jennicajackson's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
bookish_4life's review against another edition
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
burstnwithbooks's review against another edition
5.0
WOW this book was fantastic. It's so raw and emotional and important. I became really attached and couldn't put it down. I loved the writing and this book was just so fantastic. I'll definitely have to check out this author's other books and see what else I might want to pick up.
lapetite's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Grief is everywhere. It’s its own being. It walks beside you silently, jumps out at you meanly, pokes you awake at night.
Even if it took me months to do so, I finally finished this book and it came with a deep ache in my heart.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gun violence and Grief
emdowd's review against another edition
4.0
This was gorgeous.
Spoiler
I wasn't expecting it to be as much about power and the ways women and girls are taught to avoid confrontation. Really well done.garytay23's review against another edition
5.0
I don't even know where to begin with this book. Such a masterpiece in so many ways.
Firstly, the running. Finally, a book about running where the author did some research about running before writing the darn thing. The chafing, the fueling, the different trails she took, the solitude, the toll it has on your body, a lot of it felt right and well-written as a runner. Having running as the background of her story was a good vehicle for her to grow, move forward and raise awareness. Unlike other novels I've read, including running in this story felt on theme, necessary to the story AND still accurate and well researched. Granted I haven't run across the country so I'll be sure to update my review when I do.
Next, Annabelle's background/why she's running. Man did that hit home. I feel like it's unfortunately not an isolated experience as a high school girl to have a boy that pushes boundaries or is unhealthily interested in you. Watching her relationship with the Taker develop and twist was honestly captivating in a sad way. I liked how the author didn't immediately tell us the inciting incident between the two, instead focusing on the trauma and the recovery afterwards for Annabelle. It was a good kind of slow burn where we slowly learn her story and what happened as she's simultaneously learning how to process it and move forward. Additionally, I liked how Annabelle wasn't completely innocent in this situation, but also the blame wasn't pinned on her either. (To be clear, she in no way deserved what happened. The book just let us know that she was a flawed teenager who could do some mean things sometimes.)
Lastly, I think the message about gun violence was done pretty well. It felt a little rushed in at the end, but with the setup of us not fully knowing Annabelle's story til closer to the end, it makes sense. The conclusion of her journey was so touching and just left me thinking for a long long time.
If you're looking for a good running YA that has a powerful protagonist and meaningful messages, I would highly recommend this one. It is a heavier book but well worth the read.
Firstly, the running. Finally, a book about running where the author did some research about running before writing the darn thing. The chafing, the fueling, the different trails she took, the solitude, the toll it has on your body, a lot of it felt right and well-written as a runner. Having running as the background of her story was a good vehicle for her to grow, move forward and raise awareness. Unlike other novels I've read, including running in this story felt on theme, necessary to the story AND still accurate and well researched. Granted I haven't run across the country so I'll be sure to update my review when I do.
Spoiler
no wayNext, Annabelle's background/why she's running. Man did that hit home. I feel like it's unfortunately not an isolated experience as a high school girl to have a boy that pushes boundaries or is unhealthily interested in you. Watching her relationship with the Taker develop and twist was honestly captivating in a sad way. I liked how the author didn't immediately tell us the inciting incident between the two, instead focusing on the trauma and the recovery afterwards for Annabelle.
Spoiler
(Honestly that should be the focus in real life events like these. Why do we focus so much on the instigator of violence and not the people it harmed?)Spoiler
She didn't enter the relationship with the Taker with the best of intentions, and even arguably was using him at times. The book doesn't hold back in painting her as a flawed person who made mistakes with the boy. However, it also doesn't blame her for the shooting and the fallout after. Even if she was being a bad friend and playing the field somewhat, she didn't deserve to die or have her friends die in such an awful way The Taker's reaction is in no way a healthy or acceptable one, and the book makes sure to make that clear. It all felt very real. I was glad Annabelle wasn't a perfect angel, she was a teenage girl who made mistakes and bad choices, but a boy felt entitled to her and to revenge and took things way too far.Lastly, I think the message about gun violence was done pretty well. It felt a little rushed in at the end, but with the setup of us not fully knowing Annabelle's story til closer to the end, it makes sense. The conclusion of her journey was so touching and just left me thinking for a long long time.
If you're looking for a good running YA that has a powerful protagonist and meaningful messages, I would highly recommend this one. It is a heavier book but well worth the read.
girlreading's review against another edition
4.0
This was so much more than anything I'd expected and honestly? I'm in complete awe at Deb Caletti's storytelling. I was blown away by how this story was written and unfolded and I've come away from it truly feeling like I've been taken on a journey.
Caletti expertly captured the battles inside of Annabelle's head. It's painful and powerful and brilliantly written. I was also so impressed with the flawless way the past and present were interwoven and presented.
The characters and relationships throughout the book were fantastic. Annabelle is a powerful, vulnerable, hurting, scared, confused and so strong despite feeling anything but. Her family are interesting to read, easy to love and I loved how they each showed their support in different ways, never wavering in their show of love. Her friends are supportive without being patronising or overbearing and the love interest is kind, subtle and warm in a way that couldn't have fit in more perfectly with the story.
From the way it explores PTSD, to its powerful and painfully necessary messages on the need for gun reform, gun violence, abusive relationships and grief, there is so much I could say about this story but I'm not sure I have the words to do it justice. I will, however, say this: this book is one of the most beautifully crafted pieces of storytelling I've read in a long time.
TW: PTSD, anxiety, depression, gun violence, abusive relationship/friendship
Caletti expertly captured the battles inside of Annabelle's head. It's painful and powerful and brilliantly written. I was also so impressed with the flawless way the past and present were interwoven and presented.
The characters and relationships throughout the book were fantastic. Annabelle is a powerful, vulnerable, hurting, scared, confused and so strong despite feeling anything but. Her family are interesting to read, easy to love and I loved how they each showed their support in different ways, never wavering in their show of love. Her friends are supportive without being patronising or overbearing and the love interest is kind, subtle and warm in a way that couldn't have fit in more perfectly with the story.
From the way it explores PTSD, to its powerful and painfully necessary messages on the need for gun reform, gun violence, abusive relationships and grief, there is so much I could say about this story but I'm not sure I have the words to do it justice. I will, however, say this: this book is one of the most beautifully crafted pieces of storytelling I've read in a long time.
TW: PTSD, anxiety, depression, gun violence, abusive relationship/friendship
tinylilo's review against another edition
4.0
4.5 stars. Wow, this book is so beautiful, haunting, and uplifting. It’s so hard-hitting and real and I loved it
helterskelliter's review against another edition
5.0
“My running is crying and praying and screaming. It is saying that I don’t know what to do but that I must do something. That I must use my voice, because it’s the only thing you have sometimes when someone or something is larger and more powerful than you.” (334)
This is such a beautiful story about processing trauma and working through grief at your own pace. Annabelle’s sorrow and grief are so raw, her desire to flee from everything she feels she couldn’t stop so painfully articulated. Her guilt is a burden we feel with each step of this journey. It hurts, moving forward. But, it’s agonizing to stand still, to do nothing.
I want to move forward with Annabelle. I want Annabelle to move forward. To be free.
I really like how this story depicts trauma as cyclical, as something that must be faced again and again. It’s small actions everyday that get you through big challenges. But, this story also addresses how some problems are not individual ones. Some issues, like gun control, need advocates but also action at higher levels. Doing nothing solves nothing, though. We must all take steps forward, even if it hurts. Especially because it hurts.
I just really how this story captures the pain and beauty of surviving. It’s hard work to move on, to move forward. It’s hard work everyday. It’s a decision everyday to move forward. Some days are so hard, some memories so vivid. Some questions, some “what if’s” are so loud. They beat in time with your heart until it feels like you don’t have a heart anymore. Just a big question mark, a big “why” in place of your heart. It hurts to survive. It can be so ugly. Feel so ugly. But, it’s worth it. You are worth it.
Truly, a heartbreakingly wonderful book that I can’t recommend enough~
This is such a beautiful story about processing trauma and working through grief at your own pace. Annabelle’s sorrow and grief are so raw, her desire to flee from everything she feels she couldn’t stop so painfully articulated. Her guilt is a burden we feel with each step of this journey. It hurts, moving forward. But, it’s agonizing to stand still, to do nothing.
I want to move forward with Annabelle. I want Annabelle to move forward. To be free.
I really like how this story depicts trauma as cyclical, as something that must be faced again and again. It’s small actions everyday that get you through big challenges. But, this story also addresses how some problems are not individual ones. Some issues, like gun control, need advocates but also action at higher levels. Doing nothing solves nothing, though. We must all take steps forward, even if it hurts. Especially because it hurts.
I just really how this story captures the pain and beauty of surviving. It’s hard work to move on, to move forward. It’s hard work everyday. It’s a decision everyday to move forward. Some days are so hard, some memories so vivid. Some questions, some “what if’s” are so loud. They beat in time with your heart until it feels like you don’t have a heart anymore. Just a big question mark, a big “why” in place of your heart. It hurts to survive. It can be so ugly. Feel so ugly. But, it’s worth it. You are worth it.
Truly, a heartbreakingly wonderful book that I can’t recommend enough~