megelizabeth's review against another edition
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.0
This was very much a 'just okay' book for me. It deals relatively well with some important themes, and I enjoyed some of the developing relationships, but ultimately I struggled to really connect with the characters or the story. I also wasn't a fan of the writing style, and to me it really didn't feel authentic to the 90s setting (some reviewers have said that this highlights how things haven't really changed in that time, but I personally feel this message could have been achieved without sacrificing the sense of time).
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Suicide, Death, Racism, Murder, Violence, and Child abuse
Moderate: Drug use, Infidelity, and Alcohol
Minor: Animal cruelty, Bullying, Homophobia, War, Sexual harassment, Blood, and Suicide attempt
courtneyfalling's review
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
This was really tightly written, from the characters to their relationships to the overall plot. Lots of hard questions, no solid answers, but I feel like I'm going to keep thinking about this book for a while.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Toxic friendship, Racism, and Racial slurs
Moderate: Police brutality, Suicide, and Alcohol
Minor: Fire/Fire injury, Blood, and Slavery
rbookish's review against another edition
challenging
dark
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
kinda boring ngl
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Alcoholism, Blood, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Drug use, Grief, Hate crime, Murder, Police brutality, Racial slurs, and Racism
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