caroline1999's review
challenging
emotional
reflective
sad
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
5.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Death, Death of parent, Child death, Blood, Suicide, Murder, Hate crime, Gun violence, Violence, Mental illness, Injury/Injury detail, and Grief
bg_oseman_fan's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
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
4.75
This book did a really good job of balancing the heaviness of its material with the need to tell a story that wouldn’t stay mired in existential dread. i appreciate that author wrote from Mateo’s and Rufus’ point of view and did so with distinct characterization. i admire as well how fleshed out all of the non main character felt as well. the story felt like a realistic depiction of what might go down in a world where Death-cast existed. At times, i found the theme being reiterated with slightly different phrasing that didn’t add to the story. i also feel that some people may read this story and not get the message the author intended. it’s a complicated topic, and I am glad someone made an attempt to address it through fiction.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Car accident, Child death, Death, Death of parent, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Grief, Suicide, Violence, Murder, Suicide attempt, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Blood, Pregnancy, Confinement, Gun violence, Medical content, and Stalking
mesta's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Death of parent, Child death, Car accident, Fire/Fire injury, and Grief
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Gun violence, Terminal illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
dellydoos's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
fast-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
2.0
This was just okay. Whilst I can't deny the impact that I'm this book had on a lot of people, I found that I was underwhelmed by the writing and overall execution of the story.
One of the main issues I had with the book was the writing itself. It lacked the depth and nuance I was hoping for, and the prose often felt overly simplistic and lacking in substance. The dialogue, in particular, was woeful. It felt forced and cheesy and exactly how a 30-40 year old man would picture how "young, hip teens" would talk. I struggled to connect with the characters because their voices and interactions felt too contrived.
My other issue was the world-building. Whilst I understand that the story was meant to be just about two kids finding love in life and falling in love with life and all that, I couldn't ignore the fact that the entire premise and setting revolved around receiving a phone call informing you that you have just 24 hours left to live. Like how would a society look if that was true? How would it shape people's lives if they knew death was coming?
Although the concept of the book was interesting, the execution didn't satisfy me. And neither did the ending which felt ??? Not totally predictable, but not totally satisfying either.
What I did like, however, was this was a simple tale of two young latinx boys falling in love and living their last moments together. There wasn't really any homophobia or toxicity and I thought that was nice and surprisingly sweet.
2/5 stars for me.
One of the main issues I had with the book was the writing itself. It lacked the depth and nuance I was hoping for, and the prose often felt overly simplistic and lacking in substance. The dialogue, in particular, was woeful. It felt forced and cheesy and exactly how a 30-40 year old man would picture how "young, hip teens" would talk. I struggled to connect with the characters because their voices and interactions felt too contrived.
My other issue was the world-building. Whilst I understand that the story was meant to be just about two kids finding love in life and falling in love with life and all that, I couldn't ignore the fact that the entire premise and setting revolved around receiving a phone call informing you that you have just 24 hours left to live. Like how would a society look if that was true? How would it shape people's lives if they knew death was coming?
Although the concept of the book was interesting, the execution didn't satisfy me. And neither did the ending which felt ??? Not totally predictable, but not totally satisfying either.
What I did like, however, was this was a simple tale of two young latinx boys falling in love and living their last moments together. There wasn't really any homophobia or toxicity and I thought that was nice and surprisingly sweet.
2/5 stars for me.
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death and Child abuse
dani_21's review
dark
emotional
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
3.75
wasn't as sad as I thought I'd be near the end,
Spoiler
for some reason Matteo's death seemed rushed and I didn't care about it much.Spoiler
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Panic attacks/disorders, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Car accident, and Violence
Minor: Child death
shocker, I know, but they actually die at the end, the book title didn't liegzaborski's review against another edition
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
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
3.0
Really cute book with adorable and likable characters- felt a bit long but thats kind of the point I suppose. The narrative switching between the two main characters took some getting used to and might have to contributed to the book feeling longer than it was/ needed to be. Conclusion felt a bit rushed after such a slow burn of a story, but overall enjoyable!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Violence, Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, and Child death
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts, Death of parent, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Terminal illness
luvdarkstars's review
adventurous
emotional
sad
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? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death and Death
dirtyseagull's review
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
5.0
This should be titled "You will cry at the end", because you absoltuely will. It should also come with some tissues because fuck you Adam Silvera, I don't care if you told me in the title what was going to happen you still broke my heart by making this story and these characters come to life and then taking them away from me, you bastard.
Its so goddamn beautiful and intricate, the stories told in such a unique but dreary world are not only captivating but heartfelt and the way they cross over into each others lives like a web that mirrors real life is nothing short of perfection. Seriously I cant remember the last time a novel made me go "HOLY FUCK THE CROSSOVER" or "I DIDN'T SEE THAT COMING HOLY SHIT", and even just a good ole "NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!"
Like I said, It's been a while since a story hit me as hard as this one did, I have oh so many strong feelings about it, and think that the ending was perfect too.
Even though its intentionally left open and vague, I think I know whats intended to happen, but really it doesn't matter what happens after the last page. What matters is what they did to cherish the life they had while they had it, and I took a lot from that. DOTA
Its so goddamn beautiful and intricate, the stories told in such a unique but dreary world are not only captivating but heartfelt and the way they cross over into each others lives like a web that mirrors real life is nothing short of perfection. Seriously I cant remember the last time a novel made me go "HOLY FUCK THE CROSSOVER" or "I DIDN'T SEE THAT COMING HOLY SHIT", and even just a good ole "NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!"
Like I said, It's been a while since a story hit me as hard as this one did, I have oh so many strong feelings about it, and think that the ending was perfect too.
Even though its intentionally left open and vague, I think I know whats intended to happen, but really it doesn't matter what happens after the last page. What matters is what they did to cherish the life they had while they had it, and I took a lot from that. DOTA
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Child death, Death, Gun violence, and Death of parent
Moderate: Sexual content
maddiiie's review
dark
emotional
sad
tense
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Abandonment, Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Fire/Fire injury, Self harm, Child death, Death, and Injury/Injury detail
bleuennreads_'s review against another edition
emotional
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
It's one of the most hyped books of booktok so I obviously bought it. And after 2 years of waiting on my shelf, I finally read it !
The beginning of the book is very gripping with the introduction of the characters then the meeting of the two principals and their relationship which develops. But the end had some lengths and it disappointed me a little. I really expected to cry but in the end I didn't even have tears in my eyes (although it was obviously sad). I think the writting has something to do with it. It's quite simple and sometimes the vocabulary really pissed me off.
It's still a good book, easy and quick to read. But it was, in my opinion, a bit too hyped.
The beginning of the book is very gripping with the introduction of the characters then the meeting of the two principals and their relationship which develops. But the end had some lengths and it disappointed me a little. I really expected to cry but in the end I didn't even have tears in my eyes (although it was obviously sad). I think the writting has something to do with it. It's quite simple and sometimes the vocabulary really pissed me off.
It's still a good book, easy and quick to read. But it was, in my opinion, a bit too hyped.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Death, Child death, and Death of parent
Moderate: Car accident, Gun violence, Violence, and Fire/Fire injury