thereadingchallengechallenge's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This little book about a teenage girl with diabetes sure packs a punch. I read the entire thing today because even though I found Persephone's story and perspective unbelievably bleak, I just couldn't look away.
I had to know what happened, I had to know what had made this girl a little ball of anger. I had to know why her not-quite-cousin was so determined to be sick too. I had to know about the boy by the river and the one who called her such a horrible word.
I will say that if you pick this up for the diabetes/chronic illness rep, please try to remember that Persephone is not only dealing with her diabetes diagnosis, she is also deeply depressed and stuck in her grief. Don't judge her too harshly for being so ashamed of her chronic illness because her mental illness is clouding her perspective. It is hard to read her thoughts about her illness but please give her the benefit of a doubt because Persephone's journey with her illness is what makes her story so compelling.
An emotional, engaging novel that will definitely keep me on the lookout for Nugent's next book.
Warnings: grief, internalised ableism, references to domestic violence.
I had to know what happened, I had to know what had made this girl a little ball of anger. I had to know why her not-quite-cousin was so determined to be sick too. I had to know about the boy by the river and the one who called her such a horrible word.
I will say that if you pick this up for the diabetes/chronic illness rep, please try to remember that Persephone is not only dealing with her diabetes diagnosis, she is also deeply depressed and stuck in her grief. Don't judge her too harshly for being so ashamed of her chronic illness because her mental illness is clouding her perspective. It is hard to read her thoughts about her illness but please give her the benefit of a doubt because Persephone's journey with her illness is what makes her story so compelling.
An emotional, engaging novel that will definitely keep me on the lookout for Nugent's next book.
Warnings: grief, internalised ableism, references to domestic violence.
becandbooks's review
4.0
Trigger warnings:
With my copy of Sugar sent by the publisher, a note from Nugent explains that she wrote this book partly to voice the frustration of living with a chronic illness. And while this book does many, many things, that is certainly something that is vivid and apparent throughout Persephone's journey. And while that is a large component of the story, Sugar is much more.
This is a story about growing up, about grief, and about accepting oneself & the life they are handed - both the good & the bad. It is a story about a character that is raw and exposed in many ways. It is about a mystery, that may not be a mystery.
Sugar is a spectacularly written book that is palatable for young readers, but holds an awful amount of depth. At times the writing style feels much younger than the themes suggest - with lists and notes and word definitions throughout. But it doesn't take away from everything this book sets out to say.
Spoiler
bullying, needles, hospitals & hospitalisation, death of father, grief depiction, car accident, physical assault, dead body, emesis, domestic abuse (intimate & child), physical abuse, emotional abuse, fire, suicide discussed, memory disorders, child abandonment, natural disaster (bush fire), cancer, diabetes, monitoring of foodWith my copy of Sugar sent by the publisher, a note from Nugent explains that she wrote this book partly to voice the frustration of living with a chronic illness. And while this book does many, many things, that is certainly something that is vivid and apparent throughout Persephone's journey. And while that is a large component of the story, Sugar is much more.
This is a story about growing up, about grief, and about accepting oneself & the life they are handed - both the good & the bad. It is a story about a character that is raw and exposed in many ways. It is about a mystery, that may not be a mystery.
Sugar is a spectacularly written book that is palatable for young readers, but holds an awful amount of depth. At times the writing style feels much younger than the themes suggest - with lists and notes and word definitions throughout. But it doesn't take away from everything this book sets out to say.
Note: Review copy received from Text Publishing. This does not impact opinions within this review.
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Happy reading! ❤
kookie9200's review
4.0
Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to review this book.
The word that comes to mind immediately about this book is angry. Persephone is angry. At her mom, at her dad, at the world, at her diabetes. Mostly, though, she's angry with herself. When she finds the body of a young woman in the bush, she's determined to find out what she did to deserve her death.
My heart breaks for this kid. Throughout much of this book, she is so angry and lost. She's brittle to the o]point of shattering and needs help. Her mother is distant, leaving her alone in her grief. Persephone sees her diabetes as punishment for her father's death, which she feels she caused. She is deeply depressed and so very angry that it hurts the reader. There were times that tears filled my eyes because she was self-destructive, and no one seems to see or care until it was almost too late.
I will say the first few chapters I wasn't sure how I felt about this book, but the more I read, the more I saw that Persephone wasn't just a stuck-up teenager with a chip on her shoulder. She was in such deep pain with no outlet, needing answers about things that don't have answers, and punishing herself for something that she didn't cause. It's beautifully written and I'd say it's haunting because this book keeps popping up in my mind at random moments.
The word that comes to mind immediately about this book is angry. Persephone is angry. At her mom, at her dad, at the world, at her diabetes. Mostly, though, she's angry with herself. When she finds the body of a young woman in the bush, she's determined to find out what she did to deserve her death.
My heart breaks for this kid. Throughout much of this book, she is so angry and lost. She's brittle to the o]point of shattering and needs help. Her mother is distant, leaving her alone in her grief. Persephone sees her diabetes as punishment for her father's death, which she feels she caused. She is deeply depressed and so very angry that it hurts the reader. There were times that tears filled my eyes because she was self-destructive, and no one seems to see or care until it was almost too late.
I will say the first few chapters I wasn't sure how I felt about this book, but the more I read, the more I saw that Persephone wasn't just a stuck-up teenager with a chip on her shoulder. She was in such deep pain with no outlet, needing answers about things that don't have answers, and punishing herself for something that she didn't cause. It's beautifully written and I'd say it's haunting because this book keeps popping up in my mind at random moments.
textpublishing's review
The following book reviews have been shared by Text Publishing – publisher of Sugar
‘Sugar is dark, hopeful, mesmerising—an extraordinary novel that builds and breaks like a perfect storm.’
Vikki Wakefield
‘A deeply affecting novel about loss, guilt and the fraught search for truth and certainty; the passion and ferocity of this story will stay with me for a long time.’
Leanne Hall
'Beautifully written, heartfelt and with a forward momentum that keeps you turning the page, this novel about loss, guilt and anger is ultimately hopeful and an absolute triumph.’
Readings
‘Nugent’s shrewd tale of a young woman weighed down by chronic illness, struggling to make sense of a nonsensical universe, is ultimately heart-warming.’
ABR
‘A story full of ’tude, and plenty of layers to peel back and get you thinking.’
Samera Kamaleddine, Herald Sun
‘Sugar is dark, hopeful, mesmerising—an extraordinary novel that builds and breaks like a perfect storm.’
Vikki Wakefield
‘A deeply affecting novel about loss, guilt and the fraught search for truth and certainty; the passion and ferocity of this story will stay with me for a long time.’
Leanne Hall
'Beautifully written, heartfelt and with a forward momentum that keeps you turning the page, this novel about loss, guilt and anger is ultimately hopeful and an absolute triumph.’
Readings
‘Nugent’s shrewd tale of a young woman weighed down by chronic illness, struggling to make sense of a nonsensical universe, is ultimately heart-warming.’
ABR
‘A story full of ’tude, and plenty of layers to peel back and get you thinking.’
Samera Kamaleddine, Herald Sun
dorayangvip's review
4.0
A really tough read as a YA book, but I thoroughly enjoyed it. There's a lot of pain, grief, and trauma in this book and can be triggering to some. I feel like I learned a lot from looking at this believable character's life. Great read!
toulozer's review
dark
emotional
tense
fast-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
3.75
maiaxprothero's review
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A
2.0
thems0kitty's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
sienna_gutsell's review
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
mailovesbooksblog's review
2.0
This book was not for me.
Rating: 2/5
Synopsis:
Some people get exactly what they deserve. And, as it turns out, I deserve to be called Persephone. No simple-to-sound-out Pride-and-Prejudice-style name like Elizabeth or Jane for me. Nope. Demi had to go Greek. Define Persephone. Bringer of destruction. That pretty much sums it up...
Persephone is angry. Angry that her life revolves around finger-prick tests, carbohydrate counts and insulin injections. Angry at Alexander Manson. Angry with her mum for lots of things, for nothing and for everything.
But most of all, she’s angry with herself. For deserving it all. Because one year ago she did something and her dad died.
But then Persephone finds a body on a bush path, a young woman she doesn’t know but feels a strong connection to. And as she tries to find out what happened to Sylvia, Persephone begins to understand her own place in the complex interconnectedness of the universe.
Sugar is the story of a sixteen-year-old girl trying to make sense of the life-changing events that have sent her world into a spin, her search for a reason behind it all, and ultimately her acceptance of life’s randomness.
Thank you NetGalley for giving me an eARC!!
Rating: 2/5
Synopsis:
Some people get exactly what they deserve. And, as it turns out, I deserve to be called Persephone. No simple-to-sound-out Pride-and-Prejudice-style name like Elizabeth or Jane for me. Nope. Demi had to go Greek. Define Persephone. Bringer of destruction. That pretty much sums it up...
Persephone is angry. Angry that her life revolves around finger-prick tests, carbohydrate counts and insulin injections. Angry at Alexander Manson. Angry with her mum for lots of things, for nothing and for everything.
But most of all, she’s angry with herself. For deserving it all. Because one year ago she did something and her dad died.
But then Persephone finds a body on a bush path, a young woman she doesn’t know but feels a strong connection to. And as she tries to find out what happened to Sylvia, Persephone begins to understand her own place in the complex interconnectedness of the universe.
Sugar is the story of a sixteen-year-old girl trying to make sense of the life-changing events that have sent her world into a spin, her search for a reason behind it all, and ultimately her acceptance of life’s randomness.
Thank you NetGalley for giving me an eARC!!