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aldehyde's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
slow-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? Yes
4.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Bullying, Mental illness, Self harm, Sexual content, and Suicidal thoughts
a___broad's review against another edition
5.0
Whew, that was intense. One of the most startlingly real depictions of depression I've ever encountered. But it was also one of the funniest and sweetest stories too. Absolutely brilliant all around.
claudiereads's review against another edition
4.0
Despite tackling such a heavy subject as depression (and in such an accurate way), this was a surprisingly sweet and heartwarming story. I’m pretty sure YA will never be my go-to genre, but I really enjoyed this book (would’ve enjoyed it more if the MC were ten or so years older, but oh well) and will definitely continue this series. Jayden and Darren were really well drawn and believable characters — very emotionally mature, too — and I loved them together, how they completed and supported one another. Darren’s friends Ethan and Paul were hilarious, I loved this trio’s banter and I hope we’ll see more of them in the future installments. Some events near the end were perhaps a tad too dramatic, but I didn’t mind much.
valerie_lostmylifetobooks's review against another edition
2.0
It wasn't like I didnt like the book, it was just not really my cup of tea. To be honest, I've read a lot of books in this genre that were not credible, mealy,... This book was well written, with an author who clearly loves his boys - and I respect that. It just didn't make me feel "wow". Everything just felt kind of...flat.
I don't think I'll be reading the sequels, simply because the story didn't speak to me.
I don't think I'll be reading the sequels, simply because the story didn't speak to me.
tiggers_hate_acorns's review against another edition
4.0
This is the second book I have read by this author and enjoyed - I may have to become a stalker. I see there are 2 more books in the series so will have to read on.
Liked the realistic setting and teenage angst and banter. Darren's parents were a*holes but unfortunately are replicated too often in reality.
4.5 stars, not quite 5
Liked the realistic setting and teenage angst and banter. Darren's parents were a*holes but unfortunately are replicated too often in reality.
4.5 stars, not quite 5
regencyfan93's review against another edition
4.0
It wasn't until later in teh book that I understood the significance of the first scene and of the title. Darren seemed to put together in fending off bullies while Jayden had to grow into his confidence. For the sake of both Jayden and Darren, I appreciated Jayden's parents. It took longer to appreciate Scott. At one point Darren calls Scott sadistic. Later to hear Scott talk, he is caring.
I enjoyed spending time with Darren, Jayden, their friends, and most of their families.
I enjoyed spending time with Darren, Jayden, their friends, and most of their families.
kaje_harper's review against another edition
5.0
This is one of my favorite Young Adult M/M stories in the last year. [b:Vivaldi in the Dark|18907836|Vivaldi in the Dark|Matthew J. Metzger|https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1385549542s/18907836.jpg|26913014] has two main character teen POV voices that feel authentic, a dash of humor, and an intensity that isn't melodramatic angst. The British idioms and language are an added bonus, giving consistent flavor to the story.
Jayden is gay, and although he's only actually out to his best friend, he gets teased and bullied enough at school for seeming gay that he's keeping his head down. He plans to transfer to a better school, go to uni, and then come out, and finally have a real boyfriend. But all his plans are thrown in disarray when he meets Darren, a talented young violinist. Suddenly having a boyfriend is topping the list, even if Jayden's not sure he's ready. Darren is gorgeous and self-assured, smart and easy to be with. Jayden's willing to step out of his protective shell for a guy like that.
Darren meets Jayden at a dark moment, when he's finished another frustrating, repetitive rehearsal, and the walls of his life are closing in. Suddenly there's this brilliant, interesting and open guy who's clearly attracted to him. Jayden feels like the antidote for everything that's wrong with Darren's life. He can't help trying to wake the naive, untouched and retiring Jayden up to his own potential.
But there's a dark cloud hanging over Darren's shot at happiness. He's struggled with his dark moods, which on introspective days he admits amount to depression and occasionally self-harm. He may look good on the surface, but underneath he's really no fit match for Jayden's easy warmth. What kind of guy would care to stick around when Darren slides back into one of his bad times?
This book is notable for one of the best depictions of teen depression I've seen. The underlying causes aren't blatant - like many real depressed teens, Darren isn't abused and traumatized. His situation isn't that awful, or that simple. The author depicts his moments of nadir in beautifully chosen phrases, making the reader feel the heaviness, the dulling, muffling, lethargic nothingness that smothers light and life in his dark moments. And Jayden's responses are also true to life, as he tries to somehow make the difference for his boyfriend, against a foe neither of them can really understand.
The events that shake up the situation are perhaps a bit dramatic, but they work to bring several of the simmering crises to a head. The secondary characters in this book are welcome additions to the story, particularly Darren's brother and two best friends, and Jayden's step-dad. As they all come together in the wake of the crisis, life for Jayden and Darren reforms in a different configuration.
The resolution was a little swift and upbeat. I imagine there were moments of pain and loss mixed into the positives of this nice little happy-for-now ending. Perhaps we will see more of that in the sequel (actually two sequels, I'm told), which I am delighted to be able to look forward to. Minor quibbles aside, I really enjoyed this book, will happily reread it when the next comes out, and recommend it to anyone who enjoys YA stories with gay protagonists.
Jayden is gay, and although he's only actually out to his best friend, he gets teased and bullied enough at school for seeming gay that he's keeping his head down. He plans to transfer to a better school, go to uni, and then come out, and finally have a real boyfriend. But all his plans are thrown in disarray when he meets Darren, a talented young violinist. Suddenly having a boyfriend is topping the list, even if Jayden's not sure he's ready. Darren is gorgeous and self-assured, smart and easy to be with. Jayden's willing to step out of his protective shell for a guy like that.
Darren meets Jayden at a dark moment, when he's finished another frustrating, repetitive rehearsal, and the walls of his life are closing in. Suddenly there's this brilliant, interesting and open guy who's clearly attracted to him. Jayden feels like the antidote for everything that's wrong with Darren's life. He can't help trying to wake the naive, untouched and retiring Jayden up to his own potential.
But there's a dark cloud hanging over Darren's shot at happiness. He's struggled with his dark moods, which on introspective days he admits amount to depression and occasionally self-harm. He may look good on the surface, but underneath he's really no fit match for Jayden's easy warmth. What kind of guy would care to stick around when Darren slides back into one of his bad times?
This book is notable for one of the best depictions of teen depression I've seen. The underlying causes aren't blatant - like many real depressed teens, Darren isn't abused and traumatized. His situation isn't that awful, or that simple. The author depicts his moments of nadir in beautifully chosen phrases, making the reader feel the heaviness, the dulling, muffling, lethargic nothingness that smothers light and life in his dark moments. And Jayden's responses are also true to life, as he tries to somehow make the difference for his boyfriend, against a foe neither of them can really understand.
The events that shake up the situation are perhaps a bit dramatic, but they work to bring several of the simmering crises to a head. The secondary characters in this book are welcome additions to the story, particularly Darren's brother and two best friends, and Jayden's step-dad. As they all come together in the wake of the crisis, life for Jayden and Darren reforms in a different configuration.
The resolution was a little swift and upbeat. I imagine there were moments of pain and loss mixed into the positives of this nice little happy-for-now ending. Perhaps we will see more of that in the sequel (actually two sequels, I'm told), which I am delighted to be able to look forward to. Minor quibbles aside, I really enjoyed this book, will happily reread it when the next comes out, and recommend it to anyone who enjoys YA stories with gay protagonists.
thebroadsheets's review against another edition
5.0
Whew, that was intense. One of the most startlingly real depictions of depression I've ever encountered. But it was also one of the funniest and sweetest stories too. Absolutely brilliant all around.