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const_elle_ations's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
slow-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Drug use and Abandonment
thestorydoer's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
I have never been so entranced by two characters.
This book revolves around 2 characters for most of it, and the side characters, true to their name for once, are cast to the side as less important. This is usually a flaw which I'd criticise if it weren't for the fact the dialogue and prose between these characters was so intensely electric. Every bit of them talking was entrancing, addicting, and emotional all in one. This is because the two characters are each intensely interesting with their unique ways of thinking.
Of course, this book is comments on romantic relationships with mental disorders/health issues. It does it extremely well. But I also find that it favors Regan's over Aldo's which makes sense as the author draws from Regan with her own bipolar disorder, but I think the book would've benefitted from treating them in equilibrium.
The author is also extremely creative in her prose. The book usually benefits from this. But there are a few times where the prose feels needlessly creative, adding flair to descriptions which simply didn't need it. However, the prose is also most of what makes this book such a beautiful and heart wrenching read.
I also think that the pacing also has a few issues as well, as the stages of their relationship go by at quite the accelerated pace which may be intentional, but I also think it could've been handled better.
Overall, a creative, imaginative read with two extremely interesting characters whose synergy is impossible to ignore. 4.25/5
This book revolves around 2 characters for most of it, and the side characters, true to their name for once, are cast to the side as less important. This is usually a flaw which I'd criticise if it weren't for the fact the dialogue and prose between these characters was so intensely electric. Every bit of them talking was entrancing, addicting, and emotional all in one. This is because the two characters are each intensely interesting with their unique ways of thinking.
Of course, this book is comments on romantic relationships with mental disorders/health issues. It does it extremely well. But I also find that it favors Regan's over Aldo's which makes sense as the author draws from Regan with her own bipolar disorder, but I think the book would've benefitted from treating them in equilibrium.
The author is also extremely creative in her prose. The book usually benefits from this. But there are a few times where the prose feels needlessly creative, adding flair to descriptions which simply didn't need it. However, the prose is also most of what makes this book such a beautiful and heart wrenching read.
I also think that the pacing also has a few issues as well, as the stages of their relationship go by at quite the accelerated pace which may be intentional, but I also think it could've been handled better.
Overall, a creative, imaginative read with two extremely interesting characters whose synergy is impossible to ignore. 4.25/5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug use, Mental illness, Suicide, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Abandonment
filmnoirz's review against another edition
emotional
sad
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? Yes
3.75
They’re both a little bit insufferable and pretentious but also deeply human and sympathetic. 100% made for each other. Olivie Blake has such a unique and beautiful writing style. me and who :(((
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content
Minor: Suicide attempt and Abandonment
nehanaomi's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
At first I felt too stupid to be reading this book but I got the hang of it eventually. The style of writing was so unique and ever-changing, which kept me on my toes. While reading books I typically see it in my head as if it were made into a film or tv show, but it may be impossible to create a faithful adaptation of this story without losing most of what makes it special.
I think I would hate both of them if they were real people, especially Aldo.
I think I would hate both of them if they were real people, especially Aldo.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing and Mental illness
Moderate: Addiction, Drug abuse, Emotional abuse, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Abandonment
azrah786's review against another edition
3.5
**I was provided with an ARC through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review**
CW: mental illness, suicidal ideation, drug use/abuse, alcohol, addiction, toxic relationship, panic attacks, emotional abuse, infidelity, sexual content, abandonment
--
Olive Blake is an expert at writing messy, chaotic characters that you can’t help but be engrossed by and highly introspective narratives that really get you thinking.
Alone With You in the Ether is not your conventional love story. It’s about two people whose lives colliding sets them both on a journey of finding love and acceptance of themselves, of each other and of their place in the world. As made evident in the author’s note/acknowledgements it is a deeply personal book and after reading that part and seeing the idea at the core of the story it really enhanced the meaning behind everything.
However, I would be lying if I said I didn’t have issues with it and this for the most part comes down to the writing. Sporadic and inconsistent is probably the best way to describe it which I guess sort of reflected the protagonists themselves but it did also get confusing at times. At first you’d have random cut off where external narrators would jump in and say their piece in between the main story. Eventually I thought this was pretty cool, I mean characters breaking the fourth wall to add a detail every now and again gave the story a film like feel. Bu then this then stopped happening midway and diverged into chunky monologues from the leading characters. Now I’ve personally come to realise that I don’t exactly vibe with the rambling monologue narrative style which is probably why I didn’t wholly enjoy it.
Though I will say that I really enjoyed the “conversations” section of the book, it was the part that hooked me onto the characters the most. Blake has shaped two beautifully realistic and flawed characters through her words and I found that I couldn’t help but fall in love with the deep bond that formed between them despite elements of their relationship coming across as a little toxic.
If you pick this one up it is without a doubt going to stick in your mind for a long while.
Final Rating – 3.5/5 Stars
CW: mental illness, suicidal ideation, drug use/abuse, alcohol, addiction, toxic relationship, panic attacks, emotional abuse, infidelity, sexual content, abandonment
--
Olive Blake is an expert at writing messy, chaotic characters that you can’t help but be engrossed by and highly introspective narratives that really get you thinking.
Alone With You in the Ether is not your conventional love story. It’s about two people whose lives colliding sets them both on a journey of finding love and acceptance of themselves, of each other and of their place in the world. As made evident in the author’s note/acknowledgements it is a deeply personal book and after reading that part and seeing the idea at the core of the story it really enhanced the meaning behind everything.
However, I would be lying if I said I didn’t have issues with it and this for the most part comes down to the writing. Sporadic and inconsistent is probably the best way to describe it which I guess sort of reflected the protagonists themselves but it did also get confusing at times. At first you’d have random cut off where external narrators would jump in and say their piece in between the main story. Eventually I thought this was pretty cool, I mean characters breaking the fourth wall to add a detail every now and again gave the story a film like feel. Bu then this then stopped happening midway and diverged into chunky monologues from the leading characters. Now I’ve personally come to realise that I don’t exactly vibe with the rambling monologue narrative style which is probably why I didn’t wholly enjoy it.
Though I will say that I really enjoyed the “conversations” section of the book, it was the part that hooked me onto the characters the most. Blake has shaped two beautifully realistic and flawed characters through her words and I found that I couldn’t help but fall in love with the deep bond that formed between them despite elements of their relationship coming across as a little toxic.
If you pick this one up it is without a doubt going to stick in your mind for a long while.
Final Rating – 3.5/5 Stars
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Mental illness, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, and Abandonment
wispwill's review against another edition
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
The prose and writing style are REALLY engaging - the author finds a lot of clever ways to keep you engaged in the conversations that are happening mostly just between two characters. Can't say I found the main characters engaging though - but this genre really isn't for me, so I'm not going to give this a star rating as it wouldn't be fair.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Mental illness
Minor: Abandonment
This book has SO MUCH SEX. Just be aware of what you are signing up for!solouncapitulomas's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
“We are somewhere in the depths of time, somewhere people only dare imagine in their dreams. We are floating in dark matter. We are trapped inside a star, which is locked inside a system, which is itself a galaxy we can’t escape and we are lost to each other, to ourselves, and to the inconsequence of space.”
I do not feel like my eyes deserved to read this book but god am I thankful for it.
This was a wonderful experience, last year I really enjoyed reading The Atlas Six and immediately wanted to call Olivie Blake one of my favorite authors, but I decided not to be so impulsive and wait until I read at least one more of her book...well I can know do whatever the hell I want bc this was an amazing experience and I am a 100% furious this book is not more loved, it deserves more attention, I cried like a hundred times while reading and it made me so happy too; many emotions were involved.
Also I am deeply offended bc I didn't know Rinaldo was half dominican, I would've read this last year if I knew, kinda random ik but it is weird to hear my nationality mentioned so I was happy af, sorry.
I was listening to Perfect Places by Lorde & ivy by Taylor Swift while writing this review
'kay, I'm out
Bye
I do not feel like my eyes deserved to read this book but god am I thankful for it.
This was a wonderful experience, last year I really enjoyed reading The Atlas Six and immediately wanted to call Olivie Blake one of my favorite authors, but I decided not to be so impulsive and wait until I read at least one more of her book...well I can know do whatever the hell I want bc this was an amazing experience and I am a 100% furious this book is not more loved, it deserves more attention, I cried like a hundred times while reading and it made me so happy too; many emotions were involved.
Also I am deeply offended bc I didn't know Rinaldo was half dominican, I would've read this last year if I knew, kinda random ik but it is weird to hear my nationality mentioned so I was happy af, sorry.
I was listening to Perfect Places by Lorde & ivy by Taylor Swift while writing this review
'kay, I'm out
Bye
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Drug abuse, and Mental illness
Moderate: Cursing and Abandonment
Minor: Drug use and Sexual content
marcelas_'s review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Drug abuse, Infidelity, Mental illness, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Abandonment