leahblunden_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
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
4.5
loriemegistus's review against another edition
5.0
TW/CW: Suicide, depression, child death
So this book was so, so hard to read but at the same time it was beautiful and truly full of hope. The main characters are suffering from depression and the author so eloquently describes what it truly feels like to live day to day with a mental illness. I loved it so much and it brought me to tears in how much I felt like I could relate at the end.
So this book was so, so hard to read but at the same time it was beautiful and truly full of hope. The main characters are suffering from depression and the author so eloquently describes what it truly feels like to live day to day with a mental illness. I loved it so much and it brought me to tears in how much I felt like I could relate at the end.
karabug's review against another edition
5.0
Sadly, tragically beautiful, heartwarming but also heart-wrenching story.
chelseeaa's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-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: Injury/Injury detail, Terminal illness, Mental illness, Suicide attempt, Child death, Death, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide
emmacowling's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
samslib's review
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
fast-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
5.0
“As a science nerd, do you believe in other universes? Do you think there’s another dimension where we’re happy? Where you still have your dad and I still have Maddie? Where we’re just a normal boy and a normal girl at the carnival?”
I have a million quotes I'd put in this review, but this quote crushed my soul. Two broken teenagers who just want to die, but not alone. If not for the black slug, they'd be normal pals spending their time at the carnival. And all Roman was able to do was fantasize about it happening in another universe, because he'd lost hope for his universe. This book cracked me open, exposed me, and made me feel every bit of emotion.
Spoiler
I was very much hoping for a tragic ending. I am a sucker for tragic romances (in fiction), I know. As a hopeless romantic, they make me see the other side of love. But, I was so glad to be met with a happy ending. I don't think I could've handled Roman and Aysel not ending up with each other. They deserve lives so, so much. The ending was too short, though. And yes, I know that this book's nearly a decade old, but I'm still going to hope for these two things:Spoiler
A movie adaptation to bring back the spark or hype within the readers/fans (since I read this late);Spoiler
A special chapter of their happily built family. Please. I am begging you.
And of course, great thanks to the author! I searched Warga up and found out she also wrote Other Words for Home — one of my most anticipated books in my TBR! Can't wait. Such great work you crafted there with My Heart and Other Black Holes. Kudos to you! 💪
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Suicide attempt