This novel was amazing. Not that I have had the same experiences as Mathéo, but I could relate to him when he felt worthless and out of place. This and the amazing writing style really impressed me. And although I have some issues with this book, I really want to read more of Suzuma's books. :)