luciferslibrary's review
4.75
This book is... A lot. Really hard to read. But the characters are so human, so raw and vulnerable and they feel so real. It feels so much like it happened in real life.
One of the best books I read in a long time.
One of the best books I read in a long time.
michelle_pink_polka_dot's review
2.0
Complicated feelings. I didn't realize this was a Cassie Bernall of Columbine retelling & that felt sort of unoriginal. Also, I didn't like the characters or the way this book felt almost scared to say anything at all. I'd probably give it 2.5 stars if I'm being honest.
zoeyreif's review
challenging
dark
emotional
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
fwoods's review
dark
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
kaylakennon's review
5.0
Seriously one of my favorite books ever. TW it does mention school shootings. This book does a fantastic job telling a different version of a school shooting story.
__allison__'s review
2.0
This book was.. different.
I didn't really fully understand that the entire book was Lee's letter until about 100 pages in, so that made it confusing.
I didn't like the romance.. it seemed random and out of place.
Lee, in my opinion, was manipulative and (no hate to the LGBTQ+ community) it seemed like she hid behind the fact she was asexual and used it as an excuse as to why her and Miles couldn't date..
even though,
spoiler~ they do end up together? I don't understand, but I won't be rereading this one.
I didn't really fully understand that the entire book was Lee's letter until about 100 pages in, so that made it confusing.
I didn't like the romance.. it seemed random and out of place.
Lee, in my opinion, was manipulative and (no hate to the LGBTQ+ community) it seemed like she hid behind the fact she was asexual and used it as an excuse as to why her and Miles couldn't date..
even though,
spoiler~ they do end up together? I don't understand, but I won't be rereading this one.
bookaddict1975's review against another edition
3.0
*Audio Review*
This review is based more on the writing style, story and character development than the subject matter. While this is a really hard subject matter, the story line felt very meh to me. I didn't really feel the characters the way I thought I would and the way this story was written leads you to believe that there is a BIG secret and to be honest, the secret was not important and didn't even matter to the story in the end. I think I understand what the author was trying to express in this book but I just felt like it didn't come across in a big enough way.
The narration was great, each character has their own voice which is important in a story like this.
This review is based more on the writing style, story and character development than the subject matter. While this is a really hard subject matter, the story line felt very meh to me. I didn't really feel the characters the way I thought I would and the way this story was written leads you to believe that there is a BIG secret and to be honest, the secret was not important and didn't even matter to the story in the end. I think I understand what the author was trying to express in this book but I just felt like it didn't come across in a big enough way.
The narration was great, each character has their own voice which is important in a story like this.
alliekb17's review
4.0
This book made me question the purpose in the plot. However the farther to The end you get the more it makes sense. The themes is so powerful and the plot twist at the end I wish would of happened earlier.
lakinlindsey's review
dark
emotional
reflective
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
This book made me sob dealing with its themes of trauma, grief, guilt, and taking control of your own narrative. This book has some cool stuff to say of how important is the truth in the end. Is it better to give people that lost loved ones a sense of comfort? Or to be true to who people actually were? I Fall somewhere between where I think it’s fine to let people believe what they want but not at the cost of hurting someone else like in this book with Kellie. However, a favorite theme of mine from this book is Lee discussing how she hates that once people are dead they’re put on a pedestal and people refuse to be truthful about their flaws. This dehumanizes them and is unfair to their memory and to people still alive. That’s always been something I dislike as well. Last but not least I thought the book was building to a dark turn with Miles and I’m very glad that wasn’t the case in the end. This was a good, but triggering read so beware.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Gun violence, Injury/injury detail, and Mass/school shootings
Moderate: Bullying, Drug abuse, Violence, and Grief
Minor: Blood and Addiction
holsarmstrong's review
3.0
this book started off being a solid 4 stars for me but the more we got into the book, the more I felt that it was just pages of filler and nothing was really happening plot wise.
I will say, as someone who lives in the UK and who has never once had to worry about a school shooting, I have an interest in reading these books because to me it is unfathomable that children have to experience this. I think Kody did a good job of portraying the message across and the ending I liked but everything in the middle was a bit ugh to me. I just felt like there was nothing happening or being explained and I still have a million questions.
overall, I think this book portrayed a strong message and would be good for readers 14 and older. I think the intention was there but the delivery lacked.
I will say, as someone who lives in the UK and who has never once had to worry about a school shooting, I have an interest in reading these books because to me it is unfathomable that children have to experience this. I think Kody did a good job of portraying the message across and the ending I liked but everything in the middle was a bit ugh to me. I just felt like there was nothing happening or being explained and I still have a million questions.
overall, I think this book portrayed a strong message and would be good for readers 14 and older. I think the intention was there but the delivery lacked.