thesaltiestlibrarian's review against another edition
dark
emotional
sad
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Thanks to Edelweiss for the ARC. The opinions expressed herein are mine alone and may not reflect the views of the author, publisher, or distributor.
CONTENT WARNING
Graphic domestic abuse, suicidal thoughts, suicide, teen drinking, attempted suicide
A BREATH TOO LATE is one of the most brutal books I've read this year. We follow Ellie after she has taken her own life. She watches the people she loved most deal with the fallout, and we get the backstory as she fights to remember why she should have stayed. Why she should have continued to fight.
She and her mother escaped Ellie's abusive father when she was very young, and eventually, as it sadly happens in life, he finds them. He wedges himself into their lives. He puts on sad puppy eyes and bites when they least expect it. Things ramp up as Ellie gets older, and when she's a senior in high school and about to apply to college out of state, her father takes things to a brutal new level.
The next day, Ellie kills herself.
The book starts there, working its way back and forth in time. We get to see her with her childhood best friend, an aspiring artist named August. They play and create and run around, and Ellie keeps the abuse hidden from him until that night their senior year. August was a total sweetheart and never gave up on Ellie, even when he could have easily walked away whenever she clammed up. Ellie herself came across as a convincing victim of abuse, as did her mother, and her father was a convincing abuser.
The thing I found hard to swallow was the dialogue in some places. When they talked sometimes, August and Ellie didn't really sound like teenagers. They didn't reach John Green levels of pedantic diatribe, but they didn't sound entirely realistic either.
Ultimately, the story of abuse and suicide is commonplace (to my dismay) and anyone who's triggered by either domestic abuse or suicide and depression needs to consider reading something else. A BREATH TOO LATE reads like SPEAK and anything by Ellen Hopkins had a lovechild. I found myself greatly frustrated with Ellie's decision to end her life, but mostly because I struggle with suicidal thoughts myself. The fallout here is devastating--real and heartbreaking and just brutal. The biggest thing I wish we had here is a spark of hope at the end of the book. I left the last page feeling completely deflated and floating away on a wind of despair.
Readers need to be careful going in. Keep that in mind if you decide to give this book a chance.
IF YOU NEED HELP, PLEASE REACH OUT. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is there to listen and to help you out of that darkness.
In the US, the number is 1-800-273-8255, or text HOME to 741741.
In Canada, the number is 7-833-456-4566, or send a text to 45645.
In the UK, the number is 0800 689 5652, or send a text to 85258.
Si usted es un hablante español, llame al número 1-888-628-9454.
Stay. For the Future You we have yet to see, stay. You are loved. Stay.
CONTENT WARNING
Graphic domestic abuse, suicidal thoughts, suicide, teen drinking, attempted suicide
A BREATH TOO LATE is one of the most brutal books I've read this year. We follow Ellie after she has taken her own life. She watches the people she loved most deal with the fallout, and we get the backstory as she fights to remember why she should have stayed. Why she should have continued to fight.
She and her mother escaped Ellie's abusive father when she was very young, and eventually, as it sadly happens in life, he finds them. He wedges himself into their lives. He puts on sad puppy eyes and bites when they least expect it. Things ramp up as Ellie gets older, and when she's a senior in high school and about to apply to college out of state, her father takes things to a brutal new level.
The next day, Ellie kills herself.
The book starts there, working its way back and forth in time. We get to see her with her childhood best friend, an aspiring artist named August. They play and create and run around, and Ellie keeps the abuse hidden from him until that night their senior year. August was a total sweetheart and never gave up on Ellie, even when he could have easily walked away whenever she clammed up. Ellie herself came across as a convincing victim of abuse, as did her mother, and her father was a convincing abuser.
The thing I found hard to swallow was the dialogue in some places. When they talked sometimes, August and Ellie didn't really sound like teenagers. They didn't reach John Green levels of pedantic diatribe, but they didn't sound entirely realistic either.
Ultimately, the story of abuse and suicide is commonplace (to my dismay) and anyone who's triggered by either domestic abuse or suicide and depression needs to consider reading something else. A BREATH TOO LATE reads like SPEAK and anything by Ellen Hopkins had a lovechild. I found myself greatly frustrated with Ellie's decision to end her life, but mostly because I struggle with suicidal thoughts myself. The fallout here is devastating--real and heartbreaking and just brutal. The biggest thing I wish we had here is a spark of hope at the end of the book. I left the last page feeling completely deflated and floating away on a wind of despair.
Readers need to be careful going in. Keep that in mind if you decide to give this book a chance.
IF YOU NEED HELP, PLEASE REACH OUT. The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is there to listen and to help you out of that darkness.
In the US, the number is 1-800-273-8255, or text HOME to 741741.
In Canada, the number is 7-833-456-4566, or send a text to 45645.
In the UK, the number is 0800 689 5652, or send a text to 85258.
Si usted es un hablante español, llame al número 1-888-628-9454.
Stay. For the Future You we have yet to see, stay. You are loved. Stay.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Suicidal thoughts, Suicide attempt, Toxic relationship, Violence, Child abuse, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Grief, Physical abuse, and Stalking
Moderate: Alcoholism, Body shaming, and Bullying
Minor: Vomit, Sexual content, and Suicide
More...