ml_lew's review against another edition
Not as good as 19 minutes, but not a bad book.
brookeje60's review against another edition
4.0
pretty good. nineteen minutes was better. (: definitely a good read. i thought that all of the characters were interesting. i liked that most of the characters actually did what i was rooting for them to. vague ending, but i like it that way.
katiehenes527's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
yo this book has so much emotion in it MUST READ
marinaslibrary's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is probably one of if not the best books you could read about school shootings.
An extremely emotional read that manages to captivate the reader from page one, as throughout the entire book the feelings of the reader vary and change along with the main characters.
I cannot help but be in awe of the author - the extremely graphic descriptions of the school shooting, along with choosing to make the main character the shooters girlfriend, having to go through the process of grieving him while knowing that he was responsible for the death of so many. The fact that the people killed were also for the most part so unlikable to her also added such complexity, that the author thankfully mastered.
All of the characters but especially Valerie who is also the narrator for the entire book are so deeply flawed and utterly human which is one of the main reasons this book is a must read. We also get to see so many different narratives of how the tragedy affected everyone. The victims families, those who got to survive yet get injured by it, the friends of the victims, the family of the main character, who knew that despite their daughter stopping the shooting and not injuring anyone, was so closely affiliated with the killer.
I cried several times reading this, exactly because I did feel like witnessing the tragedy take place along with Valerie. I did feel like I deeply disliked some of the victims for the way they treated her while alive and I also did feel deeply ashamed of myself for it along with the MC for that. The ending was such bittersweet perfection, as it remained realistic and hopeful.
An extremely emotional read that manages to captivate the reader from page one, as throughout the entire book the feelings of the reader vary and change along with the main characters.
I cannot help but be in awe of the author - the extremely graphic descriptions of the school shooting, along with choosing to make the main character the shooters girlfriend, having to go through the process of grieving him while knowing that he was responsible for the death of so many. The fact that the people killed were also for the most part so unlikable to her also added such complexity, that the author thankfully mastered.
All of the characters but especially Valerie who is also the narrator for the entire book are so deeply flawed and utterly human which is one of the main reasons this book is a must read. We also get to see so many different narratives of how the tragedy affected everyone. The victims families, those who got to survive yet get injured by it, the friends of the victims, the family of the main character, who knew that despite their daughter stopping the shooting and not injuring anyone, was so closely affiliated with the killer.
I cried several times reading this, exactly because I did feel like witnessing the tragedy take place along with Valerie. I did feel like I deeply disliked some of the victims for the way they treated her while alive and I also did feel deeply ashamed of myself for it along with the MC for that. The ending was such bittersweet perfection, as it remained realistic and hopeful.
smrc's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
suhbreenah's review against another edition
5.0
Wow. Just... wow. I had high hopes for this book, and I was not disappointed. I'll try to write a longer review later.
spookylilbean's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
5.0
live_greene's review against another edition
3.0
Wow. Okay, this book was okay and honestly not that great, but it was memorable and it makes you think twice about how you treat people.
maryam162424's review against another edition
5.0
This was such a moving and touching book. It really opens up a world about double meanings behind each sentence. I loved how the book wrapped thing up in the end where it wasn't wrapped up at all. I had real feelings toward each and every character, and just overall loved the whole message. Must read!