Reviews with content warning for Death - Delicates

This book was a little too real, I got pretty sad during the lower parts and I'm glad it came together in the end with positivity. I really love the art style with the detailed clothing and persistent color palette. A worthy sequel to Sheets for sure.

Content Warnings

tetrootz's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional hopeful reflective sad fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

maddireads13's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional funny hopeful fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

dinipandareads's review against another edition

Go to review page

emotional sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

THIS HIT. Wow, Thummler has this wonderful ability to take sad, heavy, heartbreaking moments in life and turn them into powerful stories of overcoming and hope. It’s no surprise that I was in tears by the end of this story. As wonderful as SHEETS is, I think Delicates outshines it in story, art, and so much heart.

Set in the same world as SHEETS, we are reunited with Marjorie, Wendell, and the ghost gang one year following the events of the first book in this series. Thummler does an excellent job of capturing what it’s like to be a teenager in middle school (although this could also apply to high school). Marjorie has somehow found her way in with the “popular group” and we follow along as she struggles to feel comfortable with Tessi and her bullying friends while balancing being who she is with Wendell and showing kindness to Eliza. She wants so badly to be seen as cool, especially in front of her crush, and it takes a while for her to recognise how the tables have turned; though she no longer feels invisible, being on the other side doesn’t feel good when it comes at the price of someone else’s well being. We get a satisfying full-circle moment as Marjorie acknowledges the consequences of her actions or lack thereof, and shows that she does know how to be a good friend, a good sister and in general, a good egg.

With the additional introduction of Eliza’s character, the author really gets to the heart of bullying, belonging, loneliness and grief and she captures the emotions and human experience so well. Eliza’s the daughter of the quirky teacher, Mr. Duncan. She’s often bullied by Tessi and ostracized by others for being obsessed with ghosts and her quest to capture them on camera. Her story was heartbreaking but sadly, I think it’s a situation and place that many kids can probably relate to. I loved the role that Wendell and the ghosts play in Eliza’s story, and how the depth of Eliza’s emotion is explored through that friendship and the ghostly experience of the afterlife. This does delve into darker thoughts and feelings but I think the author does a great job in handling the sensitive subjects. I also appreciated how Thummler shows that people have the capacity for kindness, should they wish it, and that people are never just what they present on the surface.

Overall, this story packs a powerful (yet subtle) punch. This series is deeply emotional and sometimes challenging to read but one I would certainly recommend!

Content Warnings

renn_the_reader's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional hopeful inspiring 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

4.0

Content Warnings

_meganno's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark inspiring 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

5.0

Content Warnings

rin_kate_katie's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional inspiring reflective sad medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.75

Content Warnings

katey_'s review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional 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? It's complicated

4.5

I really enjoyed Sheets, but this follow-up is even better, though it is darker and more emotionally heavy than the first one.

The book continues on from the events of Sheets, placing more of a focus on Eliza, the daughter of the swim coach (who also appears to have about 15 different jobs, but that's another topic). Eliza and Marjorie are classmates, and Eliza's struggling with making friends as a middle schooler. She tries to befriend Marjorie, but Marjorie has befriended some of the popular girls at school, and Eliza's often the butt of their jokes -- causing Marjorie to feel self-conscious about hanging out with her. Eliza's parents don't listen to her and are largely paying more attention to Eliza's two sisters, saying that "Eliza's fine" -- but she isn't fine. She's depressed and at risk, and Marjorie (and of course their ghost friend, Wendell) is eventually the first to discover how much Eliza's really struggling.

The book shares some valuable messaging for teens about friendship, fitting in, kindness and asking for help. Once again, the graphics are beautiful, and the ghost element is thoughtful and at times hilarious.

Content warning: This book does deal with depression and suicidal thoughts fairly heavily, so be cautious before reading if those are topics you're sensitive to.

Content Warnings

More...