careinthelibrary's review against another edition

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

3.5

What I enjoyed so much about this novel was the detailed descriptions of video game design. The conceptualization, the story building, the coding and development, the marketing, etc. That was so fascinating as a video game lover.
Reading and getting all these easter egg references to games we know and love was so cool. The references of MGS, Harvest Moon, etc were exciting to come across and hear what Gabrielle Zevin/her characters thought of them. This left me wanting the fictional games to play for myself.
Some of these chapters were so viscerally AMAZING. (spoiler free) - The portions with Sam's mother and their gruesome and tragic discovery on the sidewalk, the thrilling and also tragic scene with Marx at the office, these scenes are so memorable and were written like perfect jewels of narrative.
Some of the toxic friendship and toxic romance stuff wasn't my cuppa but I can see why others would like it.
All in all, there were aspects that I enjoyed more and some less, but I did think this was engrossing, deep, complex, and fun. I recommend especially for gamers!

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tanyafrey's review against another edition

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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

5.0


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lilybearillini3's review against another edition

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challenging emotional informative reflective relaxing sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

This is easily one of the best books this year, if not the best fiction.  There were many points when I was moved to tears.  It is absolutely beautifully written and the narrator's voice (for the audiobook) was perfect and calming.  

I honestly don't know how to write a review for this and do it justice, I am at a loss of words.  It is a story of great friendship, love, and trials.  Every character had their complexities and were not always, if at all, likeable
Spoilerexcept Marx, Marx is perfect
, but that is reality.

There was never a dull point of this book, I was interested and engaged the entire time.  The choice to show their friendship over decades was refreshing and I also really liked that we didn't switch POVs every chapter, I feel like that concept has been played out.  The video game nerd in me loved that the author did their research on video game history and what it takes to make video games.  While I don't like the miscommunication trope, I didn't find myself frustrated.  I understood why they weren't communicating because the characterization was so well done.

I normally don't go into books with expectations, but John Green said it was one of his favorite books of this year, so the need to read it was urgent.  John Green didn't let me down.  It was truly an honor to read Sadie, Sam, and Marx's journey.

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chichisode's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful informative inspiring reflective relaxing sad medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

if a little life was less trauma porn and more of just "life happens to us and sometimes life means shit", also video games and just games in general. but we keep going. fucking cried when the reasoning behind the title was revealed on page. strong read for escapists— yes, even when you're not a gamer.

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