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
evieolive's review
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Just as important as I expected but I was really happily surprised to see such flowery writing in a contemporary, I loved the style!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racial slurs, Infidelity, Racism, Toxic friendship, and Police brutality
Moderate: Homophobia, Violence, Genocide, Death, Confinement, Physical abuse, Suicide, and Gun violence
Minor: Addiction, Alcohol, Suicide attempt, Sexual harassment, Antisemitism, Slavery, Body shaming, Mental illness, Grief, Drug abuse, Murder, Cultural appropriation, and Classism
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