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abbyreads2's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Physical abuse, Violence, Grief, Death of parent, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Infertility
cschaepe84's review
challenging
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-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
5.0
Such and eloquently written, highly emotional story between two lost souls. Natsya is a girl who has been shattered by trauma after a horrific event that happened to her years ago, leaving her unable to do the things she loves most and becoming the shadow of what she once was. It kills her to drag down everyone she loves with her, but most of all, not being the girl they remember and want her to be. Feeling lost and broken, she stops speaking altogether, creating an air of mystery around her when she enters a new school, a girl dressed provocatively to keep people at a distance.
Then you have Josh. He is alone in the world, having lost everybody he has ever loved and has loved him starting from the age of 8 when his mother and sister died suddenly from a car accident, to his grandfather, his last remaining family member. He doesn't know how to relate to other around him, being surrounded by so much loss and hurt, and nobody knows what to say and act toward him, creating a "dead zone" that keeps others away, and him alone.
But then Natsya and Josh meet. Two people, lonely and outcasts in their own right, knowing nothing of each other's pasts and traumas, find themselves quietly drawn together. Josh, who has no one to love him, and Natsya, who is surrounded by loved ones, but doesn't know how to let them love her and feels the weight of their disappointment, gradually find peace and solace in each other's company. Both in their own right are damaged, both have secrets, and in a way, it brings them together in their isolation, but sooner or later, can tear them apart as those secrets come to light.
The writing draw me in, pulls me, and I get wrapped up in Natsya's and Josh's worlds. I can get a strong sense of their hurt and alienation from others, feel their pain and bitterness. I enjoyed how there was also a mystery that slowly unfolded the further in I get into the book, which explains Natsya's silence and bizarre behavior, her reluctance to let anyone in. I feel how Natsya's trauma changes her, the grief that she feels over the girl she once was and can never be again. She takes out her energy and frustration of not being able to speak by running (I kind of do the same thing, only I do a lot of walking instead. But still, I get the need to physically move just to get away from your thoughts).
I can also sense Josh's isolation and the pain of being completely alone in the world despite having friends. His compulsive need to build, create, and pour his energy into his craft to forget about all he's lost. When Natsya comes in to the picture, however, she creates a vulnerable spot for him, and as they get closer, you can sense the walls crumbling down along with Natsya's sanity. He cannot fall in love with her, and yet he does, but loving her would also mean being hurt by her.
The rest of the supporting characters were phenomenal, and THIS is an example on how you should write extra character. Each were well-fleshed out an played a part in Josh's and Natsya's story without becoming a distraction, but still managed to feel very real and fleshed out. Most notable is Drew, who although is something of a jerk, actually has a heart of gold inside. I loved getting to know him and his family, as well the dynamic between him and his sister Sarah, whose behavior I can later on understand. What stands out to me the most is the Sunday Dinner in which a bunch of them, a whole mismatched group of kids from different cliques, get together and play a part in setting up. This is such a wonderful scene in general, because it gives a chance for the supporting characters to really shine.
Overall, story was very emotionally intense, but also exciting as the mystery further unravels, and you understand what exactly happened to Natsya all those years ago, as well as who she really is and what she was in her past. The ending had me floored from all the revelations and then the decisions Natsya and Josh have to make. I loved how in the end, their circumstances don't change, but they decide to live with all the scars of their past and try to build and heal from there. The VERY end surprises me most of all, and its a sweet surprise because it takes you back to when Natsya found Josh's a garage, and if you've paid attention, you would see how it all came full circle.
This story weighed so heavy in my mind that it took me a while to sit and think about how to organized my thoughts about it, so I hope it comes out clear, because I can't say enough how much it's really imprinted on me. It's impressive that this is Katja Millay's first book, and its a shame she hasn't published anything else since.
Then you have Josh. He is alone in the world, having lost everybody he has ever loved and has loved him starting from the age of 8 when his mother and sister died suddenly from a car accident, to his grandfather, his last remaining family member. He doesn't know how to relate to other around him, being surrounded by so much loss and hurt, and nobody knows what to say and act toward him, creating a "dead zone" that keeps others away, and him alone.
But then Natsya and Josh meet. Two people, lonely and outcasts in their own right, knowing nothing of each other's pasts and traumas, find themselves quietly drawn together. Josh, who has no one to love him, and Natsya, who is surrounded by loved ones, but doesn't know how to let them love her and feels the weight of their disappointment, gradually find peace and solace in each other's company. Both in their own right are damaged, both have secrets, and in a way, it brings them together in their isolation, but sooner or later, can tear them apart as those secrets come to light.
The writing draw me in, pulls me, and I get wrapped up in Natsya's and Josh's worlds. I can get a strong sense of their hurt and alienation from others, feel their pain and bitterness. I enjoyed how there was also a mystery that slowly unfolded the further in I get into the book, which explains Natsya's silence and bizarre behavior, her reluctance to let anyone in. I feel how Natsya's trauma changes her, the grief that she feels over the girl she once was and can never be again. She takes out her energy and frustration of not being able to speak by running (I kind of do the same thing, only I do a lot of walking instead. But still, I get the need to physically move just to get away from your thoughts).
I can also sense Josh's isolation and the pain of being completely alone in the world despite having friends. His compulsive need to build, create, and pour his energy into his craft to forget about all he's lost. When Natsya comes in to the picture, however, she creates a vulnerable spot for him, and as they get closer, you can sense the walls crumbling down along with Natsya's sanity. He cannot fall in love with her, and yet he does, but loving her would also mean being hurt by her.
The rest of the supporting characters were phenomenal, and THIS is an example on how you should write extra character. Each were well-fleshed out an played a part in Josh's and Natsya's story without becoming a distraction, but still managed to feel very real and fleshed out. Most notable is Drew, who although is something of a jerk, actually has a heart of gold inside. I loved getting to know him and his family, as well the dynamic between him and his sister Sarah, whose behavior I can later on understand. What stands out to me the most is the Sunday Dinner in which a bunch of them, a whole mismatched group of kids from different cliques, get together and play a part in setting up. This is such a wonderful scene in general, because it gives a chance for the supporting characters to really shine.
Overall, story was very emotionally intense, but also exciting as the mystery further unravels, and you understand what exactly happened to Natsya all those years ago, as well as who she really is and what she was in her past. The ending had me floored from all the revelations and then the decisions Natsya and Josh have to make. I loved how in the end, their circumstances don't change, but they decide to live with all the scars of their past and try to build and heal from there. The VERY end surprises me most of all, and its a sweet surprise because it takes you back to when Natsya found Josh's a garage, and if you've paid attention, you would see how it all came full circle.
This story weighed so heavy in my mind that it took me a while to sit and think about how to organized my thoughts about it, so I hope it comes out clear, because I can't say enough how much it's really imprinted on me. It's impressive that this is Katja Millay's first book, and its a shame she hasn't published anything else since.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Violence, Grief, and Dysphoria
Moderate: Death, Sexism, Sexual assault, Vomit, and Death of parent
Minor: Bullying, Cancer, and Abandonment
morethanmylupus's review
challenging
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
This was beautiful book about what makes a person tick, and the ways in which some people (both romantic interests and found family) can get under our skin in ways that others can't. I loved getting to know Nastya, Josh, and Drew. I was sad to say goodbye to them.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Death of parent
jess_polishedcomma's review
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Child death, Sexual assault, and Death of parent
naodavis's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
sad
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Sexual assault, Violence, Death of parent, Murder, and Injury/Injury detail
savannahtrice's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
There were a good 100 pages that weren't needed and the book is supposed to be about Natsya but way too many chapters are from Josh's perspective.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Death of parent
Moderate: Vomit
drizzlybear's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
actually really enjoyed this despite hoping for a while that there wouldn't be a romantic relationship. nonetheless it was well done and i liked all the characters
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual violence and Violence
Moderate: Death and Sexual content
Minor: Blood and Death of parent
girlonbooks's review
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Violence, Car accident, and Death of parent