nunderhill's review
2.0
As a music geek, I really wanted to love this book. I loved that each chapter started with a song (most by artists I really like), but I felt like the author tried too hard to get the story to fit in with the music. The characters were underdeveloped, and I didn't care about any of them. I left the book disappointed at how much better it could have been.
ps_a22's review against another edition
3.0
This book was nothing like what I imagined it to be. I thought it will be more along the line of solving mysteries like in a detective kind of way: finding clues, tracing leads, answering questions. Even though that is arguably what actually happened with Sam. It was a very nice story. It was also kind of disappointing. Not the book itself or the plot, but the fact that there is still bullying in schools so severe that leads people to feel so helpless they decided to suicide. It is so, so sad that some parents treat their child in such way to make them feel worthless, hopeless, helpless and a disappointment. Reading this book made me realise the importance of listening to people: not only what they say, but their silence. Their withdrawal can be as alarming as the things the might say in distress.
I liked how this book tackled with grief. It wasn't the stereotypical feeling of sadness, but a range of emotions that were very well explored. All in all, a very good book.
I liked how this book tackled with grief. It wasn't the stereotypical feeling of sadness, but a range of emotions that were very well explored. All in all, a very good book.
ayessielle's review
emotional
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? It's complicated
zaczytanaati's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicide
laurenash's review
3.0
Playlist for the Dead seemed SO me and I thought it had the potential to become my new favorite book. ESPECIALLY when my favorite book is listed as a comparison. Unfortunately, it fell short for many reasons. The main one being that the playlist itself shed ZERO light on why Hayden killed himself. I listened to the songs along with Sam, yet he and I only gained answers from the other characters. I wanted so badly to like this book, but instead I closed the book feeling very "meh" about it all.
bimini78's review
3.0
This was an interesting book - I enjoyed downloading an listening to the playlist.
lestaslettering's review
4.0
This was more important than I could begin to explain. This book talked about so many things like suicide, homophobia, bullying, anger issues, hallucinations, insomnia, grieving a loss, the power of music, listening and reaching out to people, parental abuse and neglect in the most subtle way, only it can. I'm not glorifying or overhyping it but this is exactly something I really needed to read right now.
Thank you, Michelle.
Thank you, Michelle.
abbie_al2001's review
4.0
I can’t complain about this novel, especially for those who are coming into YA and wanting to tell the story of those struggling with depression or those who have lost loved ones to suicide.
It was quite a quick read but it wasn’t memorable enough that the plot will stick with me
It was quite a quick read but it wasn’t memorable enough that the plot will stick with me