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brunoshort's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Of all the Ellen Hopkins books I’ve read, this one affected me the least. I saw the ending coming so it wasn’t a surprise. The characters have similar traumas even though they’re from very different backgrounds and families. Only three of the characters have their stories fully told and I really only liked 1 of them. The other two were okay but pretty flat considering the intensity of the subject matter and their backgrounds. The biggest WTF? The final challenge patients go through to get out of the institution. It wasn’t thought out very well considering their demographic. I’ll just leave it at that.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Adult/minor relationship, Child abuse, Death, Domestic abuse, Drug abuse, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Gun violence, Homophobia, Incest, Mental illness, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Self harm, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Violence, Forced institutionalization, Blood, Trafficking, Grief, Suicide attempt, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Vomit and Murder