The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! đ
a_cera_t0ps's review against another edition
- 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
In alternating perspectives, our cast grows and shrinks.
The characters are well written. The book shows many of the different arguments/reasoning/stories without drowning out plot A or disrupting the collective pace of the story. The characters feel like real people, with real connections. While there is a crush and romantic connection, it never once cuts into the action. It only presents itself as a motive: a catalyst for an even and consistent amount of the story. The ending is realistic while still having a satisfying conclusion.
The Shusterman authors worked to gether to create a compelling dystopian story much in the same way George Orwell worked time and time to do. They wrote the book with a message. However, instead of creating an atmosphere of hopelessness, the Shustermans help to build a future, to show the fall out of if and when disaster passes. They don't water down (ha) the message, the importance, or the level of disaster, but they leave the reader with an enjoyable story. It's believable, even if extreme in nature.Â
Graphic: Gun violence, Pandemic/Epidemic, Murder, Physical abuse, Grief, and Violence
Moderate: Drug use, Sexual assault, Suicide attempt, Confinement, Car accident, Child death, Stalking, Injury/Injury detail, Death of parent, Sexual harassment, and Pedophilia
Minor: Animal cruelty, Pedophilia, Police brutality, and War
char42's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
4.0
Graphic: Death
Moderate: Violence, Sexual assault, Vomit, Suicide attempt, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Blood, and Self harm
Minor: Child death
rache2_star's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Moderate: Death, Fire/Fire injury, and Gun violence
Minor: Suicide attempt and Murder
aiplusyou's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Violence, Suicide attempt, Gun violence, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Moderate: Murder, Police brutality, Sexual assault, and Classism
glorytowers05's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Violence, Death, Blood, Fire/Fire injury, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, and Car accident
Minor: Cursing, Rape, Alcohol, Drug use, Kidnapping, and Adult/minor relationship
nicole134340's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Minor: Murder, Sexual harassment, Suicide attempt, and Violence
kaidoz's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Edit: Iâve realized a few things Iâve missed. There were a few points in the book where characters mentioned how bad communism was which I thought was so strange. It seemed forced and like a political statement when no one even asked for it. Also, the reason I stated that the cast of characters being diverse was complicated is because their personalities are diverse, but they really arenât. The main girl and her brother are of unidentified origin for like half of the book, and they end up being like, a quarter Jamaican and the rest European. Another female character is also very light-skinned but I honestly  couldnât tell you what she is because it was so forgettable. I think Greek? Roman? The rest were completely white. Also I believe there was a singular mention of one of the male characters not liking men, but other than that gay people didnât exist. No POC or LGBT people in California? This truly is a fiction novel. Anyways, I still thought the story was great, so Iâm not changing my review or anything.Â
Graphic: Car accident, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Gun violence, Murder, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Terminal illness, Toxic friendship, and Violence
Moderate: Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Bullying, Cursing, Gaslighting, Genocide, Gore, Mental illness, Misogyny, Pedophilia, Police brutality, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Stalking, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Abandonment, Alcohol, Animal death, Child death, Death of parent, Drug use, Emotional abuse, Kidnapping, Panic attacks/disorders, Rape, Self harm, Suicide, Suicide attempt, and Trafficking
I will be giving more detail on some of the warnings while withholding as many spoilers as I can. Iâll label them. Car accident (very minor spoilers):kbergsten's review against another edition
- 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
Graphic: Blood, Suicide attempt, Sexual assault, Police brutality, Gun violence, and Grief