careinthelibrary's review against another edition
- 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
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!
Graphic: Violence, Injury/injury detail, Rape, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, Sexual assault, Death, Grief, Mass/school shootings, Sexual content, Gun violence, Medical content, Suicide, and Murder
Moderate: Cancer, Antisemitism, Emotional abuse, Ableism, Blood, Car accident, Misogyny, Sexism, and Toxic friendship
Minor: Cultural appropriation and Genocide
tanyafrey's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Gun violence and Death
Moderate: Death of parent and Toxic relationship
Minor: Drug use, Vomit, Homophobia, Abortion, and Genocide
lilybearillini3's review against another edition
- 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
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
Spoiler
except Marx, Marx is perfectThere 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.
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Medical content, Ableism, Vomit, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Chronic illness, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Xenophobia, Car accident, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Grief, Homophobia, Injury/injury detail, Mass/school shootings, Medical trauma, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Transphobia
Moderate: Racism, Sexual content, Abortion, Drug use, and Cultural appropriation
Minor: Antisemitism and Terminal illness
chichisode's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Death, Homophobia, Injury/injury detail, Medical content, Grief, Gun violence, Mass/school shootings, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Gaslighting, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Racism, Sexism, Terminal illness, Xenophobia, Medical trauma, Sexual content, Violence, Blood, Body horror, Chronic illness, and Hate crime
Moderate: Car accident, Genocide, Ableism, Cancer, Abortion, Alcohol, Classism, Cultural appropriation, Death of parent, Drug use, Eating disorder, Suicide, Pregnancy, Antisemitism, Vomit, War, and Violence