Reviews tagging 'Terminal illness'

Everything All at Once by Katrina Leno

3 reviews

lexie_b29's review

dark emotional hopeful inspiring reflective sad medium-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

Loved this book! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Death, Mental illness, Terminal illness, and Grief

The anxiety rep in this book is centred around fear of dying, disease and loss of loved ones. The MC ruminates a lot on her anxieties about dying. If this is a trigger for you or something you also deal with, then read with care.

themichellegray's review against another edition

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

This book was everything to me (all at once); it was truly as-if Katrina Leno had taken portions of my life and wove them together into this story.

Set in an area I grew up frequenting, this book explored themes immortality while also focusing on grief and mental health after losing a loved one to cancer. The writing was gut wrenchingly authentic but also balanced with just the right amount of humor and magical realism. AND it was super inclusive too!

Truly, I can't recommend this book enough and it became an instant favorite within the first 20 pages!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cancer, Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, and Grief

Moderate: Death and Suicidal thoughts

Minor: Homophobia

karlybug's review against another edition

emotional hopeful reflective medium-paced

• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.25

In reality there were a hundred meanings to life, and they were all true for different people, they were all valid for their own confusing reasons.

It took me a while to get through, but I really enjoyed the premise. When I started to figure out where we were headed (somewhat early; put the pieces together, Lottie, jeez!) I wasn’t sure how I felt about it and that remains true after finishing the book.

The rest of the story felt so real and genuine that I just couldn’t figure out if I liked that we suddenly veered into Immortality is Real! territory. But maybe that’s an interesting new genre? Realistic fiction except with one magical caveat.

 
This gets three stars because although I enjoyed the story & concept and I mostly liked the characters, I think I just don’t prefer Leno’s writing style. There were several sentences that felt clunky, dialogue that didn’t feel authentic, etc. Though I made sure to capture the few phrases I really liked before returning this to the library. I liked matching up the chapters of Alvin books with the letters, but I had trouble with Abe & Lottie over-explaining what a reference is instead of just making them. But mega points for a realistic portrayal of anxiety & grief. So a worthwhile read. ⭐️🌟⭐️

So Sam is definitely un-immortal now, right? And he & Lottie are going to grow up and fall in love and get married and die happily ever after? Just checking.

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Cancer, Death, Terminal illness, and Grief

Minor: Homophobia, Panic attacks/disorders, and Suicidal thoughts