Scan barcode
valereads's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness, Panic attacks/disorders, Suicidal thoughts, and Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Ableism, Hate crime, Homophobia, Self harm, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Minor: Bullying and Medical content
heavenssnat's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
I thought I would like this more than I did.
I really enjoyed the first half, the character development and the relationships between the characters were interesting and I was excited to see where it would go. Everything up until that one Solitaire house party was fine.
But what in the actual fuck was that afterwards???
I'm sorry, maybe I'm sensitive to cult-like behaviour of entire schools since I was forced to read "The Wave" in school (a book based on a real story where a history teacher tried to explain/show to his students how Hitler got to be so popular and inspire such cult-like behaviour by acting it out in class which backfired MASSIVELY), maybe it's very bad timing because I had just talked about the plot of "The Wave" with someone like two hours ago, but what in the world was that????
I'm not trying to be mean, I just genuinely don't understand the sudden turn of the plot???
I really enjoy the different characters, though I find myself often annoyed at Tori Spring I can sort of see why the reader would be. She is severely depressed and I don't think I was that kind either when I was still that depressed. A flawed main character and I think I might learn to love her for that.
I understand now why everyone seems to love Michael Holden. He deserves better. Don't understand how he didn't just pack his bags and leave.
I liked the characters, despised the Solitaire-plot.
I really enjoyed the first half, the character development and the relationships between the characters were interesting and I was excited to see where it would go. Everything up until that one Solitaire house party was fine.
But what in the actual fuck was that afterwards???
I'm sorry, maybe I'm sensitive to cult-like behaviour of entire schools since I was forced to read "The Wave" in school (a book based on a real story where a history teacher tried to explain/show to his students how Hitler got to be so popular and inspire such cult-like behaviour by acting it out in class which backfired MASSIVELY), maybe it's very bad timing because I had just talked about the plot of "The Wave" with someone like two hours ago, but what in the world was that????
I'm not trying to be mean, I just genuinely don't understand the sudden turn of the plot???
I really enjoy the different characters, though I find myself often annoyed at Tori Spring I can sort of see why the reader would be. She is severely depressed and I don't think I was that kind either when I was still that depressed. A flawed main character and I think I might learn to love her for that.
I understand now why everyone seems to love Michael Holden. He deserves better. Don't understand how he didn't just pack his bags and leave.
I liked the characters, despised the Solitaire-plot.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Ableism, Eating disorder, Homophobia, Self harm, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, and Fire/Fire injury
robinskye28's review against another edition
lighthearted
sad
medium-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
Charming story about teenagers with loveable characters, while still exploring more serious themes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Ableism, Homophobia, Misogyny, and Self harm
Content warning list can be found here: https://aliceoseman.com/extras/content-warnings/pastelkerstin's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Eating disorder, Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Fire/Fire injury, and Alcohol
Moderate: Ableism, Homophobia, Self harm, Violence, Stalking, Toxic friendship, and Injury/Injury detail
vaniavela's review against another edition
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Solitaire deals with issues such as anxiety and depression. This is not a book for everyone. The topics touched on may be heavy for some and if read without having previously seen the trigger warnings, may make the reader uncomfortable. It is a fairly heavy and graphic book on mental health.
I think this is one of those books that you either love or despise. I will try to cover both perspectives. First, the fact that it is promoted with the tagline "this is not a love story" strikes me as somewhat ironic since there is indeed a love story. Honestly, the love story was almost one of my favorite parts.
Another aspect is that Charlie was really having a terrible time. There were too many signs, there was a suicide attempt, and there's really no mention of what happens next. There is a small mention of going to the hospital, but other than that I would have liked to see some real support from his parents. I would have liked to see him recovering at least a little.
On the other hand, Tori's development was very minimal. I have depression, and I understand how hard it is, and I also understand that it's different for everyone. There are times when I really feel so annoyed out of nowhere and explode at others without meaning to. To some extent it was realistic, but I would have liked to have seen her slowly come out of it, or even slowly accept herself for who she is. I would have felt capable of being able to do the same. I understand that she's supposed to be dealing with her mental health, but some of her comments were uncomfortable to read since they were never addressed.
Mind you, gosh, reading a protagonist who hates to read was very conflicting for me. I love to read. Its literally one of the reasons I'm still alive. Constantly reading how Tori hates books and finds them horrible hurt me.
Despite all of this, I know Alice Oseman has gotten better at dealing with these issues. Even that, it's a good book for being her first and written at such a young age.
TW: References to suicide and suicide attempts, Suicidal ideation, Self-harm, Depression, Eating disorders, Obsessive-compulsive behaviours, Narrator has implied undiagnosed depression, Brief incidents of homophobia, Unchallenged misogyny and ableism.
I think this is one of those books that you either love or despise. I will try to cover both perspectives. First, the fact that it is promoted with the tagline "this is not a love story" strikes me as somewhat ironic since there is indeed a love story. Honestly, the love story was almost one of my favorite parts.
Another aspect is that Charlie was really having a terrible time. There were too many signs, there was a suicide attempt, and there's really no mention of what happens next. There is a small mention of going to the hospital, but other than that I would have liked to see some real support from his parents. I would have liked to see him recovering at least a little.
On the other hand, Tori's development was very minimal. I have depression, and I understand how hard it is, and I also understand that it's different for everyone. There are times when I really feel so annoyed out of nowhere and explode at others without meaning to. To some extent it was realistic, but I would have liked to have seen her slowly come out of it, or even slowly accept herself for who she is. I would have felt capable of being able to do the same. I understand that she's supposed to be dealing with her mental health, but some of her comments were uncomfortable to read since they were never addressed.
Mind you, gosh, reading a protagonist who hates to read was very conflicting for me. I love to read. Its literally one of the reasons I'm still alive. Constantly reading how Tori hates books and finds them horrible hurt me.
Despite all of this, I know Alice Oseman has gotten better at dealing with these issues. Even that, it's a good book for being her first and written at such a young age.
TW: References to suicide and suicide attempts, Suicidal ideation, Self-harm, Depression, Eating disorders, Obsessive-compulsive behaviours, Narrator has implied undiagnosed depression, Brief incidents of homophobia, Unchallenged misogyny and ableism.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Eating disorder, Panic attacks/disorders, Self harm, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Ableism, Homophobia, and Fire/Fire injury
charliebell's review against another edition
emotional
funny
mysterious
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Homophobia, Physical abuse, and Fire/Fire injury
Minor: Ableism, Eating disorder, Self harm, Vomit, and Suicide attempt
sensitive_queer's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Eating disorder, Self harm, and Suicidal thoughts
Minor: Ableism, Blood, Medical content, Suicide attempt, and Injury/Injury detail
crunchycrystals's review against another edition
emotional
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
just a friend group full of broken gay people that made me into a broken gay person by the end
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Suicidal thoughts, and Suicide attempt
Moderate: Homophobia, Self harm, and Blood
bookishyvonne's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.0
Alice Oseman schrieb mit 17 ihren Debütroman “Solitaire. Nachdem ich “Heartstopper” (Graphic Novel) gelesen habe, wollte ich unbedingt mehr von ihr lesen. Also habe ich gedacht, ich lese mich chronologisch durch die Welt. Leider war “Solitaire” nicht mein Fall.
⚠️ [CN: Ableismus, Depression, Essstörung, HP Referenz (S. 12-14, 104-105, 143, 179, 205, 253), Mordgedanken, Saneismus, Selbstverletzung, Sexismus, Suizid “Witz”, Suizidalität, Zwangsstörung]
Die 16-jährige Tori hasst alle, außer ihren kleinen Bruder Charlie, ist pessimistisch und sie verkörpert regelrecht Weltschmerz. Vieles konnte ich nachempfinden, aber ihren Sarkasmus teile ich einfach nicht und irgendwann fand ich dieses "Das ist lustig, weil es wahr ist." ehrlich gesagt nur noch nervig. Michael hingegen ist quasi das komplette Gegenteil von Tori. Aufgeschlossen, optimistisch und sprudelt nur so vor Energie. Die beiden miteinander interagieren zu sehen, fand ich total spannend, eben, weil sie so unterschiedlich sind.
Die Story mit der anonymen Schülergruppe Solitaire und wer dahinter steckt, fand ich ziemlich interessant und auch die Charaktere mochte ich sehr gerne. Genauso der Schreibstil, wodurch diese melancholische Atmosphäre im Buch durchgehend aufrechterhält. Jetzt kommt das aber: Irgendwie war so das letzte Drittel für mich sehr… verwirrend? Alles ging drunter und drüber. Was mich besonders gestört hat, war wie mit Charlie umgegangen wurde. Charlie hat versucht sich zu suizidieren, verletzt sich selbst und hat eine Essstörung. Wieso wird nicht einmal Therapie erwähnt? Oder der Gedanke an Therapie? Das Gleiche gilt für Tori. Sie hat Charlie gefunden, nach dem Suizidversuch und hat sicherlich auch eine Therapie nötig. Vor allem, weil sie teilweise wirklich gewalttätige Fantasien hat, die für mich auch etwas zu detailliert beschrieben wurden.
Würde ich das Buch empfehlen? Keine Ahnung. Ich fand’s okay
⚠️ [CN: Ableismus, Depression, Essstörung, HP Referenz (S. 12-14, 104-105, 143, 179, 205, 253), Mordgedanken, Saneismus, Selbstverletzung, Sexismus, Suizid “Witz”, Suizidalität, Zwangsstörung]
Die 16-jährige Tori hasst alle, außer ihren kleinen Bruder Charlie, ist pessimistisch und sie verkörpert regelrecht Weltschmerz. Vieles konnte ich nachempfinden, aber ihren Sarkasmus teile ich einfach nicht und irgendwann fand ich dieses "Das ist lustig, weil es wahr ist." ehrlich gesagt nur noch nervig. Michael hingegen ist quasi das komplette Gegenteil von Tori. Aufgeschlossen, optimistisch und sprudelt nur so vor Energie. Die beiden miteinander interagieren zu sehen, fand ich total spannend, eben, weil sie so unterschiedlich sind.
Die Story mit der anonymen Schülergruppe Solitaire und wer dahinter steckt, fand ich ziemlich interessant und auch die Charaktere mochte ich sehr gerne. Genauso der Schreibstil, wodurch diese melancholische Atmosphäre im Buch durchgehend aufrechterhält. Jetzt kommt das aber: Irgendwie war so das letzte Drittel für mich sehr… verwirrend? Alles ging drunter und drüber. Was mich besonders gestört hat, war wie mit Charlie umgegangen wurde. Charlie hat versucht sich zu suizidieren, verletzt sich selbst und hat eine Essstörung. Wieso wird nicht einmal Therapie erwähnt? Oder der Gedanke an Therapie? Das Gleiche gilt für Tori. Sie hat Charlie gefunden, nach dem Suizidversuch und hat sicherlich auch eine Therapie nötig. Vor allem, weil sie teilweise wirklich gewalttätige Fantasien hat, die für mich auch etwas zu detailliert beschrieben wurden.
Würde ich das Buch empfehlen? Keine Ahnung. Ich fand’s okay
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence
Moderate: Mental illness, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Ableism, Eating disorder, and Blood
forcedtoland's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
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
5.0
can we talk about michael holden
Content Warnings
Graphic: Mental illness and Suicidal thoughts
Moderate: Eating disorder, Self harm, and Suicide attempt
Minor: Ableism and Homophobia